🥊Fight Winter's Chill With Immunity-Boosting Habits!
As winter approaches, it’s easy to lose motivation and snuggle up on the couch instead of hitting the gym. But don’t let the frosty weather defeat you! Maintaining a healthy routine during the colder months can help keep your immune system strong and boost your emotional wellbeing.
Here are some daily habits to keep in mind:
Stay hydrated.
Get plenty of rest to restore your energy.
Eat a diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables that provide antioxidants like vitamins A and C.
Exercise regularly to reduce your risk of catching the flu.
Keep your stress levels at bay — stress can harm your immune system and leave you vulnerable to viruses like influenza.
Exercise not only benefits your physical health but also plays a significant role in boosting emotional wellbeing. Don’t let the winter blues get the best of you – exercise releases serotonin and dopamine to improve your mood and keep spirits high.
Winter can also lure us into indulging in high-calorie comfort foods, leading to unwanted weight gain.
To stay motivated, try:
Creating a training plan to hold yourself accountable.
Treating yourself to new winter training gear to get excited about workouts.
Enjoying warm, healthy meals to feel satisfied and stay fit.
Staying active to warm up and prevent winter sluggishness. Consulting with your coach for additional motivation tips.
Don’t let the colder temperatures halt your fitness gains. Incorporate these healthy habits into your life and conquer the winter season feeling great, and stay on track no matter the weather!
Discover our recommended supplements to strengthen your immune system and fight off illnesses. 🙌
VITAMIN C
The body doesn’t produce Vitamin C, so we need to consume it from food. Sadly, the produce is grown in soil that lacks nutrients, which makes it challenging to get the required daily amount. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a vital antioxidant that shields cells from damage caused by free radicals. It boosts cellular energy, balances cholesterol, speeds up wound healing and bolsters the immune system.
For optimal immune function and antioxidant defence, consider taking several grams of Vitamin C daily. Our top recommendation is Thorne Health ~ Buffered Vitamin C. It is an excellent option for individuals with sensitive or compromised digestive systems. It provides high levels of vitamin C and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium.
PROBIOTIC
Good gut health is critical for overall wellness. The health of our gut and its microbiome affects our digestive system, immune function, and even our mood. About 70 percent of immune function takes place in the gut so maintaining the right balance of good bacteria is key to keeping our gut lining healthy and facilitating digestive processes, whilst regulating our immune response. Building probiotics into your diet can help keep your digestion regular and support the interlinkages that keep your body and mind healthy.
Floramend Probiotic is our tested and trusted way to keep your gut in good health. Whether you’re looking to maintain a healthy weight, regulate digestion, manage a seasonal allergy, or just support your immune system, a healthy gut flora will do the trick.
In other words, everyone can benefit from a healthier balanced gut flora. So, why not take a step towards better overall health with Floramend Probiotic?
ZINC
Zinc is a vital trace element for maintaining overall health. Essential for the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids, zinc’s importance also lies in maintaining the structure and integrity of cell membranes. This structural feature of zinc is crucial for wound healing and immune function.
This mineral plays a role in far more than just immune support. In fact, zinc is present in every cell of our bodies and participates as a cofactor in over 200 enzymatic reactions. Zinc’s functions go beyond just enhancing the body’s natural killer cells. Zinc also plays a role in testosterone production and promotes normal growth and development. It also impacts taste and smell, eye health (particularly the macula), and wound healing.
Studies show that zinc’s antioxidant properties decrease oxidative stress, which damages cells and tissues and can lead to chronic health issues. When zinc levels are low, even in older adults, immune function is negatively impacted. Zinc supplementation promotes a healthy immune response, among other benefits. Clinical studies demonstrate that zinc can increase general wellness, as well as improve connective tissue, reproductive, prostate, and eye health.
VITAMIN D
Did you know that our bodies can only assimilate the Vitamin D it needs from a mere 15 minutes of sunlight per day? Sadly, in the colder months, when we tend to spend less time outdoors, our levels of Vitamin D decrease, potentially compromising immune function.
Vitamin D is actually crucial to support our immune system, especially the activity of neutrophils, macrophages, and natural killer cells. These cells help strengthen the body’s natural immune response, so maintaining optimal Vitamin D levels is essential.
Vitamin D deficiency could be a risk if:
You rarely go outside. You’re not getting enough sun due to your job, clothing, or indoor activity choices. You’re an older adult (the risk of a deficiency increases with age beginning at age 50) You’re overweight.
NERVE EZE
Nerve-Eze is packed with two powerful nerve-protecting nutrients- Levagen® Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA).
Interestingly, PEA is more than an exceptional anti-inflammatory. In fact, it’s a potent antiviral compound with broad applications in acute respiratory diseases such as influenza and viral infections. PEA is naturally produced in the body as an immune system regulator and powerful anti-inflammatory agent, reducing both chronic pain and inflammation. The best part is that it doesn’t just mask the pain, but it removes the source of the problem. With no danger of addiction, PEA is an entirely safe and effective pain reliever.
The supplement doesn’t just relieve nerve pain and inflammation. It also promotes relaxation and restful sleep. PEA has a calming effect on neurological pathways, influencing immunity, balanced moods, and improved quality of life.
Amazingly, PEA has been in use for decades. The supplement was marketed for treating the common cold and as a prophylaxis against influenza in the 1960s and 70s.
IMMUNE RESILIENCE
Immune Resilience is a blend of herbal extracts and micronutrients that collectively support immunity and respiratory health by promoting a healthy response to stress.
How Immune Resilience Works:
Quercetin: Helps produce healthy inflammatory markers to balance out the effects of poor nutrition and support immune health. Studies also show it promotes respiratory health.
Ginseng: This adaptogenic herb contains saponins that transform into ginsenosides and promote healthy oxidative stress responses in the gastrointestinal tract. This supports immune and respiratory health.
Elderberry extract, resveratrol, and luteolin: Promote healthy immune function by enabling healthy inflammatory cytokine production. These all support respiratory health through promoting immune cell responses.
Andrographis paniculata and Houttuynia cordata: Herbal extracts that bolster T-cell activity in promoting healthy immune responses. Both support respiratory function by facilitating innate and adaptive immune cell activity.
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and turmeric: Promote healthy stress responses. Studies found that both EGCG and turmeric support innate and adaptive immune cell activity and therefore healthy immune function.
Overall, food and nutrition undoubtedly affect our body’s ability to combat germs. However, it’s important to recognise the broader scope of lifestyle factors that have an impact on our immune health. By acknowledging the role of sleep, stress, exercise, environment, hydration, and personal hygiene, we can better protect our immunity.
For those who struggle to obtain sufficient nutrition through their diet or experience health conditions that impede macro and micronutrient absorption, supplements can aid in filling gaps and promoting healthy immune function.
