Immune Boosters for Fall & Winter

When you think about a true booster, you think of support, to lift up. So what really lifts your immune system, and how can you upgrade it when perhaps it’s “common” in society to be sick for fall and winter?

First thing is mindset, ask yourself, do I expect to get sick? Do I rely on the media to tell me what virus is going around, and that I’ll probably get it? Or do I cyclicly always get sick around that same time of year? Switch it up. Create action to get healthier, to take better care of yourself, and to know your innate immune system is stronger than you think.

Many people will say that fall and winter can be tough because of the holidays and excess sugar from Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. This can be true, but after lots of research this year, I don’t believe sugar is the culprit. I would be aware of the oils you are consuming over the sugar. Try to keep inflammation at bay, by ridding  of anything with Canola oil (highly inflammatory),  Sunflower oil, Soybean oil, Grapeseed oil, and even heated Olive oil. Also, look out for these oils in non-dairy milks.  A little every day goes a long way when it comes to your health.

So what can you start adding in?

Bee Pollen:

I love Bee Pollen and I think it’s highly underrated as an immune booster. I try to eat it daily and now, I even give it to my toddler for its benefits. (Please note, make sure your young ones or yourself do NOT have an allergy to bees.) Its best to start with one granule on the skin, then under the tongue, then so on.  Bee Pollen provides protein, amino acids, Vitamins A, D, C, E, and B’s. It also contains several minerals like iron and copper. I mainly love Bee Pollen because it’s so high in copper and did you know, all antioxidant activity is ran by copper? HUGE!  Copper is also needed for mitochondria production, which is responsible for energy production of your cells. I highly believe copper is also the best fertility food you could ingest, for the health your eggs and the implantation process.

Echinacea:

Echinacea basically modulates the innate immune system. It works on acute immunity as well as being an everyday immune protector. As a modulator, it serves to enhance the immune system by being highly anti-inflammatory. Echinacea supports the lymphatic system, cleanses the blood, and is known as a bitter, therefore being able to detect and fight off foreign invaders. Echinacea is also an adaptogen, building immune resilience in the body. I consider it a master of the immune system, and you cannot go wrong taking it daily. When taken, it has been researched to cut a cold duration by a day and a half.

Curcumin: Curcumin is from the plant Turmeric.  It’s antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, antidiabetic, and vasoprotective. Need I say more? Get it in daily, and make sure you are getting a sufficient amount, even beyond diet.

Garlic:

I love garlic for the fall and winter because it’s antimicrobial, antiparasitc, antifungal, it helps to bind heavy metals in the body, it’s hypotensive, and its a powerful antioxidant. But it’s also, mucolytic, which means it helps to break down any excessive mucous in the body. This is great, to keep mucous at bay from inflammation, or even to shorten colds, influenza, bronchitis, sinusitis, hay fever, and works to improve the intestinal wall. Hello soil to your immune system! Garlic can be magic!

Holy Basil:

This is definitely one of my favorite adaptogens for sure. This adaptogen has been around for thousand of years is also immune enhancing. It’s know to fight bacteria, and studies have shown when taken, it’s been able to kill MRSA and E. coli. It’s also known to increase the number of T cells in the body, which are the cells to fight infections. What I love most about Holy Basil is that its mood boosting. Which brings me back to mindset and immunity. Keeping your mind and energy up is vital to increasing energy in the body and keeping your immune system strong.

Shilajit:

Minerals, minerals, minerals! Originally from India, and Tibet, this organic plant material is ancient and includes 84 minerals such as copper, iron, and zinc. Research shows shilajit supports the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis in the body, therefore, supporting energy, sleep, and the hormonal system.  It can help reverse oxidative damage and again, like copper, improves the mitochondrial function of the cells. It also contains, fulvic and humic acid which both work to increase the metabolism of the cells, detox toxins from the cells, and support the cell wall allowing nutrients to be absorbed.

I hope these support you as you prepare for the upcoming months. I’m always here to answer your questions and of course do Nutritional Consults as an option for your appointments. If you need further support in booking, please click here.

In good health,

Dr. A