We all know how it feels to be exercising hard, following a
strict diet, losing weight and then, out of nowhere, we get
sick. Why is it that so many active and healthy people are so
susceptible to colds and flu? Boosted immunity comes from a
variety of different areas, including how you manage stress, how
often you exercise and what you eat. Your immune strength is
totally dependent on an optimal intake of vitamins and minerals
and the other immuneboosting nutrients you get from your food.
HOW DOES EXERCISE AFFECT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM? Studying the effects
of exercise on the body’s immune system dates back to the turn
of the century, but it wasn’t until the early 1990s that
researchers really began focusing on athletes’ immune systems.
They found that despite the theoretical protective effects of
exercise, the immune systems of athletes are surprisingly
similar to those of non-athletes. The notable exception is that
fit people possess natural killer cells that are more active,
providing athletes with a greater a