Pre-Reading Questions:
- Is everyday exercise important? Why or why not?
- What comes to your mind when you hear the word health?
Vocabulary:
- strengthen /STRENGK-thuhn/
- adequate /AD-i-kwit/
- risk /risk/
- essential /uh-SEN-shuhl/
- variety /vuh-RAYH-i-tee/
- lifestyle /LAHYF-stahyl/
- circumstance /SUR-kuhm-stans/
[verb] to make something stronger or more effective, or to become stronger or more effective
Attending voice lessons strengthened her talent and allowed her to join the International Singing Contest.
[adjective] enough or satisfactory for a particular purpose
The donation of foods from other countries was adequate to support 2,000 families.
[noun] the possibility of something bad happening
There’s a high risk of infection in the area near the university.
[adjective] necessary or needed
The most essential thing to be successful is to work hard.
[noun] a different type of something
Three years ago, a baby was born with a variety of skills and talents.
[noun] someone’s way of living; the things that a person or particular group of people usually do
When you travel to other countries, you will know how their lifestyle is different from ours.
[noun] a fact or event that makes a situation the way it is
Several circumstances happened after celebrating Cynthia’s 18th birthday.
This article will talk about the four significant factors to strengthen the immune system.
1. Balanced diet
Food with a good source of fiber helps the body’s good bacteria strengthen the immune system. The good bacteria stimulate the immune cells to produce antibodies to protect the body from bad bacteria. Adequate intake of Vitamins C, D, and E is necessary for strong immune cells and a healthy way of living. Vitamin C reduces the risk of having common colds for a long period of time. Vitamin D, which we commonly receive from the sunlight, is essential for regulating the immune system. It takes care of the bone health, and it helps the white blood cells to function better. In addition, it prevents people with a deficiency in vitamins from respiratory diseases. According to studies, Vitamin E helps the immune cells to ward off cancer cells and other diseases to maintain the body’s healthy condition.
2. Get enough sleep
Regular sleep patterns help people not to be prone to a variety of diseases. This plays an important role to physical health that influences the body’s responses in order to increase the production of immune cells. However, lack of sleep might affect the immune cells in the long run that the body needs to recover. When the body gets proper sleep, the immune system improves and enhances its ability to target infectious and harmful viruses.
3. Relieve stress
Stress is inevitable. However, severe stress may cause different warning signs. Moreover, a person experiencing constant stress is more likely to have diseases and other infections. Therefore, it is advisable to have a lifestyle and environment that avoids circumstances that can bring tension, particularly for people who have a weak immune system.
4. Physical fitness
Physical activities reduce the chance of having certain illnesses. Exercises such as walking or jogging make a person feel better and more energetic. Exercise is one of the most recommended approaches to boost up the flow of the immune system to work efficiently. Avoid sitting for long hours because it is now considered as the “new smoking”, according to experts. It clearly shows that healthy living will result in normal regulation of the immune system.
Comprehension Questions:
- When the body gets proper sleep, what does the immune system do?
- What kind of activities can make a person more active and healthy?
- According to the article, what are the 3 vitamins needed for a healthy lifestyle and strong immune system?
- What do regular sleeping habits provide based on the article?
- What is the cause of different harmful signs?
Discussion Questions:
- Can you give at least 5 examples of healthy foods?
- How often do you exercise in a month?
- How will you manage yourself after experiencing lack of sleep?
- Do you consider fast food products as healthy food? Please explain.
- Do you think having a balanced diet is helpful or not? Why or why not?