5 Myths About Your Immune System

Your immune system is on the job around the clock to protect you from infectious bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that cause disease and suffering. The immune system is an extremely complex network of cells and molecules that researchers are still working to understand. Because there is still much about immune function that remains unknown, there are many prevailing myths that may influence your beliefs and actions.

Here are the 5 myths that may be leading you astray:

𝙄𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙚 𝙎𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢 𝙈𝙮𝙩𝙝 #1: 𝙂𝙤𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙙𝙤𝙤𝙧𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 (𝙤𝙧 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙬𝙚𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙞𝙧) 𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙙.

Colds are more common during the winter seasons. However, the chilly weather isn’t to blame. Since this myth persists, the likely reason behind it is the rise in cases once the temperature drops in the United States.

Though viruses are more common during the colder seasons of the year, the consensus among physicians seems to be that this is caused by people staying indoors to avoid the cold – thus increasing the transmission of viruses between people – not by the cold itself.

𝙄𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙚 𝙎𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢 𝙈𝙮𝙩𝙝 #2: 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙞𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢 𝙞𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚.

Where the immune system is concerned, there can be too much of a good thing. A hyperactive immune response is responsible for allergic reactions to ordinary nontoxic substances. It also underlies several autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, IBS, and multiple sclerosis.

In cases of immune system overactivity, it may begin producing antibodies that attack the body’s own tissue instead of fighting infection. Treatment for autoimmune diseases generally focuses on reducing immune system activity. On the flip side, immune deficiency diseases decrease the body’s ability to fight invaders, causing vulnerability to infections.

For maintaining everyday health and wellness, what we are aiming for is balance within the immune system, not too much, not too little.

𝙄𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙚 𝙎𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢 𝙈𝙮𝙩𝙝 #3: “𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙙, 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙛𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧.”

Regardless of which version of this common ‘old wives tale’ you’ve heard, they are both myths. You really shouldn’t do the extreme of either when you’re treating a cold or the flu. A short-term loss of appetite is a common symptom of viral illnesses. In this case, it’s not essential to force-feed yourself to promote recovery.

Instead, you should focus on drinking enough fluids. It’s very important to stay hydrated when you have an upper respiratory infection or a cold because sweating during sickness may contribute to dehydration. If you can eat, do so, since good nutrition will definitely help you recover faster. However, the top priority is to stay hydrated.

𝙄𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙚 𝙎𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢 𝙈𝙮𝙩𝙝 #4: 𝙈𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙫𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣 𝘾 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢.

Eating vitamin C-rich foods and taking supplements to boost your immune system can be beneficial for ongoing health. Yet there is always a risk of overdose with some supplements. For adults, the recommended upper limit is 2000 mg of vitamin C per day. For reference, just one packet of Emergen-C contains 1000 mg. Other supplements also have dosing recommendations, and it is important to stick to these or to what your healthcare provider recommends for you. The bottom line is that mega doses can be potentially harmful, so don’t overdo it.

𝙄𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙚 𝙎𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢 𝙈𝙮𝙩𝙝 #5: 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙖 𝙧𝙪𝙣𝙣𝙮 𝙣𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙛𝙚𝙬 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙪𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙣𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙮 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙧. 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙗𝙞𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙨!

In the past, green or yellow mucus was the justification for giving someone an antibiotic. As a result, antibiotics have been overused, and multiple strains of bacteria have developed resistance. Some of these are now ‘superbugs’ such as MRSA, which are very difficult to treat and may be life-threatening.

Instead of signaling the need to call in reinforcements, the color change can be a sign your immune system is doing its job. Often, when you start noticing the change in mucus, the end of your cold is approaching. If you are starting to feel better, this indicates no need for concern.

It’s the duration that really matters, not the color. If symptoms of heavy nasal drainage and cough are persistent beyond 10 to 14 days, without improvement, this may indicate a sinus infection. Additionally, anyone with chest pain or shortness of breath should be seen to make sure they do not have a more severe infection such as pneumonia.

𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗛𝗦 𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗜𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠

Although some of the common beliefs about immunity and viruses are not true, that doesn’t mean you need to throw up your hands and accept whatever illness comes your way. There are many actions you can take to protect yourself from getting sick, or reduce the severity and duration of any bug you might catch.

For example, eating a nutritious diet, getting some exercise, sleeping enough, and taking action to relieve stress are all effective ways to build up a strong immune defense. A few healthy, common-sense practices can go a long way toward keeping you healthy and thriving.

𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗧 - 𝟵𝟬% 𝗢𝗙 𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 𝗘𝗔𝗧 𝗘𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛 𝗙𝗥𝗨𝗜𝗧𝗦 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗩𝗘𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗕𝗟𝗘𝗦

Doctors and nutritionists know from research that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables helps keep your immune system strong. Unfortunately, 90% of us aren’t eating nearly enough of either on a daily basis.

As we move into this cold and flu season, now, more than ever, flooding your body with antioxidants and phytonutrients is critical for optimal immune system health.

𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗜𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗘 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗠𝗢𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗘

This nutritious vegan smoothie takes only a few minutes to prepare! Boosts your immune health, your overall nutrition, and restores your gut’s healthy bacteria.

𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦

Makes 4 Servings

1 orange, peeled
1 cup grapes
1 banana
1 pear, cored (or use a cup of your favorite berries)
1 cup organic unsweetened soy milk (almond, oat, cashew, or rice milk are fine but lack protein)
2 cups fresh kale or spinach
2 scoops of 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀* superfood/probiotic powder
ice cubes

* 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝘀 is available at TrustOrganix.com

𝗗𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦

1. Place all ingredients in a blender for 1 minute, or until desired smoothness is achieved.

𝗡𝗨𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝟭𝟰𝟴
Fat: 1.3g
Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
Calories from Fat: 8.5%
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Protein: 4.4 g
Carbohydrates: 31.8 g
Sugar: 19.8 g
Fiber: 4.3 g
Sodium: 46 mg

𝗘𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝟱𝟬% 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟱𝟬% 𝗼𝗳 𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻 𝗖.

Recipe analyzed by Ron Patterson