Dr. Zaslow says exercise boosts the immune system in other ways.
Article Link: How a 15-Minute Workout Can Boost Your Immune System (healthline.com)
New research has found that just 15 minutes of exercise can improve your immune function.
The findings, which are being presented at the American Physiology Summit in Long Beach, CA this week, discovered that short bursts of physical activity increase the production of natural killer (NK) cells, which are a type of white blood cell that fight infected and cancerous cells in the body.
The study has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
This isn’t the first study to link exercise to higher levels of NK cells in the bloodstream. Plus, the number of NK cells appears to increase mere minutes after engaging in physical activity.
The researchers say the new findings add to the growing pile of evidence that targeting NK cells in the body may provide better protection against infections and diseases.
According to Tracy Zaslow, MD, a board-certified pediatrician and pediatric and adult primary care sports medicine specialist at Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles, the body temperature rises during and right after exercise.
Most bacteria and viruses thrive at a normal body temperature and the heat can make it harder for them to survive, similarly to what happens with a fever.
Physical activity also reduces stress.
“Lower levels of stress hormones may provide some protection against illnesses,” says Zaslow.
This, in turn, can protect emotional well-being and decrease mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
“Stress and depression can lead to chronic inflammation impacting the body’s ability to fight infections,” Zaslow said.
Exercise improves sleep quality and duration, and it’s been shown that a good night’s sleep is a crucial component for optimal immune function, she added.
Finally, exercise can alleviate the harmful effects caused by free radicals and prevent oxidative stress — both of which contribute to chronic health conditions.
Read full Healthline article here.
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