As many of you would have come across this winter, the virus’s that are around are more and more resistant, and much harder on our systems. The severity of symptoms is higher, there is a broader range of symptoms, the length of down time is longer, and the recovery is also slower. Many different factors affect how our immune system is influenced, and it is essential to not only improve lifestyle factors, but take the necessary steps to protect yourself from getting hit hard from these virus’s.
With our busy lifestyles comes the all too familiar stress. Whether this is stress from work, financial stress, personal or family stress this all has an impact on how our immune system functions. There is a fine balance between how our body copes in certain conditions, and typically when we are running in high stress mode, our immune system is then lowered as a result. This not only leaves us more susceptible to catching something from others surrounding us, but particularly with a higher stress response the recovery time tends to linger a lot longer, and the resilience levels towards the virus are dramatically lowered. Although we sometimes can’t eradicate the stress in our life, we need to look at how we manage our stress through regular exercise, breathing/relaxation techniques or meditation, great nourishing nutrition and sometimes supplements to support our adrenals. Speak to your practitioner more about this if you need some more advice on stress.
With winter typically being a time that we contract more viruses, there are many different reasons for this, one being lower Vitamin D, but also more comfort food and less exercise. Bugs thrive off sugar in our system, and sugar can come in the form of sweet treats, starchy foods, alcohol etc, therefore, the more sugar we consume to “comfort” ourselves through winter, the more susceptible we are to contracting a cold or flu. One of the major reasons for this is that Insulin competes with Vitamin C for membrane transport sites, and typically Insulin wins the fight. Vitamin C and blood sugar have opposite effects on white blood cell function with sugar reducing the ability of white blood cells to destroy foreign particles and micro organisms. We all know the importance of Vitamin C in enhancing our immune system, so this is not ideal. If taking Vitamin C supplements, ensure that these aren’t sweetened with sucrose or fructose as this will have the same effect. Zinc also has many roles in immune system reactions by promoting the destruction of foreign microorganisms, protecting against free radical damage, improving white blood cell function and improving thymus function.
Another important nutrient to consider is iron. A deficiency in Iron can lead to a decrease in Anti body synthesis, shrinking of the thymus and lymph node, a decreased white blood cell response and function and is particularly evident when there is reoccurring illness and lack of recovery. Iron is also essential for bacteria to thrive as during infection one of the body’s defence mechanisms to limit bacterial growth is to reduce iron levels in the blood. During acute infection Iron is contraindicated, but for prevention it is essential. By getting it through dietary sources through meat it will also ensure you are getting adequate protein which is essential to boost white blood cells and immune health.
Alongside nutrients are herbal medicines which have many properties to them to assist with other functions as well as immune health. Ask your naturopath to make a specific blend for you as it may help improve many facets of your health.
Make sure you keep your hydration up with at least 2 L water, and include vegetable broths, herbal teas and lemon in water to assist your system in flushing out wastes and reducing congestion. Most of all, rest is essential! If you find you come down with a cold/flu, make sure to rest up as much as you can, get plenty of sleep, keep exercise to a minimum, eat nourishing light food, and relish in the attention and affection from loved ones around you.
Tarryn Keep ND, Dip Herb Med
Discover Health
