The immune system is an interactive network of organs, white blood cells and proteins that work together to protect your body from outside invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other foreign substances. In order to make sure this vital network is functioning properly, there are a number of ways we can support immune system function.

Brain fog, hormonal imbalances, weight gain and mood swings are all symptoms of a disrupted body clock and lack of deep sleep. It’s not entirely surprising. Sleep is your nervous system's chance to rest, when your brain detoxifies, when memories are stored and when your body recovers from illness.

In an ideal world (in terms of nutrition), we would all live on a small farm and grow our own seasonal, organic fruits and vegetables. We would raise a couple of animals, fish on the weekends and our food would be completely free from processing and packaging. 

When a stressor, danger or threat is perceived by your body, the sympathetic nervous system, known as the fight or flight response, is activated. During this reaction, certain hormones like adrenaline and cortisol are released from the adrenal glands.

Inflammation is the body’s natural immune response to injury and infection, but problems can arise when the inflammatory process goes on for too long and becomes chronic, as chronic inflammation is at the root of most diseases. 

Zinc is an essential mineral, meaning it has to be acquired through our diet as we can’t produce it on our own. However, this isn’t always easy or convenient, and a lack of zinc in our diet can result in zinc deficiency and depletion.

Vitamin D is a fat soluble nutrient. In fact, it’s not technically a vitamin, it’s actually a steroid hormone that regulates a vast proportion of our bodily functions. Vitamin D plays a role in modulating our immune system, and is powerful in supporting hormone regulation, the bones, teeth, and muscles. 

Leaky gut syndrome is a condition that occurs when gaps begin to form between the tight protein junctions that make up your intestinal tract lining, or gut barrier, resulting in permeability. This permeability can result in a number of symptoms, ranging from digestive issues like bloating and diarrhoea, to skin conditions like acne or psoriasis. 

Toxins are substances present within your body that can cause imbalances if they're not neutralised and safely removed. Toxins can be derived from both the environment and our own metabolism. The accumulation of these substances is known as your ‘toxic load’. 

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble nutrient that plays a role in the production of various proteins in your body. These proteins are essential precursors to the pathways involved in blood clotting, bone health and cardiovascular health. 

The Winter blues, more commonly known as seasonal depression or Seasonal Affective Disorder, are a real thing. While the exact cause of seasonal depression is unknown, there are factors that might contribute to it, including the levels of your happy hormones: serotonin and dopamine, as well as adrenaline.

Stress is your body’s response to a disruption of balance in your body or “inner equilibrium”. It’s the result of chemical reactions that happen in response to external events (“stressors”), such as getting stuck in traffic or being made redundant. 

Zinc is an essential dietary mineral that is found in every cell in your body. In fact, it’s the second most abundant mineral in your body after iron. As humans we can't produce it though, so we need to get a constant supply through our diets. 

5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day is what is normally recommended for us to consume, but is it really enough? We got the low-down from nutritionist Amanda Callenberg in this Q&A all about 5 whether we should be having more than 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

Food should be our primary source of essential vitamins and minerals, but for many reasons, it's not always enough to achieve optimal wellness. But can we get all the nutrients we need for optimal wellness from food alone? Our ancestors didn’t need nutritional support, so do we? 

Although our bodies do produce collagen, the rate at which this happens slows down over time (by 1% each year after the age of 25), so it’s vital to be able to recognise the symptoms of collagen deficiency & depletion and to understand how we can prevent it. 

Selenium is an essential trace mineral that's found in soil, water and plants. It's well known for its antioxidant ability which helps to defend against free radical damage and inflammation, therefore helping to slow down premature ageing. 

The importance of keeping hydrated is encapsulated by the fact that your body is made up of approximately 60% water. So, making sure that you're getting enough water is essential for optimal health and energy. Too many of us are simply not drinking enough water; keeping hydrated is the cornerstone to good health, yet it is estimated that the average Brit drinks less than 1 glass per day.