May Not Decline With Age Contrary to conventional wisdom, the immune system's strength does not decline with age, says a Penn State University study reported in New Choices magazine. Dr. Namanjeet Ahluwalia and her colleagues found that healthy, well-nourished older women, age 60 to 80, have immune systems that function at levels similar to those of women in age 20 to 40 years. Here are some steps for building better immunity. Start with a multi-vitamin. Make sleep a priority.
Sleep strengthens the body's ability to fight infections.
If you are deprived of sleep, you can suffer a decline in the number and functioning of immune-system cells. Strengthen your social network. A leading researcher of the link between emotions and disease, Dr. David Spiegel, Stanford University, contends that socializing buffers stress and helps fight off other enemies of the immune system. Take a walk. Studies show that moderate exercise diseases your immune response and protects your body from colds and infections.