April 15, 2020

STRENGTHENING IMMUNITY AGAINST VIRAL INFECTION

The COVID-19 pandemic has become a priority health concern globally, and it appears that those with existing health conditions may be more vulnerable to infection. Taking action to maintain a resilient immune system is now an essential focus for many.
 

KEY FACTORS FOR IMMUNE RESILIENCE:


  • Eating a healthy, balanced diet containing a wide range of nutrient-rich foods, particularly fruits and vegetables, helps to maintain robust immunity.

  • Certain lifestyle choices can also support healthy resistance, including regular sleep patterns, healthy weight management, minimising alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine, and avoiding stress and tension.

 

COULD SUPPLEMENTS HELP TO SUPPORT MY IMMUNITY?

The immune system requires many micronutrients to function effectively. Normally a plentiful balanced eating pattern will provide all the nutrients required to support the protective activities of immune cells. However, as we age, our digestive system becomes less effective, so that extra quantities of nutrients may be required to maintain resilient immunity.

 

Jamie Morton, the reporter form NZ Herald, as above photos, mentioned "That's where supplements can be important. As we get older, our gut also becomes less absorbent, so we need higher concentrations of certain things to get the same amount as a younger person."
 

THREE VITAL NUTRITIVE FOOD GROUPS TO EAT DAILY

 

  • Vitamin C

Low levels of vitamin C can reduce vital immune cell function and the ability to protect against, and recover from, infection.  Vitamin C is found in all fruits and vegetables, and is especially high in green vegetables, capsicums, tomatoes, pumpkin, and potatoes.  Fruits and vegetables also contain anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help to support critical immune cell activities.

 

  • Natural Superfoods

Highly nutritional foods such as garlic, manuka honey, oregano and tumeric herbs, green vegetables, olive oil, fish and cod liver oils, tempeh and tofu, sauerkraut and kimchi, and probiotic yoghurts and kefir, are thought to be nutritionally dense and helpful for maintaining healthy gut microbial balance.  Incorporating these foods into your daily meals can help to support immunity and resistance.   

 

  • Medicinal Mushrooms

Historically, medicinal mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to prevent and treat infection and disease. Many types of medicinal mushrooms have been studied for their immune supportive potential and research now indicates that Ganoderma or Reishi mushrooms are of specific value in protecting immune cell function.

 

 

Reference