Flu, Colds Season is here!

What can you do to help your immune system, overall wellbeing? 

The wet season is here! As much as we love the rain, so do the bacteria and viruses, which cause common colds and flu. While these microbes are present all-year-round, the wet and humid weather are perfect hosts for them to lurk even more. 

While it is given that you need to be extra careful during heavy downpours, especially when you are pregnant, it also pays to take note of the other measures that can help you maintain a strong immune system, which acts as your body’s first line of defense against cold and flu viruses. 

Generally, there is no cure to common colds and flu, that is why prevention is the best approach to ensure that you do not contract the viruses, which cause these illnesses.   

For Dr. Marissa Romero, an obstetrician and gynecologist, as well as a wellness expert, keeping a healthy lifestyle is key to ensuring a healthy immune system.  

“We have some habits that we, especially women, need to change to ensure that our body, including our immune system, remains in its tiptop condition. And, while we are currently facing a global health crisis, it might also be the perfect time for a lifestyle change,” she added.  

As an OB-GYN doctor, she recommends all her patients to follow the NEW START acronym:  

Nutrition. Proper nutrition plays an important role in keeping your immune system healthy. While eating a well-balanced diet is important, it also pays to try a plant-based diet.  

A plant-based diet consists mostly or entirely of food derived from plants, such as vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and minimal or no animal products. While it strikes as a vegetarian, it is not necessarily the case. 

Romero noted that, if possible, eat your greens and fruits fresh, as if eating a garden salad. “By doing so, you can ensure that you take all the nutrients. Sometimes, nutrients are eliminated in the vegetables when you cook them, which means that you only get just small amounts, as well as the fiber,” she added. 

Another way of ensuring that you get the nutrients from a plant-based diet is by consuming organic food supplements.  

For instance, Santé, a leading provider of premier organic health and wellness products, has Santé Barley. As the company’s flagship product, Santé Barley, is organic pure barley grass that is certified by BioGro, New Zealand’s leading organic certification agency.  

Barley grass has been a subject of interest in the scientific community due to the nutrients you can get from it. A study published in Czech J. Food Sci., barley grass contains significant amounts of proteins, dietary fibers, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Among these nutrients are beta-glucans and Vitamin C, which both help maintain a healthy immune system.  

“For my patients, especially those who are expectant mothers, I always recommend to them to take Santé Barley from the early trimester and even after they gave birth,” said Dr. Romero.  

Another important nutrient that you can get from a plant-based diet is Vitamin C, an essential vitamin, which plays a big role in keeping the body away from illnesses, such as common colds and flu, which weaken the immune system. 

Romero said that our body does not produce this Vitamin on its own. So, you should take it from other sources like citrus fruits and other vegetables. “The food that we eat, on the other hand, might not be enough to get the right amount of Vitamin C that is why we need to take supplements,” she added.  

To help boost your immune system, Dr. Romero explained that you can consider doing a vitamin C flush or bowel tolerance test. This process delivers a high dosage of vitamin C to achieve tissue saturation, which in turn supports the immune system and rapid healing.  

When choosing the right vitamin C, Dr. Romero said that it pays to consider the non-acidic one. Santé’s Daily C, for instance, is an excellent choice. Aside from being non-acidic, it also contains 568mg of sodium ascorbate. It is also a perfect partner for Santé Barley for better immunity. 

Exercise. Keeping yourself active is also important. Dr. Romero noted that everyone is encouraged to exercise at least three to four times a week, regularly. But if you can do it every day, the better. For adults, daily exercise should be at least 30 minutes while an hour for kids.  

Water. Staying hydrated is also important for your health and wellbeing. Dr. Romero recommends drinking eight to nine glasses of clean water every day. “It should not be sugary drinks, such as soda and other juices,” she added.  

Sunlight. Regular sun exposure is the most natural way to get enough Vitamin D, which id good for the bone and in maintaining healthy blood levels. The perfect time to go outside for a 10 to 30-minute sun exposure per week is between 10 to 11 in the morning, says Dr. Romero. Your skin must be reddish to ensure that you get enough Vitamin D. Aside from this benefit, the sunlight is also a natural antibacterial or antiviral.  

Temper (or Emotions). Keeping your temper down also helps in your overall wellbeing. If you feel like you are always angry or any negative emotions, you need to take a moment to relax.  

If you feel stressed out, angry, anxious, or tired, a simple box breathing exercise can help you clear out your mind. This exercise involves simple steps. First, you need to let out all the air in your lungs and keep it empty for four seconds. And then, inhale slowly, leaving your lungs full, also for four counts. You may repeat doing it all over again until you feel relieved and relaxed. 

Air. Another important aspect that you need to know is the quality of the air you breathe. Make sure that the air circulates the area where you live, especially now that most of us are still advised to stay at home as much as possible.  

Romero recommends having plants at home, which help remove toxins and purify the air you breathe.  

Rest. When you sleep, your body restores and repairs various functions--this is also the reason why you need to take a rest to help you fight common colds and flu. Every day, it is advised that you have at least eight to nine hours of sleep.  

When it is time for bed, Dr. Romero recommends that your bedroom is dark to help produce melatonin, a hormone primarily released by the pineal gland, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle. 

Trust (Faith). Having a strong faith is also important to gain inner strength and peace, especially amid the current global health crisis.  

Dr. Marissa Romero is an OB-GYN doctor at the Elguira General Hospital in San Juan City, Pangasinan. She is also among the doctors, who trust the health benefits of Santé products, particularly the Santé Barley and Daily C.