Top 5 supplements to support a healthy immune system all season long

Published on Wed Dec 24, 2014 - 2 min read

Published by: Bryan Bradford

By Bryan Bradford, Chief Nutrition Officer of Sunflower Shoppe Natural Foods

December 5th, 2014

Before you know it, we’ll be battling our way through another cold and flu season. Arm yourself with a strong and healthy immune system. Here are our 5 favorite supplements you should have in your arsenal.

Probiotics:

Keep the bad bugs away with the good ones! The good bacteria play a crucial role in the development and operation of the mucosal immune system in your digestive tract. An imbalance of bacteria in your digestive tract could lead to a weakened immune system.

It is especially important to take probiotics if you do get sick and need to take an antibiotic!

Elderberry: Sambucus canadensis and S. nigra

This fruit has been used for centuries as a food and clinical trials have shown it to be helpful in reducing the duration and severity of viruses, specifically the influenza virus. Many people use it as part of a daily wellness plan during the cold and flu season for immune support. It is available in syrup and capsules.

Mushrooms:

The immune benefits from mushrooms are extensive. They provide immune modulating Beta-glucans and Glycoproteins. They are rich in antioxidants and also have the ability to balance our inflammatory response.

Vitamin D:

Everyone is hearing the buzz about this important vitamin these days. Many doctors are now testing patient levels as a regular standard of care and are finding an alarming number are low on this important vitamin.  The data is suggesting that insufficient levels of Vitamin D can be linked with a compromised immune system. The form of supplement that is most absorbable in the human body is D3 (cholecalciferol)

Liposomal Vitamin C:

This is a fat soluble form of a water soluble vitamin. Because it is bound by a fat (lecithin) it goes directly to the cell and 80% is absorbed versus typical vitamin C supplements which are only 20-25% absorbed.  We are able to take more of the Liposomal vitamin C without the digestive side effects that may be seen with water soluble C supplements.

For more information about these products and to find out other ways to stay healthy during this upcoming cold and flu season, come visit us at Sunflower Shoppe – where great health is just a way of life!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166406/

http://www.gaiaherbs.com/search/find/elderberry

http://www.hostdefense.com/

The content and opinions expressed in this “Shoppe Talk” blog are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any illness or to provide medical advice. We are not medical doctors and we do not prescribe medication. If you have any questions about the relationship between nutrition and supplements, we recommend that you seek the advice of a qualified and licensed health practitioner. Our opinions are based on the literature and data from a variety of medical doctors, chiropractors, naturopathic physicians, biochemists and other professional researchers. You are encouraged to make your health care decisions based on your own research and the advice of a qualified health care professional.