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Your Immune System: The Army Within
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.
Potential Invaders
Your army is in constant contact with many kinds of potential invaders (e.g. bacteria, viruses, parasites, allergens). Each line of defence within your immune system has its own weapons and methods of attack to fight off these potential invaders.
There is a Winter War on the Way
With winter on the way there are more potential invaders around and your immune system will be working overtime to protect you from the viruses that cause the common cold and the flu. To give your army the best possible chance at protecting you this winter, there are some simple things you can do.
Simple Ways to Keep Your Army Strong
1. 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.
2. De-stress! Enjoy plenty of rest and relaxation. Stress can actually reduce your resistance to infection.
3. Exercise regularly. Regular exercise reduces inflammation and can support healthy immunity.
4. Increase water intake to six to eight glasses per day. Water is essential for all aspects of good health.
5. Supplement your diet with recommended nutrients and herbs to boost your immune function.
Armour for Your Army
1. There are particular herbs and nutrients which can help your army to fight off any potential invaders and prevent infections this winter.
2. There are herbal immune boosters which kill the pathogens which cause the common cold and the flu. Clinical studies have shown that some herbs can reduce the severity and duration of colds and flu.
3. Anti-inflammatory properties contribute to symptom-relieving properties.
4. Anticatarrhal herbs help to dry mucous.
5. Herbs with fever reducing actions help relieve the symptoms of colds.
Nutrients for immune support include:
Zinc is the most important mineral for your immune function. A zinc deficiency may cause a weaker immune response, predisposing you to a more lengthy or severe cold. In fact, optimal zinc status has been found to inhibit the common cold virus.
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. These two important nutrients for the immune system are available from MNW in a pleasant tasting powdered supplement.
Good bacteria in the form of probiotics are also important for a good immune system: different probiotics strains have different functions just like vitamin A has a completely different function to vitamin B. For the right choice it is best to see me and we can investigate your immune function and other important factors before choosing the appropriate probiotic.
This winter help your immune system by taking natural supplements and living a healthy lifestyle. Remember prevention is always better than cure.