<p>Your immune system defends your body from infection. If you can support it, there will be benefits.</p>
<p>Your immune <strong>system creates, stores, and distributes white blood cells that fight bacteria and viruses you are exposed to</strong>.</p>

Your immune system is your friend

Health

<ul>
<li>Eating fruits and vegetables helps your immune system fight viruses and bacteria.</li>
<li>A positive attitude can help your body fight illnesses.</li>
<li>Covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze can keep germs at bay.</li>
<li>Sucking your baby&#39;s pacifier can make them less likely to develop allergies, a recent study found.</li>
</ul>

Facts about the immune system

<ul>
<li><strong>A lack of sleep does not affect your immune system.</strong> There is a strong link between restorative sleep and a healthy immune system.</li>
<li><strong>Supplements can help you get better faster</strong>. Taking megadoses of one vitamin has not been proven to support the immune system.</li>
<li><strong>Kids need supplements</strong>. They really should get vitamins and minerals from eating nutritious foods.</li>
<li><strong>Exercise does not affect the immune system</strong>. Exercise lowers blood pressure, keeps body weight under control and can protect you from some diseases.</li>
</ul>

Immune system myths

<h1> Myths vs. Facts About Your Immune System </h1><div><span dir="ltr"> By <span dir="ltr"> Renee Bacher </span></span></div><div><span data-chronicle="091e9c5e81f07d42" data-e2e="asset-medical-review" data-metrics-module="embd-lnk" dir="ltr"> Reviewed by <a href="https://www.webmd.com/brunilda-nazario" data-metrics-link="0" dir="ltr"> Brunilda  Nazario,&nbsp;MD </a><span dir="ltr">  </span><span dir="ltr"> on November 07, 2013 </span></span></div><webmdbutton> From the WebMD Archives </webmdbutton><p>Your immune system is your friend. It protects your body from infection. Give it your full support and, as with any friend, there will be perks.</p><p dir="ltr">Here’s how it works: Your immune system creates, stores, and distributes the white <a data-crosslink-type="article" href="https://www.webmd.com/heart/anatomy-picture-of-blood" data-metrics-link="" dir="ltr">blood cells</a> that fight bacteria and viruses that enter your body, especially during cold and flu season. </p><p>For such a simple-sounding process, there's a lot of bad information out there. Here are some myths and facts about the immune system and how it works.</p><h2>Eating fruits and veggies keeps your immune system strong.</h2><p dir="ltr"><b dir="ltr">Fact.</b> Mom and dad were right when they told you to eat your <a data-crosslink-type="slideshow" href="https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-exotic-fruits" data-metrics-link="" dir="ltr">fruits and vegetables</a>. Studies show that people who eat a lot of them get sick less. The nutrients in them can help your immune system fight viruses and bacteria. </p><h2>Not getting enough sleep has no effect on your immune system.</h2><p dir="ltr"><b dir="ltr">Myth. </b>There's a strong link between sleep and a healthy immune system. But not just any <a data-crosslink-type="slideshow" href="https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/ss/slideshow-sleep-disorders-overview" data-metrics-link="" dir="ltr">sleep</a> will do. Restorative <a data-crosslink-type="tools" href="https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-habits-assessment" data-metrics-link="" dir="ltr">sleep</a>, which means <a data-crosslink-type="article" href="https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-requirements" data-metrics-link="" dir="ltr">enough sleep</a> to get the body back into fighting shape, is key. </p><h4>Continued</h4><p dir="ltr">Sleep needs vary by person, but most adults need 7-8 hours a night. Teens need 9-10 hours, school-aged kids need at least 10 hours, <a data-crosslink-type="article" href="https://www.webmd.com/parenting/guide/parenting-preschoolers-mistakes" data-metrics-link="" dir="ltr">preschoolers</a> need 11-12 hours, and newborns need 16-18 hours.</p><p>Over the past few decades, though, the average time asleep has dropped to less than 7 hours a night for adults. If you sleep less than your body needs, you’ll build up a sleep debt. And you can't make that up with naps or by sleeping in on weekends. Bottom line: Get to bed at a time when you know you can sleep at least 7 hours. </p><h2>A positive attitude can be healthy.</h2><p dir="ltr"><b dir="ltr">Fact.</b> A good outlook may be good for your health. One study of law students showed that their immune systems kept pace with their thoughts about how tough school would be. When they felt better about school, they had a better immune system. When they were worried, their immune system slowed. The upshot: Looking on the bright side might better equip your body to fight illnesses. </p><UL><LI>1</LI><LI>2</LI></UL><div pager="5"><span tabindex="0"> View All</span></div>

What do you really know when it comes to boosting your immune system and fighting off a cold?

<p>Your immune system is your friend. It protects your body from infection. Give it your full support and, as with any friend, there will be perks. </p>

<p dir="ltr">Here’s how it works: Your immune system creates, stores, and distributes the white <a data-crosslink-type="article" data-metrics-link="" dir="ltr" href="https://www.webmd.com/heart/anatomy-picture-of-blood">blood cells </a>that fight bacteria and viruses that enter your body, especially during cold and flu season. </p>

<p>For such a simple-sounding process, there's a lot of bad information out there. Here are some myths and facts about the immune system and how it works. </p>

Eating fruits and veggies keeps your immune system strong.

<p dir="ltr"><b dir="ltr">Fact. </b>Mom and dad were right when they told you to eat your <a data-crosslink-type="slideshow" data-metrics-link="" dir="ltr" href="https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/ss/slideshow-exotic-fruits">fruits and vegetables </a>. Studies show that people who eat a lot of them get sick less. The nutrients in them can help your immune system fight viruses and bacteria. </p>

Not getting enough sleep has no effect on your immune system.

<p dir="ltr"><b dir="ltr">Myth. </b>There's a strong link between sleep and a healthy immune system. But not just any <a data-crosslink-type="slideshow" data-metrics-link="" dir="ltr" href="https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/ss/slideshow-sleep-disorders-overview">sleep </a>will do. Restorative <a data-crosslink-type="tools" data-metrics-link="" dir="ltr" href="https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-habits-assessment">sleep </a>, which means <a data-crosslink-type="article" data-metrics-link="" dir="ltr" href="https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/sleep-requirements">enough sleep </a>to get the body back into fighting shape, is key. </p>

<p dir="ltr">Sleep needs vary by person, but most adults need 7-8 hours a night. Teens need 9-10 hours, school-aged kids need at least 10 hours, <a data-crosslink-type="article" data-metrics-link="" dir="ltr" href="https://www.webmd.com/parenting/guide/parenting-preschoolers-mistakes">preschoolers </a>need 11-12 hours, and newborns need 16-18 hours. </p>

<p>Over the past few decades, though, the average time asleep has dropped to less than 7 hours a night for adults. If you sleep less than your body needs, you’ll build up a sleep debt. And you can't make that up with naps or by sleeping in on weekends. Bottom line: Get to bed at a time when you know you can sleep at least 7 hours. </p>

<p dir="ltr"><b dir="ltr">Fact. </b>A good outlook may be good for your health. One study of law students showed that their immune systems kept pace with their thoughts about how tough school would be. When they felt better about school, they had a better immune system. When they were worried, their immune system slowed. The upshot: Looking on the bright side might better equip your body to fight illnesses. </p>

Your immune system is your friend

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