Maybe it’s the body’s slight shock with us all changing our mince pies into green-filled poke bowls, but somethings in the air right now! It’s winter season in many a place and ripe time for flu and colds to kick in. Eating well and exercising (although nothing new) are great ways to keep the body in good shape, both inside and out. But, there are other things you can do to prevent getting ill, or help you recover more quickly when you are.

Here are my 6 ways to super-charge your immune system!

1)      Take L-Glutamine.

Sounds rather peculiar right? Well, L-Glutamine is actually something your body is very much accustomed with and uses in huge quantities. It’s an amino acid used as a building block for protein. Not only has it been linked with improved physical fitness, fat loss and muscle building but it’s also shown to improve digestive health, reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes and detox the cells.

You can buy it in powder form or tablet so start taking a tsp a day! I actually take this most days anyway, even if I’m not feeling ill. If you do come down with something, take it 3-4 times a day.

2)      Get some shut-eye

Sleep being beneficial for your health is no exaggeration. It’s the time when the body has a chance to heal, detox and build new cells to protect it. It’s not just the hours in bed, but the quality of sleep that’s important as it’s only in the deep sleep phase that the body actually gets to work on all the above. Try avoiding bright lights half an hour before bed, including tablets and TVs, and take a bath to relax the muscles and promote a restful night’s sleep.

3)      Garlic, garlic and more garlic!

It may not be our best friend for minty fresh breath, (!!) but it does play its part in helping to combat flu and illness. It’s a powerful antioxidant that has been shown in numerous studies to improve health and steer away common colds. It can be as simple as eating a clove of garlic raw, however if you want to make things a touch more sociable, try using it in a pesto and have it with fish or even spread over crackers.

4)      Alkalize the body

If you’ve been following recent food trends, you’ll know that the “Alkaline Diet” has received a lot of press, and for good reason too. The whole concept is about creating an alkaline environment within the body as this is when it operates at its best. There’s a little dispute as to whether it’s the alkaline foods themselves that actually make the difference, rather than the environment in the body, but either way eating them can only do good!

Alkaline forming foods include the below, along with many others;

Beets

Broccoli

Carrot

Cauliflower

Celery

Cucumber

Eggplant

Fermented Veggies

Garlic

Kale

Mushrooms

Onions

Peppers

Spinach

Sweet Potatoes

Tomatoes

5)      Avoid high-sugar and toxic foods.

Toxic foods aren’t just crisps and doughnuts – anything deep-fried or full of additives or preservatives aren’t going to do the body any favours. Sugar is one of the worst culprits for a run-down immune system because people can get addicted to it which affects sleep quality, exercise capability and even the level of nutrients you consume on a daily basis. The trick is to stay as fresh and as natural as possible. If that’s your motto, you can’t go too far wrong!

6)      Opt for Probiotics

Not all bacteria are bad bacteria. In fact, probiotics are quite the opposite. They’re bacteria that exist within the body and can also be taken in through foods and supplements. They are there for the gut, and in turn help improve health in general. They are especially beneficial after a course of antibiotics, which kills all the bad and good bacteria in the body which need to be replaced. You can buy them from you local pharmacy.

I hope these suggestions keep everyone feeling full of energy! Please always consult a doctor if you think something is wrong or you’re unsure whether you should be supplementing.

Any questions, leave me a comment below :)

Carly x