Does exercise really strengthen the immune system?

Moderate sport is excellent for our health

Over the last several decades, studies have confirmed the fact that exercise is good for our health, and especially our immunity.

In fact, being physically active:

• helps burn more calories, thus preventing weight-related problems;
• stimulates the heart and thus reduces the risk of cardiovascular problems;
• and triggers the release of endorphins, which produce a sensation of well-being. By reducing stress hormones, endorphins also encourage the body’s immune response against aggressors.

How exactly does exercise stimulate the immune system?

Let’s take a more detailed look at the links between physical activity and immunity.

Scientific studies have shown that:

• regular exercise produces a peak in polymorphonuclear neutrophils, a type of white blood cell highly effective at protecting the body. Levels of these neutrophils then return to ‘normal’ 24 hours after an exercise session;
• cycling on a regular basis stimulates several aspects of our immune defences (1). This particular study found that keen cyclists had extremely high levels of certain T lymphocytes as well as IL-7, a molecule that protects the thymus from ageing. And as it happens, the thymus is the organ that produces T lymphocytes (one of the cornerstones of the body’s immune system).

In short, current scientific data more than supports Hippocrates’ view: however old you are, taking regular exercise is one of the best ways of protecting your health.

How many hours of physical activity a week should you take?

Let’s take a simple and very popular example: jogging. According to a Danish study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in February 2015, adults should aim to run for 2.5 hours a week at a light or moderate pace, spread over 2-3 sessions (2).

According to the study’s authors, this level of exercise could help increase life expectancy by six years for men, and by almost six years for women.

Exercise … but do so moderately

Of course, you shouldn’t ‘overdo it’ when it comes to physical activity. Two hormones released during exercise, adrenalin and cortisol, can end up damaging the body’s metabolism and causing a a change in the balance of cytokines as well as elevated levels of free radicals. (3)

What’s more, intensive exercise increases microlesions in muscles, bones and the intestines … The latter can cause bacteria and toxins present in the gut to be distributed throughout the body. Don’t overwork your body as it could end up backfiring, leading to an overall weakening of your immune defences. (4-5)

Immunity: some simple tips for exercising effectively

Whether you’re an occasional exerciser, a regular sports enthusiast or an experienced athlete … Here are some useful tips for getting the most out of your physical activity:

• if you’re just starting to exercise, opt for a gradual approach (especially if you’re overweight) (6) ;
• if you exercise intensively, make sure you have long recovery timesto give your immune defences time to return to ‘normal’;
• it’s also better to have a maximum of one to two sessions of intensive exercise a week (you can always supplement this with additional moderate sessions).

Substances that optimise physical performance and stimulate immunity

There are many compounds available in nature that can help improve your sporting ability ...

... and at the same time directly stimulate your immunity:

• ginseng, a tonic, cardio-protector and immunity-booster (7-8), is considered invaluable by sports enthusiasts (we particularly recommend the supplement Ginseng 30%) ;
• the amino acid L-glutamine improves protein synthesis and thus encourages muscle renewal. It is also an exceptional source of fuel for immune cells. (9) (opt for L-Glutamine) ;
• the amino acid L-citrulline, removes ammonia produced by muscles during exercise. It thus prevents muscle soreness and encourages muscle recovery. It is also a major immunity-booster. (10) Try, for example, the excellent supplement L-Citrulline.

Other key supplements for sports enthusiasts

We should also mention these other supplements widely-used in the sporting world:

• spirulina, a micro-algae rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, is super-popular with sports enthusiasts. It helps invigorate the body, improve stamina and facilitate muscle development and recovery(11) (try the product Spirulina) ;
• if you want to gain muscle mass, whey protein, creatine and BCAA are the three essential bodybuilding ingredients (you can find them in 3-Creatine and BCAA's).

Last but not least, some classic supplements of benefit to everyone

To finish, let’s not forget these key supplements that will prove highly beneficial for sports enthusiasts – as well as everyone else!

• omega 3. These polyunsaturated fatty acids participate in cell regeneration, improve performance and protect heart health(12) (try, for example, Super Omega 3) ;
• be sure to supplement too with magnesium (choose Magnesium Orotate). You may not know it, but exercise can lead to depletion of mineral salts, hence the need to increase your intake of magnesium in particular;
• and finally, it goes without saying that we recommend supplementing with vitamin D, since any deficiency in this vitamin will damage your body’s capabilities, not least your sporting ability. Remember that the ‘sunshine vitamin’ plays a role in bone health, muscle function and immunity (13). To obtain the benefits of this essential nutrient, the best choice is the supplement Vitamin D3 5000 IU.