Health & Wellbeing Podcast #7

I’m excited to share with you another video/podcast! In this episode I chat with Kellie Holland from Tonik Health about children’s immunity. We discuss some of the most common infections that children can get such as coughs and colds, molluscum contagiosum, otitis media (also known as glue ear) and glandular fever, and discuss a Naturopathic approach to managing them.
We also answer some submitted questions. (Don’t forget to submit any questions you want answered in future podcasts/videos!)

Kellie is a naturopath, clinical nutritionist and medical herbalist based on the Central Coast of NSW where she lives with her husband and daughter. She sees clients in her clinic and via skype consultations and has a passion for working with women and children, inspiring them and promoting healthy eating and lifestyle habits so they can live full and long, happy lives.
Kellie also runs a successful blog on her website at www.tonikhealth.com.au (tonik with a K) where she also has free healthy and delicious recipes available.

Want to subscribe to get podcasts automatically? You can do that here: https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/health-wellbeing-podcast/id1006574743  If you’ve got something nice to say about the podcasts please leave a review, but I’m also keen for any feedback or comments if you want to comment below!

Kid’s Immunity – Podcast #7

Podcast Breakdown

0:00 – Intro and a bit about Kellie
2:21 – What we’ve been getting up to
5:20 – What are some of the most common infections that children can get?
11:00 – What are some common factors that cause the immune system to be low or weak? Diet, food intolerances, stress, nutritional deficiencies to name a few.
13:45 – Stress in children
14:45 – Children have a different detoxification system
15:15 – Nutrients for a healthy immune system
16:59 – Zinc is important for fussy eaters
17:48 – Specific strains of probiotics for immunity
19:40 – Iron deficiency in children
21:41 – Fever
28:39 – Q1: ‘My child is constantly getting ear infections. She has been on 8 courses of antibiotics this year and my doctor is suggesting grommets. Why is she keep getting them so frequently and what can I do to help?’
30:40 – Some tips on getting more veg into children’s diet
38:07 – Q2: My 4 year old child has a lot of brown discolouration on her teeth and she has had 3 fillings. Is there anything I should avoid feeding her to help her teeth?
46:45 – Q3: My son started preschool this year and he has been bringing home a cold every few weeks. What can I do to reduce this?
53:30 – Q4: My 10 year old daughter had Glandular Fever back in March. While she’s basically well now she’s still fatigued, especially at the end of the week, and she seems to pick up every sniffle going around. How can I build her immune system up again?
1:00 – A natural first-aid kit for kids
1:04 – Our favourite immune herbs for kids

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“The immune system present in the gut makes more immunological decisions in a day than the rest of the immune system does in a lifetime”.  (1)

If your immune system isn’t behaving itself properly, you might want to consider that your digestive system is the culprit.

Your digestive system has a special mucosal lining over the surface of your intestines, and the health of your gut flora (the complex, extremely important colony of bacteria within your digestive system, also known as the microbiome) has a huge amount of immune decisions to make on a daily basis – it has to deal with bacteria, viruses and food, and decide each time whether it is a friend or foe.

Setting up the gut bugs

The bacteria within your gut are established within the first 20 days of life.  If the bacterial colony does not set up adequately, babies can be immune compromised and can be more prone to immune imbalances later on in life, as well as increased inflammation which is largely controlled by our immune cells.

Frequent use of antibiotics can severely impact on the health of your digestive system.  In some cases, certain bacteria can never recover after they have been killed by antibiotics (2).

The gut reports to the immune system

There is a special type of cell within the digestive system called a dendritic cell.  This cell is responsible for determining whether our immune system should be on high alert or not.  Occasionally this cell will extend a little feeler (almost like a tentacle) and take a handful of whatever is in your digestive system to examine, to then report back to the rest of the immune system whether everything is okay or not.  This can explain why your diet can have an effect on allergic conditions such as hayfever and eczema, as well as autoimmune conditions (3).

Immune cells in the gut

There are also a lot of other players involved in the gut, such as Immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and certain T lymphocytes.  sIgA helps to protect the epithelial layer from being inhabited by bacteria and viruses.  This helpful immunoglobin is actually produced by lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) which are actually created by Bifidobacteria (a good bacteria that exists mostly in the colon).  Unfortunately, Bifidobacteria are easily damaged, especially by antibiotics.

Enzymes do more than digest food

When you think about digestive enzymes, you’ll probably be thinking that they’re there to break down your food so it’s primed for absorbing.  They also have another important role to play, and that’s in breaking down substances that might be harmful to your immune system.  Due to poor eating habits, the secretion of enzymes is compromised in a large proportion of people.  Implementing habits such as chewing each mouthful more and taking time to enjoy and concentrate on your meal are helpful for stimulating the cephalic phase of digestion – where your brain tells the rest of the digestive system to get ready for food, and consequently more enzymes and acids are produced.

Fix your gut to improve your immunity

By now you are probably realizing that keeping your gut healthy is pretty dang important. In order to achieve this, there are a few strategies that can be implemented, all depending on how bad your gut and immune system is to begin with.

I highly recommend working with a practitioner in this, particularly if you are looking to assess and treat specific microbial imbalances, as it can be a complicated process that may require stool analysis, and some gut infections can take a long time to resolve so it’s helpful having the support of a practitioner.

Balance your gut flora: This process may need to start with a stool analysis to see if you’re lacking in certain beneficial bacteria, or whether you have a unfriendly bug that needs killing off. Depending on where your gut flora is at, you may need to look at using some herbal anti-microbial herbs or oils to kill off the unfriendly bugs, and also replacing the good guys with a probiotic supplement, as well as probiotic and prebiotic foods.

Repair the gut lining: There are plenty of options when it comes to gut healing. Things like slippery elm, the amino acid glutamine and glycine are my favorite tools for repairing the gut lining. Other options that can be helpful include Aloe Vera and Bone broths.

You also need ample supply of protein in your diet, as well as the mineral zinc.

Avoid irritating foods: This can be different for everyone, but some of the most common irritants for gut health include wheat, dairy and processed soy. As frustrating as it is, food intolerances can be developed to anything, so if you’re unsure what you’re intolerant or sensitive to it may be worthwhile completing an elimination diet or a food intolerance test.

Processed foods, sugar, alcohol and coffee can damage the gut lining as well so if gut healing is your goal it’s worthwhile keeping these foods out of the diet, or at least to a minimum.

Minimise stress: Interestingly the state of our gut and our mental health are interconnected (you can read more about this here) so it makes sense that if you are stressed, anxious or adrenally fatigued it is going to impair your gut healing journey.

Yep, stress affects everything in our body, and this includes stress of all forms. So even if your house isn’t on fire or something similarly dramatic, it doesn’t mean you’re not affected by stress. In this day and age there are a lot of pressures and expectations on people, everyone is usually in a rush and we’ve also got less support networks and rituals in place to help us deal with these stresses. On top of that, most people consume a diet that is less abundant in the nutrients that our bodies need to cope with stress, so it’s no wonder that stress has such as huge impact on our health and wellbeing.

Of course everyone deals with stress differently so the degree to which it affects your health will vary, but I recommend that everyone (regardless of whether you’re trying to heal your gut or not) incorporates stress management techniques into their day. This can include exercise, yoga, meditation, mental stillness, leisure time, time spent with friends or family, or journaling.

Works Cited

The post The gut and your immune system appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

This is a great meal to make when you want something easy to digest or if you or your loved ones are feeling under the weather (perfect for these cooler months).  This recipe is from the book Secrets of the Red Lantern.

If you would prefer a more traditional congee than don’t fry the rice first, but simmer the rice for longer (up to 2 hours) until it is a porridge consistency.  Either way this is a delicious soothing recipe.

This can be enjoyed for any meal.  It is traditionally eaten as a breakfast.

~ Serves 8 ~

Ingredients

• 1/2 small brown onion, sliced
• 1 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp cracked black pepper
• 1  (4 pound) chicken, whole, or 1 carcass and 2 chicken breasts, or just breasts if carcass unavailable
• 1/2 cup long grain rice
• 1 tbsp sliced spring onions
• 1 tbsp sliced coriander

Method

In a large saucepan place 10 cups water, the onion, fish sauce, sugar, salt and pepper.  Bring to the boil then add the chicken and return to a fast simmer for 5 minutes, skimming the impurities off the surface.  Cover the saucepan with a lid, turn off the heat and allow to sit for 45 minutes.  Remove the chicken and cool by plunging into ice water for 10 seconds, reserving the stock.  Drain the chicken in a colander, then shred the meat into bite sized pieces and set aside.

In a clean saucepan, fry the rice over low heat until fragrant but not brown.  Add the prepared chicken stock and bring to the boil.  Decrease the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring regularly for 25-30 minutes.  Fold the shredded chicken into the soup and then pour into a serving bowl.  Garnish with the spring onions and coriander.  Enjoy!!

Optional

• Add a coouple drops of sesame oil for a slightly different flavour.
• Add sliced ginger or chilli to the stock for some extra warmth.

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All the work that you have been doing in pre-conception care, eating well and taking your supplements doesn’t stop now, but it does change slightly.

Nutrition and Supplements

Your body has a high demand for nutrients during pregnancy.  You are the only source of nutrition for your growing baby. The baby is growing inside your womb and it forms its whole body from yours.  The baby will take what it needs and whatever is left the mother then uses (getting you ready for the selflessness of motherhood).

Some factors such as stress, inadequate diet, the effects of morning sickness, undiagnosed allergies, heartburn, constipation, long term deficiencies, stress or other pre-existing conditions may mean your intake of essential nutrients is inadequate to cope with the needs of both you and your growing baby.

If you are low in nutrients your baby will take what it needs from you, often leaving you in a deficient state.  Many conditions that occur during pregnancy (e.g. pregnancy brain, leg cramps, constipation) are caused or worsened by nutritional deficiencies, so it makes sense that ensuring you have ample supplies of nutrients not only means your baby is getting everything they need, but so are you.

When breastfeeding nutritional demands are as great, and sometimes even higher than during pregnancy.  It can take 2 years to nutritionally recover from a pregnancy!  If you are planning to concieve again during this time, then it isessentialto ensure you are stocked up well.

Did you know that during your pregnancy, you will create several extra kilograms of your own uterine muscle, as well as the nerves, bones, organs, muscles, glands and skin of your baby? In addition, you will make several kilograms of amniotic fluid, a placenta and produce a significant increase in your own blood volume. In addition, your own kidneys and liver have to work overtime, as they have to process the wastes of you and your baby!

A balanced diet should include a good variety of foods and provide all nutrients the body needs. The emphasis should be on eating a higher quality diet rather than simply eating more.   We can provide you with nutritional education and advice specific to you and provide meal suggestions or plans to support you and your baby.

All pregnant women require nutritional supplementation to some extent, due to the lack of essential nutrients in our soil and food supply.

The most well known nutrient that we require during pregnancy is folate, however it’s not that simple.  A lot of pregnancy multi-vitamins you can find in supermarkets and chemists contain plenty of folate, but lack or are extremely low other nutrients essential in pregnancy.  We can assess your individual requirements and recommend the right supplements for you.   It is important not to self medicate, especially during pregnancy.

Click here to read about some of the key nutrients required in pregnancy

Not only does nutritional supplementation help to prevent and manage deficiencies, it is also helpful in managing conditions.  Some nutritional supplements such as probiotics have been shown to be beneficial in preventing allergies in eczema in the newborn.

Some general tips during pregnancy:

• Avoid junk food and refined sugar and food completely.
• Avoid raw eggs, meat, chicken and seafood
• Avoid foods which you are allergic or intolerant to.
• Avoid foods high in mercury or other heavy metals such as swordfish, shark, tuna.
• Eat LOTS of fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Eat legumes and beans for fibre and protein.
• Eat foods rich in calcium and iron.
• Eat lots of foods containing soluble fibre, rather than insoluble fibre (such as wheat bran) as this can worsen constipation.
• Aim to have at least 2 serves of protein each day.
• Make sure you are hydrated, drink plenty of clean filtered water and avoid using water bottles which contain BPA.
• It is best to avoid caffiene during pregnancy.  Some women can be particularly sensitive to this, so should avoid tea, coffee, dark chocolate and soft drinks.  Caffiene can decrease blood flow to the baby and regular intake has been associated with low-birth weight.
• Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, recreational drugs and any unnecessary medications.

Common Conditions during Pregnancy

There is much that naturopaths can offer to women during pregnancy.  Conditions such as leg cramps, morning sickness, pre-eclampsia, reflux, colds, sinusitis, constipation and more can be managed with natural medicines.

Click here to read more about the common conditions of pregnancy and what we can do.

Pregnancy Program

Continued naturopathic care throughout pregnancy will help to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a healthy, happy outcome.  The pregnancy program is designed to support you and your baby during this time of rapid growth and change.  The emphasis will be on your nutritional status and your changing nutritional requirements through each trimester, while addressing any queries, complaints or issues that may arise.  Towards the end of the pregnancy we can begin to introduce remedies which prepare for your for labour, as well as providing you with your tool kit for after the birth.  Regular massage throughout the pregnancy is also recommended.

A typical pregnancy program includes:

During the 1^st Trimester we will address

• Giving suggestions for good dietary and lifestyle habits and continuing clean, toxin free environment
• Advice on a nutritious and individualised food plan for your pregnancy to support you and your baby
• Optimising your nutritional status,  promoting and nurturing a lush and healthy environment in which your baby can grow
• Reducing any uncomfortable symptoms of early pregnancy that may arise such as morning sickness
• Treating any threat to the pregnancy such a bleeds or threatened miscarriage
• Acupuncture is fantastic during this time for helping to manage morning sickness

2^nd Trimester

• Continue to monitor your nutritional status with particular emphasis on iron and blood nutrients as well as zinc status
• Treat any pregnancy problems that may be arising
• Review your activity and exercise

3^rd Trimester

• Prevent or treat any problems typically related to the later stages of pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, constipation, and oedema (fluid retention).
• Begin birth preparation.  Specific nutritional and herbal treatments are introduced to support labour, delivery and lactation.  Herbal medicine has a long history of use in the last trimester of pregnancy.  Specific nutrient supplementation and individualized herbal homoeopathic formulations will promote a more comfortable birth, post natal and breastfeeding experience as well as reducing likelihood of complications and improving recovery.

Post-partum

• Herbs to improve healing, reduce inflammation
• Support breast-feeding if there is any issues with flow, failure to thrive, mastitis or cracked nipples
• Giving suggestions for a healthy, nutrient dense diet for breastfeeding as well as advice on introduction to solids and management of common conditions for infants such as colic

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One simple fact is for certain; kids do have special health requirements. Children are not simply smaller versions of adults. Have you noticed that kids suffer different health problems to adults? For example glue ear, or ear infection is common in children, but less so in adults. When was the last time you heard an adult complaining of how annoying their colic or cradle cap was?

There are several issues that could be discussed regarding children’s health, such as the rising incidence of anxiety in children, learning difficulties and hyperactivity, food additives, childhood obesity, and more. However this winter it seems that every second person you speak to has a cold. And this year has brought in some very nasty bugs, with most colds lasting for weeks. With school holidays coming up, now is a perfect time to start building up your children’s immune system.

The Development of the Immune System

The immune system can be thought of as an army, made up of white blood cells with different roles (such as generals and soldiers). They are constantly working to protect us from foreign beings like bacteria and viruses and it is only when a bug is failed to be ‘neutralised’ that we become aware of our immune system. It’s normal to get a couple of colds a year, but it’s when the cold turns into a secondary infection that your immune system isn’t doing what it’s supposed to.

Our tissues, organs and cells are covered in a type of protein which our immune system recognises and knows not to attack. A pregnant woman’s immune system adapts so as not to attack her baby (which is a foreign body) and this is why many women who are pregnant notice their allergies or auto-immune conditions improve, but are more prone to getting infections. The baby’s immune system is not fully developed so as not to reject mum, and stays immature for a while after birth, too.

It can take about two years for baby’s immune system to fully mature, and during this time they will often rely on the immunity taken from mum. They get this is a few ways: from the placenta in utero, by being coated in the beneficial bacteria from the birth canal and then from colostrums first and then breast milk, two to three days after birth.

As your children’s immune system develops it learns to recognise what is foreign. The more it gets to flex its muscles by mounting an attack and winning the battle, the stronger it becomes. If it doesn’t get the chance to practice, then things can go wrong. Hyperresponse, or the immune system reacting to something that isn’t foreign (e.g. a food intolerance) can lead to a constant runny nose as the immune system keeps trying to capture the invader.

There is a lot of debate about the ‘hygiene hypothesis’ contributing to the growing incidence of children’s immune problems. The theory of this is that excessive sterilisation prevents children’s immune system from getting practice which has increased the rate of allergies and chronic infections in children. While hygiene is important, some dirt and germs put the immune system through its paces, increasing its strength each time.

As every parent knows, having a sick child is certainly not fun and on top of that, it can impact on the health and wellbeing of the whole family. Whether it’s due to sleepless nights, sickness spreading through the whole family, or needing time off school or work, sickness can take its toll.

The Digestive System is friends with the Immune System

Over 70% of our immune system lives in and around the gastrointestinal tract; therefore having high levels of good bacteria in the digestive system is essential for building a strong immune system in growing children. The beneficial balance of ‘good bugs’ in the gut is easily upset by many factors, including antibiotics, high sugar diets and stress. This can lead to an increased risk of colds and ‘flus for your kids.

During the first two years of life, the immature immune and digestive systems are still developing. During this time, the integrity of the digestive tract can be reduced (sometimes known as “leaky gut”), and may allow undigested foods and toxins to pass through this barrier and cause an immune reaction. In this way, “leaky gut” may contribute to the development of allergies and poor immune defence against colds and flus. By strengthening the gut barrier, the immune system is able to respond with greater effectiveness.

Boosting the Immune System

Good nutrition is very important to fuel the immune army to encourage the production of the white blood cells. Imagine sending the troops to war without any food!
Below is a list of good fuel for the immune system.

• Bright coloured vegies are rich in antioxidants and vitamins A and C, which are important or immunity and wound healing.
• Some foods which are rich in zinc and iron include meat, seafood, beans, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, brown rice, lentils, figs, dark green leafy vegies and beetroots. Zinc and iron are needed for healthy immune function and red blood cells.
• Probiotics are supplements containing friendly bacteria that help the immune system in the digestive tract.
• Raw garlic is fantastic for beating colds and ‘flu. Mix a crushed garlic clove with some lemon and honey in hot water and sip on this throughout the day. It’s a good idea to have the rest of the family eat garlic too, to reduce the chance of them getting sick. If you’re home sick in bed, then it doesn’t matter if you have garlic breath!
• Adequate protein is important for a healthy immune system. Protein can be found in meats, eggs, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds and whole grains.
• Herbal medicine can do marvellous things to improve the immune system, which can be taken to help prevent infections. If you’ve already got a cold then herbs can be used to reduce the duration and severity of the illness. Children have a different metabolism to adults so require different types and doses of herbs than adult. It is always best to talk to a herbalist or naturopath to get quality herbs prescribed.

Similiarly, the wrong type of food can slow the immune system down. One teaspoon of sugar can suppress the immune system for up to 8 hours. So it’s important to avoid all sugar and junk foods while you’re sick or if a bug is going around.

The whole family can benefit from eating plenty of immune boosting foods this winter. If you think your child has an issue with their immune system such as frequent infections or allergies then try following the tips above and book in for an appointment to get to the bottom of the issue. When given the right building blocks a child can develop a healthy and robust immune system, which is something the whole family will benefit from.

The post Children’s Health – Immunity appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

Ingredients

• 1 fresh organic or hormone free chicken, cut into 8
• 1 small knob fresh turmeric, sliced finely
• 4 garlic cloves, sliced finely
• 1 small red chilli diced small (remove seeds if you don’t like too much heat)
• 1 small knob ginger, sliced finely (don’t worry too much about peeling the skin unless its not organic ginger)
• 1 litre free range chicken stock (e.g. Pacific brand)
• 1/3 cup tamari (wheat free soy sauce)
• 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
• 2 carrots, peeled and cut into 6
• 1/2 bunch kale, roughly chopped
• 2 fresh limes, juiced
• A small portion of dried seaweed such as Kombu, Wakame or Nori (this helps the proteins to break down and is a good source of iodine)
• 1 packet fresh shitake mushrooms, sliced finely

Method

1.  Heat a heavy based pot to medium heat and add 1-2 tbsp coconut oil.  Brown the skin off the chicken until brown.  Put onto paper towel to drain.

2.  In the same pan add the ginger, onion, garlic, turmeric and chilli and saute for 3-4 minutes.

3.  Deglaze the pan with the shaoxing wine, stirring to lift up all the flavour.

4.  Add chicken back in, then gently pour in stock.  Add shiitake mushrooms and half of the seaweed and bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover.

5.  Cook for 2 hours.

6.  Put on your rice with the remaining half of the seaweed.

7.  At the 2 hour point add the kale and carrot and cook for a further 20 minutes. (You do this so the vegetables are fresh and crisp).   You can go through and pull out the bones if you wish.   Taste and season accordingly.

8.  Serve with rice and enjoy!  There should be enough for leftovers and this should freeze well.

Tips

This is great for immunity and warding off colds and flu. You can cook this once a week as it gets colder.

I leave the skin on the chicken for flavour, but will remove it before serving.  Remember that we need certain amounts of fat in our diet for a healthy metabolism, but it is processed carbohydrates which are the baddies.

Garlic, ginger, turmeric and chilli are great for the heart and circulation.  You can add more or less chilli if you like.  When you cut the fresh spices thinly you can eat them.

Turmeric is naturally bright yellow and will stain, so be careful it doesn’t come into contact with anything you can’t clean or don’t want yellow (i had yellow fingertips the next day after cooking this).

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Below you’ll find some basic techniques to help protect you from viruses, but remember that if you feel yourself getting sick you should come in straight away and I can give you some herbs to boost your immune system and help fight off the infection. ‘Acute’ care consultations are available in these instances, which are half the time and price!

What to do for colds and flu!

Need some help battling the winter bugs?

 We all know the symptoms of the common cold: sneezing, sore throat, runny nose and fever. Although these symptoms are usually mild, colds and flu are the leading cause of doctor visits and missed days from school and work.

Dreading the winter months?

The common cold strikes many people every year, especially during these cold winter months. Many people often dread the winter months, not because of the cold, windy, wet weather, but because they suffer terribly with the symptoms of the flu or common cold. Keeping your immune system healthy by eating a well balanced diet and taking natural supplements can assist your body’s natural immune function and get you through the winter months without suffering those terrible cold and flu symptoms.

Instigators of a weakened immune system

There are many factors that may contribute to the weakening of your immune system. In order to maintain a healthy immune system you should try to minimise these factors:

o Physiological, psychological and emotional stress

o Lack of regular exercise

o Lack of sleep, rest and relaxation

o Poor diet

o Nutritional deficiencies

An apple a day keeps the doctor away!

There is a lot to be said about this old saying.  Maintaining optimal nutrition is extremely important in maintaining health, wellbeing and a balanced immune system. In order to give your body a fighting chance against the common cold, we suggest you follow these tips for a healthy immune system:

 o Eat a balanced diet high in fibre and complex carbohydrates, low in fat, with moderate amounts of protein. Eat fresh, wholesome, unprocessed foods.

o De-stress! Enjoy plenty of rest and relaxation.

o Exercise regularly.

o Increase water intake to six to eight glasses per day.

o Supplement your diet with recommended nutrients and herbs.

How I can help.

When colds or flu strike, I recommend using natural supplements to help support and boost your body’s natural immune function. Both the common cold and flu are caused by viruses and what many people may not realise is that antibiotics are not able to kill viruses; they are only able to help with bacterial infections. Fortunately there are herbs and nutrients that can help manage these viral infections.

Herbal immune booster:

The following herbs have been shown to kill the viruses which cause the common cold and flu and are now available in convenient tablet form.

o  Andrographis paniculata is an Ayurvedic herb which has a long history of use for bacterial and viral infections.  Clinical studies have shown it can reduce the severity and duration of the symptoms of colds and flu. Its antiinflammatory properties contribute to its symptom relieving properties.

o  Picrorrhiza kurroa has been used traditionally in Indian and Chinese Medicine to help maintain a normal healthy immune system. It has been shown to exert anti-nflammatory and immune-stimulating actions.

o  Sambucus nigra (Elderberry) has traditionally been used for its anti-catarrhal and fever-reducing actions to help relieve the symptoms of colds. It is indicated in atarrhal inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, such as the common cold/flu, sinusitis and recurrent or acute coughs.

Nutrients for immune support:

Zinc may be the most important mineral for your immune system. Zinc deficiency may cause a weaker immune response, predisposing you to a more lengthy or severe cold. In fact, optimal zinc levels have been found to inhibit the common cold virus.

Vitamin C is also important as it increases the activity  of infection fighting white blood cells. Vitamin C may prevent the common cold as well as shorten the duration of the symptoms. These two important nutrients for the immune system are available from us in a pleasant tasting powdered supplement.

So even if it is cold and flu season again, doesn’t mean that you need to walk around with a throat that is on fire, a seriously stuffy head and a temperature that is through the roof. There are many natural supplements available to help boost your immune system, and prevention is much better than cure. Come and talk to us today about how you can get through the winter months fit and healthy.

The post What to do for colds and flu! appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.