Although the function of our immune system may change throughout each stage of our life, one of the most important things we can do to stay well is to have the proper nutrition.
Childhood: Children’s immune systems are still developing so colds and such can be more frequent because their bodies have yet to recognize and immediately attack many of the viruses that can impact their health.
Adults: When we enter the adult stage of life, our immune systems’ have matured and learned to fight off most major pathogens, where through natural exposure or vaccination. If we eat responsibly, have healthy lifestyles and hopefully some decent genetics, our immune system should be relatively strong. It is unfortunate that many adults face a major suppression of the immune system due to physical and physiological stress.
Seniors: As people age, the body produces fewer immune cells. For seniors, the slow decline of immune function can significantly impact their overall health yet the desire for an active lifestyle remains the same.
As we age, it appears that dysbiosis (the growth of bad bacteria) is the core of the majority of health related issues including diabetes, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, colitis and more.
Today’s active seniors have turned to supplements, such as probiotics, vitamins such as C, D and selenium along with immune system builders such as Essiac to improve their health. These additional dietary additions along with a healthy diet and exercise can lead to a healthy active life.
Credit: Janet Poveromo
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