Eat the right food for your immune system

I am sure you are all worried and confused with the ever-changing advice and news updates on the current Covid19 health crisis. It’s a minefield…One thing I do know, is that we have to act now to keep this virus contained and slow down the spread.

Like everyone, I don’t have any quick fix solutions to the coronavirus, but what I do know for sure is that it is really important to focus on your immunity levels right now. Eating the right foods can help control or reduce the symptoms of a whole range of health conditions. Adding more immunity-boosting foods to your diet is a natural and healthy way to strengthen your immune system Let’s kick off with antioxidants for fighting infection Viruses and bacteria produce oxidants, that damage cells which is not great! So it’s exactly the right time right now to work on your antioxidant status. We might all know about the marvels of vitamin C for boosting immunity, but let me talk to you also about glutathione – also known as the master antioxidant. Glutathione is one of the most important molecules in the body and you need to make sure your body has enough of it to help protect you from a range of diseases. Glutathione helps recycle all the other antioxidants in your body like vitamins C and E, as well as alpha lipoic acid and CoQ10. Research shows that glutathione cleverly primes the white blood cells of your immune system to help fight viral and bacterial infections.

Let’s kick off with antioxidants for fighting infection

Viruses and bacteria produce oxidants, that damage cells which is not great! So it’s exactly the right time right now to work on your antioxidant status. We might all know about the marvels of vitamin C for boosting immunity, but let me talk to you also about glutathione – also known as the master antioxidant. Glutathione is one of the most important molecules in the body and you need to make sure your body has enough of it to help protect you from a range of diseases.

Glutathione helps recycle all the other antioxidants in your body like vitamins C and E, as well as alpha lipoic acid and CoQ10. Research shows that glutathione cleverly primes the white blood cells of your immune system to help fight viral and bacterial infections.

Let’s eat the right food for immunity

Eating the right foods to naturally increase glutathione will help keep you fighting fit. There are a small number of foods that naturally contain glutathione. These include asparagus, avocado, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, spinach, broccoli, garlic, chives, tomatoes, cucumber, almonds, and walnuts.

Some other foods contain the building blocks needed to make glutathione (they are the pre-cursors – the warm-up act); the foods containing cysteine and other sulphur-containing foods, and selenium.

Good foods to choose are onions, spring onions, shallots, leeks, kale, bok choy, rocket, spring greens, watercress, radishes. Some spices such as turmeric, cinnamon and cardamom – have compounds that can also help to restore healthy levels of glutathione and its antioxidant enzymes.

Soups are always great for boosting your immunity and they are easy to make. I still swear by my Great Grandmother’s recipe.

Other food tips for immune boosting

Eat the rainbow – eating several servings of colourful fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, ensures you get plenty of vitamin C and A, plus important phytonutrients that helps support the immune system.

Avoid sugar and refined starches – these baddies are known to suppress your immune system for hours after eating them.

Whole foods and nutrients are the way – I know that food is not as easy to get right now, but if you can, please try to eat a nutrient rich diet so that your body can fight off that virus.

Protein is a must for immune function – Eat approximately 1 gram of protein per kilogram of weight per day.

Vitamins and supplements – Many people are asking what vitamins I take on a daily basis, but everyone needs are individual so it is very hard to prescribe a list that is right for all.

Taking a good multi-vitamin, vitamin C, Zinc and Vitamin D are all important, but choosing the correct supplement and the amount that is right for you is important.

If you would like to book a review of the supplements you currently take and the advice of ones you could take, then please give me a call to book your appointment.

This is very important if you take medications as I can check interactions with the medications you take and the supplements.