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1 results

  • 18 - What Happens to the Immune System as We Age?

  • from Part II - Caring For Your Body
  • Marcy Cottrell Houle, Elizabeth Eckstrom, Oregon Health and Science University
  • Book:
    The Gift of Aging
    Published online:
    08 June 2023
    Print publication:
    08 June 2023, pp 117-122

  • Summary

    Our immune system is our greatest ally when it comes to protecting us from harm. It is designed to fight off infections, heal our wounds, and protect us from malignancy and autoimmune disease. Like all the other systems of our body, this system changes progressively through our lives. Unfortunately, its performance and skills of detection wane as we grow older. This makes us more vulnerable to infections. Some of these effects are inevitable. Others are not. There are things we can do to protect our immune system and mitigate some of the normal forces of aging. This becomes especially important when we reach 70 and older. Chapter outlines seven actions we can do to strengthen our immune system: Mediterranean Diet. Exercise. Keep up to date on vaccinations. Practice good hygiene. Sleep. Lower stress. Practice optimism.