Immunity is a subject of concern for all and sundry. The increasing concern about the immune system has also given rise to immunity myths that in most cases are untrue. Even though the internet provides you with well-researched articles about immunology, people to promote themselves and their brands also exploit the digital platform. More often than not, they end up propagating myths that are, in fact, false. To help you steer clear of false information, we have busted the 10 most common immunity myths for you.
Here are 10 common immunity myths busted:
Myth 1: Hand sanitizers work better than hand wash
This is an immunity myth that is sometimes promoted by hand sanitizer manufacturers. Washing your hands is the best way of preventing yourself from harmful microbes like viruses and bacteria. While the alcohol in hand sanitizers kills microbes, hand washes effectively remove most of the germs from your hands. Hand sanitizers are only a backup option for times when you are out and hand washes are not available. It is a matter of convenience. However, it is important to remember to dust off all the dirt from your hands before using the sanitizer.
Myth 2: Lower temperatures are responsible for making you sick
This is a common myth that all of us have been warned about from our childhood. It is however necessary to remember that it is not the cold weather itself that makes us sick but the seasonal change that sometimes triggers illness. Moreover, in winters, we are bound to spend most of our time indoors which also requires us to be in close contact with other people in our family. Research has also shown that changes in temperature can awaken a dormant rhinovirus in an individual’s nasal cavity which may spread through sneezing or coughing.
Myth 3: Seasonal allergies signify a weak immune system
It is a common belief that a weakened immunity results in seasonal allergies. Contrary to popular belief, allergies are a sign of a hyper-active immune system. Allergies are caused as an immune response when your body confuses particles like dust or pollen from outside with harmful microorganisms. When your body treats these particles like a harmful pathogen, you get seasonal allergies. In this case, it is important to identify the source that is causing these allergies. Using a mask while going outside can also reduce the possibility of getting allergies.
Myth 4: Vitamin C can prevent cold
It is a common myth that Vitamin C can prevent cold. However, research has shown that Vitamin C does not exactly perform the way people expect it to when it comes to curing cold. According to these studies, a dosage of 200mg or more can only slightly decrease the duration of a cold which is way more than what people usually consume for this purpose i.e. 60mg. Moreover, the effect of these vitamins varies from person to person. Therefore, it is better to consult a doctor when you are feeling sick instead of gulping unprescribed vitamins.
Myth 5: Vitamin drinks will improve your immunity
This is another common myth usually promoted for advertisement purposes. These drinks with fancy names may look appealing but they do close to nothing when it comes to boosting your immunity. You need to add more vitamins to your body only if you have a deficiency of it. In most cases, our daily diet takes care of our vitamin intake. Excess of anything can be harmful; even vitamins. It may become a health-risk rather than a way to improve your immunity. You need to consult you doctor if you feel that there is a deficit of a vitamin in your body and they can suggest a solution accordingly.
Myth 6: Consuming honey cures allergies
There is a belief that since bees carry pollen, consuming honey will probably help some of that pollen enter your system so that your immune system can protect you from allergies. It doesn’t work that way. The pollen carried by the bees is very different and much heavier than the pollens that are windborne. Moreover, there is no clinical proof to substantiate this theory. However, honey is very good for your skin and an active ingredient in cough syrups because it acts as a cough suppressant.
Myth 7: Inadequate sleep does not effect on the immune system
This is a myth that a lot of people who suffer from a lack of sleep swear by. Your sleep pattern actively affects your immune system. However, power naps don’t work in this case. Restorative sleep of at least 7-8 hours is needed for the body to revive itself from fatigue and get back into shape. However, the sleep time is slowly dropping in adults and can cause a sleep debt. The dearth of sleep can lead to health problems that cannot be compensated with naps.
Myth 8: Losing weight will boost your immunity
This is a myth that has been drilled into people’s minds with the idea that only a singular body type is healthy. Losing weight is a process that requires dietary restrictions and proper exercise. However, at times, people tend to follow unhealthy habits like intermittent fasting that end up weakening the immune system rather than making it stronger. It is important to consult a dietician and follow a balanced diet if you are willing to lose weight and also keep healthy.
Myth 9: Intense exercise will boost your immunity
This is a common myth that could prove to be extremely harmful. Everyone has a capacity to take stress. If you’re not used to exercising then daily then sudden intense exercising can end up making your immune system weak.
Myth 10: Stress doesn’t impact the immune system
Stress can have a bad effect on your immune system. Cortisol, the hormone released when you are stressed can reduce the white blood cells’ capacity to fight infections. Moreover, stress can also induce bad habits like drinking and smoking which can weaken the immune system.
Conclusion:
Here is our list of busted immunity myths. It is not just important that you steer away from immunity myths but also necessary that you don’t spread them yourself. False information can be dangerous for the people reading them.