Boosting your immune system: is it even possible?

Immunologist, Liezl Heyman, sets the facts straight around boosting your immune system.

You walk into a store and there are seemingly endless choices of things that supposedly will boost your immune system. So, what do you get since winter is here, with all its colds and flu, on top of a worldwide pandemic? What will give you that edge to remain healthy and fight off all infections?

Unfortunately, there are no scientifically proven direct links between any supplements, food or lifestyle changes and enhanced immune function. As a matter of fact, you don’t want to have a stronger immune system as it can be extremely dangerous. 

A balanced immune system

What you want is a balanced immune system. Your immune system is supposed to recognise and identify an infection or injury in the body. This causes an immune response, with the main function to eliminate the threat and restore normal function to your body.

Your symptoms (runny nose, fever, congestion, sore throat) of being sick aren’t a sign that you have a virus or an infection. They are a sign that your immune system is fighting the infection or virus which triggered an immune response.

The balanced immune system comes in once those infections or viruses have been cleared. Your immune system must then stop the attack and if it doesn’t it will start attacking your own body. 

Various immune cells

There are different types of cells in the immune system, each with a different target. Some are designed to attack parasites, some bacteria, some viruses and so on. Knowing which cells you should “boost” and to what number is anything but simple. It’s not something that can be done with a handful of supplements or a smoothie. All we know for sure is that the body continually generates new immune cells and removes excess immune cells through the process of cell death called apoptosis. There is no definitive answer on how many cells or what the best mix of cells in the immune system is for it to function best. 

The best way to prevent infections and getting sick still is to avoid sick people, wash your hands regularly and get all the recommended vaccines. 

Understanding non-inherited factors

Even though no direct scientific links have been determined yet, keeping the general condition of your body healthy doesn’t hurt. So, adopt a healthy diet, exercise, get enough sleep, avoid stress as much as possible and don’t smoke.

A study done with 210 healthy twins, between the ages of 8 and 82, showed that genetics play a role, however, the strength of our immune system is mainly determined by non-inherited factors. This means that germs we are exposed to throughout our lives, as well as individual lifestyle factors, such as stress, sleep, diet and exercise, all play a combined role in the strength of our body’s defence system.

Unfortunately, there is no magic vitamin, supplement, smoothie or one type of food that can boost your immune system and protect you from getting sick. You can only try to take care of yourself and leave your immune system to do its job the way only it knows best.