Winter is around the corner, and that means cold and ‘flu germs are doing the rounds. Here are some useful diet, exercise and lifestyle tips to help you keep your immune system strong and ward off unwelcome viruses.

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USE coMra TO KEEP YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM STRONG

Did you know that you can use coMra as a preventative therapy, to help boost your immunity, and as a powerful, non-toxic way to get relief and manage your symptoms throughout a bout of ‘flu?¹

• UNIVERSAL 2 boosts immunity.
• UNIVERSAL 3 increases energy and immune response.
• UNIVERSAL 6 supports recovery from illness and vitality.
• IMMUNOLOGY 6 prevents acute respiratory infections.
• IMMUNOLOGY 7 provides comprehensive support for the immune system.

TOP 5 NUTRIENTS FOR A HEALTHY IMMUNE SYSTEM

These five vitamins and minerals help fight infection and inflammation, to keep you healthy during ‘flu season. You can get these nutrients by eating a balanced diet, and boost your levels for extra protection by taking a good-quality supplement.

Selenium^2,3

Healthy selenium levels are important for immunity, and they are also involved in regulating excessive immune responses and chronic inflammation. Organ meats, Brazil nuts, seafood and poultry are the most selenium-rich foods. Grains and dairy products are also good sources of this important mineral.

Zinc⁴

Zinc is an immune-boosting mineral with antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. You can find it in shellfish, beef, pork, poultry, beans, nuts, whole grains and dairy products.

Vitamin C⁴

Vitamin C is probably the best-known flu-fighting nutrient. This powerful vitamin has antioxidant effects, as well as antimicrobial and antiviral actions, making it a real hero for your immune system. You can get vitamin C from citrus fruits, tomatoes, red and green peppers, broccoli and strawberries.

Vitamin D⁴

Vitamin D plays an important role in immune function, lowering the rate of viral replication, increasing your level of disease-fighting T-cells and suppressing inflammation. It’s found in only a few foods – fatty fish, fish liver oil, beef liver and egg yolks. Your body also synthesises vitamin D as a result of sun exposure, so the best way to get your daily dose is to spend a few minutes out in the sunshine every day. During winter, when the sun doesn’t shine as much, it’s a good idea to take a vitamin D supplement to boost your intake.

Vitamin E⁴

Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that plays a big role in immune function. It helps maintain cell membrane integrity and improves antibody production. It also has anti-inflammatory effects. You can get vitamin E by eating nuts, seeds and leafy green vegetables.

EXERCISE IS AN EFFECTIVE IMMUNE-BOOSTER

Research shows that regular exercise (moderate to intense, for 45-60 minutes) is a potent immune system booster. Exercise stimulates the exchange of highly active immune cells between the circulatory system and the tissues. Each workout session improves your body’s antipathogen activity and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Over time, if you exercise daily or most days, these changes add up to improve your immune defence activity.5
Exercising during the winter months can be hard, but it’s important to make the effort to keep your immune system fighting fit. Try taking up an indoor sport, or swimming in the heated pool at your local gym.

HUGS AND LAUGHTER BOOST IMMUNITY!

Laughter doesn’t just feel good emotionally, it has great physical benefits too. The positive thoughts and feelings that come with laughter can actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress, relieve pain, and boost your immune system.⁶

Read about how one professor successfully used laughter as pain relief.⁷

Hugging your loved ones is also good for your health, and that’s not just a feel-good theory, it’s backed by science. One study showed that better social support, including regular hugs, resulted in better protection against illness, and less severe illness symptoms.⁸

Wishing all our readers a healthy and safe winter season!

NOTE: coMra is a powerful modality. The uses described above are those recommended by the coMra User Guide. Experience over 10 years has shown that in the case of most chronic conditions, treatments can also be spread out to once or twice per week, without taking the breaks outlined in the guide.

References:

¹ coMra User Guide.² Huang Z, Rose AH, Hoffmann PR. The role of selenium in inflammation and immunity: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic opportunities. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2012;16(7):705-743. doi:10.1089/ars.2011.4145. ³ Office of Dietary Supplements. Selenium.⁴ Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary supplements for immune function and infectious diseases. ⁵ Nieman DC, Wentz LM. The compelling link between physical activity and the body’s defense system. J Sport Health Sci. 2019;8(3):201-217. doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2018.09.009.⁶ Stress relief from laughter? It’s no joke. Mayo Clinic. ⁷ Find the healing zone with coMra. coMra Therapy.⁸ Cohen S, Janicki-Deverts D, Turner RB, et al. Does hugging provide stress-buffering social support? A study of susceptibility to upper respiratory infection and illness. Psychol Sci. 2015;26(2):135-147. doi:10.1177/0956797614559284.