5 Factors that Affect Your Immune System

Top tips to boost your immune system

1. Keep your diet in check –
   • Minimise low nutrient foods like junk food and instead pile your plate high with nutrient dense wholefoods (fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, lean meat and fish).
   • Include protein (lean red meat, chicken, fish, eggs, legumes, nuts and seeds); carbohydrates (fresh fruits & veggies, wholegrains like brown rice, oats, buckwheat, spelt and rye); and fats (olive oil, coconut oil, avocado, oily fish, nuts, seeds, full fat Greek yoghurt).
2. Lifestyle influences –
   • Excessive alcohol consumption will deplete the body of essential nutrients.
   • All work and no play will impact your immune system so try to limit stress and take a break now and then.
   • Exercise benefits the lymphatic system which feeds directly into the immune system, plus it can help clear nasty bugs from the lungs and airways.
3. Try some herbal medicine –
   • Echinacea – modulates the immune system. It is commonly used to provide resistance to infections, particularly in the upper respiratory tract.
   • Medicinal mushrooms – proficient at modulating the immune system and fighting infections. The top immune mushrooms are reishi, shiitake, cordyceps, turkey tail, chaga, lion’s mane and maitake.
   • YEP tea – a traditional tea containing yarrow, elderflower and peppermint. It works to help reduce the duration and severity of a cold or flu.
4. Top nutrients –
   • Vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D and omega 3 can all play a role in supporting the immune system.
5. Environmental factors –
   • High pollution and exposure to chemicals and toxins can deplete the immune system and irritate the airways. Try to minimise these and look at de-toxing your home.
   • Fresh air and sunshine are very cleansing and can go a long way in strengthening the immune system.