If you are like many people, you are looking for ways to avoid catching a cold before the season begins! It can be tempting to visit your local store and stock up on all the immune boosters that are out there. Before filling up your cart, let us remember that when it comes to holistic health, lifestyle and nutrition play a large role. For sustainable, long-term results, it is important that you pay attention to how you are living day-to-day. In addition to a healthy diet, supplementation can be an excellent addition to your health routine, covering your nutritional bases and boosting up where needed!
During the season of glittery lights, we tend to hear of more people catching a cold. Although we know there is no research supporting that the cold weather makes people sick, we do know that stress2, poor diet3 and poor sleep1 can all alter immune function, making you more susceptible to illness. All three of these areas tend to be heightened during the holidays, the exact time of year everyone wants to be feeling their best.
Introducing stress-resilience techniques like yoga and meditation, putting emphasis on eating well most of the time, and keeping on top of a sleep routine are all key pillars that should be addressed when you are looking to support immune health.
We believe in living a healthy lifestyle, year-round, but especially during this festive season as we all want to be feeling our best. We have compiled a tool kit of sorts, that comprises our immune-boosting supplements that focus on prevention as well as shortening the duration of cold and flu symptoms.
Preventative Immune Support simply means that you are ensuring your body has the necessary tools to maintain its natural immune response against common symptoms of colds and flus.
Supplements to include on a regular basis to support immune function:
Vitamin C –Helps immune cells form and function, and it supports the physical barriers (such as the epithelial cells of your skin) that protect you from pathogens4
Vitamin D3 - Vitamin D receptors are found throughout the body, and vitamin D is involved in many cellular processes, including the regulation of immune cells during infections5,6
Mushroom Complex - Naturally supports immune health and increases energy
Oregano Oil – Supports immunity and provides antioxidants
Supplements to shorten the length of cold and flu symptoms:
Cold Fighter – Fights early signs of cold and flu symptoms, helps to relieve sore throat, cough and congestion
Zinc – Provides natural relief from symptoms of the common cold like dry, sore throat
Echinacea – Helps fight colds and upper respiratory tract infections
Vitamin C + Immune Shield – Helps to relieve cold symptoms
References:
- Irwin, M., Opp, M. Sleep Health: Reciprocal Regulation of Sleep and Innate Immunity. Neuropsychopharmacol42, 129–155 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/npp.2016.148
- Lobo, V., Patil, A., Phatak, A., & Chandra, N. (2010). Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: Impact on human health. Pharmacognosy reviews, 4(8), 118–126. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-7847.70902
- Childs CE, Calder PC, Miles EA. Diet and Immune Function. Nutrients. 2019 Aug 16;11(8).
- Carr AC, Maggini S. Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients. (2017)
- ^Brockman-Schneider RA, Pickles RJ, Gern JE. Effects of vitamin D on airway epithelial cell morphology and rhinovirus replication. PLoS One. (2014)
- ^Telcian AG, et al. Vitamin D increases the antiviral activity of bronchial epithelial cells in vitro. Antiviral Res. (2017)
- Ran L, et al. Extra Dose of Vitamin C Based on a Daily Supplementation Shortens the Common Cold: A Meta-Analysis of 9 Randomized Controlled Trials. Biomed Res Int. (2018)
