It's time to boost your immunity!

What is immunity?

Immunity is the body's ability to naturally defend itself against parasites, viruses and bacteria responsible for disease: on permanent alert, it identifies them, prevents them from entering or destroys them.

It is a very sophisticated system, which uses several organs and types of cells constituting a real chain, and which must therefore all be in perfect working order.

The immune organs are the bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils and thymus.

When the system malfunctions, it can turn against the body and cause autoimmune diseases.

There are 2 types of immunity; innate and acquired:

• Innate: natural defenses present from birth

• Acquired: the defenses produced throughout our lives, after contact with a pathogen (virus or bacteria). The body then produces antibodies, which fight against its intrusion. If this agent tries to penetrate again, the body will recognize it and prevent its installation.

 

 

Why does immunity decline?

Several factors can weaken the body's natural defenses

• Chronic stress

No, stress doesn't just affect the nervous system! It also strongly affects the body by reducing natural defenses . For what ? Stress creates an inflammatory phenomenon which disrupts the immune system : because of a permanent alert, there is excessive production of cortisol by the adrenal glands, which tires it and weakens it, thus reducing the immune response.

The worst is that it no longer protects the body, but even attacks it and triggers diseases such as diabetes, polyarthritis, psoriasis, thyroid disorders, even cancer.

• Lack of sleep

Sleeping too little makes the body less resistant to infections, because in this case, the cells produce fewer antibodies, and their functioning is disrupted.

It is by sleeping that the body regenerates and promotes the reconstitution of the immune system . Good sleep, long enough and of good quality (between 7 and 9 hours), is a key element in strengthening our natural defenses and protecting us from infectious diseases.
Conversely, lack of sleep leads to a reduction in the production of immune cells and antibodies. Plus the less we sleep, the more we stress, which also weakens our immunity!

 

 

• A poor diet

A major factor in immune deficiency is an unbalanced diet.

Junk food, lack of vitamins and minerals lead to accelerated aging of immunity: T lymphocytes have a reduced proliferation capacity, and therefore vulnerability to microbes is greater.

Older people often have weakened immunity, due to a limited appetite and less varied foods.

• Physical inactivity

Physical exercise acts directly on immunity, by promoting blood circulation and increasing immune cells, it limits the risk of infection.

A lack of sport has the opposite effect.

• Aging

Age is one of the causes of weakening of the immune system: natural defenses decrease with age, an inevitable phenomenon called immunosenescence.

• Cold

The cold is bad for immunity and right now we are directly affected! For what ? In fact, the blood will concentrate on the vital organs. Immune cells circulate less well throughout the body. In addition, in winter viruses abound because low temperatures help microbes to penetrate: dry mucous membrane of the nose, slowed immune response, viral resistance reinforced by the cold and the absence of sunlight... However, sunlight stimulates the synthesis of vitamin D, but also the action of T lymphocytes, essential for a strong immune system.

 

How to boost your immunity?

• De-stress

If we cannot eliminate stress, because there are many factors throughout our lives, we can learn to manage it as best as possible, to reduce the production of cortisol and the inflammatory state.

Taking care of yourself, recharging your batteries, calming down, distancing yourself, finding serenity... so many essential points to promote an effective immune system . Studies have proven that stress hormones reduce the immune response (source Inserm).
You must therefore take every possible moment of relaxation to relax and increase your well-being, meditate, breathe well, play sports, have a healthy lifestyle, and above all sleep well.

• Sleep well

It is recommended to have a routine at regular times,

create a peaceful sleeping environment, in the dark and without electronic devices, even if it means finding a moment of rest during the day, if the night has been bad.

Adopt feng shui colors for your bedroom, cold shades like blue and green, very soothing, even gray, but avoid warm colors. Move the bed as far as possible from the front door, avoid having the feet facing the door, position the headboard against the wall, avoid an invasion of electrical wires and screens, create a calming olfactory atmosphere are all little “tips” that can help.

 

TiL gem !

De-stress and sleep well, easy to say, but not always to do!

This is why TiL, faithful to its philosophy of taking care of the body, the mind and the skin , has designed 2 food supplements which are your best allies :

Our Detox & Glow Beauty Supplement, "La Poudrez Zéro Souci":

This delicious food supplement, in the form of a gourmet powder to be diluted in water or sprinkled on a dessert, is not only detoxifying for the body with its linden sapwood and burdock, but creates real relaxation for the mind. .

Linden flowers maintain optimal relaxation, mental well-being and promote sleep . Known for their calming properties, they soothe the nervous system and are used in herbal medicine to combat nervous fatigue, anxiety and sleep disorders.

They are associated with Lemon Balm which improves the duration of falling asleep and sleep, Magnesium which reduces stress, and vitamin B6 which also contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system.

Our destress beauty supplement, "L'Elixir de Serenité"

Coming from gemmotherapy (the art of healing using the buds of trees which carry all their properties), The Elixir of Serenity is a food supplement which soothes peaks of anxiety. It combines Linden, Hawthorn and Fig buds in a macerate , thus creating THE relief gesture to soothe tension and anxious manifestations.

• Linden: A real tranquilizer with a gentle sedative and hypnotic action to help you fall asleep and avoid waking up at night, even when the little bike is spinning in your head  Recommended for all fears, it treats anguish and anxiety by draining the system nervous, reducing psychological tension, agitation and stress.
• Hawthorn: Anti-stress and sedatives , they calm the nervous system, soothe anxiety and agitation. They limit emotional outbursts in complicated situations.
• Fig tree: They facilitate digestion in all senses of the word, food but also “difficult to digest” moments. They calm anxiety and reduce the feeling of “a lump in the stomach”.

 

A healthy diet

Above all, don't skip meals because sugar levels that are too low can really take a toll on your morale. Priority should be given to foods rich in magnesium, iron, fiber, tryptophan, potassium and B vitamins, which calm the psyche: whole grains, legumes, green vegetables, nuts, hazelnuts and chia seeds, fatty fish and vegetable oils rich in omega 3 and essential fatty acids, banana, dairy products, dark chocolate. Prefer meals rich in carbohydrates with a low glycemic index and low in proteins which increase the concentration of tryptophan, a precursor of serotonin, the happiness hormone.
The immunity foods to favor are yogurts and probiotics, citrus fruits, green tea, garlic and onion, eggs, turmeric, bee products.

Zinc plays an essential role in immunity, as it promotes better defense against infectious agents, such as iron, magnesium, copper and selenium. But also vitamins A, B6, B9, B12, C, D and E.

 

Starting 2024 with top immunity means putting all the chances on your side to have not only good health , but also a rested mind and body, the best weapons to move in the right direction ☺️