Is it genetics? Is it luck? We explore whether there really is such a thing as superhuman health.
Are you one of those unlucky people who picks up every single nasty cold on the block, while your bulletproof friend seems to drink tequila for breakfast and remain mysteriously immune to all ailments?
If this sounds familiar, you may be wondering what your friend’s secret is. Why do some people get ill all the time while others cruise through life on a wave of magical immunity? And most importantly, how can you join the strong constitution club?
Why do some people never get sick?
Research suggests that, on average, each individual picks up around 200 colds in their lifetime. But some people seemingly never get ill and don’t take their fair share of the sickness pie. So what is their secret?
According to science, there isn’t one (yet). While some people may appear to suffer more than others with various ailments, it is a phenomenon that mainly has self-reporting to blame, as there is no hard evidence suggesting any other factors are at play.
While some suffer more than others with various ailments, it is a phenomenon that mainly has self-reporting to blame.
‘Some of us inherit a set of immune system genes that are particularly good at dealing with one particular virus,’ Daniel Davis, professor of immunology at the University of Manchester, told The Guardian. ‘But that is not to say that you or I would have a better or worse immune system. All it means is that you would deal with a particular flu virus better than me. There is an inherent diversity in how our immune systems respond to different diseases and that diversity is essential to how our species survives disease.’
Professor Davis went on to explain that the sheer diversity that exists within our immune systems makes sweeping generalisations about immunity little more than folklore. Indeed, he added, it even calls into question the benefits of all the products claiming to boost immunity levels, such as vitamin supplements or health teas, many of which are targeted at those among us who’s health seemingly suffers more.
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How to not get sick so often
Although science might not support the concept of superhuman health (at least not yet), it is well-known and extensively documented that certain lifestyle choices can help boost your immunity and give you a better chance of fighting off the cold that’s been making it’s way around the office.
Try these top tips to boost your immunity and fight off ailments:
Early exposure and your immune system
It might be a bit late for this if you’re an adult, but if you expose your children to certain levels of bacteria and viruses as they grow up, the more resilient their immune systems will become later in life. It means they might be less likely to succumb to certain allergies.
This is called the ‘hygiene hypothesis’, and is backed up by a lot of research suggesting that widespread use of disinfectant, antibacterial products and avoidance of dirt could stop children developing healthy gut bacteria.
Obviously we don’t suggest you encourage your children to eat rotten food or skip bath time completely, but do make sure they spend time playing outdoors, and don’t worry too much if they come back covered in mud!
Exercise and your immune system
The recommended amount of exercise in order to achieve optimal health stands at 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week (that’s 30 minutes a day for five days), alongside two sessions of strength exercises.
Evidence carried out by Harvard Medical School suggests that regular exercise boosts immunity and improves circulation – not to mention all the other wonderful things it can do for both your mental and physical wellbeing, so get moving!
The importance of sleep quality and health
Sleep has been proven to have a huge impact on the immune system. Indeed, one study published in The National Center for Biotechnology Information found that your chances of catching a cold are up to four and a half times greater in people who only manage five and a half hours of shut-eye per night, compared to those who achieve the recommended seven hours.
If you struggle to switch off at night and find it tricky to achieve your seven hour quota, try our mindfulness techniques to help you sleep.
The link between stress and illness
Professor Davis cites stress as the ‘best established link’ in terms of how lifestyle impacts the immune system. Partially, this is because chronic or long-term stress produces cortisol, which neutralises immune cells and essentially tells them to stop fighting any potential viruses or illnesses.
It’s been well documented that stress is bad for your mental and physical wellbeing, so working on stress-busting techniques will benefit your health in general, and hopefully in turn give you the strength the fight off that nasty cold!
Womans Health