October marks a transitional time as we move into the fall and winter months. Every year at this time, we start to worry about the spread of germs, but this year will be a special version of the cold and flu season!
Once we add the seasonal flu to the mix of what’s already going on, some people are calling the upcoming months a potential “twindemic.”
Along with all the usual precautions (like wearing masks, keeping your distance, washing your hands, etc.)…what about being proactive to actually support your body’s resilience and immune function?
👍 Drink more water
👍 Get quality sleep
👍 Eat lots of colorful, fresh fruits and vegetables
👍 Exercise
👍 Maintain a healthy weight
👍 Laugh (this truly boosts your immune system)
“Herbs and supplements should compliment a healthy diet, giving your body the extra nutrients necessary to fight off invaders.”
As a nutritionist, this is exactly what we are trained to do. PLUS—a team of 12 leading experts in functional medicine recently published a review of herbs and supplements that should be top considerations when it comes to supporting immune health this season.
Here’s a glimpse of some of the supplements they reviewed:
👍 Quercetin
👍 Curcumin
👍 Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) from Green Tea
👍 N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
👍 Vitamin D
👍 Vitamin C
👍 And more!
This is NOT to say that taking these supplements will protect you from falling sick this season. But there is solid research and evidence that these nutrients ARE supportive of immune function.
Every person is unique. We’re here to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of health and wellness. If you’d like a personalized assessment and recommendations on ways to boost YOUR immunity this season, give us a call!
Reference
Evans JM, Luby R, Lukaczer D, et al. The Functional Medicine Approach to COVID-19: Virus-Specific Nutraceutical and Botanical Agents. IMCJ. 2020.
http://imjournal.com/abstracts/9976.html
(FYI: you can access the full text article through Today’s Practitioner here: https://todayspractitioner.com/functional-medicine/the-functional-medicine-approach-to-covid-19-virus-specific-nutraceutical-and-botanical-agents)