Super-Charge your Health This Winter with Super-foods

During the winter months, we occasionally forget to take care of ourselves, especially when we have children, a busy work schedule, a long daily commute and simply have too much on our plates. Not only do we feel run down but our immune system will be the first body system to show signs. The shorter days and lack of sunshine are also to be blamed for. So how do we embrace winter on a positive health note? Should we emphasise on ‘superfoods’. Superfoods have been given this description simply because they have more nutrients in a concentrated amount than other foods and may provide us with several health benefits.

It is well known that particular herbs and nutrients help to support our immune system, like Vitamin C and Echinacea for instance. Eating the rainbow is an easy way for us to have a colourful plate and the more colours we aim for, the more plant nutrients we consume. Occasionally we need to think outside of the box and reach out to bring variety to what we put in our body.

Have you thought of topping up your intake of mushrooms? Exotic as well as common varieties of mushrooms have shown to boost our immune health. Reishi, Shiitake, Maitake, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps and Chaga have been associated with supporting endurance and boosting strength whilst also supporting the body in fighting viruses and infections. The exceptional qualities of mushrooms are attributed to their beta-glucans, which naturally occur in their cell walls. Beta-glucans are also found in oats, yeast, bacteria and cereals but have the highest immune modulating abilities in mushrooms. In simple terms, the beta-glucans in the mushrooms stimulate our immune system and can help the healing process. Doesn’t nature surprise us all the time? Well the immune properties of a type of mushroom has been said to work better with other mushrooms and herbs with similar properties, than on their own therefore creating a more powerful action.

Indulge in berries and their extracts this winter, as they are wonderful and beautiful immune supporting tools. They are low in natural sugars but nutritionally dense in natural plant compounds: quercetin, catechins, resveratrol, and anthocyanins – the pigments responsible for their brilliant red, blue and purple colours. Rose hips are a great source of vitamin C too.

If you are feeling adventurous, how about incorporating some ‘micro-algae’. These have been spread across the media and no wonder why! Spirulina and chlorella are very popular and can be found in supplement form and in green powders. Chlorella for example; contains a specific substance that is known as the ‘chlorella growth factor’ –a combination of sugars, vitamins, amino acids amongst many others –that have shown to strongly support the immune system. To top it off, chlorella also helps to provide you with a rich blend of vitamins, minerals including vitamin D, iron and manganese. Iron helps to contribute to higher energy levels, essential to keep up with a busy lifestyle. Spirulina is a favourite of ours with its higher percentage of protein to chlorophyll. It also provides a great source of omega 6 essential fatty acid and is high in antioxidants.

Superfoods are there to help, but do not forget the simple habits of a good night’s sleep, keeping up with our fluid intake (besides tea and coffee), keeping an active lifestyle and eating balanced meals. Shorter days and the lack of sunshine can have an effect on our moods and put us in hibernation mode. So awaken your senses, get into a routine and embrace winter.

 At Kijani, we recommend to take one scoop of Amazing Grass Immunity Blend daily. It contains a powerful blend of immune supporting ingredients: probiotics, organic mushrooms, organic acai berries, organic rose hip, vitamin A, C, D and K, micro-algae and cereal grasses.

References

EU Commission Nutrition and Health Claims Register (2015)

Akramiene D,  et al. Medicina (Kaunas) (2007).Effects of beta-glucans on the immune system. Univeristy of Medecine: Department of Phyisiology. Lithuania.

Bartram, T (1998).Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine.UK

Chen S et al. (2010).Effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy older subjects: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med.

Kent M et al.(2015) Nutritional Evaluation of Australian Microalgae as Potential Human Health Supplements. PLoS One.

Wu SJ et al.(2013).Immunomodulatory activities of medicinal mushroom Grifola frondosa extract and its bioactive constituent. Am J Chin Med