Surprising Ways to Boost Your Immunity At THis Time Of The Year

At this time of year, the flu runs rampant. Follow these easy and effective ways to help fight off the cold and flu.

 1. Lemons

Packed with antioxidants like vitamin C, lemons have many immune boosting benefits to support overall wellbeing and recovery from the common cold.

They can support a healthy metabolism, aid digestion, support healthy skin and enhance your body’s ability to absorb iron.

Include the juice of a lemon over your salads and protein sources like grilled chicken and fish, or squeeze half a lemon into your drink bottle in the morning or enjoy warm lemon water at night.

Add a slice of ginger to these little elixirs and you have yourself an extra healthy drink, with a double dose of immune boosting ingredients. Did you also know that a compound called D-limonene, which is found in the peel of the lemon, has been shown to support fat metabolism in the liver? 

2. Ubiquinol
 
Ubiquinol is a potent antioxidant which is found naturally in every living cell of the human body. Its function is to extract energy from food and assist in powering the body’s cells as well as our overall energy levels.

It plays a vital role in supporting the health of our major organs, including keeping our hearts ticking and our livers detoxifying, as well as supporting our overall immune health and assisting healthy ageing by helping to flush the body of nasty free radicals.

Science suggests that our Ubiquinol levels can decrease over time. It also shows that it has a close relationship with ageing and oxidative stress. Interestingly, and unlike some other well-known antioxidants, you would need to consume copious amounts of certain foods in order to achieve the minimum dosage of Ubiquinol (100-150mg per day). For example, 3.4kg of meat, 5.7kg of chicken, 1.6kg of peanuts, etc.

3. Fermented Foods 

Fermented foods are important to include in your diet. They are full of probiotic health benefits which can help to support and strengthen your overall digestive system, as well as help to make sure your gut health and bacterial balance is in check. 

If you’ve got an imbalance of bacteria in your gut, your body may not be able to release toxins as effectively from the body, or absorb proper nutrients, minerals and vitamins which are needed to strengthen your immunity.

Fermentation, which comes from the Latin word fervere meaning "to boil”, is a metabolic process whereby a starch or sugar is converted into an alcohol or acid, like the fermentation of milk to yoghurt, grains to beer and grapes to wine.

Fermented cabbage is growing in popularity, as is fermented drinks which involves us boiling lemon grass and drinking it.

The process of fermentation leaves a food’s sugars and starch to create lactic acid, which in turn, helps break it down making it easier to digest and last longer. The fermentation process is also believed to help boost the vitamins found in certain foods, which is also beneficial in supporting your immunity.

 4. The Sun

Vitamin D, sometimes referred to as ‘The sunshine vitamin’, has an increasingly expanding body of research behind it, which highlights its benefits in helping to regulate and support healthy immune function. Although it is not only used as an immune boosting vitamin. Vitamin D can increase calcium absorption in the body and strengthen bones and teeth, while also helping to boost your mood.

Getting the right amount of sunshine is the healthiest and most efficient way to get a dose of Vitamin D, so use the excuse of improving your immunity to take some time out, put on your favourite pair of sunglasses and a little SPF, and enjoy the sunshine. Just remember not to stay out in the sun too long and avoid getting sunburnt.

Please Note: If symptoms persist consult your Doctor. Vitamin supplements should not replace a balanced diet.