Truth or myth: dismantle popular ways to strengthen the immune system
Health / / December 19, 2019
confirmed by scientists
Hygiene
This is the easiest and cheapest way of preventing any of the diseases: wash your hands frequently, especially if you've just come out of public transport, and less likely to touch the face. But do not overdo it in the fight against microorganisms: no need to sanitize everything around, even for newborns. In our blood there are T cells that can recognize and kill cells with a foreign agent, such as bacteria and viruses. A group of scientists from Imperial College London foundInterleukin-8 (CXCL8) production is a signatory T cell effector function of human newborn infantsThat the T cells of infants unable to resist these germs. It protects against infection in the womb.
Moreover, the desire for total sterility has no relation to cleanliness. Austrian freelance science journalist Bert Ehgartner I wrote this book with severe entitled "The Collapse of hygiene." The author claims: health - it is a balance and symbiosis between bacteria and our body.
Recreation
Sleep - recovery time and self-repair of the body. German scientists have found
Sleep and immune functionThat immunological memory is formed and strengthened it in the deep sleep phase. It works like this: while we sleep, the body cells are analyzed with a foreign agent, which ran during the day. These cells contain substances that our immune system are considered potentially dangerous. Information about these "enemies" is stored in the immunological memory - a sort of "database". If we will face again with a foreign agent, which is already in the immunological memory, the body recognizes them and start the immune response - the active production of antibodies. If we sleep little or often wake up, this mechanism gives failure: in the "base" get the wrong data. Because of this, it can not work out those antibodies or the body does not understand that he had met the virus. Thus, sleep disorders - a way to weaken the immune system.How much to sleep? According toSleep Duration and Mortality: A Prospective Study of 113,138 Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese Men and Women Sleep Research Society, likely to develop in adults is minimal for an 8-hour sleep. Infants should sleep 18 hours a day; teenagers - about 10 hours; children who have not yet entered puberty - 11 hours. Another study showedSleep Habits and Susceptibility to the Common ColdThat people who sleep for 6 hours per day, three times more likely to get colds than those who rest 8 hours.
vitamin D
Vitamin D (calciferol) has complex effects on our organism. It increases efficiency, improves sleep quality and resistance to infection.
It is knownVitamin D and the Immune SystemThat taking vitamin D reduces the incidence of influenza by 42%. Another study provedRandomized trial of vitamin D supplementation to prevent seasonal influenza A in schoolchildrenThat if students take 1200 IU calciferol in the day, it is almost twice reduces the probability of catching the flu. For children vitamin D is especially important: without it, the body will not normally grow and develop.
The level of this substance in our body varies seasonally. Vitamin combines several forms, D2 and if we get only with the food, the D3 is also produced by skin UV. the sun is less - less calciferol in the body. Therefore gloomy autumn days is another cause of the fall of immunity.
inhalation
This is an effective means ofInhaled Therapy in Respiratory Disease: The Complex Interplay of Pulmonary Kinetic Processes not only for treatment but also for prevention of colds. Inhalation pharmacy drugs should only be carried out by a doctor: at least because each such drug has contraindications.
With essential oils of the situation is different. These substances are produced in plants and have potent physiological and pharmacological properties. peppermint oilEffect of essential oils to increase the resistance of the human body and the reorganization of air space It reduces the amount of microbes in the air, clove - has antibacterial properties, soothes, promotes tissue repair. Cajeput prevents the spread of infections, destroys their originators. Wintergreen - reduces inflammation, pain reliever. Juniper and eucalyptusImmune-Modifying and Antimicrobial Effects of Eucalyptus Oil and Simple Inhalation Devices oils have antibacterial properties, disinfects, stimulates the immune system.
Not every essential oil is suitable for inhalation. The selection and application must take into account a number of features:
- Synthetic oils are cheaper because they are easier to produce. Natural more expensive, but more efficient.
- For oils that are used in medicine, there are more stringent requirements for purity and concentration than the one for the food industry. Not fully refined oils retain flavor, but contain less of the active ingredients. In such formulations it may be too much base oil and associated components. As a result, an inexpensive product, at best, will not work, and at worst can lead to allergies and other side effects.
- Quality essential oils are always sold in a bottle of dark glass that protects against exposure to sunlight. The instructions required to indicate the full composition with the Latin names of each component.
- One inhalation per day - it was good, but not enough. It is better to surround himself with small doses of essential oils throughout the day, especially if you plan to use the anti-viral properties of oils for the prevention of SARS.
Today, scientists are based on the resultsThe use of inhaled essential oils in the treatment and prevention of acute respiratory viral infections in children clinical trials and pick truly effective combination of essential. For example, oily 'Breathe' - seven natural components: peppermint, eucalyptus, cajeput, wintergreen, clove and juniper essential oils and levomenthol. This product is manufactured in a traditional bottle for drops and in the form spray. As there is no doubt: the two bottle made of dark glass, they specified the exact composition, there are instructions and anti-counterfeiting elements.
In oil "Breathe" convenient for parents and comfortable for children from 1 year non-contact method of application. You do not need any special equipment: just drop the product on a handkerchief or sprayed in the air - breathe and the nutrients can be even around the clock. The season of colds in Russia lasts up to six months, so inhalations with oil "Breathe" for prevention can be as often as you want. Essential oils do not damage the mucosa and are not addictive.
researchEffective use of essential oils for the treatment and prevention of acute respiratory infections in frequently ill children It showed that after application of the oil "Breathe," the number of cases of SARS among students has decreased by 3.1 times and the kids have missed 3 times less school days.
Help your immunity
Physical activity
Physical education - the key to health, including the immune system strong. But only if the classes are regular and moderate load. When you exercise, your heart beats more often. As a result, the T-lymphocytes and other cells that are responsible for resistance to infection, move more actively, more quickly find the problem in the body, detect viruses and microbes. But heavy training and preparation for competitions - is stress. provedExercise stress increases susceptibility to influenza infectionThat intensive training lead to decreased immunity.
Myths and legends
Healthy eating
In the immune system and your eating habits uneasy relationship. Improper nutrition can weaken your immune system, but healthy food by itself is not able to protect against the cold. If you eat properly, but reconsider your diet, it certainly will be able to normalize the weight and improve the state of the digestive tract. However, your immune system will not be immune from this.
Theoretically, foods rich in magnesium, zinc, vitamins C & D, actually reduces the risk of disease. But studies have shown that taking vitamin C is able to weaken only slightlyVitamin C and immune function I have already begun a cold. A can not prevent. It will not work, and tea with lemon: Vitamin C is destroyed at high temperatures.
Of course, proper nutrition - it is important for health and good for maintaining immunity. But this does not mean that it is necessary to sit on a diet of broccoli and carrot juice. The food should be sufficient protein and carbohydrates, or increase the level of stress hormones, are produced less protective factors of the organism.
Same with vitamins: until you are diagnosed with a vitamin deficiency, do not rush to the pharmacy. Drink vitamins just useless.
the heat outside
Temperature behind itself is not to blame for colds. Both children and adults often suffer in the cold more because of urbanization. They spend more time indoors or in crowded truck with the windows closed, where the virus is easy to spread and their higher concentration.
Yes, due to supercooling disrupted blood vessels, decreases the permeability of their walls. But if you dress for the weather and not peremerzat, everything will be fine. In addition, cold trains our bodies: teaches vessels and peripheral nervous system to quickly and accurately respond to changes in temperature. So what does work hardening. But the value of a warm scarf overrated.
warm inside
Hot tea with honey and lemon - that's good, but the ice cream - it's bad, because we were taught in childhood. But modern doctors have a different opinion. Ice cream, as well as other cold foods, reduces swelling, so some doctors even recommend it for angina. But lemon from boiling water loses its usefulness - high temperature destroys vitamin C and other important substances in it.
Warms alcohol is also not worth it. The body perceives it as a poison and spends considerable effort to neutralize. Maybe it's better to put these resources to the war against infectious agents?
immunomodulators
Immunomodulators are often considered almost a panacea for ills: just drank a magic pill - and now there is no cold will not take. It's not like that at all. immunomodulators do not make our immune system into an impregnable armor. They are able to work only within the physiological values of a particular organism. In addition, the immune system is too complicated. One substance not rebuild three dozen types of cells and hundreds of receptors, which protect against disease.
For the prevention of colds often use different interferons - a type of immune modulators. Are proteins that the body produces when it detects a virus, bacteria or other substances of potential "enemies". But as early as 1984, scientists provedInterferon does not work against SARS. A few sprays with this ingredient at all toxic. In some cases, the use of interferon drugs increases the risk of heart diseaseType I Interferons Are Associated with Subclinical Markers of Cardiovascular Disease in a Cohort of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients and adversely affect reproductive functionPost interferon therapy decreases male fertility through gonadotoxic effect..
In general, immunomodulators - this is not a cure for the common cold. They can be prescribed only by doctors and only in really serious cases, such as identified immunodeficiency.
If the immune system has failed
Do not self-medicate! Consult your doctor: it is ultimately save both time and money.
Do not run to the pharmacy for antibiotics. First, they only work against bacteria (and that is not all!), But powerless against viruses. Distinguish bacterial from viral infection is sometimes difficult even physician with experience. Secondly, every drug works against his group of diseases and has a long list of side effects.
And do not waste your money on the advertised medicines or remedies that have helped your friend. Maybe these drugs are effective, but there is always the risk of side effects. Each of the body and in each case of the disease - the features.
And if the immune system still has failed, do not forget:
- Regularly wash your nose with saline. 1 teaspoon purified sea salt in a glass of water will suffice. There are also ready-made solutions, which are sold in pharmacies.
- Ventilate the room and office in the office in the morning and evening.
- Use essential oils for inhalation.
Protect against colds