As we enter the winter months, immune function and its impact on our overall health and wellbeing becomes ever-more prominent; the colder weather, darker days and increased chances of contracting sicknesses such as colds and flu making the healthy function of the immune system more important than ever. This is particularly the case for athletes engaged in heavy endurance training programmes, who often have depressed immune function and suffer from an increased incidence of respiratory infections.
The good news is that nutrition plays a vital role in helping to keep immune function in tip-top condition, with athletes able to adopt sound nutritional practices - alongside minor routine adaptations - to reduce their risk of infection.
We've teamed up with Professor Michael Gleeson, Emeritus Professor of Exercise Biochemistry at Loughborough University, to explain the role that nutrition plays in maintaining healthy immune function and give practical tips for athletes to employ to boost their own. Everything is outlined in the second in our series of expert-authored X-Change articles; read all about Nutrition, Health and Immune Function - A look at the influence of nutrients on immune function and infection risk, by clicking on the button below!
Written by
Professor Michael Gleeson
