Prepare for the Winter Flu

This year, experts are predicting an especially tough cold and flu season. With the coronavirus and pandemic restrictions, we haven’t been getting the normal immune training we would get from regular exposure to cold and flu viruses—particularly during the fall and winter months.   

Immune support is more important than ever, to stay healthy through the fall and winter and avoid complications from the flu or any other virus. With these immune-balancing and supportive tips, you can feel confident knowing you're strengthening your defenses and your long-term health.   

When addressing any health issue, diet is the first place to start. These super-foods provide powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory support for defending and protecting your immunity. 

Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, cabbage and others provide excellent sources of nutrients that support immunity: vitamin C, beta carotene, zinc and selenium, and more. These vegetables contain specific compounds that boost immunity, fight cancer, balance hormones and detoxify the body.  

Chicken Soup: More than just a comforting remedy, chicken soup is a nourishing tonic shown to increase immune activity against colds and flus. For maximum immune benefits, make broth from scratch using all parts of the chicken and add ginger, garlic, shiitake mushrooms and fresh herbs for additional support. 

Green Tea: The compounds ECGC (Epigallocatechin gallate) and L-Theanine in green tea help strengthen immunity and offer anti-inflammatory benefits. Green tea is also very high in antioxidant polyphenols, which neutralize free radicals that can damage immune cells and fuel inflammation.¹ 

Garlic: An age-old remedy, garlic contains allicin and sulfur compounds that strengthen the immune system and fight bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. Garlic also benefits cardiovascular health. 

Probiotic Cultured Foods: Research demonstrates the many ways beneficial bacteria in our digestive tract support health. In addition to aiding nutrient absorption and keeping our digestion running smoothly, these probiotic microbes also strengthen immunity. Good probiotic sources include miso, sauerkraut, coconut kefir and kimchi.²

Coconut Oil: Coconut oil contains a substance called lauric acid which demonstrates powerful anti-viral activity.³  

How we live dramatically impacts our immune system. Hydrating your body, and washing your hands frequently can help eliminate germs, viruses, and bacteria that you come in contact with.  

As always, getting enough sleep is key. Exercise is also important, particularly mind-body practices such as Tai Chi and yoga. One study showed that yoga activates a large number of genes associated with immunity.⁴ 

Stress can damage your immune system, so supporting a relaxed and calm mood and state with stress relief practices like meditation is essential for defending your immune health and reducing risk of infection.

Vitamin C and D3, selenium, and zinc are powerful immune support nutrients that can help boost your immune defenses and maintain a robust immune system.  Natural ingredients and supplements can help you protect your immune system, train and balance your immunity to defend against threats, and nourish your body with what it needs to support healthy immunity long-term. Functional mushrooms are key for supporting and balancing your immune system and give you the foundation for optimal immune health, including support against occasional colds and flus.   

When taken as a supplement in a formula, these medicinal mushrooms deliver beneficial compounds including beta-glucans, which energize the immune system to respond appropriately to invaders, bacteria, and viruses.  Functional mushrooms don’t just boost immunity; they balance and optimize it, essentially “training” immune cells and preventing them from underreacting or overreacting or causing serious health conditions. 

MycoPhyto is a botanically enhanced mushroom formula that contains six functional mushrooms, grown on a blend of immune support botanicals for additional immune training benefits. MycoPhyto delivers intensive support for optimal defense against occasional colds and flu, while enhancing energy and vitality. *  

When it comes to cold and flu season, preparing yourself is essential for staying healthy. These tips can help keep your immune system protected and healthy through cold and flu season, and beyond. If you do come down with a virus, take the opportunity to rest and rejuvenate yourself, and support optimal recovery with powerful superfoods and nutrients to nourish your body and rebalance your health.  

Sources

1. Steinmann J, Buer J, Pietschmann T, et al. Anti-infective properties of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a component of green tea. Br J Pharmacol. 2013 Mar;168(5):1059-73.  
2. Kawase M, He F, Kubota A, et al. Oral administration of lactobacilli from human intestinal tract protects mice against influenza virus infection. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2010 Jul;51(1):6-10.  
3. Bartolotta S, García CC, Candurra NA, et al. Effect of fatty acids on arenavirus replication: inhibition of virus production by lauric acid. Arch Virol. 2001;146(4):777-90. 
4. Qu S, Olafsrud SM, Meza-Zepeda LA, et al. Rapid gene expression changes in peripheral blood lymphocytes upon practice of a comprehensive yoga program. PLoS One. 2013 Apr 17;8(4):e61910. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061910. Print 2013.