At a time when staying healthy is particularly important, I am sharing a few simple things to do to support your immune system.
When the immune system works well, you don’t even know it is there. You may get in contact with germs, viruses or bacteria, but your immune system is reactive enough so you don’t know your body has been near anything that could make sick. The immune system is affected by what we eat, how we sleep, whether we exercise and how stressed we are. So let’s see how we can easily support our immune system:
- Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Also get a few hot drinks. If you get a viral infection, try and increase your intake of hot drinks as viruses don’t like heat in general. Chicken broth, herbal teas or lemon and honey are preferable to tea and coffee.
- Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit to get many nutrients into your body. Variety is a key word when it comes to nutrition.
- Get into a good sleep routine so your body can rest and restore overnight.
- In the winter and when illnesses are getting around, add to your diet some vitamins and minerals, preferably of good quality:
- Vitamin C: it has powerful anti-viral properties. Start by taking 1000mg a day in several doses. If you get ill, you can increase the dose up to 10g daily (generally increase it until your stool is loose, this is your maximum tolerated level).
- Vitamin D3: take 1000 to 2000 IU per day in the winter. If you are deficient in vitamin D, then you may want to take more initially (up to 5000 IU a day for a couple of weeks). You can get a free test at your local surgery to get a better idea of how much your intake should be.
- Zinc: 15mg daily
- You may also wish to add Magnesium and Selenium.
- Finally, probiotics also help to keep your immune system healthy. When your guts are healthy, they are more able to absorb nutrients.
- As long as it is possible, keep going out for walks, a jog or a cycle. This will help you physically and emotionally. If you are not able to go out, try exercising at home, there are many options on the internet.
- Get more advice on how to keep your children healthy and nurse them during illnesses by downloading my free eBook http://bit.ly/Priscille-Homeopathy-Ebook
Find out about fevers, why they are good and how to look after a sick child in this article.
I hope you have found these simple things to support your immune system useful. Do contact me if you would like further advice.
With best wishes for a healthy life,
Priscille Francetti LCCH MARH
Homeopath
