Can exercise boost the immune system?

3foldchord
3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Can/does exercise increase the immune responses/boost immunity?? And does anyone have any links to articles stating so?

I haves 19 yr old son who gets stomach bugs frequently. Well, has since he started college. We homeschooled, so he wasn't use to the hundreds of germs from different people maybe? Though my other son is doing fine with the change. So I am guessing the sick one has less immunity? Weaker immune system? Last year in college, he got sick the beginning of each semester and same with this year. Then he started a job and is sick again.

He gets little exercise (computer nerd). Was wondering if suggesting exercise as one way to help boost his immune system was a legit suggestion....if he will take my suggestion....LOL

Replies

  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Google?
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    FOR SURE!
    its the best thing for you,
  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    Will have google on my own. Dang, I need more days in the week!
  • __Di__
    __Di__ Posts: 1,659 Member
    Can/does exercise increase the immune responses/boost immunity?? And does anyone have any links to articles stating so?

    I haves 19 yr old son who gets stomach bugs frequently. Well, has since he started college. We homeschooled, so he wasn't use to the hundreds of germs from different people maybe? Though my other son is doing fine with the change. So I am guessing the sick one has less immunity? Weaker immune system? Last year in college, he got sick the beginning of each semester and same with this year. Then he started a job and is sick again.

    He gets little exercise (computer nerd). Was wondering if suggesting exercise as one way to help boost his immune system was a legit suggestion....if he will take my suggestion....LOL

    For a short time after exercise, the person's immune system is lower. It returns to normal within, as I said, a short time.

    The health benefits, for doing exercise, far outweigh that "short time".
  • Myxalplyx
    Myxalplyx Posts: 129 Member
    YES!

    http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/exercises/why-exercise-boosts-the-immune-system.html#b
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Lowers mine
  • snazzyjazzy21
    snazzyjazzy21 Posts: 1,298 Member
    If he's getting sick at the beginning of the semester/job it could be stress related?
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    I wouldn't think so, but I haven't had so much as a cold since I started exercising 2 years ago. *shrug*
  • shawnakrebs
    shawnakrebs Posts: 50 Member
    I think so. I was always getting sick, started working out 5 to 6 days a week (Dancing, Tae Bo, Insanity) and I can only recall one cold that lasted for just a short time. Plus it is a good stress reducer for a new college student!
  • TrailNurse
    TrailNurse Posts: 359 Member
    Exercise DOES boost the immune system and also check into Juice Plus. Studies show that several months of Juice Plus reduces cold, flus and stomach bugs in children/young adults. He should also take Probiotics. The immune system begins in the gut. Cullturelle is a good start.
  • cstoney2013
    cstoney2013 Posts: 167 Member
    exercise does not boost immunity very much. It makes you healthier, but if you are exposed to a disease you will still have the same chance of contracting it. I think you are getting that mixed up with 'healthier'. It would be nice to be able to aviod disease through exercise though!
  • eponine1976
    eponine1976 Posts: 143 Member
    When I exercise I tend to get sick MORE unless I make sure that they are easy workouts. I have to increase intensity VERY slowly over time or I'm guaranteed to get sick. Every time I've ever tried to C25k I get sick on week 2 or 3. I've tried the program at least 10 times and every time I get either bronchitis or pneumonia. Now I've learned not to increase the intensity as quickly as the program calls for and I can do a little running that way without getting sick.

    I should say though that I have blood work that proves I'm immunodeficient and I have exercise-induced asthma so if I get my asthma flared up then it predisposes me to lung infections.
  • stealthq
    stealthq Posts: 4,298 Member
    Can/does exercise increase the immune responses/boost immunity?? And does anyone have any links to articles stating so?

    I haves 19 yr old son who gets stomach bugs frequently. Well, has since he started college. We homeschooled, so he wasn't use to the hundreds of germs from different people maybe? Though my other son is doing fine with the change. So I am guessing the sick one has less immunity? Weaker immune system? Last year in college, he got sick the beginning of each semester and same with this year. Then he started a job and is sick again.

    He gets little exercise (computer nerd). Was wondering if suggesting exercise as one way to help boost his immune system was a legit suggestion....if he will take my suggestion....LOL

    Biggest overall contributing factor to the spread of bacteria and viruses is not washing hands. If you can get him to wash his regularly, especially before eating or touching himself around the eyes, nose, or mouth that should help. Have him use regular soap - no need for the antibacterial stuff, regular soap is plenty antibacterial on its own.

    He needs to get a balanced diet to keep his immune system as effective as possible.

    Probiotics can be a big help as well - depends on what's making him sick.

    However, genetics are a limiting factor. Some people just don't have very effective immune systems and no amount of external support will overcome that.

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