Diabetes can have an impact on your body’s ability to respond to infectious pathogens. Those who have this chronic condition are at a higher risk of developing flu complications, such as ear infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
But you can take action to keep your body strong and fighting-fit.
#1 Aim for a Lower A1C
When your blood sugar levels are chronically elevated, it causes all sorts of havoc in your body. Your blood circulation is down, which limits the mobility of essential immune cells. Sugar also hinders the action of those same immune system cells, so they don’t do as good of a job fending off pathogens. Eat better, monitor your blood sugar levels closely, and take your medications.
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#2 Get Seven to Nine Hours of Sleep Nightly
When you start sleeping less and keep a more irregular schedule, it keeps your body from being able to repair itself. Research has also found that those who don’t get enough sleep have more inflammation and fewer T-cells, vital members of the immune system.
#3 Get 30 Minutes of Exercise Daily
During the daytime, you’ll want to get the equivalent of one half hour of moderate exercise. This helps boost the activity within immune system cells. It may also help reduce the number of colds you get each year. Furthermore, exercise releases endorphins, feel good chemicals that improve your mood and may make you more relaxed.
#4 Meditate on a Regular Basis
Finding a little time to sit and focus on controlled breathing, muscle relaxation, and inner harmony may also keep you from getting sick. Research has found that people who meditated for eight weeks had an increased immune response up to four months later. They also produced more antibodies when given the flu vaccine compared to those who didn’t meditate.
#5 Laugh More
Laughter just might be the best medicine. When you laugh more, your body produces infection fighting white cells and lowers stress hormones. Even the anticipation of a jolly good time seems to reduce the presence of stress hormones in the body. So, learn more jokes, plan to visit a comedy club, or schedule a comedy for Friday night.
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[expand title=”References“]
6 Immune System Busters & Boosters. URL Link. Accessed August 17th, 2017.
Flu and People with Diabetes. URL Link. Accessed August 17th, 2017.
5 Ways to Strengthen Your Immune System for Diabetes Control. URL Link. Accessed August 17th, 2017.
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