Ace Your Immune Health This Winter

In recent years, immune health has become one of our top health concerns, and with cold and flu season approaching, maintaining a healthy immune system has never more important. Fortunately, Wassen nutritionist Emma Bullock-Lynch is here with her five top tips for building resilience this winter and feeling in tip-top health. In other words, it’s time to ace your immune health this winter!

1. Eat the rainbow

Avoid ultra-processed foods and eat the rainbow instead! The more colourful your plate, the better! Eating a wide range of vegetables and fruits in all the colours of the rainbow, will help to introduce a variety of essentials vitamins such as A, C, D, E and those all-important B vitamins. The fibre in plants also feeds helpful bacteria in the gut, which play a fundamental part in regulating a healthy immune response.

2. Super-C!

When winter sets in, make sure vitamin C is your best friend. Vitamin C helps to protect cells from oxidative damage and inflammation and helps your immune system to work as it should. When you’re ill, higher amounts of vitamin C may be beneficial to your recovery.

Good sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons, berries, kiwi, mango and sweet peppers. Broccoli and sprouts are also good sources so eat plenty of green vegetables as well. 

3. Keep calm 

When it comes to the immune system, stress is the enemy! Chronically raised levels of the stress hormone cortisol can result in the immune system becoming weakened. Find time for some gentle exercise such as meditation, yoga or walking to combat feelings of anxiety and stress. And if your body experiences swollen glands, a sore throat, and aching limbs, it's likely a sign that your immune system is working hard to fight off an infection or illness. These symptoms can be a cue to take a step back and prioritize rest and relaxation to support your body's healing process. 

4. Sleep easy

Losing out on those all-important sleep cycles can really affect your immune system. Without sufficient sleep, the body doesn’t get chance to  fully recharge and rejuvenate ready for action the following day. Try these top tips for successful sleep… 

• Stop screen time up to an hour before bedtime to reduce visual stimulation. 
• Take a bath and read a book to relax.
• Declutter your bedroom to create a harmonious and relaxing environment. 
• Try Lavender oil on your pillow to help encourage restful thoughts.  

5.       ACE your immune health

Finally, ACE your immune health this winter with Wassen’s Selenium ACE+D, £12.49 packed full of Vitamins A,C and D3 along with minerals Zinc and Selenium. Selenium is central to a healthy working immune function and helps to protect cells from oxidative stress. Wassen Selenium is from Enriched Yeast, a highly bioavailable form of Selenium.

Food supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Photo by Becca Tapert on Unsplash