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What are you doing to support your immune system during COVID-19 and Influenza season this winter?
As the winter cold and flu season approaches, ways to boost your immune system are amongst the most common questions people are talking about now. Taking preventative steps to strengthen your immune health will always be beneficial for your physical and mental health, now and in the future. If you’re older or have an underlying health condition, taking preventative measures is a great idea. Your overall immune system health may benefit from the following 6 practical actions, which you can easily do right now:
Minimise alcohol and drink in moderation
Take vitamins, minerals, or other supplements for a boost
Vitamin supplements can't replace a healthy diet, but in general may help if your diet is inadequate. A wholesome well-rounded diet generally provides enough of each vitamin and mineral for many, however some people may need supplements to correct deficiencies. Certain supplements that are known to have immune-boosting properties include: (in alphabetical order)
Adrenal herbs
While some stress is necessary to keep your immune system sharp, more and more people are turning to adaptogens (a class of herbs used to help the body “adapt” to stress) for stress relief and adrenal balance. Common herbs include Ginseng, Ashwagandha, Maca and Rhodiola with a long history of use in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Try our Natural Remedy Ginseng, Ginkgo & Brahmi Tonic to give your body and mind a real boost!
Vitamin C
Has been used to help prevent the common cold for decades, as well as helping provide a barrier to germs and other harmful invaders. Vitamin C may also minimise the duration of cold symptoms if you do catch one, plus it assists the absorption of iron, which is critical to immune health.
Curcumin (from Turmeric)
Turmeric has been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurveda medicine for 1000’s of years containing a bright-yellow compound known as Curcumin – the active part of the turmeric root. 1000’s of clinical research has been undertaken on Curcumin given its anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Try our Natural Remedy Turmeric & Curcumin Tonic – just 1 serve (20mls) = 9 teaspoons of standard turmeric powder, absorbs well as a liquid and tastes great!
Vitamin D
As both a hormone and a vitamin, Vitamin D plays a number of important roles in health which many people are deficient in. Generally it’s wise to take a Vitamin D supplement to have a better chance of staying well particularly in winter if your skin is not exposed to sunlight (your body can make Vitamin D on its own). Try to boost your levels with a 20-minute stint in the sun (outside of the danger hours each day).
Echinacea
Reportedly helps prevent the common cold as it may possibly have a mild protective effect against upper-respiratory infections (but it doesn’t appear to reduce the length or severity of illness).
Garlic
Garlic has been used for centuries for its anti-viral and anti-fungal benefits. Research also confirms that it helps support a healthy immune system. If you’re not a fan of fresh garlic, take a supplement of aged garlic extract.
Ginger
The health benefits of ginger root have been touted for centuries including assisting with cold and flu like symptoms, digestion, nausea and more. Ginger has potent antiviral properties, which are best harnessed when drunk as a juice. For a sore throat or a cough, drinking hot ginger tea with honey will help, as the honey will provide a little bit of coating on the irritated tissue. Try our Rochester Ginger range containing a high concentration of the whole ginger root that’s pressed, as well as our super convenient (and tasty!) Rochester 5 day ginger shots.
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral involved in the white blood cell response to infection. Because of this, people who are deficient in zinc are more susceptible to cold, flu, and other viruses.
Final thoughts
See Covid-19 as a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reset the important things in your life and live the life you have always wanted to! To elevate the importance of your health and well-being. To make it a priority in your life right now. To reconnect with the people who are important to you and you love. To listen to your body as it never lies! To incorporate all the little nurturing and restorative rituals you’ve let go over the years that you used to do for yourself, before you put others before you as life got busier and more stressful.
Remember you still have ultimate control and choice in your life. Difficult times can diminish us. Develop us. Define us. Which do you choose? We believe that in most negatives there’s a positive to be found and we’re sure you will come out stronger than ever before in many ways! We’re all in this together.
Viva la vida (long live life)
Rob & Belinda
Australian Natural Drinks Co.
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