Overhaul your diet and consider supplements

Published Article in the Daily Mail 27 September 2019

Keep an eye on your alcohol intake!

Overhaul your diet and consider supplements

Ms Emmerton said there are a lot of foods and supplements you can introduce into your system that make it dramatically stronger.

‘You need a diet that is high in fruits and vegetables, especially ones that are yellow, red and orange (in colour) as they are rich in antioxidants,’ she said.

She also recommended a consistent intake of vitamin C and zinc taken in food form as the body recognises it more effectively.

Other super foods include onion, garlic and turmeric which she stressed are much more important to have a little bit of consistently rather than cramming them while you are sick as this will have a considerably diminished impact.

Enjoy a massage

One effective way for boosting your system can be booking in for a massage.

Ms Sutherland said although it’s not the highest priority on the list it can be effective.

”There is a type of massage called lymphatic drainage. This one is particularly helpful as its relaxing and also helps shift toxins out of your body,’ she said.

Keep an eye on your alcohol intake

While Ms Emmerton said a small glass of wine is fine, around 120mL, anything more than a couple of glasses can start to impact immunity.

‘Its a bit of a liver loader, so the body has to work on processing the alcohol before it can do anything else,’ she said.

‘You can prevent your body from getting on with its job and it can interrupt your sleep which is another issue.’

According to Dr Mike Roussell, alcohol inhibits macrophages – immune cells – from exiting the bloodstream and attacking pathogens.

‘It also reduces your body’s ability to produce inflammatory compounds that stun invading bad bacteria before the macrophages can break them down,’ he said.

He added: ‘While researchers don’t entirely know why, alcohol reduces the number of T cells in your body, which are responsible for this protection [against pathogens], along with B cells. This leads to a reduced response toward infections.’