There is nothing more important for having a healthy body than keeping your immune system functioning at a high level. It's the ideal disease fighter. Researchers believe if you want to increase your odds of preventing undetected cancer cells from spreading, boosting the body's own immune system is what you need to do.

The human immune system can stop the growth of a cancerous tumor without actually killing it. These results help explain why some tumors suddenly stop growing and go into a long period of dormancy. This cancer suppressing state is called "equilibrium." During equilibrium the immune system decreases the cancer's ability to grow. It kills some cancerous cells but not enough to eliminate or shrink the tumor.

It's possible some day that we may be able to use immunotherapy to artificially induce equilibrium and convert cancer into a chronic but controllable disease. Proper immune function is now appreciated as another important factor in preventing the development of some cancers.

A scientific theory called cancer immuno-surveillance, your immune system can discern malignant cells, and attack tumors with the same weapons it uses to eliminate invading microorganisms. However in 2001, a new model was established known as immune-editing.

The cancer immune-editing theory suggest that conflict between cancers and the immune system takes place naturally, but with three different potential outcomes.

1. Your immune system can eliminate cancer, destroying it completely
2. Your immune system can form a balance with cancer, by checking its growth but not destroying it
3. The cancer can escape from your immune system, and become more malignant.

One of the best ways to boost your immune system is to avoid consuming sugar and grains. Eating too much sugar and grains, which are converted to sugar in the body, will cause blood sugar to rise. If your blood sugar levels remain elevated, even mildly, over a period of time, your risk of diabetes will increase. If you end up with diabetes, your risk of cancer also increases.

Sugar decreases the function of your immune system immediately, and as mentioned above, a strong immune system is the key to fighting off viruses and other illnesses, including cancer.

Here's something else that can stimulate your immune system, a good night's sleep. A well-rested person would be more likely to have a stronger immune response to other viruses than someone who has not gotten enough sleep.

Many people do not know that aside from a sleep-deprived individual affecting their immune system it can also increase the risk of diabetes. It will also affect your hormone levels and accelerate aging, too.

Sleep should always be a priority in your life. It really does play a dramatic role n your overall health much like proper nutrition and regular exercise. Without enough sleep, your body will be challenged to reach its optimal state of health.

If you sleep less than six hours, you are creating what is called "sleep debt." Sleep problems may complicate many illnesses. If this is a major problem with you, you need to find out what is causing it.

I constantly warn people in all my writings how critical it is to keep your immune system as healthy as you can. It really isn't that hard to keep your immune system performing at a high peak. A proper diet is one aspect that affects your immune system greatly.

This country is so guilty of feeding their body the wrong fuel. You cannot make it a regular diet of fast food, sugary drinks and snacks and expect to be a healthy individual. The older you get the more important it becomes to take complete charge of your health. If you don't, eventually you get a rude awakening when you develop a major disease.

To your good health,

Sonny Julius

Sonnyj@TheSunnySenior.com

www.AHealthyLifeForSure.com