Strengthening Immunity

There are some evidence-based and practical ways to nurture your immune system against viral-based infections. Of course this does not mean it will guarantee prevention, it simply strengthens our immunity so that we have a stronger resilience- we increase our chances of handling them better. 

However, viruses that our body has not had contact with before, such as Sars-cov-2, can be quite challenging for many people, as we have seen. Especially for those people with underlying health conditions, the extra support may just make a difference. 

The foundations of a resilient immune system are really the foundations of all good health and wellbeing, but there are also some specifics we will look at. First, attending to managing stress is so important because this has a damaging effect on immunity. When the body thinks it is in crisis, chronically, it has less reserves for longer term health issues. Also, getting good sleep, and having a good diet that doesn’t leave you with big nutritional gaps, are also important evidence-based supports. 

Vitamin D

I always harp on about the benefits of sunshine but in this case, sufficient Vitamin D levels are important for healthy immunity. Our Vit D levels naturally decline over winter, so it can be worth getting them checked, and also to spend time outside now that sunny days are returning. 

There are many studies on Vit D and covid, and the results are overall inconclusive - we cannot say that Vit D is directly anti-viral - however we do know that there is evidence for Vitamin D supplementation being a strong ally in the treatment of respiratory infections. It’s worth making sure your levels are adequate. 

Zinc and Vitamin C

There is a lot of information flying around about zinc and vitamin C and covid, and the jury is still out on whether there is a definite benefit in terms of treatment as good quality studies are still in progress…however if you have low zinc and low vitamin C, or you have increased need for these minerals for any reason, then getting them up to optimal levels is only going to benefit your immune system. Prevention is better than trying to get levels up after infection. 

However, if you already have good zinc levels (i.e. you have a good diet, that includes animal products, or you have had your levels checked, or you are already on a zinc supplement) then its unlikely to make more of a difference. Zinc can take months to replenish, so if your levels are low (which is very common) you may need to get started. 

Vitamin C is something we need daily, and the best way to get it is to eat plenty of fresh produce, including citrus and other fruit. I love a daily fresh orange juice.  On top of that, a daily 1000mg, perhaps spread over the day, may be of some benefit, especially if you have high needs for Vitamin C. 

Blackmores Bio Zinc or Bioceuticals Zinc Sustain are both good zinc products with a decent amount of zinc in them you can pick up easily. 

And Blackmores also does a nice range of Vitamin C products. 

Are you getting enough zinc? (Blackmores article)

Herbs for Immunity

Herbs to help support your immune system are many- so what I suggest is that you get onto a herbal immune system support supplement that you enjoy taking, and will take. 

You can go with medicinal mushrooms, echinacea, astragalus, elderberry, catsclaw…there are many, many products available. A good, strong echinacea product taken daily will do more than a low dose cheap end product with lots of fancy named herbs in it. 

Some retail brands I like are: Blackmores, Bioceuticals, Ethical Nutrients and Oriental Botanicals. 

One of my favourite products that I have my husband Dave and I on, is Astragalus 8, which is based on a Chinese Medicine formula and produced by Oriental Botanicals. I like the liquid, but they do tablets as well. You should be able to get that at a good pharmacy or health food store, or online. 

Supporting your immune system does not have to be complicated or particularly expensive. Keeping it simple probably makes it more likely you will take the supplements. 

I also make up general immune support tonics from my liquid herbal dispensary, or individualised herbal tonics if you book a consultation. If you have underlying health issues and are concerned about your resilience, then booking a consultation might be highly beneficial.