Before every winter season, I encourage people to strengthen their immune system, but this time it is even more crucial with the Coronavirus being around us.
Taking supporting supplements is a good idea to improve your resilience, however ensure that you have plenty of sleep, relaxation, eat a good diet with heaps of vegetables and drink 2L of water per day.
Considering that the majority of our immune system is in our gut, a healthy gut is needed for resilience. Our gut microbiome, which regulate immunity, loves plant-based food full of fibre and prebiotics. Include psyllium husk, slippery elm powder, ground flax seeds and fermented food, such as natural yoghurt (Vaalia has 3 well researched viable strains in therapeutic amounts), kimchi & sauerkraut in your diet.
Avoid foods high in sugar; it lowers our immunity within minutes. Processed foods with all these additives are also detrimental for our gut microbiome.
Eat plenty of raw crushed garlic. The smell can even help you to keep people at bay :).
I am joking but really, keeping a distance of 2 metres to other people is what is recommended by some countries. Garlic is one of nature’s best antimicrobials, and the best thing is that it does not wipe out your good bacteria.
Drink and gargle green tea – the tannins found in green have an antiviral effect topically, so use this to support your natural defence within your throat area.
Take a Vitamin D supplement. Studies have shown that taking vitamin D reduces the chances of developing acute respiratory infections including influenza. Most studies reviewed used adult doses ranging from 2000IU to 4000IU a day, which is known to be safe to take long term even in the absence of deficiency.
There are many herbs that help with immune support, but make sure that you talk to an herbalist or naturopath before taking them, especially if you are on other medication or are immune compromised.
Least, but not last, stay positive. Worrying and experiencing fear is stressful for our body, which then turns down our immune system.
If you need more help and cannot come to see me, I can also offer you phone or online consultations. Short consultations can also be used to design a personalised plan for you.