The state of our body can determine the degree to which we get sick or stay healthy. A body that is weakened or stressed may be more vulnerable to pathogens like viruses and bacteria. With this in mind, there has never been a better time to strengthen and support your immune system! Fortifying your immunity and therefore your entire body can mean that you may not only recover in top speed but, possibly side step getting sick all together!
Here are my top 6 flu fighting and immune building strategies:
1. Vitamin C
In Nutritional Medicine these guys are on the are on the front line and my first port of call to help support the immune system and prevent sickness. Vitamin C is well researched to increase white blood count which, in turn, helps fight infection, bacteria and viruses. Eat citrus fruits like kiwi, orange and lime along with camu camu berries and paw paw for a good hit of Vitamin C. Just one navel orange has 86g of Vit C! The recommended dose for adults is 250-2000mg per day. Please speak with a natural health practitioner to determine the correct amount for you.
2. Zinc
Zinc is an essential mineral for immune health. It has been researched to stop replication of various viruses at a cellular level! Increase your dietary zinc by sprinkling nuts and seeds like sunflower seeds, almonds, cashews or pipits on your salads and veggies. Consider a zinc screening test to check that you are not deficient in this vital mineral.
3. Rest
Sometimes all our body needs is to STOP and have time out to rest and restore. I do not believe that we should always ‘solider on’ with symptoms. Being productive in the long term is at times less about ‘doing’ and more ‘being’. Rest gives our nervous system the chance to restore and repair. Use this time in lock down to slow down!
4. Medicinal Mushrooms
Medicinal Mushrooms have powerful immune enhancing properties. Various fungi like Chaga and Reishi are anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal. Included in your daily diet, Mushrooms will work efficiently to build health. In a powder form, they are perfect for adding to smoothies and coffee (yes, coffee is an excellent delivery service for mushrooms!). Try some mushies in my ‘Immune Boosting Bites’ (recipe here https://monicacaligiuri.com.au/immune-boost-balls/).
5. Probiotics
Gut micro biome play a significant role in immune system function. This is because 70% of the immune is located in the gut! Key is establishing a high level of good gut bacteria aka: probiotics virus harmful gut bacteria in the digestive tract. Eating foods high in probiotics like sauerkraut, kimchi, yoghurt or kombucha daily to swing the balance in your favour. Also adding a good quality probiotic supplement is a good idea!
6. Sunshine!
Your body receives the essential nutrient Vitamin D from raw sunshine. Vitamin D plays a part in hundreds of functions in the body, including immune defence mood. It only takes 10 – 20 mins of exposure in mild sunlight (morning or afternoon) to get an adequate amount this life giving nutrient. Of course, protecting your skin from UV rays is important but getting appropriate exposure each day will definitely help your health.
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