TOP 5 SIGNS THAT YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM IS STRUGGLING

Pandemics, viruses, common colds, and the flu... did someone say, “ahhh chooo”?

What a year it has been for highlighting the seriousness of nourishing our immune systems and overall wellness! Sick of being sick? Tired of feeling tired? If you’ve been wrestling with your immune health for too long and are ready to take control of your wellness...keep reading!

The immune system is an interactive network of organs, cells, and biological processes that work hard to protect our bodies from diseases, harmful microbes, bacteria, viruses, and more. Basically, it's a shield to ward off anything that attempts to compromise our health. It plays such a crucial role in ensuring our bodies operate at their best, so it's vital to nurture our immune system and keep it in top shape for when we need it to fight for our wellness.

At one point or another, we have all experienced tiredness, fatigue, lethargy, infection, allergies, and overall unwellness, right? However, did you know that when these symptoms become chronic or constant, it may be a sign that your immune system needs help and is struggling to function sufficiently? The good news is, you can begin to turn your health around at any time by embracing simple changes to your lifestyle and nutrition.

Wondering why your immunity might be suffering and what you can do to strengthen it? Keep reading!

Good nutrition is essential for ensuring our immune systems perform at their best and our bodies are functioning at an optimum level. Did you know that malnutrition is the most common cause of immunodeficiency worldwide? Convenience, cost, and time can absolutely contribute to the downfall of our nutrition, however, when it comes to the potential side effects of these choices long-term, the investment is well worth it!

We totally understand the challenges involved in ensuring every meal is nourishing your body. To make life that little bit easier, join our ASN Life platform and let us face those challenges for you. Our subscription service will not only ensure each meal is a nutritious one, we'll also provide you with a personalised shopping list and workout plan to relieve you of the guesswork. With a bit of guidance, you can absolutely turn your nutrition around!

Let's talk about fruit and vegetables. You’ve no doubt heard the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, right? Well, while there is some truth to this statement, it certainly doesn’t tell the whole story (as there’s far more than just apples that strengthen and support your immune system). Fruits high in Vitamin C, such as strawberries and oranges, and immune-boosting plant chemicals like leafy greens, are all suggested to play an important role in keeping your immune system fighting strong.

The benefits of vitamin-rich foods are limitless when it comes to nourishing and healing our bodies, and although we know this, we still struggle to consume the daily recommended amount advised to maintain good health. Balancing out these gaps in your diet can be challenging, even on your best days. Fortunately, there is a solution to this that we think you'll love. Switch nutrition has launched a new flavour in their revitalising super greens whole food powder, Vitality Switch - Granny Smith Apple. Packed with 33 nutrient-loaded ingredients to support your vitality and wellbeing, the benefits of this antioxidant-rich, all-in-one greens powder are endless... you'll have to see for yourself!

In today’s society, the chances of us requiring antibiotics at one point or another to help our bodies fight off infection is pretty high. However, research suggests that long-term antibiotic use for recurring infections may weaken the immune system, developing further barriers in our ability to fight infection. Supporting the immune system to strengthen may ultimately decrease infection susceptibility, reduce the need for antibiotic use and make it easier for your body to fight infection while reducing the time it takes to recover.

With so many vitamins on the market nowadays, we understand it can be challenging to know what to take to support your wellness and ultimately strengthen your immune system to avoid sickness. Especially during the cooler months where we see a rise in colds, cases of the flu, and infections, now is the time to take action and improve your body's defence. Immunity - a new power-packed formula by Evolve is a great place to start your journey to improving your immunity strength and function. With a flavour like your favourite Vitamin C tablet and conveniently inclusive of all of the vital ingredients needed for quality immune support, Evolve Immunity will undoubtedly become your go-to immune support supplement you won't be able to live without. This powdered formula has been considerately designed for everyday use, no matter the season or lifestyle.

All bodies are different, and so is our capacity to move and engage in physical activity. But, don’t you wish you could hold on to those post-exercise endorphins for as long as possible?

Research indicates that not only is exercise beneficial for overall fitness and physical health, it may also boost your immune system and support immune regulation. It is recommended that as little as 21 minutes a day of regular to moderate exercise, such as walking or cycling, may encourage the development of a healthier immune system and support your body to maintain good health. We often spend that time scrolling on our phones or diagnosing our symptoms with the help of ‘Doctor Google’, when we could eliminate them by getting up and moving our bodies. Exercise encourages increased water consumption, healthier sleep patterns, and improved mental health to name a few, all valuable habits that will continue to support a happier, healthier immune system.

The gateway to good health is through your... gut! Did you know that about 70% of immune cells and tissues are in the gut's lining or in the gut itself? This means your gut microbiome shares an intimate connection with your immune functionality, so if your gut health isn't in shape, neither is your immune health, leaving you more susceptible to illness, infections, skin issues, and more!

Improving digestion and nutrient absorption is essential for boosting your immunity, and it's a lot easier than you think. As your gut is connected to every other system in the body, improving its health is something everyone can benefit from. Gut Instinct by Evolve Nutrition is the ultimate comprehensive gut health supplement formulated with the support of ASN's in-house Nutritionist (Matt Kemsley). This nutrient-packed formula already has such a loyal following due to its countless benefits and powerful ingredients; Zinc, L-Glutamine, Marine Collagen, Slippery Elm, and Probiotic Matrix, to name a few. Best taken first thing in the morning, this delicious and refreshing vitamin-rich product will change the way you start your day... for the better!

'Stress less'... easier said than done, right? In this fast-paced day and age, it is almost unheard of to know someone who isn't experiencing some form of mental or physical stress. We tell everyone to take care of themselves, but are we doing the same for ourselves? The likely answer to this is... not as well as we could be.

The link between our immune function and stress is a strong one. Are you eating healthy foods yet still manage to catch every cold that goes around? Do you struggle to switch off before bed and, in turn, suffer from a lack of sleep? Do you train hard at the gym without scheduling in much-needed rest days?

Stress has a way of seeping into our everyday lives and wreaks havoc on our immune system, generally without us even knowing the root of the cause. Increased stress levels can produce higher than ideal cortisol levels, which can weaken the immune system by hindering the body's ability to create an anti-inflammatory immune response. In other words, our immune system doesn't function well when we are stressed. Learning to identify and manage lifestyle stressors isn't always an easy process, but it's one our bodies will be thankful for. Support your body through periods of stress by:

1. Listening to your body. If it needs a rest, give it one.
2. Goal-setting is a great way to improve optimism, regain control, and create a positive sense of commitment.
3. Physical activity has proven to have positive effects on mental health as well as physical health. Try going for a walk at the end of the day to clear your mind and unwind.
4. Join a support group. Sharing your story with like-minded people is a great way to debrief and learn healthy coping mechanisms.

Optimising your health and wellness is more important now than ever before, and it can be achieved with a few simple lifestyle tweaks. Take a minute to reflect on how you can implement these changes into your life to support your immunity and overall wellness.