HEALTH REPORT
= strong Immune System Healthy Gut
A healthy gut does is vital for immune function, heart and brain health, mood and sleep, and may even prevent some cancers and autoimmune disorders. not just mean good digestion. Gut health Over 2,000 years ago, the Greek physician Hippocrates wrote: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” These words still hold true, although what has changed is the depth of knowledge and research behind them. Scientists are constantly discovering new insights into the complex, multiple connections between gut health and immunity: nearly 80 percent of human immune function is linked to the gut, and restoring gut health can considerably improve every other area of a person’s health. Here are the five key steps you can take to support gut health and improve immune function. Eat up your phytochemicals When your mum told you to eat all your vegetables or you couldn’t have dessert, she was right, with a mountain of scientific evidence now pinpointing the specific phytochemical compounds in fruit and
vegetables that protect against disease and strengthen immunity. Berries, especially blueberries and strawberries, contain ellagic acid, which is known to slow or even prevent the development of carcinogenic tumours in
Soya beans contain saponins that counteract dangerous parasites like Giardia in the digestive tract, and also have cholesterol- lowering properties. Broccoli, cauliflower and kale contain sulphoraphane which boosts production of detoxification enzymes, and apples and grapes provide quercetin, that inhibits the Helicobacter bacterium that causes stomach ulcers. Add herbal helpers Whether used in cooking or taken in supplemental form, herbs are a powerful source of gut-protective and immune- supportive antioxidants. Basil stimulates the immune system to produce more disease- fighting antibodies and also suppresses intestinal parasites. Coriander protects DNA in healthy cells from dangerous and potentially carcinogenic aflatoxins found in mouldy food and peanuts. Turmeric – the golden spice that gives curries their distinctive colour and aroma – is a rich source of curcumin, an antioxidant that fights inflammation. Oregano, the traditional Italian favourite, contains carvacrol and thymol which help the body’s defences to repel pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus and Salmonella. A key herb which helps to heal and strengthen gut function is aloe vera, found in Aloe Vera of Australia Aloe Natural
the lungs, liver and oesophagus. Green tea provides epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which has been shown to kill both human and animal cancer cells in vitro. Tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit are good sources of lycopene, which fights free radicals in the body and has been shown to prevent DNA oxidation. Turmeric is a rich source of curcumin, an antioxidant that fights inflammation.
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ISSUE 62 • 2021
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