Strong immunity is the key to a healthy lifestyle

We are all looking forward to spring: when the sun begins to warm, the snow melts, buds swell on the trees, primroses appear. But with such a beautiful “picture”, viral diseases usually come. And why? Yes, because by the spring the human body weakens and loses immunity.

The XV All-Russian Congress on Infectious Diseases named after Academician V.I. Pokrovsky ended in Moscow, where leading Russian doctors discussed modern approaches to the prevention and treatment of acute respiratory diseases. According to the participants of the congress, such external factors as stress, lack of sleep, malnutrition, and infectious diseases influence the weakening of the immune system. In addition, a weakened immune system is more susceptible to viruses and often after one disease a person immediately suffers a new one caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

The body needs to be helped to strengthen the immune system, says Professor Oleg Kalyuzhny. This can be done with the help of “natural methods”, in particular hardening, maintaining physical activity, walking in the air. But also do not exclude the intake of a complex of multivitamins, which have a positive effect on the immune mechanisms in the body.

In fact, immunity is a protective mechanism of the body that helps it fight foreign substances – viruses, bacteria, fungi. But it also happens that someone gets sick six times a year, while someone does not get sick at all. Someone leads a healthy lifestyle, regularly exercises and avoids bad habits – and still often gets sick. Why?

Nutritionist Vladimir Skalny believes that immunity can be natural and artificial. Moreover, each of them is also divided into “active” and “passive”.

– Natural “passive” immunity is transmitted to a person from the mother in the womb and with milk during breastfeeding, and we acquire “active” immunity during life, having had infectious diseases, – explains Vladimir Skalny. – Artificial “passive” immunity the body receives as a result of the introduction of antibodies into the body, “active” – ​​from the introduction of weakened or genetically modified microbes, to which immunity responds with the production of its own antibodies. 70% of our body’s immune system is located in the gut. The balance of bacteria in it affects the balance of our immune system, and if it is disturbed, then the defense weakens. In order for the immune system to protect us from diseases, we need to adjust our microflora.

Here is a simple example: now it has become fashionable to drink coffee with the so-called alternative milk, such as coconut or soy. This can lead to an imbalance of bacteria in the intestines and reduce their activity. Therefore, according to Vladimir Skalny, if a person has no contraindications to the use of lactose, it is better to drink regular milk to maintain the microflora in working order.

An additional intake of pro- and prebiotics can help the intestines preserve the microflora. And this is especially important when a person for some reason took a course of antibiotics.

– Taking antibiotics can cause dysbacteriosis, that is, a violation of the normal composition and functions of the intestinal microflora. Therefore, it is important that they are taken only for medical reasons and prescribed by a doctor. Remember, the more often you prescribe yourself and drink antibiotics, the more often you get sick, the doctor notes.

The main elements that the doctor advises taking to support immunity, the doctor calls Omega-3, vitamin D3, vitamin C and curcumin. The first well supports the immune system, but it is not synthesized in the body, therefore, without its intake from the outside, it is impossible to maintain its level. Vitamin D3 is an immunomodulator and is deficient in 90% of people. However, it should be taken with caution, after consulting a doctor and determining the dosage.

– Curcumin has antioxidant, immunomodulatory properties. Physician data suggests that its supplementation improves the clinical outcome of patients with COVID-19,” says Vladimir Skalny. – Vitamin C supports the function of both the innate and adaptive immune systems, as it reduces the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The maximum dose of vitamin C should be no more than 500 mg per day.

Mona Platonov.

Photo by Moskovskaya Pravda