Some people only think about giving their immune system a boost when they start to suffer from the miserable symptoms of the common winter cold – stuffy nose, sore throat, aching joints, exhaustion, runny eyes and piles of soggy tissues, to name some.  They treat themselves to a duvet day and ply themselves with Lemsip drinks and large doses of Vitamin C.  The Lemsip will certainly pick you up enough to be able to get on with your day, but unfortunately, a Vitamin C binge is probably too late to make much difference, save, according to research, to maybe shortening the length of your cold. It’s akin to locking the door after the horse has bolted!

A much more effective way to boost your immune system and protect yourself from opportunistic bugs that can lay you low over the winter, from colds, upset stomachs, chest infections etc., is to take the attitude….. PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.

Most people are shocked to learn that over 75% of our immune cells reside in the gut.  It is where the significant T-Helper cells, called T Regulatory cells are produced and activated.  In addition the gut mucosa produces and maintains optimal levels of the antibody, Secretory IgA, which keeps the mucosal lining resistant to pathogenic bacteria entering the body.  So you can see that the gut plays a major role in maintaining the immune system and is the first line of defence in shoring up your general health.

So with this in mind, I would recommend taking a daily probiotic supplement, such as Symproveor Biocare Bioacidophilus, or Lamberts Saccromyces Boulaardi.  These probiotics will populate your gut with healthy bacteria and help to crowd out any pathogenic bacteria, which have been residing in the gut for a while. If you have been unfortunate enough to have had a course of antibiotics, even more reason to replenish your gut with beneficial bacteria, to ensure that infection does not recur at a later date.

Taking control of your health and doing ‘your bit’, will hopefully keep you feeling energized and healthy throughout the winter. 

So my other advice, as ever, is to EAT YOURSELF TO WELLNESS…remember that to eat nutritious fresh food is an investment in your health. Eating at least 6-7 portions of fresh vegetables and 2-3 pieces of fruit per day, will nourish your body with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants – the nuts and bolts of every function in your body.  Make sure you eat 3 portions of protein each day, as protein, together with essential fatty acids, are needed to make your immune cells.  To this advice, I am also going to add this……find time to get out in the fresh air every day for a minimum of 30 mins. and soak up the few sun rays there are, so that you boost your Vitamin D levels too.  Vitamin D is vital to stimulate the production of Serotonin in the brain, a hormone that can lift your spirits and gives you a sense of calm.  Imagine throwing all these ingredients into your health pot, and then you realize how to Help Yourself to Health.

IMMUNE BOOSTING FOODS

Garlic

Onions

Fennel

Manuka Honey

Fresh fruits

Fresh Vegetables

Goji Berries

Pumpkin seeds

Fresh ginger

Shiitake mushrooms

Fresh chillies

Butternut squash