How To Boost Your Immunity By Supporting Your Gut Health

Our gut health and our immune system are intrinsically linked. 70% of our immune cells reside within the gut, and these cells are impacted daily by our dietary choices and our stress levels. Also housed within our gastrointestinal tract is the GALT – gut-associated lymphoid tissue. The GALT is the largest mass of lymphoid tissue found within the body. It comprises specialised immune cells known as B cells and T lymphocytes, which work to destroy invading pathogens and protect our overall immune health. When our gastrointestinal tract is in an inflammatory state or experiencing dysbiosis, our GALT can become dysregulated and disrupt our overall immunity. This can lead to frequent colds, infections and general depletion of our overall vitality.

Implement stress management practices.

Stress has far-reaching effects and directly impacts our gut via stomach acid secretion. When we are experiencing a stressor, the motility of our stomach halts, digestion ceases, and the body directs blood supply to the periphery and away from the gut so that we can deal with the perceived stressor. If your body is constantly responding to stress, your blood flow continuously decreases, stomach acid production ceases, and digestive enzyme secretion becomes dysregulated. Our stomach acid plays a vital role in neutralising and killing off harmful bacteria. Therefore if stomach acid is inadequate, harmful bacteria can thrive and cause a state of dysbiosis which ultimately wreaks havoc on our immune system. We recommend consuming our Adapt blend daily if you're experiencing a period of increased stress. It is filled with wonderful adaptogens that work to buffer the impact of stress on the body.

Feed your good gut bugs

Dysbiosis is a state of imbalance between the organisms in our body's inherent microflora. Dysbiosis is linked with many chronic health conditions and is associated with high levels of inflammation. One step towards healing dysbiosis is to nourish the good gut bacteria and starve the bad. You can begin to do this by implementing a wide range of prebiotics into your diet. Prebiotics are essentially types of fibre that humans cannot digest but are instead digested by our beneficial gut bacteria. Some great examples include slightly unripened bananas, onions, garlic, asparagus, leeks, zucchini, celery, and apples. We love making our favourite gut-healing stewed apples in winter with our Chai Latte Powder.

Increase your intake of anti-inflammatory spices

Herbs and spices are jampacked full of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients that work to enhance your digestion, optimise circulation, support healthy blood sugar levels, and much more. Integrating spices into your cooking is easier in the winter, with most of us opting for warming broths or soups. Our favourite spices are turmeric, ginger, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, rosemary, clove, and fennel. A wonderful spice blend can be found in our Rooibos Turmeric Chai which contains Rooibos, cinnamon, clove, ginger, cardamom, turmeric, and black pepper. This blend boasts many benefits, from anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and circulatory stimulants to carminative and digestive tonics!

Support your detoxification pathways and make healthy choices

Nourishing your lymphatic system is a sure way to enhance your immune system. Our lymphatic system is an intricate network of vessels connecting to lymph nodes throughout our body. Overall, it functions to drain fluid and protect us from infection. Within lymph nodes, there are lymphocytes (specialised white blood cells) that work to destroy foreign microbes or damaged cells. These microbes are then filtered throughout our lymph, delivered to the liver or kidneys for processing, and eventually eliminated via the gastrointestinal tract. By supporting your liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract, you are effectively enhancing your immunity. Staying hydrated, increasing your fibre intake, and engaging in regular exercise are simple ways to prioritise these detoxification organs. Our Cleanse Tea is specially formulated to nourish your detoxification organs, containing a blend of Tulsi, Nettle, Dandelion, and Red clover for optimal cleansing.

Opt for healthy switches with your food and drinks

It's no secret that our modern diet is filled with an abundance of sugars, preservatives, emulsifiers, flavours, and additives. Unnecessary sugars, flavours, and colours wreak havoc on our blood sugar, energy levels, and immune system if frequently consumed. We recommend shopping the outer aisles of your supermarket, which are filled with less processed options, and beginning to read ingredient labels, so you are aware of what you consume daily. Some healthy switches that you can make to prioritise your everyday health include:

Milo > Mayde Tea Drinking Chocolate

Vegetable Stock > Bone Broth

Cereal > Granola/ Oats

Muesli Bars > Homemade bliss balls

Packaged chips > Kale chips/ edamame

Margarine > Butter/ Ghee

Chocolate > 70%+ Cacao

Commercial Iced Tea > Mayde Tea Hibiscus Lemon Mrytle Iced Tea

A great rule of thumb is to eat less from a packet, more from the earth, and always opt for a rainbow of colour on your plate. Your gut and immune system will thank you for it.