One winter morning, standing in nothing but his swimming shorts and an orange bobble hat, James braves a temperature of just 3.9 degrees Celsius to participate in some “ice” water swimming. He’s one of the many individuals who believe enhancing the immune system can help boost protection against viruses and other nasties. There are, of course, many touted foods, supplements and activities claimed to be beneficial for the body’s defense system, but is there any conclusive evidence supporting such claims?
Prof John Tregoning, an immunologist at Imperial College London, explains that our bodies inhale bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the thousands. White blood cells in our bodies already do an excellent job of fighting off invading nasties. Studies, however, demonstrate that adrenaline, a hormone released in the bloodstream during cold water swimming, can increase infection-fighting cells’ production. Immune-boosting may well be achieved through regular exercise. Dr Margaret McCartney of the University of St Andrews notes that those who exercise in moderate amounts are likely to report fewer viral infections.
As for vitamins, Dr McCartney advises against the liberal use of vitamin C, saying the vast majority of individuals gain very little from consuming more than a recommended amount of the vitamin. Vitamin D is in short supply when winter arrives because it is produced when the skin is exposed to sunshine. Dr McCartney believes that individuals who have respiratory diseases and are lacking in vitamin D may reap some benefits from the recommended daily dose. Furthermore, the use of prebiotics and probiotics to enhance the immune system’s good bacteria is still a matter of study.
To prevent increased vulnerability to infections, individuals should avoid smoking because it directly damages lungs, reducing their effectiveness as virus barriers. Smoking also leads to uncontrolled inflammation in the body, which is disruptive to the immune system. Obesity is another significant cause of increased susceptibility to infections and their severity, as it results in inflammation in the body. The ideal way to approach a healthy lifestyle is to maintain a “regular daily rhythm” instead of partying all weekend, according to Prof Riley, maintaining that this may help boost the immune system.
Ultimately, there’s no evidence that the immune system can be boosted beyond maintaining a healthy and active body. It’s all about “improving your immunity against particular individual infections,” according to Prof Riley, primarily through vaccinations rather than the latest immune-boosting inducements
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