Best immune boosters

The season is upon us. The change of weather and cooler climate sees many of us suffering at the hands of virus and bacteria. If you are unlikely enough to be feeling unwell, using immune boosters may help you to recover quicker. If you’re well, now is a good time to start boosting your immune system to keep you healthy. 

Vitamin C

Is there anything vitamin C can’t do? This essential vitamin plays a huge role in human physiology, and since we can’t make it and we can’t store it, to keep cellular levels up we need to be consuming organic vitamin C often throughout the day. Vitamin C is needed to form our skin and mucous membranes, the body’s first line of defence. It is also used in regulating the immune cells in order to defend and attack harmful bugs and virus, making vitamin C is an essential nutrient for normal immune system function. Vitamin C is found is most fruits and vegetables, but it is highly concentrated in organic superfood powders such baobab, camu camu, acerola and also in the healthy oil, sea buckthorn. Boosting your diet with vitamin C charged supplements throughout the day keeps your cells saturated, so your immune system can work at its best. You can simply start your day with a vitamin c powder if you want to ensure your getting in enough of this vital nutrient. We love the Vitus Vitamin C Powder as it’s all-natural, pure and delicious.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is both a nutrient we eat and a hormone our bodies make. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that has long been known to help the body absorb and retain calcium and phosphorus. Both of these play a critical function for building bone. Also, some studies have shown that vitamin D can reduce cancer cell growth, help control infections and reduce inflammation. Deficiency in vitamin D is associated with increased autoimmunity as well as an increased susceptibility to infection. Few foods naturally contain vitamin D, though some foods are fortified with the vitamin. If you are lucky enough to be able to enjoy the sunshine daily, you are on the right path. For others, the best way to get enough vitamin D is taking a supplement because it is hard to eat enough through food.

Zinc

Zinc is a mineral that's important to the body in many ways. Zinc keeps the immune system strong, helps heal wounds, and supports normal growth. Zinc is known to play a central role in the immune system, and zinc-deficient persons experience increased susceptibility to a variety of pathogens. Good food sources of zinc include red meat, poultry, oysters, fortified cereals, whole grains, beans and nuts. However, those on vegan and vegetarian diets are recommended to take supplements to receive the adequate levels of zinc.

Essential oils 

Aromatherapy is both a beneficial and beautiful way to boost your immune system. While the uplifting aromas of  Australian essential oils are lovely to smell, some have specific antibacterial and antiviral properties which are effective at reducing and preventing bacteria, fungus and viruses. Australian essential oils can also help to stimulate the immune system by increasing the circulation of blood and lymph, helping to clear the body of unwanted bacteria and virus.

Our top picks for immune boosting essential oils:

Lemon: effective against influenza virus, E. coli and some Staphylococcus strains

Eucalyptus: helpful in clearing sinus and chest congestion. Also effective against the common flu, E. coli, Candida albicans and Staph strains

Tea Tree: good antiseptic qualities, effective against common bacteria including some strains of Salmonella, E.coli and some strains of Staph

Rosemary: good for respiratory illness and beneficial for clearing sinuses. Useful in treating fungal and bacterial infections with mild anti-viral properties

Herbal Teas

Sipping on herbal teas through the cooler months is just what the body needs to boost immunity and bare the cold. Herbs like elderflower and echinacea are well known immune boosters and are beneficial at preventing and reducing the length of the common cold virus. Combining these with vitamin C containing herbs such as rose hip and elder berry gives you a little cup of wellness with a delicious flavour.  My personal favourite is lemon ginger tea, as it's both refreshing and warming. This tea can be taken in summer and winter. Otherwise, Immune Tea blend from Organic Merchant is packed with soothing and protective herbs including echinacea, yarrow, peppermint, elder berry, rosehip, ginger, lemon peel, elderflower.

Chaga mushroom 

Chaga mushroom grows on birch trees native to Northern Europe and have been used medicinally for hundreds of years as an immune tonic and health elixir. Chaga mushroom works by stimulating white blood cells which are used for fighting off pathogenic bacteria and harmful viruses. Chaga mushroom powder or chaga mushroom tea is also beneficial for reducing long term inflammation, which is a known contributing factor to chronic disease and lowered immune system function. We always recommend using a chaga mushroom powder if you’d like to use mushrooms to supercharge your health. You can have a pure chaga mushroom powder or a blended chaga mushroom powder like this one from SOL Organics.

Other great immune boosters

There are other key immune boosters that are worth adding into your daily routine. First of all a multivitamin is a great way to supercharge your daily diet with vital nutrients that protect your health and keep your immune system functioning well. You can take a daily vegan multivitamin or you can opt for a multivitamin for women. We love a multivitamin for women as it can be so important for a women to supplement her daily diet for the functions of fertility and reproduction. It’s also good to add vegan omega 3 to your diet if you following a plant-based or vegan lifestyle. Vegan omega 3 is great for promoting healthy cell behaviour and immune system functioning. Otherwise, if you are looking for all round immune booster, Imuni Immune Defence Capsules are my best recommendation. These capsules contain all the essentials including vitamin D3, zinc, vitamin C as well as quercetin to maintain healthy immune system function and support the immune system to fight illness.

The importance of diet

While supplements are a great way to boost your immunity, turning to nature and food is also essential. Maintaining a diet that is high in quantity and variety of fruits and vegetables is a great way to ensure your immune system functions at its best. Something like a natural orange and ginger juice in the morning can be a great way to keep your immune system boosted. But also, you can add lots of other red and orange fruits and veggies like carrots and strawberries that add vitamin C to your diet and keep you strong and immune.