Vocabulary:
- bacteria /bak-TEER-ee-uh/
- regulate /REG-yuh-leyt/
- weaken /WEE-kuhn/
- strenuous /STREN-yoo-uhs/
- chronic /KRON-ik/
- feeble /FEE-buh/
- immune system /IH-MYOON SIS-tuhm/
[noun] very small organisms that are found everywhere and are the cause of many diseases
Bacteria is very helpful in our digestive system since it helps body substances not to break down.
[verb] to control something, especially by making it work in a particular way
One of the vitamins or minerals that help regulate the body temperature is magnesium.
[verb] to (cause to) become less strong, powerful, determined, or effective
Stephanie’s heartbeat weakened after having various therapies.
[adjective] needing or using a lot of physical or mental effort or energy
The thesis’ leader took a strenuous strategy to make their project better.
[adjective] (especially of a disease or something bad) continuing for a long time
A person who sleeps for about 2-3 hours may experience chronic stress.
[adjective] weak and without energy, strength, or power
Those people who made feeble attempts to break the government law will be punished.
[noun] the cells and tissues in the body that make it able to protect itself against infection
One of the main functions of an immune system is to fight against unwanted substances especially through the digestive system and skin.
How can you boost your immune system? Here are the four significant factors to help you fight off diseases.
1. Balanced diet
Having a balanced diet that includes eating fiber-rich food can help the body’s immune system. Our body has tons of good bacteria that boosts up the immune cells by stimulating them to generate antibodies and antibacterial chemicals to prevent the person from having diseases. In addition, taking food supplements that are rich in Vitamins C, D and E strengthen the body’s immune system. Vitamin C builds up the immune system by decreasing the duration of having common colds. Vitamin D, which particularly acquires through sunlight, regulates the immune system, and it helps macrophages, a kind of white blood cell, to work well. Vitamin D is necessary for bone health. Thus, it averts people with vitamin deficiencies from respiratory infections. Researchers show that vitamin E supports the T-cell, one of the immune cells that fend off viruses and cancer cells, to keep the body in better condition.
2. Get enough sleep
One of the elements that affects the body’s reaction to infection is sleep. Insufficient sleep may fall off the immune cells’ integrins and weaken its ability to function properly. In accordance with sleep loss, adjustments of body hormones would be difficult for the immune system to fight off illnesses. On the other hand, sufficient sleep will strengthen the immune cells to bind themselves to the targets.
3. Relieve stress
Chronic stress is strenuous to deal with and it drops the immune system functions. Stress is impossible to avoid, but staying at a very high extent of chronic stress and having a vast level of cortisol could possibly turn into complications, and makes a person prone to the flu, other diseases, and infections. To attain a better process for immune system productions, especially for people who have a feeble immune response, it is better to create an adequate lifestyle that keeps down any sources of tension.
4. Physical fitness
Regular exercise contributes to a body’s good condition and healthy immune system. It is one of the most advisable ways to help improve the circulation of immune cells to function better. Any physical activity is beneficial for the immune system to act efficiently. However, avoid conducting unwanted exercises or physical activities. Indulge yourself in activities you take a liking to. Moreover, sitting for long hours is highly discouraged. In present time, it is considered as the “new smoking”. Exposing oneself to a good routine of healthy living will result in a normal regulation of the immune system.
Comprehension Questions:
- What is highly discouraged to do under physical fitness based on the article?
- According to the article, why do we need to have a healthy lifestyle?
- In the article, enumerate the four significant factors to strengthen the immune system.
- What do good bacteria do to our bodies as stated in the article?
- What does vitamin E do according to researchers?
Discussion Questions:
- Do you always eat nutritious foods? Please explain your answer.
- Are physical activities considered an important part of a healthy lifestyle? Yes or No? Please explain.
- How do you usually overcome stress?
- In your opinion, how many hours of sleep do you need to be healthy? Why?
- What do you think are the other factors for the immune system booster? Please explain.