Winter Is Coming? Are you Prepared?

Written by admin

Are you at the mercy of winter each year? Do those dreaded colds and flus leave you and your family with runny noses, coughs, sore throats, headaches, fevers and fatigue through the winter months?

 

These symptoms are often the leading cause of time away from school and work. Now is the perfect time to boost your immune system and defend against cold and flu symptoms. Remember, prevention is always better than a cure.

 

Sharing, Not Always Caring

If you frequently catch cold and flu, it may be that your immune system is out of balance and making you more susceptible to catching infections that are all too often shared around this time of year.

If you have nutritional deficiencies or a poor diet, stress, inadequate rest or a lack of exercise; your immune system may not be primed to recognise and respond to the viral and bacterial invaders responsible for infection.

 

Which Bugs Bug You?

Viruses, such as Rhinovirus, are the common colds and flus, rather than bacteria, despite common thought. Antibiotics target bacteria and are not effective against viral infections and the common cold. Luckily, there is natural support for your immune defences against both viruses and bacteria so they won’t keep bugging you and making you sick.

 

Winter Warriors – The Natural Kind

If sneezing and wheezing, coughs and sore throats are common visitors are your house, do yourself a favour and prime your immune defences to protect you against viral and bacterial intruders.

Key herbs and nutrients play a crucial role as natural winter warriors helping you and your family this season:

Andrographis is an immune herb given at 6g has been shown to be as effective as paracetamol for reducing fever and sore throat. Together with Zinc and Pircrorrhiza, Andrographis can also help reduce the duration of illness.

Elderberry is an excellent herb to help reduce flu symptoms such as fever and runny nose.

Cordyceps, Coriolus and Reishi are medicinal mushrooms that specifically target virally-infected cells, often the cause of those winter colds and flus. These medicinal mushrooms can be taken both acutely and for chronic infections, to help restore a functioning immune system.

Zinc, Vitamin D and Vitamin C are key nutrients that are all helpful in reducing the severity and duration of illness, as well as providing support to keep your immune system performing at it’s best.

 

The Gut – Your Link to Immunity

Did you know that 70 to 80% of your immune system is actually located in your digestive system? Understanding this will emphasise how important it is to look after your gut health. Your diet and the overall functioning of your digestive system will affect your immune system.  Probiotics not only help with digestion, but there are also key probiotics that help your immune system. Immune boosting bacterial strains include Lactobacillus Acidophilus NCFM, Lactobacillus rhamnosus HNoo1 and Bifidobacterium lactose HN019.

 

Eating to Stay Well Through Winter

Healthy eating plans are essential throughout winter to help strengthen your immune system. Maintaining good nutritional status can help keep you healthy and reduce your risk of getting stick, as well as aiding faster recovery.

  • Eat seasonally, fresh, and organic as much as possible.
  • Eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish and lean meat.
  • Reduce inflammatory foods that can suppress immune function and a mucous-forming, such as diary, sugar, white breads, cakes and soft drinks.
  • Try hot fresh lemon, garlic and ginger tea with a dash of honey, or thyme tea to soothe a sore throat.
  • Drink plenty of water (aim for at least 8 glasses per day) and avoid excessive alcohol or caffeine.
  • Take time to rest and relax, and get a good night’s sleep.

 

Welcome Winter With Wellness

Don’t be at the mercy of this season’s colds and flus. By acting now and boosting your immune system to prime it against common invaders, you too can get through these winter months without suffering at the hands of the common cold or flu. If someone has already started ‘kindly’ sharing their bugs, immune herbs and nutrients and a healthy diet will also help you by reducing the severity and duration of an illness. Let this year be the year you welcome winter with wellness.

 

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