Brrr….Winter is here! Hopefully, these tips will help you to feel more energised and resilient during the cold season.
Boost your immunity: Winter can increase our susceptibility to colds and respiratory illnesses, so practice good hand hygiene to limit the spread. Eat a nutrient rich diet. Include clean sources of plant or animal protein, fresh fruits and vegetables, leafy greens, citrus and foods high in vitamin C, zinc and antioxidants.
The Grainfields powder range offers a convenient concentrated easily absorbed source of nutrients which can be sprinkled over foods, mixed with liquids or added to smoothies. Our staff picks are Organic Veggie Flora Fix, Organic Protein Powder and Supergreens + Dunaliella.
The gut contains 70 to 80% of the bodies immune cells. Winter can be tough for our senior family members. Gut flora numbers are often lower in the elderly which means they are more likely to suffer from a compromised immune system, resulting in an even more increased risk of respiratory infections. Here is where fermented food supplements like Grainfields may help, not just the Grandparents but the whole family! As the Grainfields liquids are a live active source of beneficial gut friendly flora, drinking some daily helps to boost the immune system via good gut health.
When cold and flu symptoms strike, our best selling Grainfields Organic Lemon & Ginger also has the healing benefits of lemon juice and ginger. Mix the Grainfields with warm water (not boiling hot water as this will deplete the good flora) and add raw organic honey or even better, manuka honey. This makes an immune boosting, soothing tea/drink which will help ease a sore throat.
Even in mild winters like we have here in QLD, less sun exposure can reduce vitamin D levels. Early morning sun or late afternoon sun exposure when UV levels are low or using vitamin D supplements can help maintain immunity and bone health. Foods high in vitamin D include fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel), eggs, dairy and mushrooms. Why not try our Flora Mushroom Powder for an extra concentrated source of mushrooms! Not only are mushrooms high in vitamin D, they also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Plus they are a good source of protein, vitamins, and iron.
Stay active despite the chill: It might be tempting to laze around and binge watch Netflix during the winter. But that’s the opposite of what our bodies and minds need.
When we exercise, our bodies release endorphins, which boost our mood and reduce stress. So, exercise isn’t just about burning kilojoules; it’s essential to our mental and physical wellbeing. Physical activities like a daily walk supports our cardiovascular health, lifts our mood and helps to strengthen the immune system.
If it is too cold to exercise outdoors, indoor workouts at home or at the gym can help us stay active.
Aches and pains: For some, the colder weather can cause body pain, stiff joints and arthritis flare ups. It is very important in these cases, especially for seniors to maintain movement which increases blood flow and helps to keep the joints lubricated. Gentle chair based exercises, stretching, tai chi and yoga may help. Research into anti- inflammatory supplements which contain turmeric have shown they help ease joint pain. Our staff and many of our customers have mentioned good results from using the Grainfields Artamix with Turmeric & Black Pepper to help reduce pain and inflammation.
Winter weather and skin: Due to the drop in temperature and lack of humidity, our skin can have difficulty retaining moisture. The skin is stripped of its essential oils, disrupting the skin barrier. For many people this can result in dry skin, chapped lips and hands. Also sometimes flare ups of conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Choose gentle natural based skin care products which nourish and feed the skin like the Grainfields GFA range. The GFA products are free from nasty chemicals which can cause irritation. They contain only natural plant based ingredients that help restore the skin barrier to protect against dryness from the wind and cold.
Take good care of yourself this Winter and aways remember, there are warmer and sunnier times ahead!
Sources: Şengün, İlkin Yücel, and Damla Güney. “Probiotic potential of fermented foods and their effects on immune system.” Turkish Journal of Agriculture-Food Science and Technology 9.10 (2021): 1744-1750. Abhay Tiwari, Garima Singh, Umesh Singh, Leena Sapra, Vikrant Rana, Vasudha Sharma, Rupesh K Srivastava, Satyawati Sharma, Edible mushrooms: The potential game changer in alleviating vitamin D deficiency and improving human health, International Journal of Food Science and Technology, Volume 57, Issue 3, March 2022, Pages 1367–137. Therapeutic roles of curcumin– Lessons learned from clinical trials, The AAPS Journal, Gupta, S. C., Patchva, S., & Aggarwal, B. B. (2013). Healthline.com/nutrition/turmeric-and-black-pepper.
