Oh those things our mothers and grandmothers told us when we were younger. Eat your crusts to make your hair curl, don’t put your shoes on the table or you won’t get married, if you’re going to arrive anywhere, arrive in a cloud of Chanel (ok, so maybe it was just my mum who said that last one…). Whether true or not, most of us wouldn’t have dared to go against the sage advice of our matriarchs (I still arrive everywhere in a cloud of Chanel).
Most of these old wives’ tales are just that, tales. Urban legends, handed down with a sprinkling of fear through generations. But one that rings true in all circumstances is the one of prevention being better than cure. No more so than in today’s current climate of coronavirus fear, apprehension and misunderstanding.
Coronavirus Protection
As it stands, the best way to protect ourselves from the coronavirus is regular hand washing, good overall hygiene and avoiding crowded areas as much as possible. But there are still things we can do to help support a healthy immune system to help us fight the plethora of bugs that come our way.
In this time of uncertainty, many of us have taken to the internet to discover how best we can ‘boost’ our immune system. The truth is, one hit wonder products that promise to give our immune system a boost are ten-a-penny.
Keeping the Immune System Healthy
The immune system is a complex system of cells and organs that do a great job of fighting pathogenic invaders. The best way to keep it at the top of its game to look after it on a daily basis. Here’s how…
Eat Your Five (or More) a Day
Fresh fruits and vegetables are packed with antioxidant vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients which help to keep our immune system running on all cylinders.
Look After Your Gut
As well as eating all that fresh produce, we also need to think about fibre. Fibre and gut health aren’t always seen as the most glamorous of topics, but our gut is home to trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi that need to be fed. These are the good guys, the ‘probiotics’ that scientists now know contribute to good immune health. Collectively, these good bugs are called the microbiota, and they thrive on fibre. So fill up on wholegrain pasta, rice and bread to keep the gut, and the immune system, healthy.
Exercise Regularly
The white blood cells are an important part of the immune system and to work optimally, they need to travel efficiently around the entire body. Exercise gets the blood pumping, meaning that the white blood cells are more mobilised to seek and destroy pathogens.
Get Plenty of Sleep
A chronic lack of sleep can dampen our immune activity, meaning that we’re more susceptible to coughs and colds. Feeling rundown and under the weather can then make us more prone to more severe infections such as influenza and Covid-19 viruses.
Eat Active Healing Honey
Active, healing honey such as Necta & Hive Marri Wild Honeycomb and Jarrah high TA honeys have antimicrobial properties, that support a healthy immune system to ward off viruses. They’re also rich in antioxidants which help to protect the cells of the immune system. Eat a teaspoonful a day to help keep your internal army of pathogen fighters in optimal health.
