Give your immune system a healthful boost !

As COVID-19 has impacted communities around the world, many people have wondered if there are more precautions, they can take to stay in good health.

Everyday preventive methods such as handwashing, social distancing, and self-isolating can go a long way in reducing your risk for viruses and other pathogens.

But what else can we do to help protect and strengthen your immune system?

There is evidence to suggest that nutrition and other lifestyle measures can influence immune strength and susceptibility to infectious diseases. Whether these measures do or do not influence vulnerability to COVID-19 is not yet known. However, there is every reason to share what we do know about foods and immune defences.

What is the immune system?

The immune system is a complex network of cells that defends the body against infection. When a pathogen or disease-producing microbe has been detected in the body, the network of cells launches its defence mechanisms to neutralise the invader and protect healthy cells from infection.

The immune system keeps a record of every germ (microbe) it has ever defeated so it can recognise and destroy the microbe quickly if it enters the body again. Over time, this ongoing recollection and identification of pathogens provides greater protection and results in fewer infections.

How can you help safeguard a health immune system? 

Eat nourishing foods

Aim for a balanced diet of whole, unprocessed foods that contain plenty of antioxidants and probiotics.

Check your vitamin levels 

Vitamin D is one of the most important vitamins relating to your immune health. People who get chronic infections often have low levels of this vitamin. Therefore, getting a little bit of sun each day can help your immune health, as well as eating foods such as egg yolks, mushrooms and some fatty fishes such as salmon.

Vitamin C has been shown to be useful in people under increased physical stress, to decrease the risk of developing the common cold by half. In the regular population, regular intake of vitamin C may help to decrease the duration of the common cold. Eating foods such as oranges, kale, and broccoli that are rich in Vitamin C will help increase your levels.

Improve your gut health

80% of your immunity comes from your gut! On any given day, your gut immunity will do more work than the rest of your immune system in your entire life! That’s why it is so important to nourish your gut with wholesome foods. Probiotic rich foods such as miso soup, kimchi and Kefir. Kefir is a particularly potent source of probiotics, with 10x more probiotics than regular yoghurt! With over 1 billion friendly bacteria found in every server!

Get Moving! 

Do some type of cardio exercise five days a week, even if it’s just a 30 minute walk every day. This helps to circulate your blood and improve the flow of lymphatic fluid. Lymphatic fluid travels through your cells and tissues and removes bacteria, toxins, waste products and even cancer cells.

Get a goodnight sleep

Our bodies need sleep to rest and recharge. Without enough sleep, we increase our risk of developing health problems. Insufficient sleep has also been linked to inhibited immune function. One study found that those who sleep fewer than five hours per night were more likely to have recently suffered a cold compared with those who had slept more.