An immune system is a system of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells. It detects a wide variety of agents, from viruses to parasitic worms, and needs to distinguish them from the organism’s own healthy cells and tissues in order to function properly.  The immune system protects organisms from infection with layered defenses of increasing specificity.

The immune system is the body’s defense against infectious organisms and other invaders therefore we need to keep it up all the time for us to be protected more. Here are great ways to strengthen your immune system.

1) Take your supplements. There are several natural supplements that are effective at giving your immune system a boost, these are particularly effective during the winter period when we are more susceptible to catching colds. All of the following have been found to reduce the duration of the common cold.

* The popular Vitamin C
* Echinacea
* Garlic
* Also Zinc

2) Make Sure You Get Plenty of Rest. Sleep is essential for keeping your immune system running at optimal levels. The amount of sleep required can differ during the seasons and also from person to person, however as a general rule, adults require between 6 to 10 hours of sleep each night. The body needs this time to rejuvenate and strengthen; therefore it is essential that you get enough sleep in order to help maintain a healthy and strong immune system.

3) Stock Up On Fruit and Vegetables. Everyone knows the benefit of fruit and vegetables and we are constantly been told to include these in our everyday diet. This is because fruit and vegetables offer some of the highest amounts of essential nutrients needed to keep our immune system running at optimal levels. They are high in vitamins, minerals and also contain essential antioxidants which work to protect your cells from damage which can led to disease and infections.

4) Take Regular Exercise (preferably outside). Most types of exercise can make a big difference to your overall health and well being, as exercise will not only boost your circulation which helps the nutrients circulate throughout your body, but it also helps with the production of endorphins, endorphins help increase your feeling of well-being which in turn help strengthen the immune system by reducing stress levels. There is plenty of medical evidence that demonstrates the benefit of the substances released when we are happy, therefore it is believed that exercise/happiness is a very effective defense against colds, infections and diseases.

5) Drink Plenty of Water. Recent research suggests that most of us are still not drinking enough water. One of the first signs that you may be dehydrated is a headache, your body will start to feel weak if you aren’t properly hydrated, this can leave you open to infections and diseases. So make sure you are drinking enough on a daily basis.

Remember that teas, coffee and fizzy drinks are diuretics because most contain caffeine. A diuretic is any drug that elevates the rate of urination and thus provides a means of forced diuresis, so they could lead to dehydration which is not good for immune defense. . Most health professionals state that a 150-lb adult should consume about 8 – 8 ounce glasses of water each and every day.