How will the immune system be enhanced? Your immune system, on the whole, does a remarkable job of protecting you against microorganisms that cause disease. But it sometimes fails: A germ successfully invades and makes you sick.

In this phase, is it possible to interfere and improve your immune system? What if your diet improves? Are you taking any supplements or herbal products in the hope of creating a near-perfect immune response and make other lifestyle changes?

The principle of improving your immunity is appealing, but for many reasons, the ability to do so has proved elusive. The immune system is just that, not a single entity, but a system. It requires balance and harmony to function well. Researchers really don't know anything about the intricacies and interconnectedness of the immune response. There are no scientifically proven clear correlations between lifestyle and improved immune function for now.

But that doesn't mean the lifestyle's effects on the immune system are not interesting and should not be studied. In both animals and humans, researchers are studying the impact of diet, exercise, age, psychological stress, and other influences on the immune response. Meanwhile, general healthy-living methods are a safe way to start giving the upper hand to the immune system.

Regular precautions, such as washing your hands regularly and avoiding sick people, are important when it comes to fighting viruses. Yet experts agree that it can also give you the advantage to remain safe by improving your immune system.

Each part of your body, including your immune system, works better when it is shielded from environmental attacks and assisted by healthy living strategies such as:

  • Never smoke.
  • Eat a diet rich in vegetables and fruits.
  • Workout often.
  • Maintain a balanced weight.
  • If you're drinking alcohol, drink in moderation only.
  • Get enough sleep.
  • Take precautions to prevent infection, such as frequent washing of your hands and careful cooking of meat.
  • Try to reduce stress to a minimum.

While stress in your life can not be prevented, you can follow strategies to help you better handle it. A 2012 study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine, looked at adults 50 and older and found that people who either did a daily exercise regimen or practiced meditation on mindfulness were less likely than subjects in a control group to get sick with a respiratory infection, and they missed less working days if they got sick.

Finding a balanced lifestyle is the first line of defense. Following general recommendations for good health is the single best step you can take to keep your immune system active and balanced naturally.