As the days get shorter and nights get chillier, you may start wondering how you can strengthen your immune system to help your body fight off illnesses. We’ve all heard that eating fresh wholefoods, exercising, getting a good night’s sleep, and good hygiene practices are ways to keep our immune system strong – but why?

Immune regulation is an incredibly complex system that we still don’t completely understand. What we do know is that without an immune system, we would have no defence system against harmful things that enter our body from the outside world (such as disease-causing germs like bacteria, viruses, and parasites).

Within our immune system, there are two sub-systems. Both sub-systems work closely together whenever a germ or foreign substance triggers an immune response.

The innate immune system

The innate (non-specific) immune system provides a general defence against harmful substances. This is done through our first line of defence, such as the skin or digestive system, which are the first points of contact in the body for foreign substances and use immune cells to fight these foreign substances.

The adaptive immune system

The adaptive (specific) immune system is developed over time as your body is exposed to microbes and foreign substances. As your body encounters certain germs, the adaptive immune system makes antibodies to specifically fight them. For example, if you have chickenpox as a child, your immune system stores information on how to fight this pathogen and when it comes into contact again, it recognises the germ straight away and can fight it faster.

There are many healthy habits you can incorporate into your lifestyle to ward off sickness and even help improve your recovery time when you do get sick. These include staying hydrated, keeping active, reducing stress, and stocking up on immune-boosting nutrients from foods and supplements, such as zinc, vitamin C and probiotics.

• Prebiotics – Prebiotics are non-digestible carbohydrates that promote the growth and activity of good bacteria in the gut, which protects us from pathogens and infection. An imbalance of gut bacteria may lead to toxic by-products and inflammation in the gut that can negatively impact our wellbeing, so supplementing your diet with prebiotic-rich foods and supplements can balance your gut with good bacteria to support your immune system.



• Probiotics - Probiotics are a combination of live bacteria and/or yeasts that naturally live in your body. The main job of probiotics is to use good bacteria to restore this balance and help you feel better, while supporting your immune function and helping to control inflammation. Probiotic-rich foods such as yoghurt, sourdough bread, tempeh and kombucha, and daily supplements such as Henry Blooms Daily Probiotic Broad Spectrum can support healthy gut flora and help to maintain immune system health.



• Vitamin C – Vitamin C supports healthy immune system function as well as providing antioxidant action to reduce cell damage from free radicals. Henry Blooms VitaQIK™ Liposomal Vitamin C is a quick and easy way to get enough vitamin C each day. Liposomal delivery increases the body’s absorption of Vitamin C - simply spray under the tongue for a boost of your daily Vitamin C intake.
  
  

• Zinc – By supporting a healthy immune function, Zinc may reduce the severity and duration of colds, and support the health and function of the cardiovascular system.
  
  

• Nutrient-rich herbs such as elderberry and astragalus also support a healthy and strong immune system. Henry Blooms Immune Forte + contains elderberry, astragalus and rehmannia together with vitamin C and zinc to support the health and function of the immune system.
  

Malnutrition or a diet lacking in one or more nutrients can impair the production and activity of immune cells and antibodies. Keep your immune system strong and ready to fight off illnesses by incorporating these nutrients and supplements into your daily diet.

For more information, visit www.henryblooms.com.au

Visit your local Blooms The Chemist or shop online to purchase these products.

ALWAYS READ THE LABEL. FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. VITAMIN AND MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS SHOULD NOT REPLACE A BALANCED DIET.

IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST, CONSULT YOUR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.