Immunity is an obvious thing to support.

A few things I think about when doing this for clients:

1. For training, when you get ill – normally it takes 5-7 days. Viruses take around this long to multiply and get hold of the system.
2. Then you are ill for 5-7 days. Anti-bodies take about this long to develop and learn the invaders ‘code’ before defeating it.
3. Then you are getting back on track for 5-7 days.

So, one URTI (upper respiratory tract infection) or flu can scupper 3 weeks training. NIGHTMARE.

That’s why you need to take preventative action to support the immune system. Please download this guide (for free). I’ve included the guide at the end of this email also to save you having to download it.

In terms of powerful actions for immune function the 3 most important ones I’ve found are;

1. Washing hands and quarantine ill people away from the group (hard to do with your kids, team or workmates or partner!) haha.
2. Take Vitamin D during the winter. This habit seems to keep people from 3 bad colds or flu per year (if deficient) to less than 1.
3. Use mushroom extracts and berries to support immune function. At the onset of feeling run down or illness, take 2-4 servings of Immune Power across a day.

Why did I develop the drink? Honestly. It was because the mushroom and berry blend drink I’d been using for years went out of production.

Including that in teams and athlete programmes had virtually eradicated URTI’s. We tracked them with the medical teams and after including our immune protocols and immune drinks, it went to virtually zero from a real issue, losing players to illness can obviously cost you games, matches and the premiership if you are not careful. 

Losing key members of staff can have the same impact in the corporate space and if you work for yourself, no show for work = no pay.

So I looked at the drink composition, the active ingredients of my old favourite and I doubled the actives and enhanced the whole spec, however, I kept it at the same price and put in additional items I was having to add manually from other powders (vitamin D, probiotics and zinc). So now you have it. Double the sized serving, double the sized tub.

Personally, I’m now suffering from an average of 1 cold per season rather than the 3-4 I used to have before then (people who know me a long time can verify that). Quite often I feel a little run down, or the kids get sick and then I know I’ve got to step up my own immune protocols for a few days while we’re in the red zone. I do the same with travel and after I’ve been in groups of people I’ve not seen for a while or going into clubs or camps.

So go ahead and grab yourself a pot.  It's currently on at Buy One Get One Free - just add TWO to your basket and you'll only pay for one.

Oh, and one last thing, if your immune system is strong you repair faster. Similar system. If it’s compromised, you repair slower we have a finite capacity to build new proteins. Any immune-enhancing protocol can also support training recovery and adaptations. Similarly, immune compromise from low-grade intolerance or infection will compromise performance.

If you like the information please do review the products or feedback on the site, share on social media on so on. It all helps the #aminofamily grow and #staystrong.

IMMUNITY

Below is an extract from my immune module on my sports nutrition course – enjoy!

Think of immune protection in 3 stages;

• Prevention
• System support
• Recovery when ill

What can I do to avoid getting ill and recover quickly if I get ill?

IMMUNE SUPPORT AND TRAINING

Balance training with recovery – don’t go overdrawn

Nutritional Recovery is key to enhancing the immune response

Recover aggressively and appropriately after each exercise session

Use Antioxidants as part of your recovery strategy when you feel you may be immune-compromised

Add a scoop of Immune Power to your recovery shake

Always take a recovery shake after each session

LIFESTYLE HABITS TO AVOID ILLNESS

• Basic hygiene
• Wash hands regularly
• Avoid ill people
• Avoid places where many hands meet
• Avoid dehydration
• Never share glasses or drinks bottles
• Immunity is lowered after intensive exercise
• Pay particular attention to post-training immune support during winter months
• Maintain constant temperature
• Avoid frequent fluctuations in temperature

STRESS, SLEEP AND THE CORTISOL CONNECTION

• Exercise induced stress and mental stress are the same to the body
• Avoid becoming stressed out unnecessarily
• Use stress management techniques like meditation and visualisation to help combat mental stress
• If you are not sleeping well seek help, there are many natural remedies that help proper sleeping patterns e.g. R5 Aminos.

NUTRITIONAL & PHYSICAL INFLUENCES

• Higher tissue turnover
• Higher requirement for nutrients
• Modern food is low in essential nutrients
• Deficiency or suboptimal nutrient status in essential nutrients e.g. vitamin D and zinc
• Eat organic where possible
• Avoid anti-nutrients, see list below
• Avoid empty calories, see list below

AVOID THESE (ANTI-NUTRIENTS) 90% OF THE TIME;

• All refined foods
• Sugar (except post training)
• Excess Caffeine
• Alcohol
• Cakes, biscuits and pastries
• Crisps and confectionary
• Soda Pop
• Refined Wheat
• Chips
• Fast and junk foods
• Snack a jacks
• Doughnuts
• Sugary Breakfast cereals
• All chemically assisted foods

DO THIS;

• Eat vegetables or fruit each time you eat
• Choose veggies or fruit which are high in antioxidants
• Choose organic whenever possible
• When it’s not possible then wash all veggies and fruit thoroughly – then go and buy some organic ones – look at dirty dozen and clean 15 list on www.ewg.org

UNDERSTAND THIS;

• Excess wheat and refined wheat suppresses immunity in sensitive individuals
• Excess dairy may cause excess mucous production
• If you are constantly ill then food intolerance can be a cause

ACTION POINTS;

• Avoid Wheat and food intolerances
• Choose non-wheat based unrefined cereals
• Choose wheat free pastas and breads
• Use different grains like quinoa, wholegrain rice or buckwheat

RECOVERY WHEN ILL – AND ADDITIONAL TIPS TO AVOID GETTING ILL

• Chicken Soup is a proven immune-boosting recipe
• Thai Tom yum soup has additional immune and recovery benefits
• Both of these will help recovery from injury and immune support

HERBS AND SPICES;

All herbs and spices may help immunity, inflammation and health use the following regularly;

• Turmeric
• Garlic
• Ginger and Thai ginger
• Lemon grass
• Coriander
• Chilli's
• Coconut Milk
• Cumin
• Allspice
• Cinnamon
• Lemon
• Try out our immune-boosting ready mix, organic spice mix here

AS SOON AS YOU SENSE ILLNESS

• Make sure you are eating lightly according to the basic principles
• Use immune power 1-4 times per day
• Increase your intake of vitamin C from food and supplements
• Drink Cat’s Claw tea and add ginger and lemon
• If you have a cold then take a dessertspoonful of Sambucol 4 x per day
• Use Manuka honey in detox tea to clear mucous and support immunity
• Increase use of bovine colostrum

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

• Use the immune supplements provided to support your immunity
• Chinese Green Tea may have specific additional immune-boosting properties
• Manuka honey also has immune-supportive properties

IMMUNE RECIPE TIPS

• Hot lemon, ginger and honey; use 1 teaspoon manuka honey, ½ lemon and 1 teaspoon or powdered or fresh ginger, add our immune spice mixes to this
• Use tom yum soup paste to make soup and drink this regularly
• Add shitake and other mushrooms to recipes regularly – using the immune power formula
• Eat fresh lightly cooked vegetables regularly
• Eat vitamin C rich fruits regularly, lemon and kiwi are excellent

Keep well!

Matt