In the middle of winter your immune system works overtime trying to keep you healthy. Supporting your immune system is one of the best ways to help your body fight bacteria, viruses and microbes. Helping your body to get rid of damaged cells and unwanted pathogens will also take the load off your immune system, speeding recovery from your winter cold.
Natural supplements like antioxidants can be a big help. Although antioxidants are found in foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables, it is advisable to boost your antioxidant levels over winter with an antioxidant supplement in order to have the best defence possible.
Support Your Immune System And Speed Up Recovery
One of the most important antioxidants is Vitamin C, a nutrient that is often low in our diets. Vitamin C is used in the body to keep cells healthy by helping to get rid of damaged or dead cells. When our immune system is fighting an illness many cells will become damaged, so supplementation becomes important. Vitamin C can also assist in the case of allergies or hay fever as it is one of nature’s best antihistamines.
Olive Leaf Extract is another anti-oxidant, with anti-microbial properties helping to get rid of any microbes whether they are bacteria, viruses or parasites. For those ailments that seem to be almost impossible to get rid of Olive Leaf Extract can offer that extra defence.
Reduce The Risk Of Secondary Infection
For those of us who tend to suffer with a sore throat, stuffy nose and a foggy head a combination of Garlic, Horseradish and Vitamin C will help to clear upper respiratory congestion quickly and efficiently. Clearing the sinuses and the throat of congestion helps reduce the risk of secondary infection and improve your healing time, while reducing the chance of those lingering symptoms such as an irritating cough.
Other Important Factors
Other factors that you need to be aware of, especially in a time that you are more susceptible to illness, are:
Try and reduce stress. Stress can take its toll on your body in more ways than one. The higher the stress level the less efficient the immune system is at fighting off illness.
Drink lots of water. It is easier in the cooler months to forget to drink water, but hydration is vital for cleansing and detoxifying the body.
Eat hearty healthy nutrient rich meals. Meals that are high in antioxidants are important in the cooler months. A diet abundant in nutrients of all kinds will improve repair and recovery time of your cells, which means getting better faster.
Herbs such as Echinacea. Echinacea purpurea or Echinacea angustifolia offer an easy and effective way to boost the immune system and help prevent cold and flu. Echinacea has an immune modulating action and can boost a sluggish immune system.
Take a probiotic. Making sure that our abundant vital nutrients are being absorbed is very important. Keeping the immune system in the gut healthy is vital for breaking down and absorbing foods efficiently and in turn supporting a healthy immune system. This does not only improve absorption of nutrients but also improves your immunity by eliminating toxins more efficiently. Supplementing with probiotics such as Lactobacillus acidophilus (Strain LA-5) and Bifidobacterium animalis (Strain BB-12) will ensure that the gut is healthy.
For a personal recommendation on natural ways to improve your recovery from cold and flu this winter season visit the trained staff at your local Healthy Life store.
References:
1. Braun L. & Cohen M. 2005, Herbs & Natural Supplements, An evidence-based guide, Elsevier Australia
2. Haas E. 1992, Staying Healthy with Nutrition, Celestial Arts Berkeley California
3. Osiecki H. 2004, The Nutrient Bible, Bio Concepts Publishing Australia
4. Bone K. 2003, A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs, Elsevier science USA
Source : Healthy Life News