The stress of the holiday season and New Year celebrations are behind us, but cold and flu season is still reigning! Remember to keep preventative measures in place to protect yourself from the sneezing, sniffling, coughing family members and friends. Here are some preventative measures, read on for tips regarding supplementation during an acute illness.

1. Avoid sugar! You know it, you’ve heard it a million times by now. It is the top enemy of our immune system, it decreases immune function. The effect of just a few tablespoons of sugar is felt by our body up four hours later. It renders white blood cells unable to identify and fight off bacteria.
2. Sleep – we tend to overdo it, which usually means that sleep is sacrificed. Try to keep a healthy sleep routine during the winter season, this time allows your body a chance to rest, recover and replenish. People who are sleep deprived are more susceptible to infections.
3. Exercise – mild to moderate exercise helps boost our immune function. If you are ill, keep away from high intensity training, it can wear down our immune system.
4. Avoid food sensitivities – some foods trigger an immune response in our bodies, they increase inflammation and drag down immune function. These foods can be identified through an elimination/challenge diet or through blood testing. Avoiding food sensitivities lessens the burden on our immune system.
5. Consider Preventative Supplementation
   • Probiotics support healthy energy, immune function and digestion.
   • Buffered Vitamin C – a potent anti-oxidant and immune supportive supplement. Take on a daily basis in divided doses through the cold and flu season.
   • Optimal Vitamin D status is crucial to a high functioning immune system. We tend to stay indoors more in the winter and this can lead to lower Vitamin D in our system. Consider getting a blood test to determine your Vitamin D levels and a daily supplement to help your body fight infections.
   • Stay hydrated! The air is dryer as we run our heating systems and consuming enough water supports our body. Hydration keeps our mucous membranes, our first line of defense, from drying out. Drinking soups, teas can be an easy way to stay hydrated through winter.
6. Acute Care Plan – have your home medicine cabinet stocked with immune supportive nutrients that you can start taking at the first signs of a cold.
   • Zinc is known for its immune supportive abilities.
   • Herbal Immune support – consider a liquid formulation with Astragalus, Echinacea, Hydrastis, Elderberry – all potent immune supportive herbs.
   • Buffered Vitamin C – bump up the dose of this vitamin when you are acutely ill.

If you are sick – take a hot bath or shower and rest as much as possible. The wet socks treatment is a favorite of our practice and patients, read our blog post and give it a shot when you are feeling under the weather.