Autoimmune diseases, allergies and their corresponding symptoms are some examples of how these unwelcome attacks can affect the body. Everyone has a unique experience when it comes to their body and overall health, but there are some clues that can distinguish those with a strong immune system from others.

People with a strong immune system are more likely to recover quickly from an injury or illness, feel less fatigue and have good gut health. People at risk of having a weak immune system are often older or suffer from chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes or cancer.

People with a weakened immune system are more likely to experience conditions like anemia, autoimmune disorders and higher frequency of infections.

From the food you eat to your daily routine, many elements can positively impact your immune system. Focusing on nutrition, hygiene, and other health habits is the key to doing so.

These simple immune-boosting habits can help you steer clear of some infections. Others can supercharge your immune system, so you can get better quickly if you get sick.

Dietary supplements are minimally regulated by the FDA and may or may not be suitable for you. The effects of supplements vary from person to person and depend on many variables, including type, dosage, frequency of use, and interactions with current medications.

Please speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting any supplements. Minich DM. A Review of the Science of Colorful, Plant-Based Food and Practical Strategies for "Eating the Rainbow" [published correction appears in J Nutr Metab.

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Stromsnes K, Correas AG, Lehmann J, Gambini J, Olaso-Gonzalez G. Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Diet: Role in Healthy Aging.

Stadlbauer V. Immunosuppression and probiotics: are they effective and safe? Benef Microbes. National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements. Geological Survey.

The water in you: Water and the human body. Sarkar D, Jung MK, Wang HJ. Alcohol and the Immune System. Alcohol Res. Nieman DC, Wentz LM. The compelling link between physical activity and the body's defense system. J Sport Health Sci. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Medic G, Wille M, Hemels ME.

Short- and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption. Nat Sci Sleep. National Sleep Foundation. Sleep by the numbers. Yaribeygi H, Panahi Y, Sahraei H, Johnston TP, Sahebkar A. The impact of stress on body function: A review.

EXCLI J. American Psychological Association. Show me the science. Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising.

Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure advertising performance. Measure content performance. Understand audiences through statistics or combinations of data from different sources. Develop and improve services.

It's flu season again, so most people get a flu shot and strive to stay healthy. But can certain foods or supplements boost the immune system and help with that "staying healthy" goal? Don't skip meals, so your body stays well-fueled.

Aim for five to nine servings of vegetables and fruits daily to provide those immune-boosting vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Getting these nutrients from foods versus vitamin or mineral supplements is always best. Many herbal remedies are marketed to help fight colds or shorten their duration, but check with a health care professional before taking any supplements or medications.

And don't forget fluids. Remember to drink adequate fluids throughout the day. Plain water is best. Good hygiene and hand-washing help prevent the spread of germs. Remember to wash produce before eating or using it in recipes. Clean glasses, forks, spoons and other utensils to reduce the spread and growth of bacteria.

Getting adequate sleep and managing stress can be just as important as healthy eating to prevent the flu. Even if you eat healthily, get plenty of rest, drink adequate fluids and manage your stress, you may still catch the flu. If so, your illness may not last as long, and you may not feel so bad.

According to the National Institutes of Health, there are many healing benefits of chicken soup. Your favorite recipe likely has properties that fight inflammation, promote hydration and get mucus flowing.

Drink plenty of liquids, such as water, broth or sports drinks with electrolytes. When taken before cold symptoms start, vitamin C may shorten the duration, but it doesn't keep you from getting sick.

You may have heard that milk and other dairy products worsen congestion during an illness.

Even if you eat healthily, get plenty of rest, drink adequate fluids and manage your stress, you may still catch the flu. If so, your illness may not last as long, and you may not feel so bad. According to the National Institutes of Health, there are many healing benefits of chicken soup.

Your favorite recipe likely has properties that fight inflammation, promote hydration and get mucus flowing. Drink plenty of liquids, such as water, broth or sports drinks with electrolytes. When taken before cold symptoms start, vitamin C may shorten the duration, but it doesn't keep you from getting sick.

You may have heard that milk and other dairy products worsen congestion during an illness. Research has not proven this to be true. Bring broth to a boil in a Dutch oven. Add carrots, celery, ginger and garlic; cook uncovered over medium heat until vegetables are just tender, about 20 minutes.

Add noodles and chicken; simmer until the noodles are just tender, 8—10 minutes. Stir in dill and lemon juice.

Nutrition per serving 1½ cups : calories, 4 g total fat, 2 g saturated fat, 1 g monounsaturated fat, 0 g cholesterol, 38 g protein, 18 g carbohydrates, 2 g dietary fiber, g sodium. Mayo Clinic Healthy Living Center Serves 4 Serve as condiment with chicken steak, fish, fried eggs or toast.

Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sautee onions for two minutes. Then add all the spices; toast and stir for two minutes. Add the tomatoes, apples, vinegar and sugar. Mix together and simmer over low heat for 20—30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Season to taste. Nutrition per serving 2 tablespoons : 24 calories, 0. Kristi Wempen is a dietitian in Nutrition in Mankato , Minnesota.

Skip to main content. Posted By. Kristi Wempen, R. Recent Posts. Speaking of Health. Topics in this Post. Keep the immune system strong While having a healthy immune system is a plus during the season of colds and flu, consider these tips for keeping your immune system strong throughout the year: Focus on a balanced eating plan.

Crack down on spreading germs. Increase sleep, reduce stress. Many foods have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. A good place to look for anti-inflammatory properties is foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as oily fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines.

Research has found that foods with omega-3 fatty acids are known to help hinder processes in the body that promote inflammation. Other anti-inflammatory food options include:. The bacteria in your gut may affect your body's ability to fend off infections.

So, eating foods that contain "good" bacteria, organisms that are beneficial for gut health, Timothy Mainardi, MD , an allergist and immunologist based in New York, told Health. Fermented foods and beverages—think kombucha and kimchi—are chock-full of "good" bacteria, also known as probiotics.

You could also consider a probiotic supplement. However, research has found that some probiotic foods and supplements may be unsafe for people with weakened immune systems—including those with chronic health conditions or undergoing chemotherapy.

If you have concerns, check with a healthcare provider before taking probiotics. The body needs zinc to support the immune system, said Dr. Additionally, zinc helps with wound healing. The recommended amount of zinc is 13 milligrams for adult men and 9. Typically, you can get enough zinc from foods like:.

Still, it may help to consider taking a zinc supplement after talking to a healthcare provider, suggested Dr. A healthcare provider may test your blood to see if you aren't getting enough zinc from your diet.

Hydration is key to a healthy body and immune system. Water serves several essential functions in the body, including:. It's also important to drink plenty of fluids when you're ill.

Water replenishes the fluid you're losing through your lungs every time you cough and from losses due to sweating. Moderate alcohol consumption doesn't appear to positively affect your immune system. And some evidence suggests that binge drinking, or more than four drinks in two hours for women and five for men, impairs immunity.

And while there does not seem to be any good data measuring white blood cell levels for smaller amounts of alcohol, it is assumed that even one or two drinks can blunt your immune system response.

As for heavy drinking, a study published in in Alcohol Research: Current Reviews found a link between alcohol use disorder and a possible susceptibility to pneumonia.

So, if you're working hard to stay healthy, it's best to avoid or limit alcohol. One study published in in the Journal of Sports and Health Science described the following benefits of moderate to vigorous exercise:.

In contrast, research has found that people with sedentary lifestyles are more likely to get colds or other infectious illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC recommends minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly.

Or, if you prefer vigorous exercise, the CDC recommends 75 minutes at that intensity. A to minute at-home workout , jump rope or jog-in-place session, or a brisk walk around the neighborhood several times a week are good ways to work some sweat into your schedule. For example, in one study published in in Nature and Science of Sleep , researchers found disrupted sleep caused serious health ramifications, including:.

Also, don't assume you can just catch up on sleep after a night or two of staying up late or tossing and turning. Remember, your body is busy at rest, and it's designed to sleep when the sun goes down.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults between 18—64 need seven to nine hours of sleep per night. Also, older adults need seven to eight hours, and children and adolescents require even more sleep. Aim for the right amount for your age group, and be as consistent as possible.

Turning in and waking up at roughly the same time every day is healthier than an all-over-the-place sleep schedule. Unchecked stress, anxiety, worry, and panic pack have many negative health effects. And suppressing the immune system is one of them, said Dr. Prolonged stress also drives up levels of the hormones cortisol and adrenaline.

Eventually, too much of those hormones can inflict damage on the body. You can take small steps to help chill and unwind, including:.

Excessive social media usage might increase your stress and anxiety. Still, screen time watching a movie you love or a binge session of your favorite TV show can help take your mind off things.

When it comes to keeping your immune system strong, proper handwashing is one of the most important things. But if you can't get to soap and water, hand sanitizer is the next best thing.

Plain old soap and water are all you need. It's important to scrub up for at least 20 seconds—the length of singing "Happy Birthday" twice. Per the CDC, that's the minimum time needed to significantly reduce the number of microorganisms on your skin.

But no matter how good your handwashing skills are, they won't help prevent infection unless you know when to scrub up. In other words, that includes after using the restroom, sneezing, or coughing. Also, wash your hands before you prepare food, after caring for a sick loved one, treating a wound, or touching any publicly used door handles, knobs, switches, or surfaces, added Dr.

And if your hands are prone to dry skin, the right moisturizer can help. If you don't have access to soap and water, hand sanitizer can help kill most microorganisms.

Just be sure to take a peek at the alcohol percentage first. Alcohol is the active ingredient working to kill viruses and bacteria. You may be unable to avoid viruses and bacteria that spread the common cold and flu entirely.

But you can avoid them as best you can by strengthening your immune system. Focusing on nutrition, hygiene, and other health habits is the key to doing so. These simple immune-boosting habits can help you steer clear of some infections.

Others can supercharge your immune system, so you can get better quickly if you get sick. Dietary supplements are minimally regulated by the FDA and may or may not be suitable for you.

The effects of supplements vary from person to person and depend on many variables, including type, dosage, frequency of use, and interactions with current medications. Please speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting any supplements.

Minich DM. A Review of the Science of Colorful, Plant-Based Food and Practical Strategies for "Eating the Rainbow" [published correction appears in J Nutr Metab.

J Nutr Metab. Kapoor R, Sharma B, Kanwar SS. Antiviral phytochemicals: an overview. Biochem Physiol. Calder PC. Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: from molecules to man. Biochem Soc Trans. Stromsnes K, Correas AG, Lehmann J, Gambini J, Olaso-Gonzalez G.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Diet: Role in Healthy Aging.