As we enter the holiday season, it’s important to stay ever attentive to your immune system. Regular supplements and home remedies can not only stave off seasonal ailments, but they can also help support your immune system.

1. Hydration:

Drinking water daily is important year-round, however staying hydrated when you start to feel sick is the top recommendation for a speedy recovery. Your body naturally flushes germs and toxins out of your system and fluid intake helps this process. Water is the obvious and ideal fluid, however, herbal tea with honey may also be a great choice. Honey has a variety of antibacterial and antimicrobial properties and drinking tea with honey is great for soothing irritates throats, while assisting with hydration.

2. Vitamin C:

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that supports your immune system naturally. Vitamin C encourages the production of white blood cells and helps them function more effectively and Vitamin C is an essential part of keeping your skin healthy, which is your body’s first defense against pathogens.

3. Garlic:

Garlic contains allicin, among other compounds, which possesses powerful antioxidant properties which aids the body in getting rid of free radicals and other pathogens. A few studies even suggest that taking garlic may be beneficial for folks who often get colds as it may play a role in reducing the number of occurrences.

4. Vitamin D3: 

Most people receive vitamin D from the sun but during fall and winter months, sunlight is less prevalent due to people spending less time outside. Supplementing natural Vitamin D absorption from the sun with D3 supplements may assist with supporting healthy bones and teeth and maintaining a healthy immune system.

5. Elderberry:

Elderberry supplements are made from the fruit or flowers of elderberry plants. Elderberry supplements have historically been known for their benefits during cold and flu season. The anthocyanins contained in Elderberry provide an antioxidant power that is higher than most, making Elderberry unique for free radical support and inflammation support. Elderberry is especially helpful at strengthening your body’s natural immunity during seasonal changes.

6. Probiotics:

Your body contains both good and bad bacteria in the gut and it’s important to make sure the good bacteria outweigh the bad bacteria. Good bacteria in the gut help eliminate harmful pathogens, aid in the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, and support overall health. If you are looking to increase your antioxidants while taking your probiotics, a cranberry probiotic may boost your antioxidant level as well as provide support for urinary health.

7. Zinc Picolinate:

Zinc Picolinate is a cofactor for more than 300 enzymes in the body, meaning that it’s needed for those enzymes to function properly in the body. Zinc is especially known for supporting a healthy immune system and healthy skin, which is one of your body’s first lines of defense against pathogens.

8. Multivitamins:

Regular multivitamins assist in overall immune health in a multitude of ways. These include improving natural age-related depletions like loss of energy, supporting overall heart health, support for already healthy blood sugar, and brain health which is especially important as age increases.

9. Sleep: 

Having the proper amount of sleep is imperative to a fully functioning immune system. Lack of sleep increases stress and lowers immune responses. Don’t forget to put down those electronic devices in the lead up to bedtime, grab a nice cup of tea (decaffeinated of course) with honey and try to get to bed at a reasonable time.

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