Woman saying no to junk food

Top 6 Habits That Damage Your Immune System

What are the unhealthy habits that lead to a weak immune system?

  1. Letting stress control your life
  2. Smoking
  3. Exposure to large amounts of alcohol
  4. Staying up late at night
  5. Binging on junk food
  6. Skipping on vitamins and supplements
Your body’s immune system is responsible for fighting pathogens that cause diseases. That’s why if you have compromised immunity, you might suffer from frequent infections, colds, digestive problems, and wounds that are slow to heal. But aside from not taking enough vitamins for adults, what are the weak immune system habits that might be making you more prone to sickness? Keep on reading to learn more.

Letting Stress Control Your Life Man being stressed while working

May it be your work, personal issues, or life-changing experiences, stress affects both your mental and physical health. This is because your body produces the hormone cortisol during fight or flight moments. Chronic stress can make your body more resistant to this in the long run. Aside from that, stress also decreases the functioning of your white blood cells, which is also important in fighting infection.

Smoking

To relieve stress, some individuals would try getting rid of their worries through smoking. This is because nicotine triggers your brain into releasing dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for giving humans feelings of happiness and relaxation. But in exchange for this short-term experience, you are damaging your immune system. This is because nicotine increases the cortisol levels in your body. It can also alter the function of your immune cells by affecting the formation and proliferation of antibodies that protect you from infection. If you’re stressed, it might be good to consider other healthy alternatives.

Exposure To Large Amounts Of Alcohol Glass of beer on a table

You should not rely on alcohol consumption to relieve your stress. This is because it can damage the lining of your lungs that hosts your immune cells, making it harder for your organ to get rid of pathogens in your airways. That’s why people who drink are more prone to lung diseases such as Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome, a condition that causes fluid leaks which makes it harder for oxygen to enter your bloodstream. It doesn’t end there as it also harms your gut—which houses the majority of your immunity—by destroying the beneficial bacteria.

Staying Up Late At Night

Did you know that sleep and immunity are related? To help you fight off infection, your body produces immune cells during your sleep. Your breathing and muscle activity also lessens, which means that your energy is allocated to your immune system to do its job. This might be the reason why you are more prone to the common cold if you only sleep less than 6 hours.

Binging On Junk Food Junk food

If you’re up late at night on movie marathons, you might be more prone to unhealthy eating. May it be the caramel popcorn, chocolate cake, or sweetened alcoholic beverages. But did you know that this could lead to sugar spikes that can impair immune function? This is because sugar affects the way your white blood cells respond to a pathogen attack. This might be the reason why patients with type 2 diabetes are more prone to infections. That’s why instead of foods that can increase sugar spikes, you should opt for fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and wheat which can regulate glucose levels.

Skipping On Vitamins And Supplements

But if you can’t get all the nutrients you need from your diet, you need to supplement it with multivitamins! This is because there are necessary compounds that you need to support your immunity. If you decide to skip on these, you might be compromising your health. For example, if you can’t sleep at night, your doctor might recommend melatonin supplements for short-term use. If taken before bedtime, it can help you sleep faster and also improve your overall rest quality. On the other hand, probiotics encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut, which is responsible for your immunity! And you can’t forget vitamin C capsules which support cell function in your immune system.

Key Takeaway

Because of these weak immune system habits, you might be more prone to viruses and bacteria that can cause disease. If you continue with these activities, you can contract more colds, flu, and infectious conditions that you can pass on to your family and loved ones. If you want to take care of your body, you can try out the immune-boosting supplements from Puritan’s Pride! With high-quality ingredients and affordable prices, you will get only the best for you and your family.