2021 Apr Newsletter Archives

5 Ways to Look After Your Immune System Naturally

With all the current concerns around staying healthy and protecting yourself from infection, it’s important to know how to give your body’s immune system daily natural support. We’re constantly exposed to germs and other harmful microbes, and our immune system works hard to prevent them from invading our bodies.

Here are a few daily habits you can follow to keep your immune system strong and healthy.

Smart Diet

The foods you include in your daily diet can provide your immune system with extra support. Whole plant foods (like fruit, vegetable and legumes) should be at the top of your list. They’re packed with nutrients and antioxidants that fight inflammation and help to keep your immune cells strong.

Make sure you also include healthy fats in your diet, like olive oil or oily fish, like sardines and anchovies. They contain fatty acids that help to fight inflammation. Fermented foods like yoghurt and mageu are also good for immunity because they contain live probiotic cultures that prevent an unhealthy imbalance of bacteria in your gut.

Stay Hydrated

Water is essential for a healthy immune system; it carries oxygen to the cells throughout your body and helps to prevent the build-up of toxins. Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning when you wake up, and try to drink several more throughout the day. In cold weather, drink non-caffeinated teas like rooibos to make sure you stay hydrated.

Don’t Lose Sleep

Sleep helps your body to heal and regenerate. It gives your system the chance to make more white blood cells (immune cells) that fight off viruses and bacteria. Being sleep deprived puts a strain on your body and mind. Adults should try to get 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep a night.

Exercise Often

Exercise improves circulation, blood pressure and heart health, making it easier for your immune system to function. Try to get around 30 minutes of medium-intensity exercise 5 days a week for overall better health.

Take Time to De-stress

Stress hormones put an added strain on your system and make it more difficult to fight off infections. Regular sleep and exercise can help to relieve stress, but make sure you also give yourself time to ‘switch off’ and relax.

If you would like more tips regarding your health and nutrition, call LifeAssist and speak to a dietician, at no charge to you.

Busting the Myths about Vaccinations

As the COVID-19 vaccine becomes more widely available, myths and misconceptions about the vaccine also continue to spread. These myths have left many people hesitant to get vaccinated.

What are the most common misconceptions causing this vaccine hesitancy, and is there any truth to them?

Common Myths about the COVID-19 Vaccine

Myth: The vaccine was developed too quickly to be properly tested for safety.

Fact:. The COVID-19 vaccine was produced faster than usual because of the impact it was having globally, which incentivised companies, governments and many organisations to cooperate together in a way that’s never been seen before in history. This knock-on effect was mass funding for the research and development, wherein international quality and control standards were not compromised

Myth: The vaccine will make me sick, either with COVID-19 or with dangerous side effects.

Fact: The COVID-19 vaccines do not contain the active virus and cannot give you the disease itself. Getting the vaccine will also not cause you to test positive for COVID-19. Like any medication, the vaccine can have side effects. Some people may experience some side-effects such as a light fever or muscle aches after they get vaccinated. But this is actually good, in that it means that the vaccine is stimulating your immune system.

Myth: The vaccine is part of a conspiracy to make people sterile.

Fact: The vaccine does not cause infertility. However, the COVID virus itself can be very dangerous to pregnant mothers and their babies. In such cases always obtain advice from your doctor first and if cleared to do so, then yes it will be safe to get the vaccine.

Myth: There is a tracking device in the vaccine.

Fact: There is no microchip or any other type of tracking device in the COVID-19 vaccine, or any other vaccine for that matter. Before a vaccine can be authorised, all ingredients must be checked and approved by an authority like SAPHRA or the NMRC.

Myth: 5G Wi-Fi networks are linked to the spread COVID-19.

Fact: A virus cannot travel over any sort of mobile network or radio wavelength. COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. You can catch the virus by breathing in these droplets, or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your nose, mouth or eyes.

Myth: If I’ve already had COVID-19, there’s no need for me to get the vaccine.

Fact: There is some evidence to suggest that the protection offered by the vaccine is stronger than the protection offered by your system’s natural immunity after recovering from the virus. Nobody knows yet how long the natural immunity might last. Even if you’ve had the virus before, it’s still recommended that you get vaccinated to protect yourself and those around you.

Myth: The vaccine will alter my DNA.

Fact: The vaccine contains mRNA, a substance that sends a message to your cells helping them to recognise the virus as foreign and develop an immune response to fight it. After that, the mRNA is destroyed naturally by your body. It doesn’t mix with any genetic code and doesn’t affect your DNA.

By learning the truth about vaccinations, you’ll be empowered to protect yourself, your family, your staff and your community against the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Contact LifeAssist if you have any further questions or need counselling and support.

Sources:

https://sacoronavirus.co.za/2021/01/12/vaccine-myths-facts-infographics/

https://www.rush.edu/news/7-myths-about-vaccines

https://www.publichealth.org/public-awareness/understanding-vaccines/vaccine-myths-debunked/

https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2021/01/419691/covid-19-vaccine-fact-vs-fiction-expert-weighs-common-fears

https://www.goexpress.co.za/2021/01/28/answers-to-10-common-fears-concerning-vaccines/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ninashapiro/2021/12/27/the-covid-19-vaccine-does-not-cause-infertility-heres-why-people-think-it-does/