Fighting colds naturally...boost immunity
Avoid getting sick this change of season with these powerful immune boosting foods.
As the summer months come to an end and the Autumn temperatures start messing with your mood, your immune system can become more susceptible to damage.
You’ll start to notice an influx of ads for cold and flu medicine start to appear on your televisions, but for those of you who are searching a for a natural alternative, there are many ways to help boost your immunity and ward off cold and flu symptoms.
With over 70% of your immune system operating out of your gut, it is important to treat and heal your microbiome for optimal protection against viruses and disease.
Here are our top 5 immune boosting foods
Bone Broth
The magical elixir goes by many different names across the world, but its benefits for health are universally accepted.
From healing IBS and other gut issues to detoxifying the body, calming inflammation, reducing the severity of cold and flus as well as giving the body a high dose of minerals, amino acids, magnesium, collagen and calcium – bone broth really is a superfood.
It is important to remember to use high-quality bones when you are cooking bone broth. Buy organic, grass-fed meat that is free of toxic chemicals and inflammatory grains.
Tumeric
Tumeric has traditionally been used to fight inflammation in cases of stomach ulcers, gut inflammation and people suffering from arthritis and colitis.
Now, scientists are claiming curcumin, the yellow curry compound found in turmeric, can help prevent fear from being stored in the brain while removing pre-existing fears from the brain’s storage.
Psychologists from The City University of New York are hoping the findings will pave the way for more sophisticated treatments for psychological disorders.
Studies have shown that tumeric has the ability to inhibit the spread of certain viruses and prevent infection.
Curcumin has powerful antioxidant effects. It neutralises free radicals on its own, then stimulates the body’s own antioxidant enzymes.
Ginger
According to naturopath Mim Beim “in China, ginger is known as “king of the stomach”. It is indeed a digestive tonic par excellence, known to reduce nausea and bloating and aid digestion. Perhaps best known for its role in treating nausea and vomiting, ginger is recommended for morning sickness, motion sickness – in fact, any time anyone feels queasy. Sipping a hot ginger and honey drink can bring great comfort when you are nauseous.”
“In addition to its impressive digestive powers, ginger helps to lower cortisol levels in the body. Cortisol is the “other” stress hormone — adrenaline’s less well-known cousin. Cortisol is released from the adrenal glands in response to chronic stress, whether from lack of sleep, illness or emotional distress.
Anything that reduces cortisol (like meditation) is to be encouraged, as long-term stress – and high cortisol levels – is behind many illnesses.”
Try this warming tonic when cold and flu symptoms begin to appear.
Berries
These powerful berries are low in sugar and packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients. They also act to increase the ability for cell membranes to absorb and transfer vital nutrients, in and out of cells in the body. It is important to look for organic varieties of blueberries to avoid toxins and other nasties.
Citrus
Fruits in citrus family contain high amounts of vitamin C which assists the body in fighting bacterial infections and provides protection against free-radicals and other toxins.