Tagged with 'flu'

If you want a fighting chance to create a natural resistance to invading bacteria and viruses, your first line of defense is to choose a healthy lifestyle. Every part of your body, including your immune system, functions better when protected from environmental and nutritional assaults.

Here are 5 major factors that suppress your immune system:

#1 Age

The aging process somehow leads to a reduction of immune response capability, which in turn contributes to infections, more inflammatory diseases, and more cancer. There seems to be a connection between nutrition and imunity in the elderly, specifically regarding a deficiency in certain micronutrients.

#2 Stress

The closely linked relationship between mind and body makes scientists suspect chronic stress takes a toll on the immune system.

#3 Low Quality Diet

Research has long recognized that people who live in poverty and are malnourished are more vulnerable to infectious diseases. Important micronutrients for immune response are zinc, selenium, iron, copper, folic acid, and vitamins A, B6, C, and E. 

If you suspect your diet is not providing you with all your micronutrient needs — maybe you don't like vegetables or you choose white bread over whole grains — taking a multivitamin and mineral supplement brings health benefits of many types, including immunity benefits.

#4 Stuck Indoors

When it's cold outside and you're spending more time indoors, you're typically in closer contact with other people who can pass on their germs. This certainly increases your risk of catching a cold. 

#5 Inadequate Exercise

Just like a healthy diet, exercise can contribute to general good health and therefore to a healthy immune system. It may contribute even more directly by promoting good circulation, which allows the cells and substances of the immune system to move through the body freely and do their job efficiently.

What if your immune system is being effected by any of these 5 major factors? Start by ensure your immune system gets the specific nutrients it needs, which includes both long- and short-term support.

THE ULTIMATE COLD-KICKING COMBINATION

Immuno Comp

• Proactive support for everyday immune system strength and resiliency.

• Excellent for acute immune challenges by taking high doses in a short period of time.

Liposomal Vitamin C

• The liposomal form is highly absorbable and delivers more vitamin C to tissues and cells compared to other forms of vitamin C.

• Take daily for powerful long-term immune support.

• Take higher doses for acute infections.

Glycophagen

• Supports immune issues originating from the GI tract.

• 70% of the immune system is in your gut, which makes the gut a first line defense against foreign substances.

• Take daily for long-term general immunity. 

VRL Shield

• Pair with Immuno Comp, Liposomal Vitamin C and Glycophagen when extra “oomph” is needed to fight off acute infections.

• Excellent for those experiencing a chronic viral challenges, such as hepatitis and cold sores. 

Use this comprehensive group of products to maximize your body’s immunity EVERYDAY!

In Health and Happiness,

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Live Superfoods

Reference:

http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system

When you dive back into a busy fall schedule, your immune system automatically weakens. Chalk it up to stress, which leads to lost sleep, which throws hormones out of balance and compromises your body’s ability to fight off infection.

By boosting your immunity naturally with certain nutrients, you can restore your strength and keep infectious invaders at bay.

#1 Magnesium

Magnesium has been linked to the immune system, finding that the nutrient impacts inflammation response and may help ward off asthma symptoms. Stash portions of magnesium drink mix, such as Natural Vitality’s Natural Calm, in your gym bag to mix with water after a workout, and you’ll increase your chances of returning to the treadmill tomorrow. I’m loving the different flavors too, such as cherry and raspberry-lemon. $34.45 for a 16 oz. bottle of powder

#2 Give Your Body a Round-the-Clock Dose of Vitamin C

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, up to 30% of new and remodeled buildings worldwide might be classified as “sick,” triggering symptoms such as coughs, fatigue and headaches, known as sick building syndrome (SBS), in occupants. Even in healthy offices, bacteria can linger on everything from the coffeemaker to the copy machine. One way not to think about it? Put some extra C – such as packets of Livon Lab Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C – in your laptop bag every morning. The packet is the most bioavailable and powerful oral vitamin C supplement you can find. $32.95 per 30 packets

#3 Think Zinc

The lower your zinc levels, the more vulnerable you are to infections, according to decades of research and a review from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. It’s clear zinc affects multiple aspects of the immune system. Additional studies have found zinc’s sickness-fighting power can be boosted by picolinic acid, which helps your body transport and absorb certain minerals. Drop this bottle of Uckele's Zinc Citrate in your purse, and you’ll stay even sharper for work. The liquid is taste less, so simply add it to water or drop straight onto your tongue. $12.15 per 2 fl oz bottle

With these three convenient ways to ensure you get your magnesium, zinc, and vitamin C, there’s no excuse for not being healthy this Fall.

In health and happiness,

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Live Superfoods

When you dive back into a busy fall schedule, your immune system automatically weakens. Chalk it up to stress, which leads to lost sleep, which throws hormones out of balance and compromises your body’s ability to fight off infection.

By boosting your immunity naturally with certain nutrients, you can restore your strength and keep infectious invaders at bay.

#1 Magnesium

Magnesium has been linked to the immune system. Magnesium even impacts the body's inflammation response and may help ward off asthma symptoms. Stash portions of magnesium drink mix, such as Natural Vitality’s Natural Calm, in your gym bag to mix with water after a workout, and you’ll increase your chances of returning to the treadmill tomorrow. I’m loving the different flavors too, such as cherry and raspberry-lemon. $34.45 for a 16 oz. bottle of powder

#2 Give Your Body a Round-the-Clock Dose of Vitamin C

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, up to 30% of new and remodeled buildings worldwide might be classified as “sick,” triggering symptoms such as coughs, fatigue and headaches, known as sick building syndrome (SBS), in occupants. Even in healthy offices, bacteria can linger on everything from the coffeemaker to the copy machine.

One way not to think about it? Put some extra C – such as packets of Livon Lab Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C – in your laptop bag every morning. The packet is the most bioavailable and powerful oral vitamin C supplement you can find. Simply dissolve it in your water. $29.95 per 30 packets

#3 Think Zinc

The lower your zinc levels, the more vulnerable you are to infections, according to decades of research and a review from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. It’s clear zinc affects multiple aspects of the immune system. Additional studies have found zinc’s sickness-fighting power can be boosted by picolinic acid, which helps your body transport and absorb certain minerals. Drop this bottle of BodyBio Zinc #2 Liquid Mineral in your purse, and you’ll stay even sharper for work. The liquid is tasteless, so simply add it to water or drop straight onto your tongue. $12.15 per 2 fl oz bottle

With these three convenient ways to ensure you get your magnesium, zinc, and vitamin C, there’s no excuse for not being healthy this Fall.

In health and happiness,

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods

Nobody wants to get sick during the holidays, but sometimes the extra stress and exposure to more germs makes it inevitable. There are certain supplements that are more effective at keeping you well when taken long term. The three I always recommend are vitamin D, NAC, and probiotics. 

Vitamin D’s role in immune health has long been established; vitamin D receptors are found on a number of immune cells, including lymphocytes and macrophages, supporting healthy immune cell activation.     

NAC is N-Acetyl-l-Cysteine and enhances production of glutathione, one of your body’s most important antioxidants.

When it comes to probiotics, L. rhamnosus and B. animalis are two specific probiotics found to be particularly helpful for fighting off a cold.

If you’re not already, start taking them now and continue through the cold and flu season to best support healthy immunity. Others, like elderberry, zinc, and Echinacea can shorten the duration of a cold or flu if you’ve already caught a bug. The key is to start taking them at the very first signs of illness.

Stay healthy this season!

In Health and Happiness,

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods

The flu virus wreaks the most havoc in the winter and declines in the summer months.

Influenza risk factors

Influenza is most common in winter, a time when:

• Solar ultraviolet-B (UVB) doses are low.
• The weather is cold. This prevents white blood cells from reaching the lining of the respiratory tract and fighting the virus.
• The humidity is low. Dry air allows the virus to live longer outside of the body.

Vitamin D and influenza risk

Vitamin D3, the true form of vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin produced in the skin when skin is exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Vitamin D is also found in food and dietary supplements. High levels of vitamin D may prevent or lower the risk of influenza. Vitamin D may also reduce symptoms of influenza and reduce the risk of developing pneumonia following influenza.

Two randomized controlled trials found reduced incidence of influenza for those taking higher doses of vitamin D. A study involving African-American postmenopausal women in New York found a 60% reduced risk of colds and influenza for those taking 800 international units IU/d vitamin D3 and 90% reduced risk for those taking 2000 IU/d.

Another study in Japan, involving school children taking 1200 IU/d vitamin D3 vs. 200 IU/d, found a 67% reduction in Type A influenza, but no effect for Type B influenza. Type A influenza includes H1N1 varieties, which was the type involved in the 2009 “swine flu” infections.

How vitamin D boosts the immune system

To enhance the body’s immune system, vitamin D:

• Produces cathelicidin and defensins—These proteins have antiviral effects to combat viruses.
• Reduces inflammation—As a result, body temperature does not rise as much, and the lining of the lungs is less disturbed. This makes it harder for bacteria to give rise to pneumonia.

Optimal Vitamin D level

Based on several studies, raising vitamin D blood levels to 40 ng/ml (100 nmol/l) may reduce the risk of influenza. For most people, this involves taking 1000–5000 IU per day of vitamin D during the influenza season. On average, 2000-5000 IU/day vitamin D3 may provide protection against influenza. 

In Health and Happiness,

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods

References:

William B. Grant, Ph.D. Sunlight, Nutrition, and Health Research Center (SUNARC) P.O. Box 641603 San Francisco, CA 94164-1603, USA www.sunarc.org

Vitamin D Council. Influenza. March 2014.

Fall and winter are prime-time for colds, influenza (flu), and other respiratory illnesses. We’re all vulnerable to contagious viruses due in large part to people spending more time indoors with others when the weather gets cold.

Check out these natural prevention tips to avoid catching a cold or the flu this year.

Homemade Chicken Soup

Seems mom may be right about chicken soup. A handful of studies show the ingredients in chicken soup (chicken stock, carrots, onion, and celery) really could have medicinal value. One researcher set out to determine why chicken soup might help colds. He found the soup stopped the movement of neutrophils, the most common type of white blood cell that defends against infection. Ultimately, chicken soup helps reduce upper respiratory cold symptoms.

Another study on chicken soup shows it helps increase the movement of mucus in the nose, and also improves the function of protective cilia, the tiny hair-like projections in the nose that prevent potential infections from entering the body.

Another tip is to add veggies to your soup because it’s known that a nutrient-rich diet builds your immune system and fights inflammation.

Vitamin D₃

The flu is a respiratory infection caused by a virus that infects the nose, throat, and lungs. The flu is most common during winter and can cause fever, chills, sore throat, cough, body aches, and fatigue. How does vitamin D play a role? Well, vitamin D is an important part of the immune system, and studies have shown people who have low vitamin D levels may have a higher chance of getting the flu.

How Does Vitamin D₃ Boost Your Immune System? Prepare to get nerdy and talk science…

There are vitamin D receptors found on cells in the immune system, and vitamin D can bind to these receptors. Vitamin D works in the immune system by reducing levels of inflammatory proteins called cytokines, as well as increasing amounts of antimicrobial proteins, which destroy invading germs and viruses. This combination of lowering inflammation and increasing antimicrobial defenses can help your immune system fight infections better.

Hot Liquids

Like chicken noodle soup, drinking hot liquids also helps briefly increase the movement of mucus in the nose, and this happens through the nasal inhalation of water vapor. Green tea is a good additions since it’s full of antioxidants, which will boost your immune system even when you're already sick. Consider drinking a cup of hot tea or water 2x/day.

Many studies show taking some echinacea products when cold symptoms are first noticed can modestly reduce symptoms of the common cold in adults. 

Neti Pot

Using a neti pot is a natural solution for gently washing away mucous, bacteria, pollen, allergens, and viruses from the sinuses. There’s one main sinus a neti pot flush can reach—the maxillary sinus, which is on either side of your nose—basically inside the “cheek bone.” When they fill with pus or mucous, it hurts. Not only does it hurt, it provides a further haven for more bacteria and viruses as the immune system cannot enter because it’s too plugged.

Check out this blog about how to use a neti pot. 

Monolaurin

Monolaurin is made from lauric acid, which is found in coconut milk and breastmilk. Monolaurin is thought to have antibacterial, antiviral, and other antimicrobial effects, that may help prevent and treat the common cold, flu, and other infections. 

The science behind how monolaurin works is by incorporating itself into the cell membrane of bacteria, blocking its replication, which makes it easier for your immune system to take care of. You can get monolaurin at most health food stores.

All-in-all, eat a healthy, balanced diet, wash your hands often, exercise regularly, and sleep well.

In Health and Happiness,

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods

References:

Influenza. Vitamin D Council. 

Monolaurin Incorporates Into Gram Positive Bacteria Cell Membranes. Appl Environ Microbiol. Tokarskyy O, Marshall DL.