Brrrrrr it’s getting colder, darker, wetter. Unfortunately at this time of year we also tend to get a runny nose and the onset of colds and flu’s. Our immune system is the figter against disease-causing microorganisms and the myriad of viruses we come into contact with. So if you can direct your focus to keeping a strong immune system, you will breese through the colder months without a cold and feel fantastic.
How do you know if your immune system is weak?
Common signs include:
- Fatigue
- Frequent colds and flu’s i.e. more than 2 a year
- Repeated infections
- Tonsilitis
- Inflammation
- Allergic reactions
- Slow wound healing
- Overgrowth of organisms such as thrush, candida, yeast infections.
What can causes a weakened immune system?
- Disease
- Stress
- Poor/inadequate nutrition
- Poor living habits
- Chemotherapy
- Medications
- Vaccinations
What can you do to boost your immune system?
Supply your immune system with adequate amounts of nutrients that promote proper immune function. Nutrients such as:
- Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin E and Zinc. Consider taking a high dosage multi-vitamin such as Stress B Forte.
- Ensure your diet is rich in immune boosting foods such as; berries, apples, capsicums, garlic, onions, kelp, lemons, ginger, parsley, carrot, celery, broccoli, beetroot, green tea and turmeric.
- Ensure you eat your daily serves of 2 fruits and 5 vegetables a day.
- Consume green drinks daily such as barley grass, wheat grass, spirulina or Vital Greens.
- Take a daily probiotic to ensure healthy gut bacteria such as Inner Health Plus.
- Take Olive Leaf Extract daily – it’s effective in fighting virtually all the viruses and bacteria on which it has been tested and it protects the immune system.
- Ensure a diet with lean proteins such as lentils, beans, tofu, fish, chicken, seafood, lamb, veal and beef.
- Ensure you have good oils daily such as 3.6.9 Omega Udo’s oils.
- Be sure to get sufficient rest and sleep.
- Reduce and manage stress – relax and rejuvenate. Stress has an effect on the whole of your body it is one of the major causes of disease. Dis-ease is best described as a body that is ill at ease with itself. One of the quickness ways to suppress the immune system is being under stress. Keep some Rescue Remedy with you at all times, a bach flower remedy that aids in reduction of stress and anxiety.
- Get regular moderate exercise, breathe deeply and enjoy a healthy dose of sunshine.
- Drink plenty of filtered water around 2-3 litres of fluid daily. Drink herbal teas as part of your fluid intake and foods with high water content.
- Avoid harmful substances, don’t smoke, watch intake of alcohol and caffeine.
- Avoid processed foods and fast foods, eat as fresh as possible.
- Decrease sugar intake, sugar weakens the immune system.
- Be positive, enjoy life, laugh and have fun.
Your health is the most important thing you have, so don’t waste any time and start today in looking after your health and your immune system. To assist you, I recommend taking the Lifestyle Supplement Pack which contains:
- Stress B Forte
- Vital Greens
- Olive Leaf Extract
- 3.6.9 Udo’s Oils
- Rescue Remedy
This pack retails at $155, however, this month if you purchase the pack you will save $30 and can have the pack for only $125.
RECIPE- Tofu Laksa
Serves 6
- 125g dry rice vermicelli noodles
- 4 tablespoons red curry paste
- 300g firm tofu, sliced
- 2 ½ cups sliced mushrooms
- 3 cups boiling water
- 1 cup light coconut milk
- 2 x 10g vegetable stock cubes, crumbled
- 3 baby bok choy, leaves separated, stem shredded
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- Coriander leaves and lime wedges
Please rice noodles in a bowl and cover with boiling water for 2 minutes.
In e medium saucepan, sauté curry paste, tofu and mushrooms for 1 minute. Add boiling water, coconut milk and stock cubes. Bring to the boil and reduce heat. Add bok choy and cook for another minute.
Drain noodles and divide between serving bowls. Ladle laksa over and sprinkle with bean sprouts and coriander. Serve with lime wedges.
Per serve: 900 kilojoules (250 calories). Protein 10g, fat 15g, saturated fat 5g, carbohydrates 9g, total sugars 3g, fibre 4g, sodium 650mg.
Source: Sanitarium ‘Nourish’
