Fresh garlic and coriander

6 ways to stay healthy all Winter

Often the change of season brings not only cooler weather, but a raft of nasty Winter bugs. If you’re susceptible to colds, flu, sinus or chest infections over Winter, it could be a sign your immune system needs a little T-L-C. Now’s the time to think ahead and equip your body with the resources it needs to be able to fight infections effectively. Here are my top tips for a fighting fit immune system.

  1. Eat immune boosting foods every day –foods high in protein and zinc (lean meats, eggs, fish, nuts, seeds, especially pumpkin seeds) and vitamin C (kiwi fruit, raw red capsicum, parsley and kale).
  2. Eat garlic – (especially raw) as it’s a natural antimicrobial and can fight virus infections.
  3. Check your vitamin D – it’s crucial for a healthy immune system. Get a blood test before supplementing. Levels of 100+ are needed for optimal immunity.
  4. Gut health – addressing gut issues is an important way to improve immune function. If you’ve taken antibiotics you might need a course of probiotics to balance your friendly bacteria.
  5. Get enough sleep – lack of sleep reduces immune function. Aim for 7-8 hours per night.
  6. Relax – prolonged stress leaves you more susceptible to infection.

If you’d like some more specific advice about how to build your resilience against Winter bugs, you can book in with me for a Winter tune up.