What to Eat to Recover Faster From Illness and Boost Energy Levels

As the seasons change we’re all susceptible to the odd sniffle, cold or even a full-blown bout of flu. But what steps can we take to get back on our feet quickly and completely when illness strikes?

When it comes to ways to boost immunity and improve your body’s ability to fight infection, as well as being able to recover quickly from illness, there are steps you can take from upping your antioxidant intake and improving your diet, to supplementing smartly, taking the right vitamins and tweaking your daily routines.

In this article we outline the best foods to speed up illness recovery and help you to get better more quickly. We’ll also uncover why the LYMA formula could prove to be your secret weapon in the fight against seasonal flu and other coronaviruses, and how it could help to boost your immune system and keep you Covid-free as the colder months roll in.

Alliums are found in almost every cuisine in the world, and include onions, garlic spring onions (scallions), shallots, leeks, and chives. Not only do alliums add depth and flavour to almost any savoury dish, they also have potent health-giving properties.

The immune-boosting properties of alliums can be attributed to their uniquely high concentration of sulfur-containing compound, allicin.

Alliums have been utilised by cultures since time immemorial to fight infections and boost immunity. Garlic in particular has some additional health benefits in that its consumption has been linked to reduced hardening of the arteries, and a lowering of blood pressure.

Vitamin C is probably the most widely recognised of all the immune system augmenting vitamins and minerals. Just consider how many of us routinely turn to orange juice when we fall under the weather, and for good reason: vitamin C has been proven to help speed up cold recovery time.

Whilst vitamin C alone cannot protect you from seasonal colds and flu, there is certainly clinical evidence to show that eating foods rich in vitamin C can increase the production of white blood cells, which are key to fighting infections.

Oranges are not the only vitamin C-giving food, however. Other sources rich in this immune-boosting vitamin are grapefruit, papaya, kiwi fruit, red peppers, lemons and limes. Even just a squeeze of citrus on top of your salad can impart benefits. However, what is important to realise is that your body cannot store vitamin C for later use, so it is fundamental that you meet your requirements daily. Women should be aiming for 75mg of vitamin C per day - roughly the equivalent of one large grapefruit or orange - whilst men should be aiming for 90mg.

It should be relatively easy to obtain all the vitamin C you need through the foods you eat, but if you do opt to supplement make sure you avoid taking in excess of 2000mg per day of vitamin C as this can cause adverse effects.

Turmeric is an easy add-in to curries, soups and stews and can also be blended with nut milk to make a delicious and creamy latte. The active compound in turmeric is curcumin and can provide the immune system with a natural boost by organically enhancing the immune-modulating capacity of the body.

Studies have shown that incorporating a daily dose of turmeric into your diet during periods of stress or during flu season can help to bolster your immune system and keep you protected.

LYMA contains HydroCurc™ which is curcumin in its most bioavailable form. HydroCurc™ is the world’s first 100% cold water dispersed turmeric extract and the LYMA formula contains an unparalleled 600mg of the spice extract. Furthermore, LYMA’s formula utilises a state of the art and novel delivery system called Lipisperse®, a revolutionary technology that enables an increase in the surface area of lipophilic particles in aqueous solution, thus enhancing the bioavailability of curcumin.

Whilst both green and black teas are packed with flavonoids, a type of antioxidant, green tea has the added health benefit of containing potent levels of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Whilst the fermentation process used to make black tea destroys this compound, in green tea - which is steamed rather than fermented - it is left undisturbed. EGCG is a powerful antioxidant in its own right, and has been scientifically proven to bolster immune function and enhance key immune responses in the body.

Green tea also contains high levels of the amino acid L-theanine which has been shown to support and encourage production of macrophages (the germ-fighting compound present in T-cells).

As we look for new ways to boost our immune systems in order to fend off coronavirus and other seasonal illnesses, increasing numbers of people are learning about the power of beta glucan containing foods to strengthen the immune system and protect overall health.

By augmenting your diet and including more immune-boosting foods at each meal, you can minimise your chances of becoming ill. But what exactly are beta glucans? And how can they help stave off illness?

Beta glucans are a form of soluble dietary fibre that, when consumed regularly, have been shown to help boost immunity. Beta glucans are actually a type of sugar - specifically, they are a form of glucose polysaccharide - that is naturally present in the cell walls of bacteria, yeasts, algae, plants, and cereals such as oats and barley.

Beta glucans can be found in foods such as oats, barley, rye and other whole grains, and are also a key constituent of seaweed and algae in both their natural and extracted forms. Certain mushrooms - reishi, shiitake, and maitake varieties in particular - are also high in immune-supporting beta glucans.

However, it can be difficult to know whether you are consuming adequate beta glucans to bolster your health and wellbeing, or indeed whether the beta glucans you are consuming are of a sufficient standard to enhance your body’s key immune responses.

Our Wellmune® Blend, as formulated at 250mg in the LYMA formula, contains the most scientifically researched beta glucans on the market. The Wellmune® Blend’s highly specific 1,3 1,6 beta glucan make-up is derived from a strain of baker’s yeast known as saccharomyces cerevisiae, and is purified and concentrated in the LYMA supplement. Clinically proven to boost our innate, rapid fire immune system, priming white blood cells' neutrophils and macrophages to engage with foreign pathogens, the Wellmune® Blend is a hero nutraceutical.

If you’re concerned about the impact of a potential second wave of coronavirus on your health, or on the health of those you love, consider supplementing with LYMA. Our formula contains powerful patented ingredients, and represents the gold standard when it comes to boosting and protecting your health and wellbeing.