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It is normal for most adults especially when reaching middle-age and above to have a less robust immune system. It is a part of the aging process and for most people, it’s natural and nothing can be done about it.
Of course there are ways to naturally boosts the immune system at all age levels like eating the right foods, avoiding unhealthy lifestyle, and taking appropriate immunity-boosting supplement.
Boosting Immune System Through Physical Activity
A UK study found that regular physical activity can be helpful for older adults in maintaining an immune system as robust as a 20 year old.
In the study, the researchers recruited cyclists with ages between 55 and 79 with a lifetime habit of regular exercise.
The researchers found that these people who engaged in regular exercise throughout their lives have immune system as robust as those much younger people.
Not only that they have a healthy immune system, researchers also found they have muscle masses as those younger people, and their cholesterol level is just as healthy, as well.
Even more interesting, the men in the study have high testosterone levels. Of course, this is not surprising as it is known that exercise boosts testosterone levels.
Effect of Physical Activity on Immune System and Aging
The researchers want to find out the aging process in men and women who made exercise a habit in their adult lives.
Interestingly, one of their findings is that physically active men and women have not only only healthier thymus gland, but it function as robust as it does in younger people.
The thymus is a specialized primary lymphoid organ of the immune system. Within the thymus, Thymus cell lymphocytes or T cells mature. T cells are critical to the adaptive immune system, where the body adapts specifically to foreign invaders. –Wikipedia
It is worth noting that the thymus starts to shrink and produce fewer immune cells as early a person reaches 20 years of age. However, this finding clearly shows that regular physical activity has a positive impact on keeping the thymus young, healthy and producing as many immune cells as in younger people.
Final Thoughts
Exercise has many health benefits and it should be a part of anyone’s daily routine living a healthy lifestyle. These findings are very valuable in maintaining and boosting the immune system.
More importantly, during the time of a pandemic, there is no better defense against any viral infection than a robust immune system.
Additionally, regular exercise health benefits include brain health benefits like better motor skills for seniors, better memory, and even better sex and higher sperm count.
For children, starting a physically active habit at an early age has amazing health benefits. Hence, encourage young children to exercise, not just adults. Even if you don’t go to the gym and simply keep moving with natural movements, it is still beneficial.
If you’re an adult who don’t exercise, it’s not too late. Regardless of age, starting to exercise and making it a habitual routine can make a difference to your health starting today.
If you have the opportunity to walk or run, do so. Walking, although it may look light and simple has many health benefits when done regularly. The same is true with running.
