Endeavour Short Courses
By nutrition educator at Endeavour College of Natural Health, and nutritionist, Sophie Scott, who designed industry-leading short online courses on gut health and nutrition to help more Australians approach their health and wellbeing from a place of knowledge and confidence.
A strong immune system means that you’re less likely to get sick but if you do, it gives your body a stronger chance of fighting off harmful pathogens (the organisms that cause disease).
Here are five ways to promote a healthy immune system, including getting your gut in tip top shape so you have a head start this winter.
1. Gut health is wealth
Gut health is directly linked to our overall wellbeing, with 70% of the body’s immune cells living in the gut – so when it comes to health, it’s a big deal. It affects the body from the moment your life begins, as it’s in control of your digestive, immune, and central nervous systems.
The gut microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms (mainly bacteria), which live in the intestinal tract. These bacteria and immune cells are in constant communication, especially when the body recognises and needs to protect itself against a threat.
So, how can you give your gut the VIP treatment? Probiotics and prebiotics are a good place to start.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that maintain or improve the good bacteria in your body. You can find probiotics in yoghurt, sauerkraut, kimchi and supplements.
Prebiotics are plant fibres that act as food for microflora. Prebiotics can be found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, soybeans, and more.
Although research on the effectiveness of probiotic supplements is mixed, people who have low gut health or a poor diet could see some benefits.
2. Maximise your fruit and veg intake
Five a day – we see you and we raise you! Increasing your fruit and vegetable intake is a great way to improve your gut and immune health. Fruits and vegetables are stellar sources of vitamin C, which is an essential micronutrient that supports immune cell function.
Look into a weekly produce delivery box. This is a great way to add some diversity to your diet, gain access to seasonal produce, and save time by avoiding the supermarket. Another way is to add to your existing diet, rather than changing it entirely. There are endless ways to do this, but some of our favourites are:
- Add lentils and grated zucchini to a bolognese sauce
- Swap white bread for wholegrain, wholemeal or mixed grain
- Bulk up an omelette with spinach and mushrooms
- Use brown rice or quinoa instead of white rice
- Snack on carrots and celery sticks with hummus
- Scoop some peanut butter onto apple slices
- Start your day with a fresh juice or smoothie
- Grate broccoli stalks into a stir fry or soup
- Add stewed apples or pears to yoghurt
- Bulk roast vegetables as a quick addition to meals
3. Pump up the vitamins and minerals
When it comes to immune health, vitamin C reigns supreme. While taking supplements is an easy way to get essential nutrients into your body, there’s nothing quite like the fresh stuff.
Blackcurrants, broccoli, citrus fruits, guava, kiwi fruit, parsley, pawpaw, pineapple, potatoes, red capsicum, strawberries, and sweet potatoes are all high in vitamin C – so be sure to pack your diet with these superstars on a regular basis, because only small amounts of vitamin C are actually stored in the body after consumption.
And remember, Vitamin C deteriorates when it’s exposed to heat and light, so keep your vitamin C rich foods in the fridge, and your potatoes in a dark, cool place. Other essential micronutrients for immunity include zinc (found in oysters, beef, pumpkin seeds, eggs and whole grains), magnesium (leafy greens, almonds, barley, cashew nuts, cocoa and figs) and vitamin A (carrots, dark leafy greens, liver, milk and yoghurt).
4. Go easy on alcohol and sugar
A glass of wine and some chocolate after a long day are often well-deserved, just remember that moderation is key.
If you find yourself with a drink in hand more than a few nights a week, your gut health and immunity may suffer over time. Try having some booze-free nights each week, and mixing up a mocktail instead. And when you do need a stiff drink, how about adding soda water or some citrus to your spirits, instead of a sugary tonic. The NHMRC guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol recommend a maximum of 10 standard drinks per week and no more than four standard drinks on any one day.
Now onto the sweet stuff. Watching TV with a block of chocolate in hand or diving into a bag of lollies for a 3pm pick-up, is something many of us are familiar with. Aussies consume a whopping 14 teaspoons of added sugar per day, which is more than double the recommended amount by the World Health Organization.
We don’t want to demonise sugar, because not all things are created equal. What we will say is that refined sugar is something to watch out for, because it sneaks its way into more than you think (store-bought sauces, we’re looking at you). Instead of reaching for a chocolate biscuit or lollies to satisfy a sugar craving, try some fresh or dried fruit instead. Grapes are nature’s lollies!
5. 30 minutes of movement
Just 30 minutes of movement per day can improve immunity, blood flow, and lymph flow – all of which contribute to strengthened immune cells (which in turn help your body to fight off nasty intruders).
If it’s hard to fit structured exercise into your day, aim for some incidental exercise. Take a walk around the block on your lunch break, get off the train one stop earlier, or leave the car at home for your weekly grocery shop – small steps are better than no steps at all!
Find out more about gut health and nutrition in new short online courses at endeavourshortcourses.edu.au
