I think that most people know about how important the immune system is for our health. It is our superpower to protect us from all kinds of infections. It can be like a bouncer at the door of a nightclub, checking who should enter the body and who should stay out. It helps us to fight viruses, fungi, bacteria and abnormal cells such as cancer cells.
There are a lot of factors that can stop our immune system from working at its best. Lack of sleep can be one of these. We all know that we need to have a good sleep to fight off viruses, such as the common cold. A poor diet, substance abuse, alcohol and smoking, the list goes on.
Mental health can also affect our immune system. Depression is known to affect our ability to hold on to our strong immune system. It may also affect the outcomes of treatment of some forms of cancers. A study conducted by the Stanford University School of Medicine has found that women suffering from metastatic breast cancer with high levels of cortisol were affected more by immune irritating substances compared to their peers with lower levels of hormones.
Cortisol is a hormone that carries the immune response. It is normally anti-inflammatory, and, at the right levels, it is essential to the body. However, once the levels are high, they can lead to the immune system becoming resistant.
Other studies have also found that depression can lead to a greater risk of developing cancer, with a range as high as 39% for some cancer types. It is important to understand that, as the saying goes, a healthy mind does lead to a healthy body.
Hopefully, the holiday season can help lift everyone’s spirits. It is also a great time to reconnect with family and friends and, if we feel we need to, it is also a great time to talk to someone you trust if you are overwhelmed by stress or depression.
Merry Christmas to all of you.
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