Colds, Flu and Boosting Your Immune System
How to Protect Your immune system naturally
Inside your body there is an amazing system of immune cells and tissues whose sole purpose is to defend you against invasion by bacteria, viruses, allergens and parasites. Collectively, this is called your immune system. A healthy immune system is like having your own private army. When the soldiers in your army are working well, you hardly even notice that they are there. You feel healthy, you have low levels of inflammation, and you are resistant to infections. However, when the army becomes disorganised, confused or overworked, then you may start to notice signs that all is not right.
Your immune system is one the most complex systems on the planet. It is highly evolved and is able to cope with an amazing diversity of challenges. The problem is however, that the amount of stuff that your immune system has to deal with is increasing. Our world is not becoming cleaner, but is changing rapidly, with new chemicals and toxins introduced every day. The fact that allergies and many immune disorders are increasing is hardly surprising.
Most adults will get at least two colds every year, and children can get up to eight. There are more than 200 viruses known to cause respiratory tract infections. Although viral illnesses are rarely serious they certainly cause misery and may lower immune defenses against more dangerous secondary bacterial infections. It is interesting to note that the flu vaccination only protects against certain strains of influenza and not against the common cold - which is not as severe as flu, but may still lead to secondary complications in immunocompromised individuals.
This winter help your immune system by living a healthy lifestyle and taking natural supplements. Remember prevention is always better than cure.
Simple ways to keep your immune system strong
Maintaining optimal nutrition is extremely important in maintaining health, wellbeing and a balanced immune system. In order to give your body a fighting chance against the common cold, we suggest you follow these tips for a healthy immune system:
- Eat a balanced diet high in fibre and complex carbohydrates, low in fat, with moderate amounts of protein. Eat fresh, wholesome, unprocessed foods. Eating lots of junk foods can slow your army down - especially sweet, sugary foods.
- De-stress! Enjoy plenty of rest and relaxation. Stress can actually reduce your resistance to infection.
- Exercise regularly. Regular exercise reduces inflammation and can support healthy immunity.
- Increase water intake to six to eight glasses per day. Water is essential for all aspects of good health.
- Supplement your diet with recommended nutrients and herbs to boost your immune function.
Immune support with natural medicines
There are some herbs that have potent stimulating effects on our immune system. There are some that can reduce allergies and some that can increase our defence against invading organisms. It is important, however, to ensure that you are getting the highest quality product and using it at the appropriate dose.
When colds or flu strike, we recommend using natural supplements to help support and boost your body’s natural immune function. Both the common cold and flu are caused by viruses and what many people may not realise is that antibiotics are not able to kill viruses; they are only able to help with bacterial infections. Fortunately there are herbs and nutrients that can help manage these viral infections. It is important with all viral infections to get in early. Once a viral infection has taken hold, there is little that can be done to stop it.
Herbal immune booster
The following herbs have been shown to kill the viruses which cause the common cold and flu and are now available from us in one convenient tablet.
Andrographis paniculata is an Ayurvedic herb which has a long history of use for bacterial and viral infections. Clinical studies have shown it can reduce the severity and duration of the symptoms of colds and flu. Its antiinflammatory properties contribute to its symptom-relieving properties.
Picrorrhiza kurroa has been used traditionally in Indian and Chinese medicine to help maintain a normal healthy immune system. It has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating actions.
Sambucus nigra (Elderberry) has traditionally been used for its anti-catarrhal and feverreducing actions to help relieve the symptoms of colds. It is indicated in catarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, such as the common cold/flu, sinusitis and recurrent or acute coughs.
Nutrients for immune support
Our immune system is highly dependent on some specific nutrients, the main ones being zinc and vitamin C. Nutritionally, zinc and vitamin C are important as they are both rapidly depleted during the acute stages of infection. These two important nutrients for the immune system are available from us in a pleasant tasting powdered supplement.
Zinc may be the most important mineral for your immune system. Zinc deficiency may cause a weaker immune response, predisposing you to a more lengthy or severe cold. In fact, optimal zinc levels have been found to inhibit the common cold virus.
Unfortunately, I find, and research shows, that many peoples zinc level are extremely low. This results in a very poor immune system with increased risk to infections and allergies. Low zinc is also associated with poor growth, skin disorders, low fertility, and also low mood. Unlike other minerals, there is a very simple test for your zinc status. One of the first indications of low zinc function is a loss of taste and smell. I use a taste test to determine zinc level, which I find to be remarkably effective. This is a very quick and easy test that I recommend all people have done on a regular basis.
Restoring low zinc level however is not always a simple process. I test many people who take a zinc supplement and find that they are low to very low in zinc. Switching to a high potency liquid zinc supplement has a dramatic effect, not only on their taste test, but also on the many signs of low zinc level.
Vitamin C is also important as it increases the activity of infection fighting white blood cells. Vitamin C may prevent the common cold as well as shorten the duration of the symptoms.
Anyone with a highly processed diet is guaranteed to be vitamin C deficient. Your immune cells have the highest concentration of vitamin C of any cells in your body. Most animals make their own vitamin C in large amounts, but humans lack a specific enzyme, and so we are unable to make vitamin C. To keep your immune system in top shape, I recommend a vitamin C supplement containing a blend of mineral ascorbates proven to get into your immune cells fast.
Good bacteria for a good immune system
Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM is a strain of beneficial bacteria that naturally occurs in the human gastrointestinal tract and is important for healthy digestive and immune function.
Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 is another good bacterium that has been shown to maintain normal immune response in healthy individuals.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 enhances cellular immune resistance through stimulation of your immune soldiers, particularly of natural killer cells. These immune-boosting good bacteria are available in one easy to take capsule - just ask us about it today.
Fighting secondary bacterial infections
Secondary bacterial infections can be an exhausting aftermath to a viral infection that often leads to a doctor's visit for antibiotics. The herbs Chinese Wormwood and Olive Leaf are shown to give protection against numerous micro-organisms, including bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi.
If infections are recurrent and/or there is a respiratory weakness certain Ayurvedic herbs are blended with nutrients to act as an antimicrobial and decongesting respiratory tonic that may temporarily relieve coughing due to bronchial congestion.
What about the kids?
Children often get colds and flus over winter. To help them avoid colds and flus we have a pleasant-tasting powder specially formulated for children to improve their immune response. This natural formula contains zinc and vitamin C with phytosterols, which are a mixture of plant sterols that have immune balancing effects and stimulate the immune cells to fight the virus causing the common cold and flu. It also contains andrographis and cat's claw, herbs that have anti-bacterial and anti-viral activity.
Finally, for children suffering from deep recurrent infections, strong immune support is available in a blend of Five Japanese Mushrooms. Cordyceps sinensis, Reiishi and Shiitake mushrooms are shown to potently stimulate the immune system to fight infection and yet gentle enough to assist children's recovery.
So even if it is cold and flu season again, doesn't mean that you need to walk around with a throat that is on fire, a seriously stuffy head and a temperature that is through the roof. There are many natural supplements available to help boost your immune system, and prevention is much better than cure. Talk to us today about how you can get through the winter months fit and healthy.
Want to know more?
Why is the MassAttack Natural Health and Weight Loss Program different?
What Does My Natural Health and Weight Loss Program Include?