Here are the 12 enemies of your immune system

in collaboration with

Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director)

The cold is back. This is the ideal time to take care of your health, which can be put to the test by small seasonal viruses. But did you know that apart from direct threats to health such as cigarettes, alcohol or drugs, other much more common factors can also weaken our immune system?

Age

We can’t do anything about it, but it’s good to know to protect our elders: “As we age, our immune systems tend to become less effective, making us more susceptible to infection and disease.” reminds us Dr. Kierzek, medical director of Doctissimo.

Lack of sleep

Not getting enough sleep can make you more susceptible to catching viruses or germs. So your body releases certain proteins that help the immune system, called cytokines, only during sleep. Not getting enough sleep could therefore make you weaker in the face of illness.

Anxiety

Stress and worry don’t mix well. Simply thinking anxious thoughts can weaken your immune response in just 30 minutes and can put you at greater risk for the flu, herpes, shingles, and other viruses. According to Dr. Kierzek, if this stress is associated with an unhealthy lifestyle, “including poor diet, lack of exercise and chronic stress, it can weaken the immune system and make it less effective at fighting infections.”

Lack of sun

Yes, there is less sun, but getting out and exposing yourself is still essential: vitamin D also helps strengthen your immune system. In summer, 5 to 15 minutes of rays on the hands, face and arms, 2 to 3 times a week, are generally sufficient. In winter you may need a little more.

Lack of fresh fruits and vegetables

These foods can help your body produce more of the white blood cells it needs to fight infections. Fresh produce, nuts and seeds contain plenty of zinc, beta-carotene, vitamins A, C and E and other nutrients you need. Conversely, a diet rich in fat (which we are fond of in cold weather) seems to disrupt the balance of bacteria in your intestine, which can contribute to the immune response (in addition to exposing you to the risk of being overweight).

Lack of exercise

Regular aerobic exercise appears to help your body fight illnesses caused by viruses and bacteria. This is partly because it helps blood flow more efficiently through your body, meaning antimicrobial substances get where they need to go.

Pathogens

Of course, the pathogens present in fall and winter particularly target you: “This includes bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. These microorganisms can cause infections and illnesses if the immune system fails to eliminate them.” says Dr. Kierzek.

Immunosuppressive drugs

Certain medications, used to treat autoimmune diseases or after organ transplantation, can weaken the immune system to reduce inflammation or prevent rejection of a transplanted organ. Likewise, autoimmune diseases can weaken defenses, returning “the immune system against the body’s own cells and tissues, as in lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis” explains our expert.

Allergens

These are substances that are not necessarily harmful on their own, but can trigger an exaggerated immune response, leading to allergic reactions.

Cancer cells

Cancer cells undergo mutations that cause them to act abnormally. “The immune system plays a key role in detecting and eliminating cancer cells, but sometimes cancer cells find ways to outsmart the immune system.” our expert teaches us. Furthermore, anti-cancer treatments often weaken our defenses.

Sorrow

There is evidence that grief can weaken your body’s immunity. The effect may last for 6 months, but may last longer if your grief is deep or does not subside.

Lack of sex

Weekly sex seems to help strengthen your immune system. They increase levels of an antimicrobial substance called immunoglobulin A or IgA. But more isn’t always better. Couples who had sex more than twice a week had lower IgA levels than those who didn’t have sex at all.