Ahh...the good old (pre-COVID) days, when we only had the normal colds and flus to worry about!
Still, whilst we can't escape being exposed to these kinds of infections (unless we choose to live on a deserted island in the middle of nowhere), it pays to keep in mind that our ability to ward off these kinds of infections varies from individual to individual. I’m sure you know someone who just catches one cold or flu after another, and never seems to completely get over an infection before coming down with the next one. And on the other end of the spectrum there are plenty of people happily wandering around who hardly ever seem to get sick - even when they spend plenty of time around those who are coughing up a lung.
I always think it wise to take a proactive approach to all strategies that we can utilise. After all, the more bases we have covered, the stronger our overall defences are likely to be.
If you find that you continually get sick, or you feel really wiped out after you are unfortunate enough to be struck down with a flu, from a naturopathic point of view it is a clear sign that your immune system could do with a bit of TLC. You also may find that you experience:
- Recurring urinary tract infections
- Persistently low energy
- Mouth ulcers
- Skin infections or wounds that take a long time to heal, or tend to hang around – fungal infections for instance
There can be a few reasons for this...
- Your gut health may be less than ideal. Did you know that 70% of your immune system is located in your digestive tract? We are finding out some fascinating information about the gut, and how your gut health can influence (either for better or worse) so many other parts of your body. This includes your immune system, and how easily you are able to fight off infections, as well as how quickly you can recover from a cold or flu if you do happen to catch one. When I am working with patients who come to me suffering from one infection after another, looking at their gut health is always where we start.
- You may be deficient in nutrients that play a key role in immune health. Certain nutrients such as zinc are fabulous immune-boosters, and most people don't get enough through their food. Personally, I regularly take zinc as a supplement, as well as increasing my intake of zinc-rich foods to help ward off infections during the cooler months. Vitamin D is also crucial for a strong immune system – and many people are low in this vitamin by the end of winter (yes, even here in South East QLD). Also, certain medications can deplete vital nutrients, so it pays to ensure you are getting enough of these.
- Stress, anxiety and depression can also play a role in the strength of your body’s resilience, and unrelenting mental pressure is well-known for weakening your immune defences, as your nervous system and your immune system are closely connected. High stress also plays havoc with your gut health, so you can end up with a double whammy that sees you becoming sick more often than you should. If you find you are always feeling under pressure, aim to be proactive with managing your stress – activities such as yoga or meditation can be as quick as 10 minutes but the benefits are worthwhile.
Thankfully, there are many different herbal medicines that can be used for supporting the immune system, and I find these invaluable, both in my clinic and my family life. One of the great things about herbs is that not only are many of them effective against bacteria, there are many herbs that have been shown to possess antiviral properties too. I use different herbs for different scenarios in the clinic – some are best to help prevent infections (such as Astragalus and medicinal mushrooms), others can be taken at the first sign of a cold or flu in an effort to reduce the severity and duration.
The key message here is - don’t wait until you get sick! The old wives were correct when they said 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure'. Start building a strong immune system sooner rather than later - your body will thank you!