Part 2- Immune Boosting Foods & Supplements
Hello friends!
Welcome to Part 2- of my favorite immune boosting foods and supplements! Be sure to check out Part 1 if you haven’t already- lots of good info over there! And although these foods and supplements are powerful and can certainly help lessen the duration or severity of a cold or the flu- it really takes being consistent throughout the year with your nutrition and overall wellness. And please always check with a doctor and or pharmacist prior to taking any of the items listed below. I am not a doctor or pharmacist, I am simply speaking from experience and sharing what has worked for me and my family :)
Let’s dive in and get started with Part 2!!
A good quality Probiotic
First let’s start off with answering, “What is a probiotic?” In simple terms probiotics are live gut bacteria that support your body’s ability to absorb nutrients and fight infection. Your body contains roughly around 2-3lbs of gut bacteria- which is why it’s super important to keep them healthy and active!
With all of the different probiotic options out there it can be quite difficult to decide which ones to purchase. Which is why I’ve done the hardest work for you.
As a Nutritional Therapist I’ve had the opportunity to try many brands of probiotics and time and time again- I always come back to this guy. —->
MegaSporeBioticTM is the probiotic I’ve used and recommended for the last 2 years and it is by far the best quality probiotic I’ve ever used. MegaSporeBioticTM is the first 100% spore-based, broad-spectrum
probiotic clinically shown to improve leaky gut in just 30 days.
Spore-based probiotics are much more effective than conventional
probiotics on the market because they are designed to survive through
the harsh gastric system, colonize, and increase microbial diversity in the
gut. This unique all-spore formula effectively
reconditions the gut by increasing microbial diversity and encouraging
the growth of key health-promoting, commensal gut bacteria.
Why Use Megasporebiotic?
Probiotics are huge for maintaining a healthy gut- improve leaky gut, IBS/IBD etc.
Help with antibiotic resistance
Probiotics have been known to help improve mood
Probiotics can help improve allergies and skin conditions such as eczema
Help improve and strengthen immune system
Can assist with weight loss
Again- I use MegaSporeBiotic as my primary probiotic- but I also incorporate fermented foods every month to keep my gut bacteria happy and healthy! Some of my favorite sources are kimchi, sauerkraut and fermented veggies.
Zinc
Zinc is a very powerful mineral that is essential for the body. Over 300 enzymes rely on zinc to properly function. Zinc is considered a trace mineral meaning that it is only needed in small quantities to keep levels sufficient. It is mostly found in the strongest muscles of the body and is found in especially high concentrations in the white and red blood cells, retina, skin, liver, kidneys, bones, and pancreas. The semen and the prostate gland in men also contain significant amounts of zinc. Zinc does get used up quickly as it used in various metabolic processes and needs to be replenished often.
Why use Zinc ?
Can boost the immune system- lessen duration of colds
It can help with acne
Zinc can help improve your vision
Can reduce inflammation
Helps maintain proper levels of stomach acid
Improves cognitive function
Improves sense of smell and taste
As you can see zinc is super important for maintaining a healthy body. Zinc is best taken at the very beginning of a cold- as zinc’s effectiveness lessens over time. Zinc can be taken as a tablet or lozenge. As always please make sure you contact your doctor first prior to taking it.
These are the lozenges I love and use.
OnGuard Essential Oil
Essential Oils have been used for centuries as anti-bacterials, anti-virals, anti-microbials, immune support, mood enhancing, digestive health and so much more. These power packed “essences” are what give the plant their scent, protects them from hazardous environmental conditions, and even assist it with pollination.
The purity of an essential oil is its most important characteristic. Which is why it’s crucial to use a brand that set high standards for their oils. I solely use doTERRA essential oils because they have developed their own testing process called CPTG- Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade. This process ensures that no added fillers, synthetic ingredients or harmful contaminants are ever used in their essential oils. That being said, their OnGuard blend is the “holy grail” for staying healthy in the fall and winter months.
Benefits of OnGuard:
Supports healthy respiratory function
Supports natural antioxidant production
Can help prevent colds and illness, by inhibiting viruses
Strengthens the immune system
You can purchase OnGuard here- I also recommend using the hand wash, toothpaste, mouth wash and laundry detergent. That way you target those germs from all angles :) I personally love diffusing it as well as adding it into tea and using it topically. If you would like to know specific instructions for you- send me an email and we can discuss!
Remove Inflammatory Foods
Inflammation is the root cause of all disease. Inflammation is a normal part of the body’s inherent immune response and is necessary for normal function. For example if you were to get a cut, have a virus or break a bone- the body would natural begin to inflame the area to begin repairing the damage tissue or bone. This is considered acute inflammation- which is not dangerous and typically only last a few days. Without this acute inflammation our body would not heal, allowing wounds to fester and potentially leading to death.
On the other hand chronic inflammation is very dangerous and can last weeks, months or even years. This type of inflammation affects muscles, organs, tissue, cells and all systems of the body (brain, digestive, immune etc.)
A very common source of inflammation are inflammatory foods. Inflammatory foods are foods that do exactly that- they trigger an immune response once entered into the body.
The most common inflammatory foods are:
Refined carbs and white flour products
Gluten
Corn
GMO Soy
Dairy
Sugar
High levels of Omega 6 oils and foods
Trans fats and hydrogenated oils
Removing anti-inflammatory foods can help with:
Digestive issues- such as bloating, gas, constipation, acid reflux etc
Improve brain cognition and brain fog
Optimize sleep
Improve skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, or red/blotchy skin
Help with allergies and allergy symptoms
Increase energy levels
Lower blood sugar levels
Decreased arthritis pain
And so much more…….
When you are able to fully remove and lower you inflammation levels, you will truly feel like a new person. To experience the full effect - you can also consider eating an anti-inflammatory diet for 1-3 months. This is not necessary for everyone, but can absolutely help many individuals.
Welp- that’s all friends! I hope these lists were helpful in getting you the best tools to keep you healthy all winter long! Reach out if you have any questions!