Can Air-conditioning Make Us Sick?

Most of us are happy to spend time in an air-conditioned environment once the hot days of the Hong Kong summer arrive. To help us beat the heat, offices and shopping malls will try to maintain a lower temperature, while some people will even choose to leave their home air-conditioners switched on throughout the day.

Air-conditioning is often associated with sickness – but air-conditioners do not make people ill by themselves. It is the way they interact with the environment that can make us sick. Air-conditioning sickness starts when air-conditioners interact with bacteria, especially in densely populated public places where the air-conditioners may not be properly cleaned. This provides a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses.

If you want to stay cool this summer, it is vital to boost your immunity to help keep air-conditioning sickness at bay.

Exercise More

Exercise is a key part of supporting your health and your immune system.

“Exercise helps a lot,” said Dr. Dawna Venzon, a principal research scientist for Nutrilite products and a registered dietitian with more than a decade of experience in the dietary supplement industry. “It can improve your metabolism, help maintain muscle, support healthy cholesterol levels and provides those much-wanted endorphins as well as support for your immune system.”

Daily movement can also promote good circulation, which allows the cells of the immune system to move more efficiently. And if that exercise is outside, exposure to the sun will help your body generate some vitamin D, which will also support your immune system.

An Adequate Sleep

Sleep is your opportunity to recharge the body. The right amount of sleep supports overall health and wellbeing, including immunity and mental health. Seven to nine hours of sleep per night can support your body in its production of white blood cells.

“Getting a good night's sleep is the foundation for an effective immune system and your body’s natural ability to build virus-fighting antibodies,” Venzon said. “Research shows that a lack of sleep is linked to long-term health issues. Diet, stress and exercise all impact our sleep, so make sure to look at the whole picture.”

Supplement Nutrition

Consuming more vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables and avoiding sugars and saturated fats provide your immune system with the right micronutrients to support your overall health.

To make it easier, always have them at the top of your grocery list and keep them front and center in the refrigerator or on the counter for grab-and-go convenience. Antioxidant-packed blueberries, citrus fruits rich in vitamin C, copper- and iron-filled spinach, and garlic all have immune system benefits.

“Colorful fruits and veggies contain vital phytonutrients and antioxidants like vitamin C and beta-carotene that support your immune health,” Venzon said. “As a bonus, the fiber they contain promotes a healthy gut, too.”

Choose the Right Health Supplement

Nutrilite™ Garlic and Peppermint contains concentrated garlic powder to provide clinically significant levels of alliin and allicin, beneficial in promoting cardiovascular health and strengthening body’s immune system. Concentrate derived from garlic that is dehydrated without additives or excessive heat in a patented process to ensure that its natural qualities are retained. Natural peppermint is specially added to suppress the unpleasant odor of garlic.

Can Air-conditioning Make Us Sick?

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