Winter Immunoboost

Prof. Dr. med. Verena Briner, FRCP at the Swiss medical centre at Waldhotel Health & Medical Excellence.

So here’s your basic three point defence strategy: a healthy well-rounded diet, sunlight and a good night’s sleep. That’s the prevention but some of us need a cure.

Does Winter Cause Colds?

Viruses cause colds not winter weather, however because they survive better in colder temperatures winter can increase your susceptibility. Secondly when we spend more time indoors, not only do we get less sunlight, and less Vitamin D, we’re in closer contact with other people, so viruses are more likely to spread. Finally the cold physically narrows our respiratory blood vessels which may prevent immune boosting white blood cells from reaching the mucous membrane, our first line of defence.

The Sunshine Vitamin

No more than 10% of our vitamin D comes from food, such as oily fish, eggs and dairy products the rest comes from sunlight. When there’s not much sun around we might need a vitamin D boost as it is a vital activator for our innate immune system.

Vitamin Boosting Cuisine

Folic acid, vitamin A, B6, C all give power to your immune system, so eat healthy, pack your diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Generally you only need vitamin supplements if your diet is deficient.

Chef Martin Stein at Switzerland’s Waldhotel is the mind behind Waldhotel’s ground breaking nutrition therapy, Waldhotel Colour Cuisine. He says, “Comparable phytochemicals occur in foods of similar colours, so by creating daily menus around single coloured foods, the body absorbs more of the active substances and it maximises the nutrient power of each dish.” 

On this principle Chef Martin Stein gives us this easy recipe for some at-home Colour Cuisine: a power boosting orange smoothie to start your day. One complete orange, one carrot and two sticks of celery whizzed up with 50g of mango and 200m of water.

Immune Overactivity

Just as debilitating as a weakened immune system is an overactive one can cause allergies or autoimmune diseases.

Preventative Care and Cure

The best way to ensure your immune system is finely tuned is to carry out an in-depth health check. The Waldhotel offers a four day programme, Immunity Boost PRO which includes: consultations, lab tests, biometrics, spa, Vitamin Complex, a Cooking Lab and daily Colour Cuisine. It’s pleasurable, powerful and will give you that vital Winter Immunoboost.