It’s true that some microorganisms develop better at
low temperatures, but the actual problem is in ourselves and our defenses, as
they may also weaken during spring and summer, especially if we do not protect
them properly.
Our immune system is made up of organs, tissues and
cells distributed throughout our body. The bone marrow, the spleen, the blood
vessels and lymph nodes, the skin, the tonsils, the mucous membranes in our
mouth, the respiratory tract, the gut or the genitourinary tract are all part
of it. This whole set is responsible for protecting us from the attack of external
agents (viruses, bacteria, parasites, etc.) and different toxic substances to
which we are exposed.
In the case of a healthy person, the immune system
will react to an “attack” and will adapt its response according to the severity
of the attack. However, sometimes our immune system may fail either because it
is weakened (immunodeficiency), or because it attacks the body itself instead
of protecting it since it believes it is the enemy (autoimmune diseases), or
because it reacts disproportionately to a foreign agent (allergies).
As we have indicated before, with cold temperatures, there
are some circumstances (humidity, suitable temperature, more time indoors, etc.)
that promote the survival of viruses that cause flu and colds. But both in
spring and summer, there are other situations, habits and lifestyles that may
weaken our immune system.
With good weather, our social activities increase, our
routines are put aside, and it is more complicated to follow good dietary
habits. Lunches and dinners away from home, barbecues, trips and vacations usually
become excesses, processed dishes and meals full of saturated fats and sugars.
If we want to take care of our immune system, we need
a varied and well-balanced diet to get the necessary nutrients. Let’s benefit
from summer, which is the season of salads, refreshing fruits and cold soups.
Summer leads us to join multiple activities, and, therefore,
we have fewer hours of sleep. This and the difficulty of sleeping on extremely
warm summer nights worsen our sleep. It is essential to sleep for 7-8 hours to strengthen
our immune system during rest.
High temperatures in summer entail a risk for our
immune system, as some studies show that heat stress may reduce our immune response.
Beware of the air conditioner! When it is at full
power, it can have the same effect on our respiratory mucous membranes as the cold
of winter.
Many travelers suffer from diarrhea when doing tourism,
which can turn our vacations into hell. It is mainly caused by bacteria and
viruses that enter our bodies when we drink contaminated water or spoiled food,
especially when we visit places with unsuitable hygiene and sanitation
conditions. To prevent this, we should always drink bottled water, not accept
ice cubes, and eat highly cooked food. Probiotics are also effective in preventing
it. Different investigations have proven the efficacy of Saccharomyces
boulardii yeast in the treatment of diarrhea, as it reduces the
secretion of water and electrolytes in the intestine.
Vitamin D, which is usually associated with
the maintenance of bones, has other relevant functions. For instance, it is
involved in immune function and strengthens our immune system by helping
prevent infections. Many foods lack this vitamin, so we can naturally produce
it by exposing our skin to the sun.
Moreover, the sun makes us want to go out, have an
active lifestyle, and practice some more exercise. Moderate and regular physical
activity also helps improve our immune system.
