I AM NOT A SUPPLEMENT 'PEDDLER' BUT...
… times are really hard currently and I wish to ensure that all my readers and followers are aware that vaccines may interfere with our immune systems and we may have to boost things a little.
The most important immune-protectors are vitamins A, B6, B9 (folate), B12, C, D and E and the minerals zinc, selenium, iron and copper and it is important to have recommended levels of them all - it is all about synergy. It’s all well and good to be obsessively taking plenty of vitamin C-rich foods and perhaps a daily supplement but you will note in the image below that vitamin C is dependent on good levels of many other vitamins and minerals to promote good and hopefully, optimum health. The same applies to all vitamins, minerals and fatty acids.
this image is with grateful thanks to ‘Patrick Holford’s New Optimum Nutrition Bible‘
In previous posts, I have covered some of the best food sources of certain vitamins and minerals involved in boosting our defences but a few weeks ago (Jan 28th, 2021), a paper was published in the British Journal of Nutrition (BJN) bit.ly/3drNXsy where the authors were championing supplementation (no particular one) with good levels of all of the important immune-protectors to those who are ‘nutritionally-deficient’ with advice to take them daily - both in the weeks before and the weeks after vaccination against the Sars-Cov-2 and its variants.
They suggest that those over 70 would benefit the most but quite frankly, I have come across many ‘in their later years’ who adopt a splendid diet and often a supplement programme who may be a great deal healthier than many of the ‘young-uns’ whose diets focus on fast/junk foods!
the cretan/mediterranean diet is still one of the best!
Sadly, there are many supplement companies offering all manner of ‘immune boosters’ during this pandemic and not all are created equal - cynically, I have to say that some are only in it for financial gain but here are three (that don’t involve loads of different bottles!) which I recommend if you should choose to go down this route…
Alternatively, if you wish to bring your diet ‘up to speed’ with the foods that are richest in all or many of the immune-protecting nutrients, they are listed below. Try to ensure that you get as many of them as possible on a weekly basis (particularly the weeks before and after your vaccinations). And, even if you have decided not to take the vaccinations or you are exempt, you will seriously benefit from having a stronger immune system to fight off all viruses!
lentils & beans
fresh nuts & seeds
greens (spinach, kale, swiss chard etc)
olives & naturally-processed oils
fatty fish & crustaceans
sweet potatoes & squash
free-range red meat plus chicken & turkey
shiitake mushrooms
natural yoghurt, cows milk & alternative milks
berries & tropical fruits
eggs
avocado
quinoa
asparagus & broccoli