Cold and flu season is upon us, which means there’s never been a better time to stay well. Naturopath Jane Cronin shares how to take care of your respiratory health and get through winter feeling your best.
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Clinicians Naturopath Jane Cronin.
“Winter bugs like cold, dry weather, which increase their ability to remain in the air longer, this makes the chance of inhaling them far greater and explains the quick spread. ”
Winter is challenging for your health. Colds flu and chest infections are standard at this time of the year. Here’s how to build immunity, naturally.
Why are our airways vulnerable in winter?
The respiratory system is one way in which pathogens can enter the body any time of year. We can inhale foreign invaders from droplets in the air through our nose or mouth. We can pick them up from surfaces via our hands, and then we touch our face or mouth. Winter tends to be when ills and chills peak, from June through to September, and there are several theories why. Firstly, we are indoors more, in close contact with others, so bugs spread quickly. Also, as the daylight hours are shorter, the lack of sunlight means less vitamin D, which impacts on our immune health. Also, winter bugs like cold, dry weather, which increase their ability to remain in the air longer, this makes the chance of inhaling them far greater and explains the quick spread.
Can our respiratory system protect itself?
Our respiratory system needs all-year-round defence, it has a number of permanent physical barriers. All of the surfaces inside the nose, down the throat and into our lungs are coated with a sticky mucous. This helps trap bugs and stops them making contact with the surface of the respiratory passage where they could establish themselves, replicate and take hold. This is why when we start feeling ill, mucous production increases. The mineral zinc is also found in these surfaces, (nose, down the throat and the lungs), where it acts as an antimicrobial substance. There are also white blood cells circulating that police the airways looking for things that should not be there, such as invading foreign organisms. If anything is detected the immune system is triggered, and a full-scale attack begins.
Heath hack: Zinc governs our sense of taste and smell, so if this is an area of challenge, then you might need to top up zinc levels for winter. To establish if you are low in zinc, look out for white spots on the nails.
Clinicians Zinc Oral Drops, $25.
What dietary factors can affect our respiratory system?
Nature has got our back, providing lots of seasonal fruit and vegetables for a natural immune system boost. For example, kiwifruits and mandarins are in season, providing a great source of vitamin C, which is the primary antioxidant for the lungs. Orange-coloured root vegetable like carrots and kumara, pumpkin and persimmons, are a rich source of beta carotene, which converts in the body to vitamin A. This is used by the immune system to create a defence, and is used up rapidly when we are under attack from bugs.
Our natural solutions for keeping well this winter.
Clinicians Cearwayz, $25.
Health hack: Antioxidants such as grapeseed and the essential nutrient choline, help to keep the airways clear, while L Arginine supports healthy blood flow. Clearwayz was formulated with all of the above to support respiratory health and the bodies immune function.
Clinicians Hi-Dose Vit C Sachets, $32.
Health hack: Vitamin C not only supports your immune system, but it also supports the adrenal glands during times of illness and stress. Winter is the time to amp up the bodies vitamin C, Clinicians Hi-Dose Vit C Sachets, offers a potent formula of two forms of vitamin C, a 3550 mg dose of both sodium ascorabate and ascorbic acid.