Winter and your immunity

Looking for the best supplements to keep your immunity perfect?

With winter knocking on the door, what measures are you implementing to take care of your own health? Waiting for the pharmaceutical industry to conjure up a vaccine is not the answer. Trusting the function of your own immune system, which has been developed and honed over millennia, is the best option available to us. According to the Institute for Functional Medicine the following is a list of the best and most potent botanicals and nutraceuticals for this purpose: Curcumin, Quercetin, Zinc Gluconate, N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Melatonin, Elderberry, Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), Green tea or epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and Resveratrol.

Starting with Zinc and Vitamin C, I will expand on all of the above products in this and future blogs. Lets start with Zinc. The most beneficial form for the body to utelise is Zinc Gluconate. A large body of research shows that zinc has strong anti-viral properites against many viruses. It has immune enhancing properties, decreases viral growth and helps relieve symptoms of the viral infection. It is the salt of Gluconic Acid, and is made by a fermentation process. It can help to reduce the frequency of infections as well as the duration and severity of the common cold when taken within 24 hours of onset. Oysters, red meat, and poultry are excellent sources of zinc. Baked beans, chickpeas, and nuts (such as cashews and almonds) also contain zinc.

Vitamin C may help to prevent infections, including those caused by bacteria and viruses. Regularly administered vitamin C has been shown to shorten the duration of colds, and higher doses of vitamin C during an illness can also act as a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory. There are different forms available, i.e. Calcium Ascorbate or Ascorbic Acid. Both are beneficial in their own right, and there is a myriad of benefits for using Vitamin C on an ongoing basis. You can increase the dosage up to 4 or 5 grams per day to help the Immune system cope with an infection, both viral or bacterial. Citrus fruits such as orange, kiwi, lemon, guava, grapefruit, and vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts and capsicums are rich, natural sources of vitamin C.

Supplementation is one of the most effective ways of boosting the function of your immunity. Stock up on these essential boosters and start taking them preventatively.