The immune system of our body protects us from any bacteria, viruses, fungi, or potential medical illnesses. This system is responsible for various responses and reactions that play a vital role in fighting against infections or repairing damaged cells. This response is often called the immune response which often gets affected due to cancer. Both cancer and cancer treatment can weaken our immune system further reducing our body’s ability to fight against the cancer cells. This is why doctors always recommend certain measures to boost immunity while undergoing cancer treatment in Siliguri.
From steroids and chemotherapy to radiation and targeted drug therapy, most of the types of cancer treatment take a heavy toll on our immune system. However, you must know that there are certain cells in the immune system that can successfully identify abnormal and cancerous cells and then kill them. However, this is not enough to make you cancer-free but if you manage to strengthen your immune system then it will surely play a positive role in fighting cancer and making the cancer treatment successful. From diet and exercise to stress levels and sleep, there can be various natural and lifestyle modifications that you can use to boost your immunity.
Effective Ways To Build Your Immune System To Fight Cancer
1. Eat a nutritious diet
One of the main steps that you must take to get a strong immune system is to eat a healthy, balanced, and nutritious diet. This means including a sufficient amount of legumes, vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats in your regular diet.
Remember that you can only maintain the immune system homeostasis when your body has adequate levels of all the micronutrients. Some such nutrients that you must include in your dietary pattern are zinc, magnesium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. There are also various immunity-boosting foods that the doctor may recommend to include in your diet, such as-
- Brown rice
- Quinoa
- Fish
- Colourful fruits
- Avocadoes
- Olive oil
- Beans
- Nuts
2. Get proper sleep
Another effective way through which you can boost your immune system is to get an adequate amount of sleep. To let your body rest and repair completely, you need almost 7-8 hours of quality sleep every night. If you can’t manage to sleep properly then it can lead to certain degenerative immune responses while worsening cancer.
On the other hand, proper sleep can boost normal immune cell production which prepares your body to fight cancer cells. Additionally, remember that antibodies and cytokine production in your body also increase if you sleep adequately. This makes it essential for you to sleep properly by following a fixed sleeping schedule and maintaining a calming sleeping environment.
3. Hydrate your body
We all have heard at least once that hydration plays a vital role in maintaining our bodily functions. However, did you know that proper hydration can also support your immune system? Yes, it is true that water is the most essential part of our body which helps in maintaining the normal circulation of our lymph and blood levels that carry all our immune cells.
This is why you need to be sure to replace the water you’re losing from your body even if you’re not exercising or sweating. Herein, you must know that it is recommended for a man to drink at least 3.5 litres and a woman to drink around 2.5 litres every day. Contact a cancer specialist in Siliguri to know the specific amount of water you need based on your health condition.
4. Alleviate stress
If you’re constantly exposed to stress then it can negatively impact your immune system. This is because high-stress levels are associated with a weakened ability to fight cancer, decreased functioning of immune cells, reduced antibody levels, and low white blood cell count.
Herein, you must always prioritize alleviating stress if you have been diagnosed with cancer or undergoing cancer treatment. It is true that cancer treatment is emotionally challenging but there are various measures that you can take to cope with this stress. Some such measures include-
- Listening to calming music
- Deep breathing
- Spending quality time in nature
- Mindfulness
- Meditation
If you’re unable to improve your emotional well-being then you can also consider seeking mental health support from a professional.
5. Build a positive mindset
While undergoing cancer treatment in Siliguri, you must try your best to develop a positive mindset. This is because a positive mindset can work wonders in enhancing your immunity while helping cancer patients lead longer and healthier lives. Starting from improving your immune response to reducing cortisol levels, being optimistic has various roles in ensuring your overall well-being.
Cancer patients often suffer from depression and anxiety during their cancer treatment but by being positive, you can contribute hugely to improving your mental health. The effective measures you can adopt to build a positive attitude toward life are-
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Exercising
- Cognitive-behavioural therapy
- Art therapy
- Joining support groups
6. Take immunity-boosting supplements
Your immune system weakens due to deficiencies in certain vitamins and nutrients. Henceforth, if you want to boost your immunity then you must make sure that your body has sufficient levels of these nutrients. In case your body has certain deficiencies, you must consider taking immunity-boosting supplements. Some of the top immunity-boosting supplements that you can take which will also play a role in fighting cancer are-
- Probiotics
- Vitamin C
- Zinc
- Vitamin D
These nutrients can enhance your immune cell function, maintain your gut microbiome, and increase the production of antioxidants for a healthy immune system. Always remember to consult with the doctor first before starting to take any supplements.
7. Indulge in regular exercise
Physical activity is not always about de-stressing or building muscles, it can also play a significant role in building a healthy immune system. Doctors always recommend cancer patients to indulge in moderate-intensity exercises so that there is a proper flow of immune cells throughout their bloodstream.
If you are physically fit and exercise regularly then the immune surveillance in your body will also increase normally. Additionally, exercising also makes the immune cells more active so that they can easily identify and react to the cancer cells. Even if you cannot exercise regularly, you can consider indulging in some gentle activities such as swimming, walking, or yoga to stay fit.
8. Practice good hygiene
During your cancer treatment, you must make maintaining good hygiene a habit. This will not only help you to stay clean but can also strengthen your immunity. Remember that your immune system is already in a weak condition due to cancer and if your body gets exposed to any infections or gems during this time then the immune system will get more load.
Herein, to avoid giving an extra load to your immune system, you must consider practicing proper hygiene. To maintain hygiene, you can wash your hands frequently, use sanitizers before eating, and avoid getting close to someone who is affected by any infections.
9. Stop smoking and alcohol intake
Another significant step that you must adopt to boost your immune system is to stop smoking and reduce alcohol intake. This is because smoking cigarettes and alcohol can have a negative impact on your body's immune mechanism. Herein, smoking can reduce blood flow and damage immune cells, whereas alcohol can dehydrate the body and weaken the immune response.
You can safeguard your body from all these effects by stopping intake of tobacco products and alcohol. Start your journey towards a healthier lifestyle today. However, if you’re facing extreme difficulty in avoiding these substances then consider seeking professional help.
10. Stay updated with the required vaccinations
Vaccinations protect our body from harmful illnesses and these vaccinations can also be extremely effective to make the immune system stronger. This is why to boost your immunity during cancer treatment, you must stay updated with all the recommended vaccinations.
Herein, you must note that it is way beneficial for your immune system to learn to fight off an infection from these vaccinations as compared to the actual infections. Henceforth, you must not forget to schedule regular appointments with your doctor to understand the due vaccinations. Starting from annual flu shots to COVID-19 vaccines, you must take everything to keep your immune system stronger.
A strong immune system is necessary for your body but it is especially essential during your cancer treatment in Siliguri. Herein, you must consider adopting a healthy lifestyle that will support your immune system and contribute to enhancing your overall life quality.
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