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Health

03rd Oct 2017

How to supercharge the whole family’s immune systems for winter

Katie Mythen-Lynch

Brought to you by Krka Pharmaceuticals.

As soon as the evenings start getting shorter, the cold and ‘Flu carousel generally starts turning once again, bringing runny noses and hacking coughs.

If you’re a parent, sniffles and sneezes are part and parcel of the whole wonderful winter experience, but what if there was a way to reduce your family’s likelihood of falling ill this year?

Science boffins have proven that there are indeed some tricks you can use to boost your immune system and fight off nasty colds, viruses and infections.

Can’t hurt to try them, right? Here are a few we’ll be adding to our daily routine immediately:

Order sauerkraut on the side

Fermented foods are trending at the moment and it’s little wonder; scientists are raving about their immunity-boosting benefits. Foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir and kimchi are great for digestive health and even contain healthy bacteria.

Think zinc

Zinc is a vital ingredient in the body’s production of white blood cells, which kill infection and bacteria. The best dietary sources include beef, oysters, pumpkin seeds, pork and chickpeas.

Laugh more

Did you know that laughter boosts the body’s lymphatic system, helping it to remove waste from the body more effectively? Dig out some jokes to tell the kids in the car or watch a funny movie midweek – your immune system will thank you for it.

Get some extra sleep

Studies have shown that people who sleep for just four hours per night have half the disease-busting antibodies of people who get the recommended eight hours shut-eye per night.

Carry your own pen at all times

Did you just sign in at the doctor’s surgery using the pen the receptionist provided? Yeah; so did everyone else in the waiting room. Try your best to avoid using public items, especially during winter.

Have a cold shower

It’s the trick Victoria Beckham uses to keep her skin firm and glowing, but braving a cold blast in the shower has another benefit too. Studies show it raises the metabolic rate as your body works overtime to warm you up. This, in turn, kicks your immune system into gear.

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Always read the label. Please consult your Pharmacist. For more information visit www.septabene.ie.