Ask HN: What are you doing to develop immune system?

Seven years ago I noticed I was getting really nasty allergies this time of year. I had never had allergies before. They got worse as I got older. My overall health did.

Two years ago I changed my diet and dramatically increased my exercise (keto and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu). I had no colds or allergies anymore. Well, that’s not entirely true. I realized that I had had a few colds. They started the way my colds always did but lasted less than a day instead of nearly a week like they used to. And the allergies are completely gone.

I caught my first cold two months ago. That was right after burying my step father (the stress of his death coupled with flying to see him when he went into the hospital and hugging on a lot of family I hadn’t seen in years weakened my immune system I guess)

So... diet and exercise worked for me.

Wim Hof method, it involves breathing exercises and some form of cold exposure.

https://www.wimhofmethod.com

I see a lot of comments about sunshine exposure. Just want to make a counter-point. My neighbor died of skin cancer after a lifetime of sun exposure. He was in his 60's, not a spring chicken, but not elderly yet either. Now I have a new next-door neighbor :(

Also some very young people die of sun exposure.

I have anecdotal experience that vampires often look many years younger than their sunshine peers. As well as some hard evidence from truckers with the left-side (window facing) of their face greatly aged compared to the right.

It might be wise to moderate the time in the sun. Get some vitamin D, but everything in moderation.

in (some) order of importance:

- lots of sun WITHOUT sunscreen (diet and/or astaxanthin prevent sunburn), need cholesterol to biosynthesize vit. d

- reduce glucose spikes / increase insulin sensitivity with low-carb diet

- eliminate nutritional deficiencies: most effective is carnivore-ish diet in my opinion, meat and animal products are the best sources of bioavailable nutrients

- eliminate stressors in food: stimulants, coffee, etc.

- resistance / strength training

- cardiovascular training

- cold exposure (ice baths are awesome, I don't personally have access or a personal setup)

For me this pranayama works :

https://libre.video/videos/watch/c4b30e57-0c23-47fa-aae2-8c5...

And several studies done on this pranayama

http://www.aolresearch.org/published_research.html

Exercise. Balanced nutrition (macro and micro). Sleeping enough to wake without an alarm. Avoiding toxins and intoxicants (nicotine, alcohol, etc.)

I have an indoor bike, doing high intensity 4 times/week. I'm currently reading about Wim Hof - to see what I can apply on myself.

Exposing my body to all sorts of environment from radiation to a high level of stress and observing what is the outcome

I've been trying lemon, ginger and honey tea. at least it keeps me hydrated.

A good immune system is kind-of luck-of-the-draw; that aside, I’m exercising daily.

staying in the sunshine

trying to be mindful about belly breathing and hydration.