Bolstered Immunity
Bolstered immunity refers to having an enhanced immune system that is better prepared to fight off infections and diseases. This occurs when your immune system is strengthened through prior exposures or outside interventions.
There are a few key ways immunity can become bolstered:
- Vaccinations - Getting vaccinated exposes your body to a weakened or dead form of a virus or bacteria. This allows your immune system to build antibodies without getting sick. That way, if you encounter the real thing later on, your body knows how to fight it off quickly. Common vaccinations that bolster immunity include the flu shot, MMR vaccine, chickenpox vaccine, shingles vaccine, and more.
- Previous Illness - If you've been sick with a virus before, your immunity is often bolstered against that same illness moving forward. Your body has memory cells that remember how to make the right antibodies quickly. However, with some viruses, immunity can wear off over time (like the flu or COVID-19).
- Healthy Lifestyle - Leading an overall healthy lifestyle keeps your immune system strong and more able to resist infections when you're exposed. Getting enough sleep, managing stress, eating nutritious foods, exercising, and not smoking can all contribute to bolstering your natural immunity.
- Supplements - Certain vitamins, minerals, herbs, and probiotics have been shown to enhance immune response. Some top supplements tied to stronger immunity include vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, elderberry, and medicinal mushrooms like reishi and chaga.
Having improved immunity doesn't make you completely immune from getting sick. But it prepares your body's natural defenses to best protect you against illness and recover more smoothly.
Bolstered immunity is especially important for vulnerable populations like older adults and those with chronic illnesses or compromised immune systems. But a robust immune system can benefit people of all ages and backgrounds.
So, in summary - bolstered immunity refers to strengthening your body's ability to fight infections through vaccinations, illness exposures, lifestyle choices, supplements, etc. This puts your immune system in the best position to ward off disease.