Dr Michael Barnish introduces REVIV

Why our immunity drops in Autumn & common reasons we get colds.

There are several reasons thought to be linked with Autumn and reducing the body’s immune responses:

1. Lower vitamin D levels. With the lack of sunlight exposure on our skin in the winter months, a large proportion of the population are prone to lower vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for immune function and therefore can affect our levels of immunity. The T cells, our immune system’s killer cells directly need vitamin D to activate.

2. The cold weather. Cold or cooler weather is thought to play a large role in reducing the body’s immunity. The cold weather can affect the normal, protective function of the nose. This is our body’s front-line defence and by cooling down it can affect and slow down the protective functions, such as mucous production and the collection of dust and microbes. Colder air is dryer air and therefore alters these functions. The colder weather is also thought to have a more systemic response, and slow down metabolism, resulting in a more sluggish immune response. 

3. With slower, less effective immune responses, bacteria and viruses can multiply into greater numbers, allowing for their greater and more effective spread to others during colder months. 

4. Diet also plays a role. There are several studies that suggest people go for more comforting foods during the colder, winter months. Therefore, we tend to eat less food in its raw state. Cooking depletes the nutritional state of foods we consume, with enzymes, proteins, vitamins and antioxidants all being affected. Our immunity will therefore slow to respond to microbes.

5. Heating. Central heating systems and the lack of fresh air impact on our mucous membranes, including the nose. Dryer noses have reduced defence against bugs and therefore this can add to the picture. 

6. Greater chance of prolonged exposure to others. With us trying to shelter from the cold, we as humans, are more likely to reside indoors for more prolonged periods, usually resulting in prolonged exposure to other individuals, all of whom are exposed to the previous points. This helps the bugs multiply more successfully between individuals, increasing the incidence of colds and flus during cold times. 

How to avoid getting sick/ boost your immunity

The best way of avoiding getting sick is to feed our bodies with the adequate nutrition it needs to maintain a healthy immune system. 

There are many of the points above that we cannot avoid, due to the cold weather, but we can build our body’s defence more successfully to minimise symptoms and frequency of colds and flus during the winter. 

So, to fight against these problems we need to arm our bodies with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to help the body to deal with the over exposure to bugs and to stay healthy throughout the winter period. Essential vitamins and antioxidants that can really help do this are vitamin C, Glutathione, vitamin D and the B vitamins. 

Vitamin C is a master antioxidant and helps to eliminate toxins from the cells. It boosts the immune system and even recycles other antioxidants, enhancing their effects. Foods rich in vitamin C are strawberries, kiwi fruits, red peppers, citrus fruits, broccoli, tomatoes and basil. Be sure to eat these raw as cooking depletes the vitamin C content drastically. 

Glutathione is a master antioxidant that protects our immune cells from toxic build ups and provides one of the best cell defences from toxins made by bugs. It can also help speed up excretion of toxins from the liver. Foods rich in sulfur can help to boost glutathione levels. These include garlic, broccoli, kale, spinach, cauliflower and parsley. 

Vitamin D is vital for immune health and supplementing during the winter is advised in many countries around the world, due to the lack of sun exposure we have during these months. Many vegan foods are fortified with vitamin D, but mushrooms are a good natural source. If the mushrooms are sat in the sun for even just 15 seconds, they can boost their vitamin D levels prior to eating them. It is wise to supplement with extra vitamin D if you are wanting to protect yourself against the bugs, prevalent during Winter.  

B vitamins are essential for nervous system health, immune health and increase the oxygen carrying capacity of your blood, providing energy and better concentration. Vegan sources of B vitamins are present in many vegetables, however to attain vitamin B12, spirulina and chlorella are good sources. 

To supplement more effectively and give the body a better fighting chance against the winter bugs these powerful micronutrients can be given via the vein in an intravenous vitamin drip or via the muscle in an intramuscular booster shot. This allows for an immediate and highly effective increase of the bodies levels of these vitamins and antioxidants. The best way to do this is with the global leaders in Intravenous therapy, REVIV. Their formulas are safe and very effective and their sole aims are to improve wellness, hydration and prevent minor illness and disease. 

REVIV offer several IV and IM therapies as well as individualised products, mostly rich in vitamin C, glutathione and the B vitamins. They also offer a recovery infusion that not only gives the immune system a boost with these essential vitamins, but will also help relieve symptoms of cold and flu fast so that productivity is not compromised. 

These infusions supplement the body rapidly and can help to maintain health during the winter months. 

* Quotes by Dr Michael Barnish, Head of Genetics & Nutrition. Dr Barnish is an international medical doctor, specialising in preventative health and genetics. 

Published: 8-Nov-2019: (5632)