As the days grow colder and the nights longer, we at PURE nutrition wold like to keep you happy and healthy this winter. These easy tips will help keep the cold and winter blues away.
- Make sure to get enough vitamin C both from your diet and supplementation. Vitamin C acts as an immune system booster and a powerful antioxidant. Flu and Colds drain vitamin C from the body so be sure to increase intake when sick. Dosage of up to 2g per day during winter will decrease your risk of catching both Flu and the common cold but ensure that you use a buffered version. PURE vitamin C 1000 has got you covered.
- Vitamin B plays many vital roles in the body, energy, production, production of anti-stress hormones and anti-depressant, just to name a few. Make sure to get enough daily as your body does not store vitamin B, especially if you are a smoker, drinker or are on oral contraceptives. PURE Bio-Active B is a good source as all the B vitamins have been methylated allowing them to be used immediately after absorption as opposed to others which first have to be processed by the liver.
- Exercise is vital especially during winter, not only does it release serotonin to help beat the winter blues, it also improves circulation and lymph drainage. This is important as most of our immune system works via the lymph and blood. Exercise helps the body identify bacteria and viruses quicker so that they can be destroyed faster.
- Sleeping enough will keep your immune system at its peak, decrease stress levels and reduce your risk for colds and flu. Note that alcohol consumption interferes with sleep patterns try reduce or avoid alcohol.
- Stay warm- certain bacteria thrive in cold environments, staying warm will reduce your risk of infection. Avoid rapid changes in temperature and going out or to sleep with wet hair.
- Socialize- spend time with friends or family, the full benefits of social interaction are not yet understood. Mood and stress levels have been shown to improve with familiar social interactions.
- Probiotics especially Bifidobacterium bifidum (as found in PURE probiotics) have been proven to reduce the risk of contracting illness as well as reducing period of sickness. Improved immune function
- Keep hydrated while avoiding excessive caffeine
- A healthy balanced diet is both nutritious, maintaining a healthy body, as well as comforting during winter. Try minimise fast foods and overly refined foods as they do not contain the essential vitamins and also bacteria thrive on these types of foods.
- Take a break, some time out of your usual routine doing something you enjoy will help you to relax bringing down your stress level and improving your immune function. Try go for a ten minute walk to clear your head or treat yourself to a massage. Your body will thank you for it.
