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Last Updated: Jan 10, 2023
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Physical Activity - How It Can Boost Your Immunity?

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Dr. Arif YunusAllergist/Immunologist • 62 Years Exp.MBBS, Diploma In Tropical Medicine Health, MRCP(UK)
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A healthy person can be more productive; increased productivity will eventually lead to success and happiness. However, all of this goes for a toss when you suffer from frequent illness. The frequency of falling sick is also known to reduce a body’s immunity further.

And, exercise is known to boost not only the immune system of the body, but also keeps the bones and the heart healthy, preventing the risk of many diseases and illnesses. It is in the last few decades that various studies and research has confirmed a number of health benefits associated with regular exercise, immunology being one of them.

Physical activity boosts the immune system

Doctors have found that regular physical activities help in boosting the cells that are there in the body to attack the bacteria and other disease-causing microbes when they enter the body. In people who do not exercise at all, these cells turn out to work rather more slowly compared to those who lead an active daily life with a few hours or minutes of physical activities in it. And as a result of exercising, the immune system becomes well-equipped to prevent attacks of germs which could make you sick.

Can doing too much physical activity be harmful?
Physical activity is primarily known for keeping your body in a perfect shape and your weight under control. However, one must understand that it can only help the body's natural immune system when done at a moderate level, as overdoing it can lead to suppressing the normal immune functions instead. If you don’t give your body the rest it requires, the immune system can become weaker than before, making you feel weak, tired and badly run down.

How can you boost your immunity power through exercise?
One doesn't need to be an athlete or start doing heavy weightlifting to boost the body's immunity power. Walking half an hour daily or spending a few hours every week in the gym can help you develop better immunity. Remember, the whole concept behind physical exercise boosting the immune system of the body lies in speeding up the cells of the immune system so that, it can fight off the bacteria. Therefore, as long as an exercise is boosting the cells' functionality, you're good to go, irrespective of whether it's swimming or cycling or regular jogging.

Though, there are still debates on the direct relationship between exercises and how it improves the immune functions of the body, immunologists and allergy specialists have found simple truths about the impact of exercise on immunology. Therefore, outside of helping your body in becoming healthier over time, there’s no denying that regular exercise can help the body in fighting off harmful diseases as well, by boosting its immune power. 

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