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Staying Healthy This Season

Mug by icy window; staying healthy this season.

Around this time of year we usually start seeing more sicknesses like colds and flus, so we start getting more questions about how to keep the immune system healthy and how to decrease your chances of getting sick. This may be especially important for healthcare workers, teachers and anyone else who is likely to encounter more sick people. Fortunately, there are many supplements you can take and habits you can implement to help you and your family stay healthy this season.

Washing Your Hands and Playing It Safe

One of the best things you can do to help decrease your chances of getting sick is to wash your hands often and thoroughly. It is recommended that you wash your hands before handling food, before you touch your face or eat, after being in a crowded area and when you get home, and/or after shaking hands. You should wash your hands with soap and running water, scrubbing your hands for at least twenty seconds. Be sure to clean under the nails, and the back and sides of your hands as well. You can also use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when you are not able to wash your hands. It is also advised to avoid being in close contact with people who are sick when possible, and to avoid going to work, school or public places when you are sick. Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and then throwing that tissue away is another good habit to get into.

Diet and Supplements

Supplements are not a replacement for a good diet, but they can help provide nutrients you may not be getting enough of from your diet alone. It is always important to eat a varied diet that consists of lots of organic fruits and vegetables, high-quality meats, and good fats, but it may be even more important around this time of year. Eating a variety of healthy foods can help provide the nutrients your immune system needs to function optimally. Taking supplements that contain vitamin C, certain types of mushrooms, and elderberry extract may also help support the immune system. Products like Liposomal C, Immune Essentials, and ViraPro are some great choices.

There are many ways to help keep your immune system healthy this season, and eating lots of organic fruits and veggies is a great way to do support the immune system and other bodily systems. Engaging in light exercise a few times a week may also help increase blood flow and immune system function. So, incorporate more fresh, whole foods into your diet, take a walk a few times a week, get at least seven hours of quality sleep each night, and try some of the supplements mentioned above to help keep your immune system healthy throughout this season.

You can listen to our Remedies for Cold and Flu Virus Symptoms podcast episode here. You can also listen to it on our YouTube channel here.

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Remedies for Cold and Flu Virus Symptoms

Microphone and computer; are vitamins just expensive urine?

With the high number of colds, flus and other sicknesses being reported this season, we have received lots of questions about how to keep the immune system healthy and reduce the risk of catching something. Fortunately, there are many supplements you can take to help provide the right nutrients for your immune system, as well as some simple things you can do like washing your hands often and avoiding crowded places when possible. In this week’s episode, we will discuss some natural remedies for cold and flu virus symptoms, and how to promote healthy immune system function throughout this season.

Products Mentioned in Today’s Show

ViraPro – Includes a powerful combination of key nutrients and botanical extracts that provide support for immune challenges. This formula boosts immune defenses by providing nutrients such as L-lysine vitamins A and C, pantothenic acid, B12, and zinc. ViraPro includes the synergistic blend of botanical extracts black elderberry, astragalus, echinacea, and andrographis, all of which have been used traditionally for their clinically effective immune-modulating properties.

Immune Essentials – Supports immune health with a blend of highly researched and effectively concentrated mushroom extracts combined with the polyphenol nutrient support of green tea. This formula provides beta 1,3/1,6 d-glucan and a range of bioactive compounds that have been shown to potentiate immune response. Grown in the USA under rigidly controlled conditions, these mushroom extracts are made with 100% certified organic ingredients.

Lauricidin – Monolaurin is a natural, plant-based medium chain saturated fatty acid extracted from coconut oil that offers unique health-promoting properties.* When taken on an ongoing basis, Lauricidin® may help support a strong immune defense*, support a natural balance of healthy bacteria*, and promote a healthy balance of yeast*.

You can also listen to our Remedies for Cold and Flu Virus Symptoms podcast episode on our YouTube channel here.

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Differences Between Allergies, a Cold, and the Flu

Woman sneezing; allergies, a cold, or the flu.

With the seasons changing, allergies and sicknesses are becoming more common, but it can be difficult to tell if you’re sick, or if it’s just allergies. While some of the symptoms overlap, there are a few differences that may help you know what you have. We also get lots of questions this time of year about what people can do for natural allergy relief and immune support. So, let’s discuss some of the differences between allergies, a cold, and the flu, and some supplements that might help.

Allergies

Many people have seasonal allergies, usually triggered by pollen or mold. These allergies range in severity from person to person, and may be better or worse some days. Allergies can last from a few days, to a few months, with some people suffering with them year-round. Symptoms of allergies can include sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes or throat, sinus congestion, and sometimes chest congestion. Hista-Plex may help alleviate some of the mild allergy symptoms like runny nose and itchy eyes.

While mild allergies are typically more common, severe allergies and allergic reactions can lead to serious symptoms including hives, difficulty breathing, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and anaphylaxis. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

A Cold

Colds also become increasingly common this time of year, and they can be very similar to allergies. A cold can cause symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, chest and sinus congestion, and cough. Symptoms of a cold usually appear gradually, and many of these can also be symptoms of allergies, but may not last as long. Resting, drinking plenty of water, and eating lots of organic fruits and vegetables can help provide the nutrients your body needs to fight off a cold. If your symptoms persist and/or worsen, contact your doctor.

The Flu

This time of year, our patients start asking us what they can do to help prevent the flu. The flu is usually easier to identify than allergies and colds, as the symptoms generally appear suddenly and are more serious. If you contract the flu you may experience fever, joint and muscle aches, chills, fatigue, weakness, and headaches. While there are no foolproof ways to prevent the flu, you can potentially lower your risk. Anything that boosts the health of your immune system may help reduce your risk of contracting illnesses like the flu. Eating a variety of organic fruits and vegetables, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and reducing stress may help keep your immune system healthy. Taking supplements like Liposomal C, Active Zinc, and Immune Essentials may also help your immune system fight off certain illnesses.

Eating plenty of organic fruits and vegetables can help provide the nutrients and antioxidants your body needs to fight off infections and keep your immune system healthy. Supplements can help provide vitamins and minerals you may not be getting enough of, and they can also provide immune-boosting herbs like mushrooms you may not get through food. Immune Essentials is one of our newer products and is a powerful formulation of several different mushrooms and green tea extract to help support immune system health. Remember to wash your hands frequently!

You can listen to our Differences Between Allergies, a Cold, and the Flu podcast episode here. You can also listen to it on our YouTube channel here.

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Allergy Relief and Seasonal Defense

Microphone and computer; exercising consistent health habits.

With the seasons changing, more people are having trouble with allergies and sicknesses. We get questions this time of year about what people can do for natural allergy relief and seasonal defense against colds and the flu, especially from teachers and hospital staff who are more likely to catch something. Let’s discuss the differences between allergies, colds, and the flu, and some supplements that may help provide some relief and help keep your immune system healthy.

Allergies may cause symptoms like:

  • Runny Nose
  • Sneezing
  • Itchy Throat or Eyes
  • Sinus Congestion

A cold may cause a gradual onset of symptoms including:

  • Sneezing
  • Sinus Congestion
  • Runny Nose
  • Occasional Chest Congestion

The flu typically causes a sudden onset of symptoms like:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle Weakness
  • Body Aches

Eating plenty of organic fruits and vegetables can help provide the nutrients and antioxidants your body needs to fight off infections. However, it is difficult to get all the nutrients you need from food alone due to our soil being depleted over the years. There are also many herbs that can help keep the immune system healthy that would be difficult to eat, so taking supplements is a great way to get in vitamins, herbs and minerals you may not get through other sources.

Products Mentioned in Today’s Show

Hista-Plex – This formula includes optimal support for nasal and sinus passageways for individuals with seasonal allergies.

Immune Essentials – Immune Essentials supports immune health with a blend of highly researched and effectively concentrated mushroom extracts combined with the polyphenol nutrient support of green tea.

You can also listen to Allergy Relief and Seasonal Defense on our YouTube channel here.