Can we boost the immune system? ⏲️ 6 Minute English

Hello, this is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English.

I'm Georgie and I'm Neil.

In this programme we're talking about the immune system,

which is the body's natural defence against getting ill.

Now, Georgie, is there anything you do to boost your immune system?

Yes. I try to eat lots of oranges, which apparently have lots of vitamin C,

and there are lots of things people do to try to improve their immune system

and stay healthier, like eating certain foods, taking vitamins,

or even activities like swimming in cold water.

We'll find out how useful some of these techniques are in today's programme.

But first, Georgie, a question.

We all know the common cold,

now that's the illness that makes you cough and sneeze,

have a sore throat and headache.

But how many colds does the average adult get in the UK each year?

Is it a) 2-3, b) 4-5 or c) 7-8?

Eight would be a lot.

I'm going to go with a) 2-3 colds a year.

Well, we'll find out at the end of the programme

if you're right.

Now, many people can become ill over the winter

with diseases like colds, flu and Covid-19.

Host of BBC Radio 4 programme 'Inside Health'

James Gallagher gathered some experts to talk about immune systems,

and he started off by asking whether they'd had more illnesses than usual

this winter. Hello?

Hi. Right.

How has everyone been this winter?

Because I've had a rotten one and I have felt constantly ill

since about November. John?

I have not had anything yet - touch wood!

OK, let's see what I can infect you with by the end of the show. Margaret?

I was pretty unwell in September.

I had what I presume to be Covid, but I've been alright since,

mild snuffles aside.

Eleanor, I really need someone to back me up.

Uh, no, sorry, I've been absolutely 100% tickety-boo.

Unlike James, Professor John Tregoning hasn't been ill.

John uses the expression 'touch wood', which is an informal phrase

said in order to avoid bad luck.

Doctor Margaret McCartney was unwell in September but

has only had a few snuffles since.

Snuffles is an informal word used to describe minor illnesses that affect your nose.

We can also say sniffles.

Host James is surprised that nobody has been ill

and says to Professor Eleanor Riley, "back me up".

If you ask someone to back you up,

you're asking for them to say something which supports your opinion.

But Eleanor has had a healthy winter, too.

She's been tickety-boo, which is an informal phrase meaning

everything's fine or in good order.

Throughout the winter, many people try different techniques,

like taking supplements or eating certain foods to boost

their immune system to improve their body's natural defences against disease.

Host of BBC Radio Four's Inside Health, James Gallagher,

asks doctor Margaret McCartney whether some of these products are successful.

Okay, quick-fire round, Margaret.

Echinacea? No.

Turmeric? No.

Ginger shots? No.

This is a very, very good quiz.

What about the stuff you squirt up your nose

when you're at the beginning of an infection?

Interesting, but not any better than normal saline spray - just salt water.

In fact, according to Margaret, there isn't enough evidence that many

popular health products can actually change the way your immune system works.

Another popular health trend in the UK is cold water swimming.

People who swim in cold water say it's good for their mental health,

and they also believe it makes them less likely to get ill

during the winter months.

But scientists aren't sure about the benefits of cold water swimming

for the immune system yet.

As Professor John Tregoning explained to BBC Radio Four's Inside Health.

The social element actually is really important.

It probably is beneficial to do. You reduce stress and cortisol

dampens the immune system.

So actually, if you're stressed, then maybe you are more prone to infection.

And that may be why that benefit of being with people,

nice people that you like in nice places is helping.

But I don't think it's unique to cold water swimming.

I think you can probably get it from dancing or singing or going for a run.

John says that cortisol, a chemical associated with stress,

dampens the immune system.

Here, dampens means makes weaker.

We also have a common expression dampen someone's spirits,

which means to make them less enthusiastic about something.

John says that there is evidence that people who are stressed

are more prone to infection.

If you're more prone to something, it's more likely to happen to you.

It could be that cold water swimming reduces stress

and so it helps people's immune systems work well.

But there are lots of other activities that could have the same effect

and help people have fewer colds over winter.

Which reminds me of my question, Georgie.

I asked how many colds the average UK adult has a year.

And I said two to three.

And that is the correct answer.

So well done. Thank you.

OK, let's recap the vocabulary we've learnt, starting with touch wood,

which is an expression used often in speech to avoid bad luck.

Snuffles or sniffles are minor illnesses that affect your nose.

If you ask someone to back you up,

you want them to say something to support your opinion.

The expression tickety-boo means fine and in good order.

If you dampen something, you make it weaker, and the expression dampen

someone's spirits means you make them less enthusiastic about something.

And if you're more prone to something, it's more likely to happen to you.

Once again, our six minutes are up, but you can test what you've learned

with the free interactive quiz on our website.

Bye for now. Goodbye!

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