Winter is finally here, meaning it’s time to start building our protection against those nose-sniffling nasties. Cold weather has a big influence on human bodies, mainly because viruses are far more active in lower temperatures and can successfully infect body systems more easily. This is why you might develop a fever when you’re sick. Your body is smart, so it will try to effectively “sweat” out the virus through raising the body’s temperature. Here, we will go through our current top 5 nutrients we recommend for winter.
So, wrap your neck in something warm, grab a hot mug of your favourite drink and let’s find out a little more about what we can do to help you be your best, healthiest self during this cold season.
1. Echinacea 2000 Plus Andrographis
Echinacea and Andrographis are two herbs that are traditionally used to help relieve the symptoms of colds and flus because they help modulate your body’s immune system and response to pathogens. They do this in many ways, but primarily through increase white blood cells, enhancing your body’s defences.
2. Super Strength Horseradish Garlic A & C
Horseradish has many health benefits by providing immunity support, digestion aid, and hay fever relief. Garlic is a powerful natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, promoting a robust immune system by killing pathogenic organisms and increase lymphocytes. Vitamin A (retinol) is essential for eye health and vision as it is a precursor of light-absorbing photopigments within the retina.
Lysine is the active ingredient in Cold Sore Plus, which is an essential amino acid significantly involved in protein synthesis among many other functions. Protein and peptide synthesis is necessary to produce collagen, elastin and carnitine. These proteins can help repair and restore muscle elasticity and vitality.
As previously mentioned, garlic is a potent antimicrobial. Additionally, it also has hypoglycaemic properties and is effective in the treatment of atherosclerosis by decreasing atherosclerotic plaque in arteries. In terms of respiratory health, garlic has been traditionally and successfully used to treat the severity of symptoms and duration of common colds and flus.
5. Super C 1000
Vitamin C is responsible for hundreds of bodily functions. Though, it is one of the vitamins humans cannot synthesise, so we must obtain it through our diet. Its role in immune function has been observed for many years in both adults and children. Studies have shown vitamin C supplementation can decrease the onset and severity of colds, more-so in higher doses beyond the recommended dietary intake (RDI) which is around 45mg/day. Additionally, vitamin C is also important in the synthesis of neurotransmitters serotonin and noradrenaline as well as collagen proteins.
Foods of benefit during winter: Ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, rosemary, onion, pumpkin, oats, stewed apples, kiwi fruit, mandarin, lemon, bone broth, chicken soup, mushrooms, root vegetables (sweet potato, turnip, parsnip, beetroot), fermented foods (sauerkraut, kimchi), miso, beans & lentils.
Please make sure you seek advice from your doctor or health professional to ensure these products are the right fit for you and your health needs.
Reference
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