5 Favorite Supplements For Winter Wellness

It is completely feasible to stay out of the doctor’s office this cold and flu season with a little bit of guidance. Everyone struggles at the start of school and the departure from summer. There are so many things that one can do to keep the healthy, but this guide promises a peak into my favorites for staying healthy. With the flu and the coronavirus threatening, these supplements promise to give you your best chance at fighting them off!

Most of us are attempting to avoid antibiotics, steroids, and the like not just in the winter, but all year round. Winter just proves to be more challenging with less daylight, less warmth, holiday feasts, school stress, and more. You can dump a bucket-load of bucks at the health food store, but this quick guide gives you insight into what is worth buying and why.

Caution: staying healthy all winter can result in a calm and peaceful home.
This blog promises some new insight into keeping well and rich in health-wealth this winter season.

My five favorite supplements are effective at halting illness in its tracks.

I know this firsthand because I my job is to bring and maintain health to my patients. Many of my patients have struggled with incredible immune assault, so I have spent years working on identifying the best supplements to reverse oncoming illnesses. Mind you, there are others in the daily rotation that I will save for another day such as a multivitamins, probiotics, omega fatty acids and the like.

What Can Be Done At Home Before Supplements?

Keep a clean home. This means not only literally keep things clean, but also use clean products. Of particular importance is using safe kitchen products. Avoiding plastics and keeping glass, stainless steel, and silicone containers are one of the first steps. It’s also important to evaluate what you’re cooking with. In terms of cleaning products, you can use essential oil combinations to keep things clean or buy many products online. I like Environmental working groups website to check the safety rating on the new-to-me, seemingly safe products. 

Take These Three Steps All Year Long

Make sure to get good sleep. A tired person is a susceptible person. Fatigue takes a toll on the brain and body. There are many supplements to support sleep, but more importantly, establish a bedtime routine and stick to it as often as possible.

Manage stress in yourself and your children. Children show signs of stress differently than adults. Travel, over activity, familial drama, poor sleep, and more can all stress a child. Watch for wired-tired activity (crazy behavior around nap or bedtime), poor listening, and dilated pupils when in bright rooms as signs that your child is stressed. When you see this, make a point to slow down. Breathe. Read more stories and skip the screens. Take a break from after school activities and just go for a walk. Teach your child the importance of belly breathing at an early age.

Eat well. We all fall prey to poor eating from time to time. And it’s ok to eat a variety of things, but make sure to ALWAYS prioritize fresh vegetables and fruit plus plenty of water. Do your best to avoid excess sugar, fake sweeteners, preservatives, artificial flavors, and artificial colors. Cook from scratch when you can choosing the best quality, local foods that you can access. Picky eaters can make this more complicated, but I encourage you to continually introduce new things and avoid making the same food every day.

Know The Signs Of Incoming Illness

Many children give us signs that they are not feeling well before they can verbalize how they are feeling. As discussed above, watch for the signs of stress. Children may also not want to drink if their throat hurts. They may tug on their ears if they have ear pain. You can always feel the neck to see if they have “swollen glands” or tonsillar lymphadenopathy. Nightmares, accidents, unusual behavior, and changes in eating habits can all be signs that your child is not feeling well. That is right when you can implement the supplements listed below.

Five Favorite Brands In My Pantry

You can have these professional grade supplements too with a 10% discount if you like by   purchasing through my online medicinary via the Fullscript link below. 

I find these supplements palatable and absolute lifesavers when it comes to avoiding illness.

1. Vitamin D Biotics research Bio D Mulsion
2. Immunoberry by Designs for Health
3. Vitamin C Allergy Research Group Micro Liposomal C
4. Xlear nasal spray
5. Vitamin A Professional Formulas Vitamin A Mulsion 

But why are these supplements so helpful in supporting the immune system and preventing illness from taking root, read on to learn more.

1. Vitamin D – (Biotics research Bio D Mulsion) everyone knows Vitamin D as the sunshine vitamin. Most people take it daily in the winter months at the very least. But Vitamin D deficiency is quite common and on the rise in American’s. And research over the past decade has uncovered Vitamin D as an important component of the innate and adaptive immune system. Which means you need adequate Vitamin D in order for the immune system to function optimally. Always remmember, high Vitamin D for long periods could be toxic. Get your levels tested and watch for signs of toxicity including excessive fatigue and persistent headaches. 
2. Immunoberry (Designs for Health Immunoberry liquid) contains a synergistic blend of supplements that support optimal immune function while also killing off invading microbes. The combination of herbs support normal immune functions such as natural killer (NK) cell activity, cytokine synthesis, and the T-cell and B-cell mediated responses.

• Elderberry – Elderberry is known to be an antiviral, immunomodulatory, and an antioxidant. It has been shown to prevent certain viruses (flu viruses too) from adhering to the cell wall.
• Astragalus Root – Astragalus has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. It’s considered an adaptogen because it can support the immune and endocrine system by adapting to what the body needs. Astragalus is known to be antiviral and immunomodulatory.
• Shiitake Mushroom – Has immunomodulatory effects. It activates macrophages which increases the recognition of bad bugs and the frequency of the message sent between the cells about the new invader. Activated T-helper cells which support fight off the new bugs. Increases antibody production (aka the bodies soldiers that stop the bugs from causing harm)
• Maitake Mushroom – Traditionally used as a tonic to promote health and vitality, the maitake mushroom is an adaptogen. It has anti-viral activity and is currently being researched for it’s anti-cancer affects.
• Wild Cherry Bark – Commonly used as an anti-tussive (cough suppressant), It is a great herb for many respiratory complaints. Wild cherry bark is known for it’s high mineral content and antiviral, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects.
• Beta 1,3 Glucan – A polysaccharide found in bakers yeast, oats, and mushrooms, this carbohydrate is one of the most well-researched immunomodulators out there. A 2007 study from Akramiene et al noted that beta 1,3 glucan improves “immune defense by activating complement systems, enhancing macrophages and natural killer cell function.” 

3. Liposomal Vitamin C –  (Allergy Research Group Micro Liposomal C) Vitamin C is an incredibly well researched supplement known for it’s ability to work as a potent antioxidant required for redox reactions in the body. It aids in the absorption of iron and is a required cofactor for neurotransmitter biochemistry. Additionally, Vitamin C has long been known to support the immune system and fight off infection. Liposomal Vitamin C allows you to take high doses without the unwanted digestive side effects. You can find out more about IV Vitamin C research against the Coronavirus; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04264533
4. Xlear nasal spray – Xlear is a saline nasal spray that contains xylitol. Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that has been shown to break down biofilms and act as an anti-microbial. Xylitol nasal sprays have been found to be more effective than a saline nasal spray for chronic rhinosinusitis.
5. Vitamin A – (Professional Formulas Vitamin A Mulsion) Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin required in nearly all of the cells in the body. Pro-vitamin A is found in fruits and vegetables as beta-carotene but must be converted to retinol by the BCMO enzyme for use in our organ and eye health. Vitamin A is important in the health of our oral, gastrointestinal, lung mucosa. It helps maintain levels of immunoglobulin A and plays an active role in immune function. Do take note that prolonged high-dose vitamin A can be toxic to the liver.  

I hope that this informational blog helps you stay healthy for the rest of the year. Reach out if you have any questions or comments on my facebook page or Instagram. And follow me to learn more about supporting your health, optimizing cognition, and managing illness.

If you don’t have a Fullscript account but want to purchase professional grade supplements, use the link below for 10% off.