Some people “age” faster than others. But I’m not talking about the stuff on the outside, like extra wrinkles or gray hair today.
Instead, I’m focusing on a different type of accelerated aging that happens on the inside. And in ways, you can’t always see.
But you can certainly feel them. And one of the worst of all is when age puts the squeeze on your immune system. Because it can leave you more exposed to everything from infections to cancer.
You can’t do anything about your age, of course. But new research reveals how you CAN slow the toll it takes on your immune function.
And the good news is that it’s likely much easier than you think.
Slow your immune system aging
Your immune system depends on a steady supply of white blood cells to fight viruses, rogue cells, toxins, and other threats. And your body demands fresh T cells ready to fight when called upon to get the job done.
But as we age, it can take longer to produce those shiny new cells. So instead of having fresh reinforcements ready to rush to the scene of a threat, your body might have no choice but to use old, damaged, and “worn out” white blood cells.
Scientists used to think this was just the inevitable toll of age on the immune system. But lucky for us, the new study shows otherwise.
Research confirmed that age does make it harder for the body to generate fresh, new white blood cells. But there’s another factor that’s even MORE important.
And that’s STRESS.
The new study finds that the higher your stress levels, the “older” your immune system will seem.
Testing revealed that stress from any number of sources … including family, work, money, discrimination, etc. … can lead to lower levels of “fresh” white blood cells. And that means fewer all-important T cells will be ready to respond to potential threats.
But the study also shows something else. And that’s how to reverse the damage and help restore youth to your immune system.
Save your immune system from the toll of stress
Here’s where the study gets really interesting.
Much of the damage to immune function wasn’t caused by stress directly. Instead, it was triggered by what most people do in response to stress.
Many folks attempt to cope with stress by practicing poor habits like eating “comfort food,” drinking too much alcohol, and failing to get regular exercise.
And the proof is in the data. The participants with stress who didn’t fall into the trap of bad food and too much time “de-stressing” in front of the TV had little to no stress damage on their immune function. And while this wasn’t a cause-and-effect type study the link stood out like a sore thumb.
Not all that surprising when you think about it. After all, scarfing down tons of ultra-processed foods and added sugars leads to oxidative stress.
And ultimately, that can harm immune function leaving folks more prone to illness. While moderate exercise can help stimulate cellular immunity.
And that means eating BETTER and moving MORE is especially critical in times of stress. But let’s face it. Even if that works and restores immune function, it’s not enough. You need to tackle that stress head-on, too.
Start with the basics like deep breathing, better sleep, and the Five Senses Method I shared a few months ago. And if you need more support, I’ve got the scoop on an all-natural superstar that can not only fight off stress but also help you get more restful sleep.
You can catch up on all the details of this stress-busting solution right here.
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