It's important to make sure your immune system is in tip-top shape all year long to help it adequately fight off unwanted bugs.

Here are a few of our favourite ways to keep the immune system strong all year round:

1. Eat the rainbow: We all know we need to eat well to stay healthy, but it’s key for a strong immune system! Getting a wide variety of lean proteins, healthy fats, whole grains and lots of fruits and veggies every day arms your body with the nutrients it needs to keep your immune system in fighting order. Try to limit highly processed convenience foods, as these foods are shown to suppress the immune system. 
2. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep: This may seem like a simple step but it’s one that cannot be stressed enough. Studies show that the immune system is weakened and becomes more susceptible to viruses when you are not getting enough sleep. The Mayo Clinic recommends adults get 7 or more hours of sleep every night for optimal health. If you’re having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep through the night, try a quality magnesium bisglycinate like our PrizMAG Pure Magnesium Bisglycinate – studies show both magnesium and glycine work to promote quality sleep.
3. Get moving. Research tells us that regular exercise can boost the immune system and help the body to ward off illness. Experts recommend getting 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week (this can include brisk walking, biking or swimming), and strength training at least two times a week.
4. Reduce stress. Easier said than done, right? But this is a key step to a stronger immune system, as research clearly demonstrates that psychological stress can negatively impact the immune system. Ensuring you’re getting enough exercise and sleep, spending time in nature, and taking time to spend with friends and loved ones are a few ways to reduce your daily stress load. It’s important to ensure adequate magnesium intake, as well, as magnesium plays a key role in the body’s stress response. Studies show that stress depletes your body’s magnesium supply. But here’s the kicker: when the body is low in magnesium, it can lead to more stress, resulting in a vicious cycle of stress itself causing more stress. 

Do you need to supplement with magnesium?

Studies suggest the vast majority of the population are deficient in magnesium. While it is possible to obtain enough magnesium through diet, it takes intention and planning. It can be hard to get enough from our food due to modern farming practices (mineral depletion in the soil) and food processing methods. A magnesium supplement can help to fill any dietary gaps.  Here are a few reasons to ensure you are getting enough magnesium during cold and flu season:

• Optimal magnesium intake is needed for the body to handle stress, which in turn reduces the risk of a suppressed immune system.
• Magnesium is an immune system modulator, and it plays a big role in the immune system's ability to fight pathogens. (We recently did a webinar on how magnesium can boost your overall immune health. You can watch it here.)
• Magnesium helps the body to relax and works to promote quality sleep. This leads to a stronger immune system.

Not all magnesium supplements are created equal.

Many magnesium supplements contain cheap forms of magnesium, such as magnesium oxide which has a low absorption rate. Our MAG365 Ionic Magnesium Citrate powder and PrizMAG Pure Magnesium Bislycinate capsules are made with only quality ingredients and they are 100% pure and free from magnesium oxide, stearate, artificial colors and flavours. Ask your local health food store about our award-winning magnesium supplements today!