It’s quite normal to get sick at least once or twice a year. As long as its short and sweet, it’s a good sign that your immune system is up to to the job but if you keep getting sick your immune system just doesn’t have the fighting power to knock those viruses for six.
Excess sugar
Studies have shown that consuming between 75 to 100 grams of sugar in one sitting can suppress the body’s immune response. That is a HUGE amount of sugar but, lets say, if you have a 600ml bottle of soft drink (64gms of sugar) with a commercial made blueberry muffin (34gms of sugar) you are at 98gms in no time! The World Health Organisation recommends 6 grams of added sugar a day!
The immune suppressing effects begin around 30 minutes after consumption and can last up to five hours. So what you eat next could mean your immune system is stuck in an endless cycle of suppression.
I often see in clinic that when clients are stressed they often tend to go for the more sugary foods as a stress response and comfort factor.
Stress
Another reason why you keep getting sick. Short term stress isn’t a bad thing, it’s just when the stress becomes long term and constant that it begins to directly effect the immune system. Our body secrets a hormone called cortisol in response to stress but if it is continually high it begins to suppress your immune response leaving you more susceptible to viruses and infections that may begin to reoccur every few weeks.
The third reason you keep getting sick could be poor sleep.
Sleep
You may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or even continually wake around 4am. This is also another form of stress on the body. Sleep deprivation also increases cortisol levels reducing your body’s ability to effectively fight of colds and flus.
Watch my video on getting a better nights sleep – HERE
If you are experiencing recurring colds and flus, you need to reassess your diet and lifestyle. If you work with me, I will thoroughly assess your health and use simple and easy ways to get you better.