Immune Health

Common immune disorders include: hayfever, frequent colds, chronic earaches, viral infections and auto-immune conditions such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, diabetes type 1, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease.


immune-pic.jpgYour immune system is one the most complex systems on the planet. It is highly evolved and is able to cope with an amazing diversity of challenges. The problem is however, that the amount of stuff that your immune system has to deal with is increasing. Our world is not becoming cleaner, but is changing rapidly, with new chemicals and toxins introduced every day. The fact that allergies and many immune disorders are increasing is hardly surprising.

Our immune system is highly dependent on some specific nutrients. The main ones are zinc and vitamin C. Many herbs such as andrographis, picrorrhiza and sambucus nigra also have potent stimulating effects on our immune system. There are some herbs that can reduce allergies and some that can increase our defence against invading organisms. Andrographis has been shown to fight back against infections and to be effective against viruses. Probiotic supplements can also be beneficial for improving your digestive health and immune system.

Having a robust immune system and having the right nutrients and herbs on hand to catch viruses early is the main defence against all those infections that we can get at any time.

There are some simple things you can do to keep your immune system strong:

  • Eat a balanced diet high in fibre and complex carbohydrates, low in fat, with moderate amounts of protein. Eat fresh, wholesome, unprocessed foods. Eating lots of junk foods can slow your army down - especially sweet, sugary foods.
  • De-stress! Enjoy plenty of rest and relaxation. Stress can actually reduce your resistance to infection.
  • Exercise regularly. Regular exercise reduces inflammation and can support healthy immunity.
  • Increase water intake to six to eight glasses per day. Water is essential for all aspects of good health.
  • Supplement your diet with recommended nutrients and herbs to boost your immune function.

Autoimmune diseases are also becoming more common. These conditions are characterised by inflammation and destruction of body tissues by the body's own immune system. Common autoimmune diseases include: rheumatoid arthritis, lupus (SLE), ankylosing spondylitis, psoriasis, crohn's disease  and hashimoto's thyroiditis. Autoimmune diseases occur when your immune system becomes overly active and is not properly controlled. This results in your own immune cells attacking and destroying your own body tissues.  Autoimmune diseases can be managed with the help of natural medicines.

Give your immune system a helping hand by taking natural supplements and living a healthy lifestyle. Remember prevention is always better than cure, so talk to your naturopath today about natural ways to support your immune system.