Boost Your Immune System for Spring

Spring is arriving.
Rising temperatures after a long and freezing Winter can bring a sense of relief to many people. However, the changes occurring aren't always revitalizing: over 20% of Americans get sick with the change of seasons every year. Why does this happen? Some speculate the pressure related to rapid temperature changes are to blame; others claim that there are more "bugs" floating around and making us ill. Even alternative medicine claims it has to do with the change in daylight hours. Whichever reason makes sense for you, getting sick is never fun and can easily be remedied. Your immune system responds efficiently and quickly if you know which supplements and treatments are effective and healing on the body.

What vitamins and minerals do I need?

Echinacea:
If you've ever seen the echinacea flower, you'll notice it has the most vibrant magenta petals and truly epitomizes spring time. It also is capable of preventing colds, flus, and other warmer weather illnesses. Fossilized remains have shown that echinacea has been used among villages over 400 years ago! Many studies have shown its effectiveness in treating sickness, but it's real abilities lie in preventative medicine. Symptoms of illness such as headache, stuffy head, fever, sore throat, and chest pain benefit from the supplementation of echinacea at the first sign of a cold or flu.
As Winter turns to Spring, add in echinacea to keep any nasty bug from causing you infection and those inconvenient "sick days." Enjoy the beautiful rising temperatures instead!

Rose Hips:
Rose hips grow from roses as soft, bright red berry-like structures that resemble cherry tomatoes with outward reaching tails. The hips can be used in teas, jams, syrups, and even alcohol. Their real talent is preventing cold and flu sickness! They may resemble tomatoes because they also contain lycopene, an antioxidant that can powerfully eradicate free radicals that may cause infection. Their high vitamin C content also allows the body to repair and strengthen cells which continuously fight the foreign invader cells that enter your body every day. Rose hips have incredible anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate the painful symptoms often associated with the flu.

Elderberry:
The elderberry flower is a beautiful off-white colored, star shaped blossom that produces hard, dark blue berries that look like blueberries. Elderberries contain high amounts of vitamin C, another flu fighting, immune system-loving compound. They are also made up of immune-boosting flavonoids that are commonly found in plants and trees. Like echinacea, elderberries are most powerful when taken at the first symptom of being sick. A very famous 1980 scientific study tested the effects of elderberry on an Israeli population sick with a flu outbreak. The entire population was given an elderberry treatment for their symptoms. Within one day, 20% felt significantly better. After 2 days, 73% recovered and by the third day, 90% of those treated with elderberry felt completely healed and recovered. Since this incredible herb promotes natural detoxifying sweating, fevers are significantly reduced with the intake of elderberry.

Vitamin D:
One of the theories of why we get Spring time sickness is that our bodies have been deprived of sunlight, vitamin D, for months. Inside our houses, the microorganisms are familiar with our bodies and we are tolerant of them. Once the temperature rises, the sun shines, and we are outside more often, new germs and bacteria invade our systems. We are low on this reparative vitamin, and as a result of these new interactions we contract infections much more easily than we would have if vitamin D was consumed daily, regardless of the weather.
DaVinci Labs Immuno-DMG chewable tablets contain a high amount of vitamin D to push any infection to the wayside and keep you feeling as healthy as Spring!

Vitamin C:
Our antioxidant friend, vitamin C, is the most popular form of illness defense in the world. It is available as lozenges, syrups, chewable vitamins, capsules, and even from Mother Nature-- in citrus fruits. The compounds in vitamin C promote cell repair and defense, which contributes to preventative health just like our herbal supplements. Allergy Research Group had this in mind when they created their Citrus Pectin Powder for immune system health. It can be taken continuously, because it also aids in rapid recovery after contracting a virus or catching a cold. Because free radicals are destroyed by vitamin C, it may even prevent future colds or flus from affecting your immune system, and strengthen your body over time of continuous supplementation.

DaVinci Labs has created a vegetarian immune supplement, Cell Support, that contains many of these powerful protective compounds against illness and regulating minerals for a healthy immune system.
Wholly Immune by Allergy Research Group is whole-foods based supplement that fights colds and flus with minerals like iron, zinc, and vitamins D and C.

Lifestyle choices that minimize immune dysfunction.

Get active!
The comfortable temperatures and nicer weather can only mean one thing: another reason to get out and enjoy it! Staying moderately active can significantly cut your risk of infection, because your cells are strengthened and become more resilient to foreign invader cells. Bicycling around the neighborhood, going for a walk after dinner, and even playing out in the yard can significantly reduce your chances of getting sick.

Enjoy the sunlight.
We now know vitamin D plays a role in healthy immune function. Supplements can definitely fulfill your new requirements for this valuable vitamin, and spending time soaking up the sun's rays will compound your capacity to store and utilize vitamin D. This means a healthier, functioning body!

Incorporate fresh produce into your diet.
The next time you go grocery shopping, find the most colorful fruits and vegetables to eat. These bright colors are a signal that the produce contains high levels of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. Many genetic forces will control how effective your supplements are. Incorporating fresh, whole foods into your diet will ensure that you reach the optimum levels of the most important nutrients your body needs. Fruits like oranges and grapefruits, vegetables like spinach, kale, and bell peppers all contain protective nutrients that help fight illness during seasonal changes.

Spice up your life!
Spicy foods like jalapenos and other spicy peppers, cayenne, and chiles help to break down thick mucous that often accompanies sinus-related illness in the Spring and may help to reduce symptoms of allergies! Bring the heat and fight your spring time symptoms with a red-hot meal.