With Corona Virus on the rise and the greater population starting to get nervous about what’s to come, you may be wondering what you can do to protect yourself. There are many things that you can do to help your body fight off any invaders. Boosting your immune system is the biggest and best way to do that! So here are six ways to boost your immune system.
1. Food is your best friend
The single best way to give your immune system the best fighting chance is to fill your body with wholesome, nutritious food. These can include high anti oxidant and vitamin C rich fruits and vegetables.Vitamin C is a natural virus killer. The top six foods to be consuming right now for high Vitamin C content are:
- Kiwi Fruit
- Broccoli
- Brussel Sprouts
- Red and Green Capsicum
- Strawberries
- Lemons and Oranges
Foods that are high in zinc are also highly important as zinc can kill viruses, heals the body and boosts the immune system. Zinc is used in over 300 different processes in the body. Foods high in Zinc include:
- Hemp Seeds
- Legumes like lentils, chickpeas and beans
- Sprouts and micro greens
- Pumpkin and Sesame Seeds
- Parsley
- Shellfish … Especially oysters 😉
Juicing is another great way of flooding your body with a bucket load of essential vitamins and minerals. Having fresh juice on an empty stomach means that all the goodness can be absorbed and digested quickly and easily. It is basically like a huge nutrient boost being distributed all over your body. I’m not talking about store bought juice here. I mean juice that has been freshly squeezed using a cold pressed juicer from fresh fruit and vegetables then consumed within 20 minutes of juicing. Juicing things like greens and apples are loaded with nutrients that your body loves. My favourite daily juice recipe is listed below:
- Half a celery
- 2 x cucumbers
- 2 apples or half a pineapple
- a bunch of kale
- a small bunch of parsley (extra detoxifying)
- a squeeze of half a lime at the end.
This makes about 750mls of green juice that tastes amazing!
2. Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements are a great idea at the moment too. Of course it is always best to get your nutrients straight from your food as it is easier for your body to digest and absorb but incorporating a supplement in times where your body needs extra defense can help. A Zinc and Vitamin C supplement like Metagenics Meta Zinc and Vitamin C powder adds an extra layer of protection for your immune system. It could be the difference between your body being able to fight off a nasty virus or succumbing to it. This is a great one to keep in the cupboard through Winter and if you feel like a sore throat coming on, take this for a few days and it will usually kick it in the butt. Vitamin C is a good anti ageing vitamin also! It helps with the production of Collagen and Elastin for keeping skin wrinkle free.
Mushrooms are another awesome supplement to help boost your immune system and has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine. Metagenics Super Mushroom complex can kill off viruses and provide symptomatic relief of upper respiratory tract infections including mucus congestion. Mushrooms like Shiitake and Coriolus are excellent additions to your diet in soups, salads or stir fry’s.
3. Getting enough sleep
Getting plenty of rest is another important factor in the fight against viruses. When we are asleep our body and organs replenish and restore themselves. Getting at least 8 hours sleep at night aids in this process and ensures adequate time for healing and restoration to take place. Without enough sleep the body is behind the 8 ball the next day and lacks the strength to fight off invaders.
4. Hydration
Staying hydrated daily is an absolute must for your body to function properly. More often than not we are dehydrated and this is how bugs and viruses thrive. Most of the population is dehydrated and thirst is not the first indicator of dehydration. We are made up of 70% water so it’s really important to keep on top of our fluid intake. This will ensure good energy levels and strengthen the immune system against illness. Adding a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime to your water will boost it even further and also add small amounts of Vitamin C. It will also help detoxify and alkalise the body. Parasites, bugs and viruses can’t live in an akaline body. Celery juice, coconut water and cucumber juice are all extremely hydrating too.
5. Reducing Stress
When your body is under stress it is expelling a lot energy trying to bring down cortisol levels and keep you calm which takes away from fighting off bugs and viruses. Reducing stress and staying calm is another way you can help your body stay strong and healthy. Way to reduce stress are:
- Take a walk in nature
- Stay off social media or watching the news and letting the media bring stress into your life
- Take a relaxing bath
- Meditate
- Spend time with people you love and who bring you joy
- Do relaxing things like watch a funny movie
- Read a book
- Get a massage or a facial
- Practice some self love
- Visit Sinead our kinesiologist to help reduce stress and your limiting beliefs. Click here for more information.
- Our Naturopath Tony can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression using natural supplements.
6. Cleanliness
Lastly, washing your hands regularly with soap for 30 seconds is going to limit the spread of germs and viruses. Avoid contact with people who have travelled overseas or have been diagnosed with the corona virus and avoid touching your face. Use hand sanitizer with alcohol to kill germs and viruses. Wipe down surfaces, phones and mobile phones regularly with a disinfectant.
By putting these six things into practice you should be well equipped to help boost your immune system and reduce your risk of catching viruses. And if you do happen to come down with a flu, these practices will help you recover quicker. Capalaba Natural health has plenty of supplements in stock and we can post them out to you if you can’t make it into the clinic.
Tony our Naturopath is always happy to talk to you about best ways to boost your immune system strong either in clinic or by phone. Call the clinic on 3823 3103 if you would like to book a consultation to discuss your options or book online here. Click here for more information on Naturopathy or how our Naturopath can help you boost your immune system.
