Pre-emptive improvement of immune function, inflammation and lifestyle can improve the effectiveness of vaccine and decrease the side effects.
If your vaccination is imminent:
- Avoid acute stressors
- Get maximum sleep
- Avoid anti-inflammatory agents 2 days pre and post vaccination if possible
- If you have an active infection or auto immune flare, postpone your vaccination
- Don’t over exercise the day before
- Don’t have a lot of alcohol 2 days before
If your vaccination is weeks / months away:
- Improve nutrition (see below)
- Lose weight
- Start a new sleep routine
- Add in moderate regular exercise
- Stress management (mind / body therapies) and relationships
- Optimise microbiome (fibre, fermented foods, stress reduction)
- Address hormone imbalances
Nutrition to support immune function:
- Reduce – alcohol, caffeine, sugars, ready meals and no takeaways
- Increase vegetables, cook from scratch, increase quality protein to two portions per day
- Vitamin A (liver, cod liver oil, orange, red and green coloured vegetables)
- Vitamin D (supplement in winter 2,000 iu / 50ug)
- Vitamin C (citrus, berries, tomatoes and peppers)
- Vitamin E (avocados, sunflower seeds and almonds)
- B complex (dairy, eggs, pulses, wholegrains, nuts and seeds, tempeh, fish and meat)
- Zinc, iron and selenium (seafood, meat, pulses, seeds and nuts)
- Mushrooms
- Quercetin (apples, onions)
- Resveratrol (dark berries, dark chocolate)