From now until November 30, receive 10% OFF immune boosters with coupon code: Ready4Winter

Winter is right around the corner and cold and flu season is already beginning. Don’t wind up in bed for days surrounded by tissues and heat packs! Get your immune system in tip-top shape with these whole food immune boosting supplements. Now is the time to start taking several of these if you aren’t already. While you can always increase the doses of most of your supplements at the first sniffle or sneeze, prevention goes much further in helping your body fight off germs and stay healthy.

Vitamin D

As cold, dark days force us to bundle up or stay inside, our sun exposure drops — and so do our vitamin D levels. Those living above 40°N latitude are particularly at risk for vitamin D deficiency from November to March. Research has shown those with low vitamin D levels are more likely to contract influenza, while those with high vitamin D levels who do come down with the flu suffer for a shorter duration. People with low vitamin D levels are also more likely to experience upper respiratory infections, excessive daytime sleepiness, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and certain types of cancer.

Try:

• Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw D3
• Garden of Life Kind Organics Vegan D3
• Rosita Artisan Extra Virgin Cod Liver Oil
• Green Pasture Fermented Cod Liver Oil

Zinc

Zinc has been shown to reduce the duration of colds by several days. This mineral increases the amount of white blood cells that your body produces, so that you have a stronger “army” to fight illness and infection. Zinc also lowers the incidence of diarrhea by more than 25% and lower respiratory infections by 45%.

Try:

• Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Zinc

Vitamin C

Vitamin C has long been one of the most popular immune supplements — and for good reason! Vitamin C is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant rich, and has antibiotic properties as well. Vitamin C is needed for iron absorption, collagen formation, wound healing, and combating free radicals. This vitamin is particularly important to take (or increase) at the first sign of a cold; it can often completely knock the illness right out of your system, but at the very least can usually lessen the severity and duration of colds. Studies have found it may even reduce the risk of complications such as pneumonia or bronchitis.

Try:

• Catie’s Whole Plant Food Vitamin C Plus
• Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Vitamin C

Probiotics

Good health starts in the gut, which is why probiotics are so important in supporting the immune system. More than 70% of your body’s immune cells reside in the gastrointestinal tract. Probiotics keep the digestive system functioning optimally and aid in preventing infection and reducing inflammation. A study in the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport found that taking a probiotic reduced the incidence of colds and stomach bugs by 40%!

Try:

• Prescript-Assist
• Catie’s ProFlora
• Mercola Complete Probiotics

Adaptogens

As their name implies, adaptogens help your body adapt to stress, both physical and mental. Many of these herbs grow at high altitudes or in cold, desolate climates like Siberia, and have been used for centuries in these regions to help inhabitants survive the harsh conditions. Adaptogens help regulate body systems including blood pressure, heart rate, metabolism, cortisol, energy levels, and more. Supporting the body in adapting to stress leaves it less susceptible to colds, flus, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other illnesses.

Try:

• Perfect Rhodiola Rosea
• Perfect Cordyceps

Silver

Silver has amazing potential in warding off all kinds of germs and bacteria. It is an excellent defense against bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, yet doesn’t attack healthy cells, making silver an ideal immune support supplement. In fact, silver has been used for its immune boosting and disease treating properties since ancient times.

Try:

• Sovereign Silver

By Ali Wetherbee