Dr Jenna Macciochi reveals how to boost immunity through health and key diet changes

Virgin Radio

10 Mar 2022, 11:40

Immunologist Dr Jenna Macciochi is an expert on all things bug-busting, and during her chat on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky, she revealed the best ways to boost immunity, and the advice you shouldn’t listen to when battling common illnesses. 

Dr Jenna, who has just released her latest book ‘Your Blueprint for Strong Immunity', gave her best advice to Chris and the team, which is to almost forget the idea of immune boosting, and instead focus on the balance of getting your diet right. 

She explained: “Immune boosting is kind of this marketing term. I think of it as like the new greenwashing when we have products marketed as environmentally friendly instead of actually making them environmentally friendly. I think immune boosting is kind of like immune washing and greenwashing. 

“With COVID. We see products everywhere and marketed that they're going to boost your immune system, but there's no scientifically correct way to boost your immune system except maybe with a vaccine booster.”

When it comes to what we should be eating to beat the likes of the common cold, Dr Jenna recommends starting with what’s in the cupboards first, rather than focusing on the medicine cabinet. 

It’s all down to the relationship you already have with food, according to the expert, who added: “Our gut microbes are so unique between us. So it's kind of getting people to tune in to how they feel when they eat different things. And one good way of supporting blood sugar or healthy blood sugar response is making sure you've got a source of protein with your meal. 

“Making sure you've got a bit of protein with your lunch. If you are eating something really sweet like a muffin that you know might send you on that blood sugar rollercoaster, having it with something that is good, a source of protein are healthier, as well.”

So what should we look to eat? Dr Jenna recommends looking to the rainbow, and keep to fresh fruits and veggies.

She continued: “I think people often want a really short list of nutrients that are going to change their life but…it doesn't really work that way. There's almost 30,000 [plant compounds]. We're scratching the surface with the research into some of them. So it's about the diversity and abundance of these different plant compounds.

The main piece of advice from Dr Jenna? Be kind to yourself, as it’s just as good as eating well and taking supplements. 

She said: “I think self compassion has actually been shown to have measurable improvements to our immune function. So be kind to yourself. It's not about some end goal with your health, it's about the small sustainable things you can do everyday across all aspects of your diet and lifestyle. 

“Keep your little medicine cupboard stocked with things like zinc and vitamin C for when you actually fall sick, try and get all your main nutrients from foods. If you can accept vitamin D from the sun which we should all take every day.”

Dr Jenna Macciochi's new book, Your Blueprint for Strong Immunity, is out now.

For more great interviews listen to The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky, weekdays from 6:30am on Virgin Radio, or catch up on-demand here.