To think people that are active and live in the countryside have better immune systems?

[BTphonehome]

I have 1 sibling whose family aren’t particularly active, think a lot of ‘duvet days watching films’ at weekends. DH has 3 siblings, 2 of which also fit this description. All 3 of these siblings live in urban areas/ city suburbs where I’m guessing air quality isn’t great.

They are ALWAYS ill, always. You can forget seeing them pretty much all winter as they the children and the parents are just constantly sick with sickness bugs, tonsillitis, flu’s, colds, Strep A etc. It isn’t just this winter, it’s every winter.

No idea if they take multivits, but neither them nor their children get enough outside exercise and fresh air (IMO) none of them are overweight but that’s just genetics.

Our family is active and ‘outdoorsy’ to want for a better expression, we live rurally so I guess we don’t have a lot of choice. DH’s other sibling and my other sibling and their families also live rurally and are all active, fit people. We all have primary aged children yet we’re hardly ever ill and when we are, we get over it quickly.

After yet another cancelled meet up this weekend due to sickness, I’m wondering if we’re just lucky and just have naturally better immune systems or whether having access to clean air and/ or being active outside lots has given us a better immune system?

I promise I don’t mean this post unkindly, but BIL and SIL both snarkily implied that it isn’t their fault that they’re all ill again, we must ‘just never go out and mix with others or something’ 🙄

Sounds like maybe they’re avoiding spending any time with you due to your judgemental attitude 😊

TBH this all sounds a) highly unscientific and b) a bit smug and sanctimonious.

The human immune system is incredibly complex and while things like nutrition and exercise help it's not as binary as fresh air + multivitamins = healthy, duvet days = not. There are genetic components, environmental components which you can't begin to quantify here.

I also think you sound a bit judgy.

"I don’t mean this post unkindly"

Yeah you do 😂

Ugh. I have lived and worked in London for 40 years. Have not called in sick for 25 years. Those smoggy fumes have given me the best immune system.

It is largely down to luck.

I take zero credit for the strong immune systems of me and my kids. Neither should you. It’s unattractive, sanctimonious and smug.

I probably do come across as judgy on this thread, reading it back it sounds judgy so fair enough.

IRL I’ve never mentioned anything to them, I honestly don’t care how they live their life but truth be told, I avoid their company a lot as being around their kids is stressful. They’re so badly behaved a lot of the time and have so much energy, constantly tearing around the house and I really do think it’s because they never get out and do anything with them. Kids need to burn off energy IMO and you can’t do that sat in the house everyday.

And yes, it is too simple to sat that active/ fresh air automatically means better immune system but I wonder if it helps.

*You can forget seeing them pretty much all winter as they the children and the parents are just constantly sick with sickness bugs, tonsillitis, flu’s, colds, Strep A etc. It isn’t just this winter, it’s every winter…

No idea if they take multivits, but neither them nor their children get enough outside exercise and fresh air*

So you don’t see them all winter yet you somehow know they don’t get enough fresh air. How?? I am always sceptical of people who seem to know so much about others’ habits.

Oh God, give it a rest. Are you going for the full house on a smuggery bingo card?

YABU and ridiculous

I live very rurally, very active outdoor life (horse owner). Tons of fresh air. Always ill, immune system well and truly shafted by my DD who is in nursery.
I’ve had Covid twice in 7 months, a stomach bug and 2 other respiratory infections. Two lots of antibiotics and one inhaler prescribed in that time (not asthmatic).
I feel like death warmed up most of the time. All the fresh air, vitamins and healthy diet is doing sweet FA to help.

Aaargh. The MN self congratulation about being “rural” strikes again.

i think YABU.

It’s not as simple as that - many of these things are genetic or down to any number of causes.

Also we live in a city and are outdoorsy at the same time. If anything though, I think kids get ill more often they aren’t allowed down time to relax as well as fresh air and exercise.

Let me guess. Are you also a family that never has the heating on, and is sweltering at 12C? 😏

IRL I’ve never mentioned anything to them, I honestly don’t care how they live their life but truth be told
And
but BIL and SIL both snarkily implied that it isn’t their fault that they’re all ill again, we must ‘just never go out and mix with others or somethingthe

🤔

My immune system is so strong, it's actively trying to kill me. I have to have it suppressed. Be careful what you wish for.

Well there may be some sort of link between poor air quality and health. So its probably a good idea to clean up the air in cities.

Not sure why the 🤔

I said we were disappointed to not see them again this weekend as it’s the fourth time in a row we’ve had to cancel, BIL replied ‘well it’s not our fault we’re always bloody ill and you’re not, you must just never mix with people.’

I have 2 primary aged DC and see friends at least twice a week, plus work 2 days a week in a busy office as does DH so yes, I absolutely do mix with people.

Because you said you never bring it up so why would they be snarkily mentioning anything with regards to their illnesses?

I’ve literally just said how the convo went, word for word.

You aren’t entirely wrong: exercise does boost immune cell activity and mediates an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant state and poor air quality in the sense that inhaled particles from environmental pollutants have been shown to accumulate in lymph nodes. But there’s also a large element of genetic propensity in your immune system and a lot of luck.

And if asthma is part of their problems traffic can make that much worse

Well if they spend all winter indoors and don’t take multivitamins then you might have a point. They are probably vitamin D deficienct. They can either take tablets or get out in sunlight more (hahaha)

It may just be down to population density. If I commute to work I stand on a full train, walk through crowded stations etc. Even taking a bus to the shops will mean being in an enclosed space with dozens of strangers.

I don't think so. However, people who meet outdoors rather than indoors are less likely to catch each other's germs (as was emphasized during times of pandemic-related restrictions). And people who only mix with one set of people are more likely to develop immunities to the germs to which they're exposed, and don't meet many new germs. However, while the latter may apply to old-fashioned villagers, most modern country-dwellers are commuters.

Honestly I think it's less rural vs urban and more active vs sedentary.

No matter the area you live in, if you're a generally active person and more likely to be out for a wander than on the sofa I honestly think your immune system is better geared up to fight things off.

Reading your OP @BTphonehome this stood out for me more than you living in a different environment and rings true for the families I know (a mix of active/sedentary rural/urban).

There's no value in raising the issue though because however you frame it, it's going to sound like you think you're superior vs their family.

I think it's true that if you are fit and healthy, and breathe reasonably clean air, you're likely to have a stronger constitution. That's perhaps cheaper and easier more rurally, but doesn't mean city dwellers can't also have that. Your family sound rather inactive, and maybe not very resilient!

Of course you are not being unreasonable. If it doesn’t make any difference why do the health professionals keep banging on about a healthy lifestyle?
If what we do makes no difference we can all sit at home eating cake whilst drinking and smoking.

Exactly this for me too. It is a common misconception that immune system problems mean having a weak immune system. It is more likely to be over active.
I live in London Zone 2, due to health problems above I walk slowly but I do get out and about. I'm frequently in crowded places with strangers (two buses today) and I have not had Covid yet. My immune system problems were triggered by pregnancy many years ago