Winter is here 'Tis the season to be stuffy'.
Colds and Flus are awful at any age. As the body goes through the immune challenges of colds and flus, there are many immune processes occurring. Certainly is not a pleasurable experience.
Children's immune systems naturally strengthen with time and exposure to different viruses and bacteria in the environment. The immune system needs to be challenged often to develop strength to support the body to function at its best.
Why a Cold of Flu occurs?
When the body is run down, it makes it easy for a virus to get past the body's first line of defense of the skin and mucosal linings. When this happens, viruses enter the body's blood stream triggering an immune response. The symptoms response is what we call a cold or flu.
How does the virus get past the immune system to begin with?
For many years we have been told that if a virus wants to infect a body it will and there is nothing we can do about it. Yet viruses and bacteria surround us all the time. They are not the bad guys we have been told. We have plenty of bacteria and viruses inside us that do not make us sick. The truth is, when the body itself is stressed or run-down, we become more vulnerable to viruses getting out of control.
Why do some families get more colds and flus than others?
Ensuring each family member enjoys strong immune system function comes down to some simple strategies.
- Keep the body as strong as possible
- Allow the body to learn from challenges & sort out infections itself as often as possible
How do we help the Immune System do its job?
Start to look at Colds and Flus differently. They are not the enemy we once thought, they are simply the symptoms of the body trying to get rid of a virus. We actual want and need the fevers, snot and runny nose to happen! They are signs that the immune system is doing its job.
Here are some easy ways we can help support our Immune System:
- Drink plenty of water
- Take a good quality Vitamin C supplement (For example BioCeuticals or Metagenics)
- Take a good quality Zinc Supplement
- Get daily Vitamin D (from safe sun exposure)
- 'Eat the rainbow' - Allow plenty of Fruits and Veg (especially) high in vitamin C;
For example Citrus fruits including Oranges, lemons, grapefruits and vegetables like Capsicum, Broccoli, Spinach, garlic & Ginger. - Drink Green Tea - not only is it a powerful antioxidant but also contain germ fighting amino acids
If you would like some extra support and guidance with your health, book in with one of our amazing Naturopath/Nutritionists in our centre today!
Call us on (02) 49 156 640 to secure your time now!