As COVID-19 continues to spread and the flu season approaches, you may wonder what you can do besides the well-known behavior changes (frequent handwashing, wearing a mask in public, social distancing) to protect yourself from illness. An additional strategy that will help you stay healthy is boosting your immune system.
Like an army, your immune system is an intricate network of units that act together to combat invaders, in this case bacteria, viruses and other "enemies." While a strong immune system will not prevent you from contracting COVID-19, it will help your body better fight the disease as it familiarizes itself with the new virus in the event you get sick.
Here, we suggest 3 key ways you can boost your immunity to keep you strong and as healthy as possible.
ONE: Enhance your immune system through REAL food-based vitamin C.
Vitamin C is best known for its antioxidant properties, where it protects the body’s cells and tissues from oxidative damage. In studies, vitamin C has been shown to shorten the duration of the common cold and act as a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory. The best way to consume vitamin C is through food sources, like oranges and berries. The problem is, it takes A LOT of oranges and berries to get the level of vitamin C your body needs.
A more efficient way to consume vitamin C is by adding
Neely’s Kakadu Plum Superfood to your diet. Kakadu Plum has the highest natural source of Vitamin C-- 100 times the vitamin C of oranges, it has been used by Aboriginal people of Australia for centuries as the powerful antioxidant and immune boosting superfood. It is also the most “bio-available” source of vitamin C because it comes in freeze-dried form which preserves its nutrients.
TWO: Maintain a healthy gut.
Do you know that 75% of your immune system lies within your gut? Your gut, or gastrointestinal (GI) system has over 100 trillion live microorganisms that protect the body from infection, regulate your metabolism, and boost your immunity. Imbalance within the gut can impair the gut barrier and lead to disease.
Eating foods that are nutrient dense, high in fiber and contain probiotics can improve your gut health.
Neely’s GutBGood is a plant-based superfood powder that is formulated to heal your gut and boost your immune system function. It contains an enzyme blend, as well as natural pre- and probiotics like marshmallow root, Jerusalem artichoke, and aloe vera extract to heal a leaky gut. Unlike supplements, GutBGood is a food-based source of gut health and protection.
THREE: Follow the “3 pillars” of wellness: mindfulness, movement and nutrition.
Research into the “blue zones,” where people live till over 100, has shown that the secrets to longevity include practicing mindfulness, exercising on a regular basis and maintaining a healthy diet (and gut!). We explain these “3 pillars” of wellness in the book,
Project You: A Lifestyle Guide to True Health and Wellness. The book includes information on superfoods that heal and boost your gut, meditation practices that reduce stress, and exercise regimes of top athletes that will keep you physically and mentally fit. We believe that the mind and body are connected, and that to be truly healthy, you need to work on both.
