Autumn Immune Support

​The leaves are changing colour quickly at the moment and so is the weather.
It`s this time of year when we start to consider our immunity over the months ahead.

I just wanted to share some tips and tricks I do over these months to keep my family and myself as well as possible over the coming months. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is so important to our bodies.  It is needed for over 70 functions in the body, ranging from keeping collagen healthy to detoxifying our system.  Most animals can manufacture vitamin C in their bodies for this reason.  Humans once were able to make their own vitamin C but over time, humans and guinea pigs (strangely) lost this ability many years ago.  
It is available in fruits and vegetables but oxidises very quickly.  That means that once the fruit or vegetable has been picked, it starts to degrade in terms of it`s vitamin C content. 
Most of us know the value of Vitamin C in terms of keeping a healthy immune system, and you may have even heard about "mega- dosing" in serious illnesses, which appears to be effective.  Studies continue in this field.
All year round, I ensure that my family receives a minimum of 250Mg of vitamin C per day as a supplement.  The body can only uptake around 250Mg of Vitamin C in one go, so unless you buy a slow-release supplement with a higher dose than 250Mg, it will be wasted and eliminated in your urine.
You can not overdose on vitamin C as it is a water soluble vitamin.  Any excess that your body doesn`t need will just make it`s way to your urine.
During this time of year, I dial up the dosage of vitamin C for my family to between 500 and 1000 Mg.  I use slow release vitamin C to do this, or, dose throughout the day.
Vitamin C can make some people have looser stools than normal.  If this happens to you then you just need to lower the dose.

Vitamin C in foods are all your fruits, berries and vegetables.  The more you can eat, the better​

Zinc

Zinc is the master mineral for immunity.  Zinc is also necessary for healthy hormone function, tissue integrity (healthy tissues) , brain health and so much more.
I make sure that my family have 20 - 30Mg of Zinc as an adult dose and up to 15Mg for children up to 14 (after that they are classed as adults in the world of supplementation) 
There are different quality zinc formulas.  Zinc has to be attached to another compound in order to be transported into the cell efficiently.  The most bioavailable forms are Zinc picolinate, Zinc bisglycinate or Zinc citrate.  
Some important information regarding Zinc - ALWAYS take zinc on a full stomach after a meal containing protein and carbohydrates.  If you take zinc on an empty stomach or with a very light meal, it can cause nausea and vomiting.
Zinc can be taken preventatively and is also great for keeping to hand if anyone comes down with an illness.  In the case of treating an illness then be sure to take a natural compound called Quercetin along with your Zinc.  It will help transport the Zinc right into the part of the cell needed to kill off viruses.

Zinc is available in food sources such as shellfish, meat, poultry and liver.  These are the main sources.  The vegetarian sources that contain zinc have very little so again, it is best to supplement if vegetarian or vegan.  Vegan sources are quorn, peas, tofu, chickpeas, oats, brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat, pine nuts and pumpkin seeds.
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Vitamin D

Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin.  It is essential for bone health, energy levels, digestive health, mood balance, cardiovascular health and for a healthy immune system.
Did you know that studies show that a large proportion of cancer patients are deficient in Vitamin D? The immune system is not only responsible for keeping seasonal illnesses at bay but is on patrol daily for pre-cancerous cells.  It`s natural and normal for some of our cells to form with defections.  It is the immune system`s job to spot them and eradicate them before they multiply.  If our immune system function lowers, this process of seek and destroy goes awry.
Vitamin D is vital for immune health but from October until March (between the Autumn and Spring equinox) the angle of the sun on the earth`s altered axis means  that the UVB rays (responsible for the reaction on our skin that forms Vitamin D) just can`t get through to us, even on the sunniest of days.
The NHS are now publicising this and urging the public to take a Vitamin D supplement throughout the winter months.
The RDA for Vitamin D is 400iu, however, RDA means the minimum amount to function!  It is unlikely that 400iu is enough for anyone, unless your Vitamin D stores are absolutely tip-top!  The bare minimum I advise to supplement with over the winter is 1000iu.  For some, I recommend 4000iu daily and for deficiency, even more in the short term.
It`s a good idea to get your Vitamin D levels tested in order to know how to dose as Vitamin D is fat soluble.  This means it gets stored in our body and so too much can cause toxicity.  
If you wanted to test your vitamin D levels, you can either visit your doctor or do a private finger prick test such as Thriva.
I use this NHS test that costs around £30 to do privately.  You can do it at home as a finger-prick test.

http://www.cityassays.org.uk/Vitamin%20D%20Blood%20Spot.html

When I look at peoples Vitamin D levels, I ideally want them to be 100 - 140 nmol/L

Vitamin D is available as a food source in Salmon, egg yolks, beef, liver, milk, some cheese and certain mushrooms.  If you are vegetarian or vegan, you definitely need to supplement with vitamin D.

Just an interesting fact whilst I mentioned the equinoxes... It is very common to develop symptoms around the equinoxes... this can be anything from flare ups of eczema or skin conditions, to aching joints, headaches, and minor illnesses.  In addition to it`s daily detoxification, the body goes through two natural detoxifications each year, that coincide with the equinox.   You can support yourself in preparation for this my cleaning up your diet and drinking plenty of water around a month before each equinox. 

The autumn equinox occurs on Wednesday the 22nd of September this year, so get drinking that water!

Elderberry

Elderberry is one of my favourite immune tonics.  It has been proven in clinical trials to be anti-viral, both as a preventative measure and a treatment in acute cases.  It lessens the length a virus can take hold and also lessens symptoms.  It`s powerful anthocyanins are responsible for it`s anti-viral efficacy.  It is also a potent source of vitamin C.
Elderberry is widely available in capsule form, or liquid form.  You can even quite easily make your own syrup at this time of year.  Here`s a link to my video all about elderberries and how to make your own syrup

​Probiotics

Our microbiome is one of the most fascinating areas of the human body.  Do you know that we have more bacteria than we do cells in our body!?!  
The microbiota is something that really fuels my fire... It is a topic that I am passionate about.  

Did you know that scientists are currently working on using specific strains of bacteria to target specific illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease?  I guarantee that one day, bacteria will save the world!  

You can read more information about your microbiome here
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In terms of your immunity, taking a good, broad strain probiotic can really help you out.  70-80% of our immune system stems from our gut.  If our gut health is out of balance then this will knock your immune system function for six.

Clinical trials have also proven that a daily probiotic for children is actually more effective at preventing the flu than the flu vaccine.  It is also known to prevent gastric illnesses such as the dreaded Norovirus - lovingly known to all parents as "the sick bug".

Immunity complexes

If you can make sure your diet is well-balanced with the foods mentioned here, you will be off to a flying start in terms of boosting your immunity.  

Remember that sugar, depresses our immune systems.  One teaspoon of sugar will depress your immune system for 1 hour.  Think  twice about that sugar in your coffee before you go out and about where coughs and colds are likely to be!

There are some great immune complexes that you can get that combine the nutrients I`ve mentioned into one handy capsule.
One of my favourite complexes is Bionutri`s elderberry complex. ​

They also do a junior version

Please be advised that babies and infants have different requirements in their dosing and you must seek advice regarding this.  Elderly people and those with compromised immune systems should also always seek advice before supplementing with the nutrients mentioned.  
If you are on medications then these should also be checked with a health professional.


Health and happiness as always,

Eve x
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