
7 min read
Article 1: The Pocket Guide to Seasonal Health
Posted By
James LaBove
Why seasons really influence our health.
Seasonal changes are a mixed bag of feelings for most. The dreaded rains of spring and the harsh clutches of winter leave most of us pining for the warmth of summer.
The spike in illnesses when the weather turns hardly goes unnoticed. Whilst they're mostly associated with heading into winter, no season is a breeze. Hay fever hits in the Spring and Summer, then you're knocked down by the common cold in Autumn, and on top of that are lingering viruses and bacteria that do the rounds in between seasons.
Everyone is at some risk; especially children, the elderly and those already suffering from pre-existing conditions.
Why the weather affects your health so dramatically.
Well, the reasons aren't that clear-cut. Currently, most scientists agree that seasonal illnesses are not directly dependent on temperature exposure, but due to other factors that occur in different seasons. For example, in winter people tend to spend more time indoors and closer to each other than they usually do in summer, providing the perfect breeding ground for pathogens (the name for tiny microorganisms that do us harm).
Additionally, while cooler/warmer temperatures do not make us ill directly, the extra stress they exert on our bodies (through trying to maintain an optimal temperature range), means there's more risk of having a weakened defence or contracting a pathogen.
But that's not the be all and end all on the topic of seasonal health. Genetics and our immune system still play an important part.
Did you know that a large proportion of our genes differ according to the time of the year? A study at the University of Cambridge found that almost a quarter of immunological genes tested (22,822) varied between summer and winter across different ethnographic and geographic regions.1 This experiment and other similar ones demonstrate that our immune system reacts to temperature, day light and other environmental factors that are still unclear.2
External stresses and how our immune system responds are the keys to limiting and preventing seasonal illness. Let's talk more about what our immune system looks like.
The Immune System 101
When it comes to health you've probably heard professionals talk about the immune system and you may even have some understanding already about how it functions. Don't worry if it's a mystery to you, we'll give you a brief overview of how our bodies deal with potential threats so you can better understand how to protect yourselves.
Our Immune System
Human beings have 12 body systems and the immune system is one of them. It is responsible for defending the body against external threats (such as allergens, bacteria, toxins, etc.) and internal threats (such as potentially cancerous cells.) There are two main branches of the immune system that work together to provide the best defence possible, the "innate" and the "adaptive" immune responses.
The First Line of Defence The Innate Response
The innate response is non-specific; meaning that although it is quite effective, it will not discriminate against specific bacteria or parasites. Therefore, it is relatively limited compared to the other response; the adaptive response.
Inflammation is one of the main innate responses. On the outside, you may only see a cut as red, swollen, warm and slightly painful. But on the inside, there is a complex system of cells and molecules at play that work to prevent any outside pathogens from entering your body and causing damage.
Long-term Memory? The Adaptive Response
As the name suggests, this part of the immune system adapts to whatever harmful matter enters the body and provides long-term defence against threats. It has a range of different cells and abilities that identify specific patterns on the surface of pathogens and builds a large, targeted response against them.
An easy to understand example comes from our experience with chicken pox. Many of us as children will contract the chicken pox virus which leads to 1-3 weeks of itchy blister-like rashes all over the body. During these weeks, the adaptive response begins to identify and mount a large defence against the virus so that if your body interacts with the virus again it can deal with the threat in a matter of days with no external symptoms.
A Closer Look
This is a very brief description of the immune system, which is incredibly complex and works in an intricate manner to deliver the best defence. To do this it requires the right nutrition and lifestyle support to function at its best. [Watch this video to learn more about the innate and adaptive immune responses.]
There's much we can do to help support our immune system on a day-to-day basis so that when microbes come our way, we're prepared.
Over the next few articles we will delve further into what specific factors can affect our immunity, the importance of nutrition on the immune system, and look at the common cold and simple steps you can take to understand and support your body for long-term gain.
References
- Dopico XC, Evangelou M, Ferreira RC, Guo H, Pekalski ML, Smyth DJ, Cooper N, Burren OS, Fulford AJ, Hennig BJ, Prentice AM. Widespread seasonal gene expression reveals annual differences in human immunity and physiology. Nature communications. 2015 May 12;6.
- Lu W, Meng QJ, Tyler NJ, Stokkan KA, Loudon AS. A circadian clock is not required in an arctic mammal. Current Biology. 2010 Mar 23;20(6):533-7.
Related news
min read
An Introduction to Healthy Ageing – Our 4 Part Series and Must-See Articles
Unlock the art of healthy ageing with Megan Jones' blog series. Learn how diet, protein, and lifestyle impact longevity, and gain practical tips for vitality at every age. Dive into the science of nutrition for a life full of health and independence.
Unlock the art of healthy ageing with Megan Jones' blog series. Learn how diet, protein, and lifestyle impact longevity, and gain practical tips for vitality at every age. Dive into the science of nutrition for a life full of health and independence.
min read
The Lifelong Nutritional Journey: Nourishing Every Life Stage
Join Megan Jones as she delves into the critical role of nutrition from conception to our golden years. Discover how dietary choices shape our health and how Nuzest's Good Green Vitality can bridge nutritional gaps at every stage.
min read
Lifestyle as Medicine + top tips to help prevent lifestyle diseases and optimise your health!
Discover the deep connection between lifestyle and health. The World Health Organization emphasizes holistic well-being beyond just physical health. Learn how daily habits, from diet to sleep, impact our risk of chronic diseases and how modern insights align with ancient wisdom. Embrace a lifestyle that promotes longevity and well-being.
Discover the deep connection between lifestyle and health. The World Health Organization emphasizes holistic well-being beyond just physical health. Learn how daily habits, from diet to sleep, impact our risk of chronic diseases and how modern insights align with ancient wisdom. Embrace a lifestyle that promotes longevity and well-being.
min read
Mind The Nutritional Gap
Modern lifestyles lean towards processed foods, creating a nutritional gap despite available healthy options. This piece explores the reasons and emphasises supplements like Good Green Vitality as a potential remedy.
Modern lifestyles lean towards processed foods, creating a nutritional gap despite available healthy options. This piece explores the reasons and emphasises supplements like Good Green Vitality as a potential remedy.
min read
Navigating Healthy Ageing with the Power of Protein
As we age, it's inevitable that our bodies change. However, embracing proper nutrition and an active lifestyle can greatly influence the rate and manner of these changes. With the UN proclaiming 2021-2030 as the “UN Decade of Healthy Ageing”, it’s clear the spotlight is on the significance of healthy behaviours throughout life.
min read
Ageing Gracefully: Unveiling the Power of Immunity-Boosting Habits for Healthy Ageing
As we age, our immune response undergoes significant changes, closely linked to our nutritional intake. This article delves into how ageing affects immunity, emphasizing the role of a balanced diet, complemented by supplements like Good Green Vitality and Clean Lean Protein, in supporting a healthy ageing process.
As we age, our immune response undergoes significant changes, closely linked to our nutritional intake. This article delves into how ageing affects immunity, emphasizing the role of a balanced diet, complemented by supplements like Good Green Vitality and Clean Lean Protein, in supporting a healthy ageing process.
min read
An Introduction to Gut Health & Nutrition – 5 Must See Articles
Gut health significantly affects overall wellbeing, influencing brain function, immunity, and metabolism. A balanced gut microbiota, influenced by diet and environment, can potentially enhance health, aid digestion, and reduce allergies. The roles of probiotics and prebiotics in gut health are also discussed.
min read
Probiotics vs. Prebiotics
Unleash gut health with probiotics and prebiotics! Strengthen digestion, immunity, and overall well-being. Try Nuzest's Good Green Vitality for convenient support with 8 billion CFU of probiotics. Take charge now!
min read
The Link Between Gut Health & Allergies - Plus 5 Top Tips to Help
Discover the link between gut health and allergies, and how the gut microbiome influences the body's immune response to allergens. Learn how adopting a balanced diet with prebiotics and probiotics can support gut health, reducing the risk of allergic reactions. Explore solutions for allergy relief and fostering a healthier gut with Nuzest’s multi-nutrient formula, Good Green Vitality.
min read
The Great Diet Debate: Unravelling the Tapestry of Popular Eating Plans
Exploring popular diets such as the Mediterranean, Ketogenic, Plant-Based, Paleo, and Intermittent Fasting, this overview highlights their principles, benefits, and considerations. It emphasizes the importance of finding a dietary pattern that aligns with individual health goals and preferences, while suggesting the potential benefits of incorporating a multi-nutrient supplement for overall health.
min read
The Gut Connection: How to Improve Your Digestion and Gut Health in 6 Steps
Discover the significance of gut health and its impact on digestion and overall well-being. Learn six practical steps, including maintaining a balanced diet, staying hydrated, managing stress, and using antibiotics wisely, to promote a healthy gut and enhance vitality.
min read
Does Gut Health Affect Your Immune System? | Do These 6 Things
The gut microbiome, which consists of trillions of bacteria in our digestive tract, plays a crucial role in supporting our immune system and overall health. Consuming probiotics and prebiotics, staying hydrated, managing stress, limiting processed foods, and engaging in outdoor activity and exercise are effective strategies to promote a healthy gut and enhance immunity.
min read
Why Aren't You Recovering From Sickness?
Some of us are a bit too eager to jump back into things after being sick, but this isn't always the best for your recovery.
min read
Protein And Mood: What To Do When You're Feeling Blue
When many of us think about protein, we think muscles. We don’t automatically associate protein with our mood. Perhaps it’s time we did.
min read
Eggnog & Gingerbread Raw Cheesecake
Made with soaked cashews and coconut oil, the cheesecake layers are lusciously smooth and creamy. The date-based cheesecake crust is also gluten-free. These are even better with a bit of whisky, but keep them away from the kids!