Discover how your gut health impacts your immune system and how to improve this
As the weather becomes colder, a little bit of investment in your health won’t go amiss and will protect you from the colds and flu that are so common in Autumn! This year, boosting your immune system is more important than ever, as researchers believe that after months of lockdown, we all have a weakened immune systems.
Normally, our immune and respiratory systems have small and frequent experiences with respiratory infections such as the common cold, and so build up the ability to defend against bigger versions of the infection.
This year, researchers believe that the sudden change from social distancing and mask-wearing to fewer restrictions has meant that respiratory infections are hitting us all at once without the opportunity to build up resistance.
You may be struggling with a compromised immune system and not realise it - and so many of these symptoms can affect your ability to work, relax and socialise at your best.
Symptoms of an under-functioning immune system are varied but may include:
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Struggle to sleep / stay asleep
- Frequent colds and sore throats
- Cuts and bruises take longer to heal
- Digestive issues (such as bloating, constipation, loose stools)
There is so much information online on how to improve your immune system that it can be confusing.
As a leading hair loss consultant, nutritionist and wellness expert, Simone Thomas is very familiar with the benefits of diet and lifestyle when supporting your health and wellbeing.
“My own studies in nutrition and weight loss management have only confirmed my theory that almost all my clients’ ailments lead right back to their gut. And it makes sense too.
All diseases originate in the gut, so why aren’t we paying it more attention? The adage, “You are what you eat” could not be truer! Fatigue, skin complaints, and poor sleep patterns are all signs of inflammation caused by the foods we eat.
Put simply—eat well and your body will perform well. Over the years, I have witnessed so many dramatic changes in our clients’ hair loss conditions and general wellbeing, just by them addressing their diets and lifestyles. I also believe that I’ve found a cure to ease my own condition.”
Extract from her new bestselling book, Healthy Hair, Happy Body, available on www.simonethomaswellness.com and Amazon.
You may not know this, but your gut is actually ‘the Mothership’ of your body! It impacts so much of your health and wellness! A healthy gut is even linked to your anxiety and stress levels but is most strongly linked to your immune system. Improved gut health may not ‘boost’ your immune system by itself, but great gut health is a powerful building block in a healthy immune system.
An impressive 70% of our immune system is in our gut! For our gut to work at its optimum level, we need to ensure that the nutrients we consume are nourishing micronutrients.
Foods that encourage gut diversity for better gut health:
- Organic fruits & vegetables
- Plenty of beans and legumes
- Herbal teas
- Hot water with lemon
- Filtered water
- Whole grains e.g., brown rice
- Healthy fats e.g., avocado
In addition, Vitamin C enriched foods will stimulate the formation of antibodies and improve your immunity, for example, bright bell peppers, and sweet papaya.
If you find these diet changes overwhelming, Simone’s NutriHome recipes are an easy way to rethink your meals. Begin with the quick and tasty Burrito Bowl, full of much needed whole grains, beans and healthy fats with a side of soft avocado.
Our award-winning Super Greens supplement promotes a healthy immune system, and Everyday Wellness supports a healthy gut. Both supplements are currently 20% off in our Autumn Sale.