As much as I don’t want to admit it, summer is almost over and that means back to school and fall is quickly approaching. With the changes in the season and more exposure to other people (when kids are back at school) we are more susceptible to contracting viruses and bacteria. Also we are more relaxed in the summer and typically get more stressed as we start rushing kids back and forth to school. This stress, change in climate, and other factors causes us to get have weakened immune systems, making us more susceptible to colds and flus. While the exposure to pathogens is inevitable, the drawn out colds and nasty flus are not! We can do things to support our immune system in preparation so that our body can mount robust responses against pathogenic invaders and neutralize them quickly.
I want to highlight supplements in this post so that you can be equipped when colds and flus arrive. that being said, our first line of defense should ALWAYS be nutrition, sleep and stress reduction. Focus on feeing yourself and your family highly nutritious greens, veggies, proteins, healthy fats and complex carbs. Focus on reducing sugars, processed foods, hydrogenated oils, sodas, juice, alcohol, coffee and simple carbs. At the same time, set a good routine to get to bed by 10 or 10:30PM each night if possible and ensure your water consumption is nice and high during the day. Practice deep breathing to keep the nervous system balanced especially with chronic stress.
Supplements
Below are my go-to immune boosting remedies for myself and my family. I give these to the kids a few weeks before school starts but also during the school year as well and ESPECIALLY at times where there is high sugar consumption (holidays, birthdays. etc). Follow box/bottle directions and always check with your doctor and your child’s doctor before supplementing.
Nosodes: UNDA Muco Coccinum 200 – Nosode preparation for relief of cold and flu symptoms and strengthens the immune system against the common viral strains.
Probiotics: Genestra HMF Immune Shelf Stable or Genestra HMF Multi Strain 50 – boosts immune system and strengthens the gut which is a main line of defense for us, especially for flu strains.
Kids Immune complex: Douglas Labs Vita-Kids Immune – syrup to boost immunity for kids
Homeopathic Nasal Spray: Dr. Reckeweg R96 | Pulsatilla Compositum – helps improve congestion from colds
Cough syrup: Dr. Reckeweg R8 | Jut-U-Sin Syrup – great tasting syrup to help improve coughing
Immune phytogen: Genestra Imu-gen – immune boost for both adults and kids to strengthen immune defenses
Medicinal mushrooms: Reishi and chaga mushroom are our go-tos for immune support
Omega 3s (EPA and DHA): Genestra Super EFA forte capsules (can puncture the capsule for kids) – the immune system requires sufficient omega EPA and DHA to function adequately. fish oil is the superior source for this.
Green juice: This isn’t a supplement the Greenhouse or Village green juices are a great way to boost immunity!
Oligo elements: UNDA Gammadyn zn-cu is a great remedy to take before or during a cold to strengthen immune defenses