Factors that influence immunity

In the matter of health, I decided to refer to certain issues not seriously considered before the Covid virus crisis, such as age, body weight, immunity, co-morbidities and lifestyles. Below I have made reference and appreciate the work of MET Life in 1943. They gave a guide line for height of individual, and the ideal weight, to help monitor and guide one in the pursuit of good health. Study this chart and position yourself where you belong based on your height and weight. That will help you know what you need to be considering. Generally 20Ibs over your ideal weight range is considered the beginning of overweight. Many people today have neglected the fact that they are gaining weight and may become obese.

male			female
height	ideal body weight		height	ideal body weight
4′ 6″	63 – 77 lbs.		4′ 6″	63 – 77 lbs.
4′ 7″	68 – 84 lbs.		4′ 7″	68 – 83 lbs.
4′ 8″	74 – 90 lbs.		4′ 8″	72 – 88 lbs.
4′ 9″	79 – 97 lbs.		4′ 9″	77 – 94 lbs.
4′ 10″	85 – 103 lbs.		4′ 10″	81 – 99 lbs.
4′ 11″	90 – 110 lbs.		4′ 11″	86 – 105 lbs.
5′ 0″	95 – 117 lbs.		5′ 0″	90 – 110 lbs.
5′ 1″	101 – 123 lbs.		5′ 1″	95 – 116 lbs.
5′ 2″	106 – 130 lbs.		5′ 2″	99 – 121 lbs.
5′ 3″	112 – 136 lbs.		5′ 3″	104 – 127 lbs.
5′ 4″	117 – 143 lbs.		5′ 4″	108 – 132 lbs.
5′ 5″	122 – 150 lbs.		5′ 5″	113 – 138 lbs.
5′ 6″	128 – 156 lbs.		5′ 6″	117 – 143 lbs.
5′ 7″	133 – 163 lbs.		5′ 7″	122 – 149 lbs.
5′ 8″	139 – 169 lbs.		5′ 8″	126 – 154 lbs.
5′ 9″	144 – 176 lbs.		5′ 9″	131 – 160 lbs.
5′ 10″	149 – 183 lbs.		5′ 10″	135 – 165 lbs.
5′ 11″	155 – 189 lbs.		5′ 11″	140 – 171 lbs.
6′ 0″	160 – 196 lbs.		6′ 0″	144 – 176 lbs.
6′ 1″	166 – 202 lbs.		6′ 1″	149 – 182 lbs.
6′ 2″	171 – 209 lbs.		6′ 2″	153 – 187 lbs.
6′ 3″	176 – 216 lbs.		6′ 3″	158 – 193 lbs.
6′ 4″	182 – 222 lbs.		6′ 4″	162 – 198 lbs.
6′ 5″	187 – 229 lbs.		6′ 5″	167 – 204 lbs.
6′ 6″	193 – 235 lbs.		6′ 6″	171 – 209 lbs.
6′ 7″	198 – 242 lbs.		6′ 7″	176 – 215 lbs.
6′ 8″	203 – 249 lbs.		6′ 8″	180 – 220 lbs.
6′ 9″	209 – 255 lbs.		6′ 9″	185 – 226 lbs.
6′ 10″	214 – 262 lbs.		6′ 10″	189 – 231 lbs.
6′ 11″	220 – 268 lbs.		6′ 11″	194 – 237 lbs.
7′ 0″	225 – 275 lbs.		7′ 0″	198 – 242 lbs.

The original ideal body weight chart was developed by MET Life, 1943.

FRESH AIR

All cells in your body need oxygen to function; and when you do not have sufficient, your heart will be made to work harder to make sure that what is available is delivered to where it is needed. Fresh air has plenty of oxygen and some deep breaths help to deliver more of this important oxygen to your body. Lack of oxygen to the brain leads to fatigue, drowsiness and more. Fresh air helps improve blood pressure and heart rate, strengthen the immune system resulting in better health. Fresh air boosts immunity by increasing the amount of oxygen that reaches the cells. Also helping white blood cells function properly to destroy disease causing organisms and germs. That is why it is good to plant trees, for oxygen comes from the plants and out carbon dioxide is used by green plant. Love plants for their oxygen supply, and their consumption of our poisonous discharge in the name of carbon dioxide.

SLEEP

Adults who sleep less than 7 hours each night are more likely to say they have had health problems, which may raise the risk for heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. Sleep is an essential function¹ that allows your body and mind to recharge, leaving you refreshed and alert when you wake up and keeps diseases at bay. Without enough sleep, the brain cannot function properly and you open up yourself to other issues like increase in blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, heart failure or stroke. Other potential problems are obesity, depression, low immunity, baggy eyes and more.

Sleep strengthens your heart, sleep Improves memory and boosts your immune system. A good sleep increases your ability to function and be more productive. Lack of sleep or sleep deprivation is very dangerous and can be gradually destructive. Below is recommended sleep hours by sleep study professionals.

Age Group		Recommended Hours of Sleep Per Day
Teen	13–18 years	8–10 hours per 24 hours2
Adult	18–60 years	7 or more hours per night3
	61–64 years	7–9 hours1
	65 years and older	7–8 hours1

FLUIDS AND DEHYDRATION

To function properly, all the cells and organs of the body need water for the following reasons:

1. It lubricates the joints. Cartilage, found in joints and the disks of the spine, contains around 80 percent water. Long-term dehydrationcan reduce the joints’ shock-absorbing ability, leading to joint pain.
2. It forms saliva and mucus. Saliva helps us digest our food and keeps the mouth, nose, and eyes moist. This prevents friction and damage. Drinking water also keeps the mouth clean. Consumed instead of sweetened beverages, it can also reduce tooth decay.
3. It helps delivers oxygen throughout the body. Blood is more than 90 percent water, and blood carries oxygen to different parts of the body.
4. It boosts skin health and beauty. If there is dehydration, the skin can become more vulnerable, to skin disorders and premature wrinkling.
5. It cushions the brain, spinal cord, and other sensitive tissues. Dehydration can affect brain structure and function. It is also involved in the production of hormones and neurotransmitters. Prolonged dehydration can lead to problems with thinking and reasoning.
6. It regulates body temperature. Water that is stored in the middle layers of the skin comes to the skin’s surfaceas sweat when the body heats up. As it evaporates, it cools the body. In sport.

Some scientists have suggested that when there is too little water in the body, heat storage increases and the individual is less able to tolerate heat strain.

Having a lot of water in the body may reduce physical strain if heat stress occurs during exercise. However, more research is needed into these effects.

7. The digestive system depends on it.

The bowel needs water to work properly. Dehydration can lead to digestive problems, constipation, and an overly acidic stomach. This increases the risk of heartburn and stomach ulcers.

8. It flushes body waste. Water is needed in the processes of sweating and removal of urine and feces.
9. It helps maintain blood pressure. A lack of water can cause blood to become thicker, increasing blood pressure.
10. It makes minerals and nutrients accessible. These dissolve in water, which makes it possible for them to reach different parts of the body.
11. 11. It prevents kidney damage. The kidneys regulate fluid in the body. Insufficient water can lead to kidney stonesand other problems.
12. Weight loss. Water may also help with weight loss, if it is consumed instead of sweetened juices and sodas. Drinking water before meals can help prevent overeating by creating a sense of fullness.

Kidney damage

Water helps dissolve minerals and nutrients, making them more accessible to the body. It also helps remove waste products. The kidneys play a key role in balancing fluid levels; by performing these two functions and water is a necessary factor. Generally the kidneys filter around 50 gallons of blood or 200 liters’ of fluid a day. Of these, approximately 1-2 quarts are removed from the body in the form of urine, and the rest is recovered by the bloodstream.

Water is essential for the kidneys to function. If the kidneys do not function properly, waste products and much fluid can build up inside the body. Unmanaged, chronic kidney disease can lead to kidney failure. If the organs stop working then the only options are either dialysis or kidney transplant. Drinking plenty of water is a simple way to reduce the risk of developing a UTI (urinary tract infection). Dehydration occurs if we lose more water than the body takes in. It can lead to an imbalance in the body’s electrolytes. The kidneys help keep the levels of electrolytes in the body stable when they function ideally. Their failure to work efficiently may lead to loss of consciousness and seizures. The climate is a major factor that influences the amount of water we take in. Generally the amount of fluid intake depends on a lot of factors that include level of activity, climate, size and much more. It is recommended that, men should drink around 100 ounces, or 12.5 cups of fluid and women should drink around 73 ounces, or just over 9 cups; also fresh fruits and vegetables fluids count.

It is most important to drink plenty of water; when you sweat a lot, due to physical activity, when the weather is hot or you have a fever or you have diarrhea and vomiting and of cause when you are thirsty or dry in the mouth, which indicates you are dehydrated. Be sure to drink some water every one to two hours, depending on climatic influences and levels of activity.

 Immunity
it is the ability of the body to resist or fight off infection and disease. There are different types of immunity. Innate immunity: Everyone is born with natural immunity, (naturally acquired active immunity occurs when the person is exposed to a live pathogen, develops the disease, and becomes immune as a result of the primary immune response. Once a microbe penetrates the body’s skin, mucous membranes, or other primary defenses, it interacts with the immune system) a type of general protection. Adaptive immunity: Adaptive or active immunity develops throughout our lives; Passive immunity: is “borrowed” from another source and it lasts for a limited time. There are other ways to look at types of immunity. The immune system protects your child’s body from outside invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and toxins (chemicals produced by microbes). It is made up of different organs, cells, and proteins that work together. This period of the corona virus has called our attention to the importance of our individual immune system. How is your immune system, can your body fight sources of infection?
Your immune system can be weakened by smoking, alcohol, and poor nutrition.  HIV, which causes AIDS, is an acquired viral infection that destroys important white blood cells and weakens the immune system. People with HIV/AIDS become seriously ill with infections that most people can fight off.

There are sources that help in boosting your immune system and they include:

Vitamin C which is one of the greatest immune system boosters.  A lack of vitamin C can even make you more prone to getting sick. Sources rich in vitamin C include oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, apples, blueberries, strawberries, bell peppers, spinach, kale and broccoli, guava and much more.

Other foods that increase your immune system include; garlic, ginger, and Vitamin B6 which is essential to keeping your immune system in desirable condition. Be sure to get enough as part of your daily diet requirement multivitamin is a way to start.

Ways to Boost Your Immune System

Maintain a healthy diet. As with most things in your body, a healthy diet is important to a powerful immune system, Exercise regularly, stay always hydrated, minimize stress and get plenty of sleep.

 Reset your immune system today.

Every part of your body, including your immune system, functions better when protected from environmental assaults and strengthened by healthy-living measures such as these:

Don’t smoke.

Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, herbs and nuts

Exercise regularly

Maintain a healthy weight

A clean and health bowel

Watch your Acid/Alkaline Balance.

 Body pH Balance

Acidity and alkalinity are measured according to the pH scale. Universal solvent, water, has a pH of 7.0 and is considered neutral. It is neither acid nor alkaline; pH below 7.0-7.25 is considered acid and above 7.5 is alkaline.

The human body functions mildly in an acidic medium; the stomach is highly acidic. 3.5 pH range. The ideal range for human body is 6.0 to 6.8 range of pH also pH over 6.8 is considered alkaline and below 6.3 pH is considered acidic. It is important to maintain a balance between acid and alkaline levels in the human body. As we eat, we need to supply the body food items that will help it maintain this delicate balance.

Causes of Acidosis

Acidosis is high levels of acidity in the body, results from malnutrition, ketosis, stress, anger, and disorder of the liver, adrenal gland and kidney, as well as improper diet, obesity, anorexia, toxins, fear, certain drugs like aspirin. Ulcers are often related to an imbalance between acid and alkaline mediums. Obesity and diabetes often go together and acidosis is generally an issue in this situation.

Research seems to show that health problems such as, premature aging arises from much acid in the blood stream, tissue and cells.  If the acid situation persists and is not balanced, different types of health conditions begin to arise.

It is necessary if one hopes to maintain a good health for longer life, there must be a balance between the acid and alkaline levels in the entire human body. Research indicates that at birth the acid/alkaline balance is most ideal. But as we grow and eat wrongly and indulge ourselves in unspeakable gluttonous pleasures, we become more acidic. Guess what, at death people are every inch acidic. Over acidity destroys or weakens all our body systems.  An attempt to reduce your acid to the acceptable level would definitely boost the health of any individual.

Generally it is very easy and common for the human body to become acidic, because of our choice of dead foods like white flour, most cooked items, sugar, etc.

Acid is difficult to dispose of and this leads to dead cells, premature aging, stiffness and makes you vulnerable to all manner of diseases.

Foods that are highly Acid-forming

Meats, refined  sugars, starches, fast foods, coffee, sodas, egg, fish, white flour and its products, legumes, alcohol, poultry, milk, cocoa, noodles, vinegar, tobacco, and most drugs.

Other conditions that enhance acid formation include.

(a)          Lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyle etc.

(b)          Stress

(c)          Polluted air and water

(d)          Table salt and sweeteners (artificial), etc.

Foods: that are Alkaline-forming

(a)          Fresh fruits and vegetables, avocados

(b)          Fresh coconut, corn.

(c)          Dates, raisins, honey.

(d)          Soya bean and its products, millet

There are ways of checking a person’s PH. But in most developing nations, people cannot afford these little tests with their meager resources.  I suggest to such people to increase their alkaline foods, because most people are always floating in the acid environment, most people are more acidic than alkaline.

Many people consider citrus fruits to be acidic for the body, but actually the citric acid in citrus fruits has an alkaline effect on the human system. It is advisable to always have and eat fruits in your homes, eat a different fruit each time. Dried fruits are good especially when fruits are out of season e.g. dates, prunes, raisins, etc. Prunes are a class on their own because they are very alkaline in nature and process; so also is spinach. All vegetables and fruits leave an alkaline condition when eaten raw. They help you keep the needed balance.

Wrong Eating 

Indigestion leads to bloating, discomfort, gas and even sleeplessness. Most likely your body is telling you that an error has occurred. You may not be fully digesting your food, you may be eating wrong due to your food combinations; you may be drinking with your food and diluting your digestive enzymes. Disease may have set in, but definitely your foods and food habits need some changes.

Good digestion has some secrets (1) Good mastication of foods (2) Good choice of food combinations (3) Good intestinal flora (Healthy bacteria life in your system) (4) Proper balance in your digestive enzyme (5) Avoid if possible drinking while eating, take sips when absolutely necessary.

There are different forms of digestive enzymes.  They all help to digest all foods that you eat. The focus of this write up is to direct you to natural sources of these enzymes.  Pineapple, wheat grass and papaya are good sources of digestive enzymes. You need to know when and how to use them. It is good to remember that different enzymes break different foods, and as people age or destroy their body through alcohol, drugs, etc., the digestive enzymes decrease and digestive problems begin to take root.