HEALTHY GUT = STRONGER
IMMUNE SYSTEM
– By Caroline Farquhar, RHN, BA, EMP
T he holidays can wreak havoc on our immune systems.
From stress to eating and drinking things we don’t regularly
consume (and perhaps more than we usually would), to
sleepless nights, and just plain exhaustion. These are all
contributing factors to knocking down our immune systems,
and preventative care is the key to steer clear of illness.
The first thing to consider is the fact that 70% of your
immune system is in your gut. This means that the gut is
the body’s primary defense system so keeping it healthy is
paramount. That means eating foods which include probiotics
and prebiotics to support the friendly bacteria in your body
or by taking a probiotic supplement.
Naturally cultured or lactofermented foods contain enzymes
and bacteria that help digest food and eliminate waste. These
foods include cultured dairy products such as buttermilk, kefir
and unsweetened yogurt as well as sauerkraut, pickles, olives,
kimchi, and kombucha. If you are not eating these foods
on a regular basis, supplementation with a quality probiotic
is a great option. Probiotics are the friendly bacteria that
outnumber our human cells 10 to 1. Probiotic supplements
contain high doses of multiple strains of bacteria, clearly list
the strains on the label, and they are guaranteed until the date
of expiry. Think of supplemental probiotics like a multivitamin
for the gut, it’s a guaranteed way of knowing you’re getting
the friendly bacteria your digestive system and, in turn, your
immune system needs.
If you do end up getting sick, go to your local health
food store and look for natural remedies like astragalus,
elderberry, echinacea, oregano oil, goldenseal or natural anti-
viral tinctures. A health food store employee is a wealth of
knowledge and can help you find what’s best for you.
Other Ways to Support Immunity
•
Wash your hands regularly
•
Get plenty of sleep
•
Drink lots of good, clean water
•
Eat a healthy diet full of whole foods
•
Avoid processed foods and sugar
•
Supplement with a good multivitamin
•
Maintain a healthy weight
•
Quit smoking
•
Reduce and manage stress
Caroline Farquhar is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and
digestive care specialist who lectures across Canada on digestive
care, cleansing, and detoxification.
NEW
PROBIOTIC
+
HELPS TO MODERATE
GENERAL FEELINGS
OF ANXIETY
PLUS
+
HELPS TO REDUCE THE
INCIDENCE OF COLD-LIKE
SYMPTOMS IN STRESSED ADULTS
Magazine
~ WINTER 2018
Available wherever natural health products are sold. To learn Silver
more, & Gold
please
visit www.renewlife.ca.
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