Doc shocks not to be sneezed at

BBC1, 9pm

WE’RE all conscious of doing what we can to boost our immune systems at this time of year to help fight off nasty colds and flu.

And since the Covid outbreak, it’s been pushed even more centre stage, as we know it’s important to be as healthy as possible. So what can we do to help ourselves?

We hear stuff all the time about antioxidants, immuno-boosters, superfoods and the like, but what actually works?

Emergency medicine doctor Ronx Ikharia is delving into the latest science to find out.

Immune system strength is measured in terms of our white blood cells which fend off bacteria, viruses and parasites. There are the frontline defenders, which fight with speed and aggression, and then there are specialist immune cells like lymphocytes, which can be more specific and effective.

Dr Ronx kicks off by looking at things that could weaken our systems, like the demon drink. So the doc volunteers to get trollied to see what effect it has.

Nice work if you can get it, but as Ronx is teetotal it’s not as much fun as it sounds, and unsurprisingly it does lower his immune levels.

The show also delves into the supplement markets – we spend £1billion a year on them, mostly with the aim of boosting immunity – and what Dr Ronx discovers is shocking.

With help from immunologist Professor Sheena Cruickshank, they recruit half a dozen volunteers to give them an immunity makeover across six weeks to see what effect simple lifestyle changes have.