H E A LT H
Despite millions of rands invested into medical research, a cure for the common cold or the flu has yet to be discovered.
BOOST THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
W
hile a wide range of
grains. It is equally important to
of haemoglobin, the substance in red
medicines are available
reduce your stress by getting enough
blood cells that carries oxygen from
to reduce the symptoms
sleep and exercise.”
your lungs to transport it throughout
of the common cold and the flu,
She suggests considering adding
your body. Haemoglobin represents
antibiotics are useless against the
vitamin C and zinc supplementation
about two thirds of the body’s iron. If
bugs responsible for these illnesses.
to boost the immune system
you don’t have enough iron, your body
The immune system is the body’s
when a balanced lifestyle and diet
can’t make enough healthy oxygen-
only line of defence. But stress, bad
aren’t enough.
carrying red blood cells.
compromise the immune system’s
VITAMIN C
VITAMIN D
ability to keep the cold and flu at bay.
A well-known immune booster, this
Usually associated with building
powerful antioxidant helps to maintain
strong bones, a growing body of
Terblanche, Medical Officer at
collagen function and heighten the
research suggests that vitamin D is
Samwumed Medical Scheme, who
body’s ability to repair wounds.
vital for the proper functioning of
said that while general healthy
Along with its immune supportive
the immune system. A fat-soluble
living is the best way to give your
function that helps the body fight
vitamin, vitamin D is created
immune system the upper hand,
against bacteria, viruses and other
when the skin is exposed to solar
due to our busy lifestyles this isn’t
sources of infection, vitamin C
ultraviolet rays.
always possible.
also assists with iron uptake
health habits and poor nutrition
This is according to Dr Anél
“While we know what we should be doing to keep healthy, it’s not easy to balance our health and the demands of day-to-day living.” Dr Terblanche said prevention
Doctors suggest we need to
in the body. Iron is an
be exposed to approximately 15
important component
minutes of sunlight per day to create enough vitamin D. It is important to know that supplementation of vitamin
is better than a cure. “Ideally, to
D should only be prescribed
improve your immune system and
and controlled by a doctor,
prevent getting sick, it’s important to get good nutrition by eating enough fruit, vegetables and whole 32
SILVER DIGEST // WINTER 2020
and only in patients who have proven low levels of Vitamin D.
