If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired every cold and flu season, then you might want to stay with us for the next few minutes.
If you are the ‘average’ person you will have around 150 colds in your lifetime, however the duration, severity and frequency that you will suffer can be greatly impacted by the health of your immune system.
The good news is, there are SO many ways to naturally boost your immune system, so you don’t have to worry about this scary statistic.
Introducing our top 5 ways to naturally prevent the common cold this flu season…
1. Bone broth baby!
It turns out chicken soup isn’t just good for the soul. There’s a reason that it’s prescribed by doctors and mothers alike when you feel under the weather. All bone broths — beef, chicken, fish, lamb and more — are staples in the traditional diets of every culture and the basis of all fine cuisine. That’s because bone broths are nutrient-dense, easy to digest, rich in flavor and boost healing.
In fact, a study published in the journal Chest showed that eating chicken soup during a respiratory infection reduced upper respiratory symptoms, as well as the number of white blood cells (the immune cells responsible for cold and flu symptoms).
These benefits are thought to be from bone broth’s ability to reduce inflammation, thanks to amino acids such as proline and glycine.1
2. Fast
Fasting has been a tradition practiced by a number of different cultures and religions for hundreds of years.
The ancient Egyptians fasted and purged frequently in order to cleanse their bodies, believing that all illness derived from the food they put in their system.
And now it seems the research is catching up!
According to a study in Cell, testing in both mice and humans showed that extended periods of fasting lowered white blood cell counts considerably. Conclusions suggests that two to four days of fasting resets immune systems, benefitting everyone from healthy adults to chemotherapy patients.
One of the study’s authors, Vlater Longo said, “When you starve, the system tries to save energy, and one of the things it can do to save energy is to recycle a lot of the immune cells that are not needed, especially those that may be damaged.”
It turns out the old advice of ‘starving a cold’ may actually be true!
3. Get some ZZZ’s
It is no surprise that this one makes the list, and for good reason! All of your healing is done while you are sleeping. During sleep, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines, which help promote sleep. Certain cytokines need to increase when you have an infection or inflammation so getting a good 7 – 9 hours of quality sleep every night is crucial for your immune system health.
4. Build your ‘good bacteria’ army
When a sudden cold leaves you coughing and sneezing, your gut microbiome is probably the last thing on your mind. But did you know your gut wall houses 70 percent of the cells that make up your immune system. … Gut health literally affects your entire body. If your bacteria are sick, so are you!
To boost your ‘good gut bacteria army’ and improve the strength of your immune system, bacteria strain and diversity is key!
Start first by eating a diet rich in fruit, vegetables and whole foods and minimise the amount of sugar, processed wheat and dairy you consume; these foods wreak havoc on your gut microbiome!
Next add in immune and gut health boosting foods such as:
- Saurkraut
- Kim Chi
- Miso
- Kefir
- Kombucha
- Dandelion greens
- Seaweed
- Bone broth
5. Soak in the sunshine
Vitamin D is a powerful immune system modulator, meaning it is key to fighting off infections and regulating autoimmunity. Optimal levels range from 50 to 70 ng/Ml so enjoying time in the sun without sunglasses is crucial for healthy vitamin D levels. Just ensure it is not in PEAK daylight hours to avoid any burning or damaging effects.
Yours in great health!
Dr Andrina & Dr Jacinta
If this info has resonated with you and you feel like you may need some help with making healthier decisions for your body you are in luck! We are so committed to helping our community take control of their health, that’s why we created our weekly blog. It’s full of cutting edge info you can actually understand, that will make an instant positive impact to your life!