Bulletproof your immune system

Now, more than ever before, we’re being tasked to protect our health and wellbeing. The best way to do this is to bolster our immune system and what better place to start than from our new WFH environment.

Creating a check list of new, healthy daily habits is the easiest way to supercharge any immune system. Enter knowledge provider for Vitropics, and Ireland’s own “Queen of Health” Nicola Flood to provide guidance and support on how to do just that.

How clean is your WFH life?

We’re now living, working and socialising all at home so we need to protect ourselves by developing better personal hygiene habits. It’s the first line of defence to keep germs at bay and help stop an infection before it begins and spreads to others. 

-       Ensure you clean your work station daily paying particular attention to wiping down the keyboard, mouse and whatever pens and office equipment you may be using.

-       Change your hand towels daily. Towels create the perfect damp, warm environment which is a breeding ground for bacteria. They definitely need to be washed regularly.

-       Keeping tech devices clean is very important. Wipe down the remote controls for the TV and your phone every day to limit germs and stop infection.

Are you drinking enough water?

Staying hydrated is key for a strong functioning immune system. Now that we are at home and close to the kitchen tap and fridge all day, it’s a great time to incorporate more water in our diet. Water helps the body naturally eliminate toxins and other bacteria that may cause illness and also helps carry oxygen to our cells, helping them to function at full capacity. Instead of a tea break take a water break. Drink one small glass and you will be surprised how much it all adds up. Aim to drink at least 2 litres per day, increasing your amounts when exercising.

Do you find you are craving more sugar at home?

You’re more inclined to eat these kinds of foods when you’re stressed or tired, because your brain is looking for more fuel than it would be when you are relaxed and active on your feet. Eating something high sugar and high in fat (like chocolate, cake, biscuits and sweets) triggers the release of dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with feelings of reward and satisfaction. By falling into this trap, you train your brain to think, ‘you need to eat this to help you feel better’ but in the long run, this sends you on a rollercoaster – with your energy, your mood, stress levels and sleep. Over time, this rollercoaster can result in inflammation, immune suppression and chronic fatigue.

Try switching your food choices for lower GL (glycaemic load) alternatives such as wholegrains, pulses, root vegetables and increasing your protein intake at each meal.  This can help to regulate the release of glucose into the blood stream.

Are you establishing a regular sleep routine?

The body uses sleep as a means of healing itself and lack of good quality shut-eye can weaken the immune system. Without sufficient sleep, our body makes fewer cytokines - a type of protein that targets infection and inflammation. These infection-fighting proteins are produced and released during sleep, causing a double whammy if you skimp on your shut eye.

With no colleagues to face and no essential morning meetings to attend, we may be tempted to stay up later but let’s try to use this WFH routine time wisely:

-       Avoid sleep stealers such as caffeine and alcohol a few hours before bedtime and stick to a sleep schedule, even on weekends.

-       Exercise daily and experiment with light stretching before bed to aid relaxation.

-       Ditch the late night Netflix binge and social media snooping before bed and unwind with meditation instead.

Want to really bulletproof your immunity? Support with supplements

You really need to stockpile those antioxidants. When you supercharge this “antioxidant potential” you give your immune system a real boost and the best chance. Viruses and bacteria produce oxidants, which are reactive forms of oxygen that damage cells. Simply put, they are bad news. Revving up your antioxidant status at times like this is a really good idea. While vitamin C seems to get all the praise when it comes to immunity, there’s many others essential vitamins and minerals that cannot be overlooked.

With a greater emphasis now being placed on self-care and selecting products that are safe and effective to build up the best immunity possible, Triumph® Monthly Cycle Supplement by Vitropics is ideally placed to do just that. Created by women for women, this Irish-made brand is the world’s first vitamin, mineral, amino acid and botanical supplement that supports beauty, energy, hormonal activity and immunity all in one. Giving women the support they need, just when they need it most.

Triumph® Monthly Cycle Supplement is made in Ireland and designed around the menstrual, pre-ovulation and post ovulation phases with 55 highly bioavailable daily ingredients included in every pack. The supplements are suitable for vegetarians and are sugar and calorie free. Triumph® Monthly Cycle Supplement contains a one-month supply of 30 sachets and 30 tablets, all numbered, colour coded and easy to take. 

Triumph® Monthly Cycle Supplement by Vitropics are available to purchase here for RRP €44.99 per month. They are also offering a monthly cycle auto-delivery service for €40.35 which comes with a free water bottle in your first order