Staying healthy this winter

Are you or your family getting sick too often?

The office can be a great place to share ideas, thoughts and germs!

Now there is a common misunderstanding that if someone comes in to contact with a certain bug or germ, they will become sick with that bug. This is not true!

You see humans, like animals, have an immune system that tries to guard against such bugs and germs causing illnesses.

So, if there's a bug going around your office, a healthy immune system is your best chance to avoid illness, time off work and just feeling a little blue!

• What is your immune system?

• How does it work?

• How can you make sure yours is firing?!?

Your immune system can be thought of as a little army. There is the front line (Innate Immunity), like skin, saliva and tonsils, and the infantry, your bloodbourne non-specific killer cells.The intelligence department (Acquired Immunity): B-Cells recognise and mark specific invaders for destruction. They also remember the best tactics to destroy them. The crack team hit squad of the group are the Killer T-Cells. These attack and destroy marked cells that have been infected. If your immune system is working properly then you are better placed to guard against viral and bacterial infections that plague us during the colder months.

Here is a quick guide on how to keep yours strong.

What weakens your immune system?

• Physiological or psychological stresses

• Lack of sleep, rest and relaxation

• Lack of exercise

• Poor dietary and nutritional intake.

• Exposure to pollutants. Eg: cigarettes or chemicals

What helps boost your immunity

• Prevention is the key!

• Eat a healthy diet full of colourful fruits and vegetables.

• Increase your water intake

• Avoid sugars, refined carbohydrates and excessive alcohol

• Indulge in some stress management: Yoga or meditation

• Exercise regularly, but no need to overdo it.

• Allow sufficient sleep: the body does much of its repairing during sleep.

• Supplement your diet with immune boosting vitamins, herbs and minerals.

Can be taken by safely

Vitamin C

• Known for decades to stimulate your immune system

Garlic

• Some preliminary evidence to show garlic fights the common cold

Zinc

• In correct doses essential in the control of immune system function.

• Should be taken only with consultation with a health professional

The following supplements have been known to support immune function but the evidence is not as overwhelming

• Andrographis Paniculata

• Olive Leaf

• Echinacea

So take care of the part of your body that tries to take care of you.

Eating healthy food and exercising regularly will give you your best fighting chance!!

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