NATURAL IMMUNE SUPPORT
By Elizabeth Harfleet
Hello, I’m Elizabeth Harfleet, a full-time Methodist minister in Dartford and also a qualified Nutritional Therapist. In my work as a minister, I enjoy sharing the benefits of nutrition with the people and communities I work with. Nutritional therapy is not just about diet but is a whole person approach which aims to harness Nature’s tools in supporting the human body’s innate healing ability.
Essential Fats Essential Fatty Acids are essential for many bodily functions, including hormone production and maintaining healthy joints and skin. Omega 3 is noted for its anti-inflammatory properties and can be found in oily fish, like salmon, tuna and mackerel, as well as in flaxseeds, nuts and seeds. Coconut Oil Coconut oil’s versatility and antimicrobial properties make it a store cupboard staple. You can cook with it; apply it to the skin and hair; use it as a massage oil or to nourish dry skin. It can even be applied to the external bladder area, for those prone to bacterial urinary tract infections. Turmeric Turmeric is far more than just a colourful curry ingredient but has lots of health benefits too. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can help to support all kinds of health conditions. It can be used in sweet and savoury recipes in either powder or whole root form. Turmeric can also be taken as a dietary supplement.
Our immune system is an amazing defence mechanism which operates within our other bodily systems. As up to 70% of our immune system is located within the digestive tract, maintaining a healthy gut is essential for an efficient immune system. Whilst our immune system will successfully deal with many challenges, inflammation is the immune system’s response to harmful stimuli and may be the first symptom of an imbalance within the body. Here are a few things which could help to support immune function, so reducing the potential for inflammation to occur.
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I always recommend taking things slowly, noting how you feel and what your body is telling you. The dietary and lifestyle choices you make each Vitamin C day really can help to shape your Vitamin C is famously important health and wellbeing. for supporting the immune system and can be found in many fruits Deacon Elizabeth Harfleet is an and vegetables, including green ordained Methodist minister serving leafy vegetables, broccoli, peppers, in the North Kent Methodist Circuit blackcurrants and citrus fruits. Fruits and a qualified nutritional therapist. and vegetables are also a good source Elizabeth is unable to offer individual of other vitamins and minerals. appointments. This information is not a substitute for personal medical Vitamin D advice, diagnosis or treatment, Vitamin D is essential for bones, teeth and does not take into account any and muscles as well as immunity. individual’s health conditions. Regular exposure to sunlight enables Contact: e.harfleet@gmail.com the body to make Vitamin D. Dietary sources include mushrooms, soya milk, oily fish and fortified breakfast cereals. Vitamin D can also be taken in supplement form.
