Question:

Can exercise help you avoid colds and flus?

Answer:

Yes. At least one study suggests that regular exercise can cut in half the number of days a person suffers from colds and the flu. Exercise helps the disease-fighting white blood cells in the body to move from the organs into the bloodstream.

Overall, you can improve your immune system by eating a proper diet, getting sufficient rest, reducing stress, and exercising regularly. This will decrease your chances of getting a cold or the flu.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Accessed February 22, 2009.

Chubak J, McTiernan A, Sorensen B, et al. Moderate-intensity exercise reduces the incidence of colds among postmenopausal women. American Journal of Medicine. 2006;119:937-942.

Miller A. Recreational infections. In: Cohen J, Powderly WG, eds. Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. New York, NY:Elsevier;2004:chap 89.