Weight Training and Immunity

The coronavirus pandemic has shaken our world and brought many negatives. But perhaps one good thing that’s come from the pandemic is health awareness.

These days, an increasing number of people are looking for ways to improve their health and strengthen their immunity.

To that end, we’ve decided to put together this post to explore the immune system and the effects weight training has on it.

Let’s dive in.

What Is The Immune System, Anyway?
People often refer to the immune system as this separate entity that co-exists with us and protects us from external threats like viruses and infections. But the truth is, you are your immune system. Think about it:

Your immune system refers to your body’s ability to protect itself from viruses, bacteria, fungi, wound-related infections, and other threats.

Your immunity is a collection of hundreds of lymph nodes, two large organs (the spleen and thymus), and a substantial internal highway (the lymph system) for transporting cells around.

Each day, your immunity produces countless cells that fight invaders, communicate among one another, and keep you healthy.

Does Weight Training Improve Our Immune System Function?
Regular exercise - including weight training - can boost our immune system function in several ways. For one, regular weight training can help you control your weight and lose excess fat, which can positively affect your immune system.

Research also shows that regular physical activity can boost the count of infection-fighting soldiers in the body: white blood cells. Plus, studies show that people who exercise regularly get sick less often compared to sedentary individuals.

There are likely many nuanced reasons why physical activity improves our immune system, and we need more research to understand the relationship between the two.

In any case, we shouldn’t look at our immunity as something that benefits from one thing only. In this case, physical activity. Instead, we should adopt a holistic approach to our health and take other considerations in mind.

What Else Can We Do To Boost Our Immunity?
You’ve probably come across many tips, tactics, and supplements that supposedly boost immune system function. Sadly, most of them don’t work. With that said, there are several positive habits we can adopt for optimal immune function. Here are some of them:

1. Get enough sleep
Research suggests that sleeping at least seven hours per night can profoundly impact our immune system.

2. Manage your stress
Chronic stress can wreak havoc on our health and hinder our immunity. It’s essential to find stress-reducing activities that bring pleasure. Some examples include:

• Reading
• Journaling
• Doing some yoga
• Meditating

Consuming mostly whole and unprocessed foods can be particularly beneficial for your immunity. Doing so provides your body with a range of essential nutrients you need to keep your immune system operating at peak efficiency.

4. Consider a vitamin C supplement
Vitamin C appears to be essential for immune system function. You might want to consider taking it as a supplement or adding more foods rich in vitamin C. Some examples include:

• Citrus fruits
• Broccoli
• Strawberries
• Chilli peppers