Immune System Q&A

ANSWER: Many studies have shown that regular exercise reduces the incidence of both bacterial and viral infections and the incidence of cancer. You are healthier if you routinely exercise because your antibody response will be greater.
High training loads and prolonged bouts of acute exercise can lower your immune response and lead to increased infections. When you feel sick you should rest and not exercise.
It is important for you to know how to exercise the right way and boost your immune system. The good news is that my book, HEALTH STRONG, and my website BETTERFITNESSMETHOD.COM will help you build a strong immune system. You will learn about exercise with my BETTER FITNESS METHOD.

ANSWER: Your gut-stomach and intestines – contain good bacteria that help you digest food and also contain more immune cells than any other part of your body. These cells interact and work together to keep you strong and healthy. It is very important to maintain good bacteria in your gut. Any time your gut bacteria are altered your immune system will be affected. There are some foods, supplements and medicines that will damage your gut bacteria and compromise your immune system. My book Health Strong will help you identify these products and these situations and keep you strong.  Probiotics may help maintain good gut bacteria during these periods of gut stress. What is also important is the role of “prebiotics”-fiber in your food. Fiber is what your gut bacteria need to be healthy and this keeps your immune system healthy AND KEEPS YOU STRONG.

ANSWER: Lemons were considered a magical cure of disease in the 15th century when sailors were dying of vitamin C deficiency-scurvy. Today poor nutrition and vitamin deficiencies persist in more subtle ways. Adequate vitamins are essential in building a strong immune system. If you exercise regularly as outlined in my book HEALTH STRONG, you will have increased metabolic demands for vitamins minerals, and calories.

Supplements are helpful to maintain adequate amounts of vitamins D, C, E, zinc, selenium, arginine, and glutamine. The supplements outlined in my book HEALTH STRONG, will give you the ability to produce antibodies and immune cells during periods of stress that will keep you healthy and strong. Alcohol should be avoided because it will decrease your immune response. Alcohol-beer-wine-liquor decreases the number of red and white blood cells in your bone marrow and decrease your cellular response to disease.

ANSWER: Green tea contains many natural organic chemicals containing multiple phenol structural units. The catechin group of polyphenols in animal models prevent tumor cells from growing. Green tea is associated with cancer prevention. In cigarette smokers, green tea prevents specific genetic changes that precede cancer development. Green tea catechins have antiviral activity. In Asia green tea is used to treat diarrhea, typhoid fever, and viral infections. In excess, green tea can be harmful owing to its caffeine content and high levels of aluminum. In regard to the immune system, green tea catechins increase the number of T lymphocytes in lymph nodes and spleen. This may prove to be valuable in disease prevention and more human studies are needed. In my book, HEALTH STRONG, every important supplement is discussed in detail along with how the information was gathered. On my website, BETTERFITNESSMETHOD.COM, I will keep you up to date regarding new and important scientific findings.