Spending time in bed with a loved one can be heavenly. Spending time in bed accompanied by aches, pains, runny nose and a soaring fever, is infinitely less desirable.
We’re all on high alert when it comes to COVID now, but what’s less publicised is the high prevalence of respiratory infections that have been all-pervasive this winter. Strep A, bronchitis, croup, Respiratory Syncytial Virus/RSV, Flu, and Pneumonia have all been rife. Taking a train ride without at least one person alongside trying to stifle a hacking cough or an explosive sneeze appears to be a thing of the past.
It doesn’t surprise me there’s been an influx of recent infections. The stresses & strains of the past 3 years have taken their toll on our health and have now left many (not just the over 60’s) with a flagging immune system.
We’ve been bombarded with an insidious amount of constant low-grade stressors or subjected to acute bouts of high-level stress, and our adrenal glands have had to work overtime, churning out stress hormones to deal with each mental or physical blow. In order to create adrenaline and cortisol stress hormones, our bodies have had to seize a large portion of our vitamin C, zinc, magnesium and vitamin B reserves.
One major snag...our immune systems also require these very same nutrients (with the addition of vitamin D, iodine and selenium) in order to regulate the 'innate' and 'adaptive' branches of our immune system. These vitamins and minerals enable us to construct a multitude of complex immune cells (e.g. white blood cell and antibodies) to trap, engulf and destroy harmful microbes that sneakily invade our nostrils and mouth.
So if you're bombarded from all angles with stress and sick bugs what happens? Your body's number one priority is to deal with dangerous 'threats' (real or perceived). Your nutrient reserves get funnelled towards your adrenal glands and vital organs to inject you with power to 'flee' or 'fight'. Your immune system ends up playing second fiddle, and is weakened by a lack of energy and nutrient reserves.
To make matters worse, trying to obtain zinc through diet is almost impossible nowadays due to severely nutrient-deplete soils. Cold winter months and lack of sun exposure mean vitamin D levels have also been plummeting - as the source of vitamin D our cells recognise most is UVB light hitting our skin, converting cholesterol (in skin cells) to vitamin D25-hydroxy/pre-vitamin D3 (and then with the help of our liver and kidneys), converting it into useable 'active' vitamin D3/1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3.
Right now, with the assault of on-going stresses and all-year-round viruses and bacteria lurking & looking for hosts to take up residence in, it's essential we bolster our nutrient intake & do all we can to reduce our exposure to things that cause us angst, if we don't want to fall prey to debilitating infections.
This action is absolutely critical right now because our immune system is also our security system against attackers trying to invade our nervous system (brain and nerves). If we don't obtain the right nutrients to keep our immune system robust, it can also increase our risk of inflammatory, neurological conditions such as brain fog, depression, anxiety, headaches & migraines, Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke and Alzheimers’.
So are you eating a nutrient-dense diet, and where necessary, taking supplements with a high enough level of nutrients? If you’re following the Government recommended dietary allowance/RDA guidelines for supplement dosages, chances are you’re getting a pitiful amount of nutrients compared to the levels your body demands these days. If you’re stocking your medicine cabinet with cheap supplements from well-known chemists, the supermarket or mega ‘health’ food stores, you'll be paying for the 'expensive urine' newspapers so often report on (i.e. supplements with poorly absorbed forms of nutrients that just end up being flushed out in your urine, whilst your gut and liver get filled with toxic binders, fillers, talc (yes, talcum powder to prevent ‘clumping’!), waxes, polyvinylpyrrolidone, magnesium stearate (a proven immunosuppressive agent), titanium dioxide and food allergens such as soya, corn & milk).
The innovative Oligsocan Test can shine a light on whether you're receiving all the appropriate nutrients required to build-up an effective defence system against harmful invaders, as well as vitamins and minerals to keep your adrenal glands strong (to improve your stress response, regulate your sleep patterns and reduce your risk of 'adrenal fatigue'). The Oligsocan Test is a quick, simple, non-invasive screening tool for vitamin and mineral deficiencies - showing you nutrient levels within your cells, not just what's being transported in your blood (which may not be being taken up and utilised by your cells)
I can personally help you understand whether your chosen supplements are ineffective or contain toxic compounds that could worsen your health, or whether you're taking the right products at levels your body needs (for your specific symptoms or ailments). Where necessary, I can give you guidance on good-quality, highly effective supplements (& the dosages YOU personally require to rectify any sub-optimal nutrient levels).
Book an 'Oligoscan Test' between March 1st and May 1st and receive a 10% discount. Quote the promo code: IMMUNITY23 when booking online or emailing me for a booking (hannahbrownnutrition@gmail.com).
If you'd like to learn more about the Oligoscan test, please view my 'Oligsocan' page on the website, or feel free to give me a call with any questions on: 07789 936344.
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