Sick of being sick?

Lets talk immune health. Did you know that 70-80% of your immune cells are located in your gut? The gut immune system involves physical barriers, innate and adaptive immune components, and interactions with the microbiome to protect against threats while maintaining balance. Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome can therefore contribute to your overall immune health and reduce how often and for how long we get sick. Focusing on a whole foods and using nutrition as medicine, include a fibre rich diet with lots of veggies and fruits containing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and polyphenols can go a long way to supporting our immune system to defend itself.

Key Nutrients for Immune Health:

Vitamin C:

• Found in citrus fruits, strawberries, bell peppers, and broccoli.

• Essential for the growth and repair of tissues, and it helps protect against immune system deficiencies.

Vitamin D:

• Found in fatty fish, fortified dairy products, and sunlight exposure.

• Plays a significant role in the immune response and helps reduce the risk of infections.

Zinc:

• Found in meat, shellfish, legumes, seeds, and nuts.

• Important for immune cell function and signalling, which can help reduce the duration of colds.

Probiotics:

• Found in yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and other fermented foods.

• Promote gut health, which is closely linked to overall immune function.

Foods to Include in Your Diet

• Fruits and Vegetables: Rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

• Lean Proteins: Support body repair and maintenance.

• Whole Grains: Provide fiber and essential nutrients.

• Healthy Fats: Such as those found in avocados, nuts, and olive oil.

Lifestyle Tips

• Stay Hydrated: Water is essential for every system in your body, including the immune system.

• Regular Exercise: Helps keep your immune system functioning properly.

• Adequate Sleep: Ensures your body has time to repair and rejuvenate.

Feel like you need some more help to get thing back on track or get to the bottom of why you might be getting sick all the time? here at Glow Naturopathy we can help, by taking a thorough case history, conducting pathology and other specific tests (HTMA, Microbiome etc.), and working with you to implement diet and lifestyle changes that are specific to your needs.