Everyday Health

1. Be Fit to Party This Christmas - Increase your immunity

We are getting to the end of a long year and we are all pretty tired and in need of a  holiday. The kids are all worn out coming up to the end of the school term.  Grown-ups need to relax, but unfortunately still have all the Christmas organising and parties to go to.  So consequently when we finally stop and try to relax we often fall sick.  If possible try and look after yourself in the next few weeks.  Sleep is very important, so even if you are busy plan some early nights.  This is a great time of year for increasing your vitamin C naturally by eating more fruits and vegetables.  Vitamin A is also important for immunity of the mucous membranes and can be found in plant form in red/orange fruits and vegetables.  Add some pumpkins seeds to increase your zinc or have some nice fresh fish.  Alternatively try taking a multivitamin and mineral formula now to boost those immune and stress protecting nutrients (B vitamins and magnesium), to avoid that end of work/term crash.

2. Knock Seasonal Allergies OnThe Head !

It’s a shame that for some people when all the trees and plants are coming into flower they start to feel miserable.  There are however a number of things that can be done to reduce your reactions to pollen in the atmosphere.  One is to do a liver detox at the start of the season.  Your liver has to handle all the inflammatory chemicals released in an allergic reaction, so easing its load will help.  Digestive health is important too as 70 % of our immunity is in this area.  Many people have food allergies or intolerances that cause inflammation in the digestive system and this can exacerbate reactions to air-borne allergens.  The main culprits tend to be dairy or gluten, so you could try excluding one at a time for two to three weeks to  see if your symptoms improve.   Even if dairy is not an allergic substance for you it is still contributes to mucous congestion, so try and keep dairy foods to a minimum.  Probiotics are also helpful for maintaining good gut health.

Allergies are all to do with inflammation, so taking a natural anti-inflammatory products can help.  So for example you could have fish or krill oils, quercetin (a flavonoid that come from fruits),   MSM (methylsulphonylmethane).

3. Mosquito Bites

One of my pet hates. There is nothing worse than being at a dinner party and feeling the urge to scratch that new bite.  After 18 years of being here I have fortunately built up some resistance and don’t swell up like a balloon when I am bitten; but still the itching can drive you mad.  Of course the advice is to cover up with clothes or insect repellent at sun down (or sit next to an English person who is more preferable to bite).  Taking vitamin B1 (thiamine) is supposed to help, but you would need to take it regularly rather than just as a singe dose.  If you do get bitten I have found neat lavender oil applied immediately to the bite stops the itching.

4. Sun Sense

These days it is a fine balance between getting enough sun to top up your vitamin D levels while not getting burnt and cause serious skin damage.  Approximately 90% of the body’s vitamin D requirements can be synthesised by way of the skin, with adequate daily exposure to sunlight. It appears that  a daily short burst of sunlight without burning yourself seems to be the answer.  I found some information about this on the bpac NZ web site and they recommended approximately 6-8 minutes in the months December – January, between 10 am and 2 pm.    They also say 20% of the body being exposed is sufficient, so arms and legs in shorts and T shirt is fine.   http://www.bpac.org.nz/magazine/2011/june/vitamin-d.asp

The Ministry of Health advises some sun exposure before 11 am or after 4pm. http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/nutrition-vitamin-d#2

So I guess just be sensible have a little sun, but keep using the sun cream for the majority of the time.  If by some misfortune you get caught out and do get a bit of sunburn you can pull out your lavender oil and use that to sooth the burns.  Otherwise find an aloe vera plant and use the sap from inside the leaves on the burn, it is very cooling and soothing.

5. Don't let fungal infections get in the way

When the weather gets warmer and more humid there is more of a tendency towards fungal infections.  This time of year feet may be prone to  athletes foot, especially as we hit the gym or start walking to lose that extra winter weight.  Try to keep shoes aired and off your feet when walking round at home.  You can use manuka oil topically and this works a treat. Baking soda in your shoes draws out moisture and helps with odour. You can also soak your feet in a bowl with baking soda dissolved in it or vinegar, Epsom salts or tea tree oil . 

Women may also suffer from yeast infections that cause thrush and men can get “jock itch” in this warmer weather.  Make sure if you are exercising or when it’s time to go in the sea, not to hang round in damp clothes.  The digestive system can also have excess candida, that for women migrates from the bowel to the vagina.  Taking specific probiotics designed to target either digestive or vaginal health can help support the balance of friendly bacteria so you can get on with enjoying summer.  Eating garlic helps as it is a natural antifungal.