With summer winding down, and pumpkin spice on the forefront of everyone’s mind, it is easy to jump into fall consumed by thoughts of haunted hayrides, costume parties, and family get-togethers. However, there is something else fall brings along with the cooler weather and large gatherings. Yes, flu season has arrived.
We all spent the last couple years vigilantly protecting ourselves from illness, but now is not the time to let our guards down. Everyone wants to spend the holidays surrounded by family and friends without the worry of potential infection. The good news is that there are a variety of all natural ways to strengthen your immune system that you may not be aware of. It’s time to take a break from slamming back green juice shots or vitamin C capsules and start adding these all-natural supplements into your wellness routine as we finish out the year.
B Complex Vitamins
While most people understand that consuming vitamin C is essential to your immune health, a lesser-known factor are the B complex vitamins. Vitamins B12 and B6 are important for a healthy immune response. Dietary B12 specifically can only be found naturally occurring in animal products, so most people understand B12 deficiency as a vegan or vegetarian issue. However, the human body is known to have trouble absorbing B12 and this leaves many adults with deficiencies they aren’t aware of. Deficiency can impact various functions in the body, including but not limited to immune health, energy levels, and red blood cell count.
Vitamin B6 can be found in a wider range of foods but inadequate amounts of B6 are often associated with low levels of B12. It is important to address any potential deficiencies with your doctor to see if B12 supplementation is right for you.
CBD Oil
Another immune health must is keeping your stress levels low and your quality of sleep high. Most people understand this to be as obvious as taking vitamin C. You likely know this as well and are laughing to yourself thinking, easier said than done. If only there was a way to make more time for sleep or to train your brain to not feel the often-crippling effects of stress.
CBD oil has been shown to be effective in all aspects of achieving a quality nights sleep. It can help you fall asleep, stay asleep and wake up feeling refreshed. CBD is one of the 80+ naturally occurring compounds (cannabinoids) extracted from hemp. A high-quality full spectrum CBD oil will contain none of the psychoactive effects of THC but will still contain other minor cannabinoids such as CBDA, CBG, CBN, and CBC. These compounds work in synergy with one another to promote restful sleep. When you wake in the morning you feel revitalized rather then groggy or hazy as you would while taking a traditional sleeping pill.
Maybe stress keeps you from falling asleep at night. Sleep and stress levels often go hand in hand. Keeping stress at bay in your waking hours is just as important as tackling it at night when it comes to immune health. Healist Naturals have CBD products specifically formulated to help your body’s innate ability to cope with stress and feelings of anxiety. Looking after your sleep and stress levels with CBD will allow your immune system to focus on fighting off any infections that you come in contact with.
Elderberry
Perhaps you are past the point of prevention and the telltale sore throat and body aches have already set in. The best natural supplement you can reach for at this point is Elderberry. Elderberry is an antioxidant-rich purple berry that has been used to treat colds throughout history.
In recent times, elderberry has been recommended by doctors to help reduce the production of cytokines. Cytokines are inflammatory mediators that are responsible for congestion, fever, body aches and any other indicators of illness during an infection. Researchers studying elderberry have suggested that it could provide a safer alternative to standard cold and flu medications. Additionally, laboratory results have shown elderberry to have antiviral properties and can reduce the duration of cold and flu symptoms by 3-4 days.
It is important to note that elderberry can potentially interact with any drugs you may be taking at the time. Make sure you consult with a doctor to see if elderberry supplementation is right for you.
Having the right tools to tackle flu season as we head into the cooler months doesn’t have to be complicated. There are a variety of ways to bolster your immunity using safe and all natural products. We should all be headed confidently into this holiday season free of the stress of catching or spreading illness.
