Better Defense for Seasonal Changes

It's that time of year to think about maintaining your first line of defense: your immune system. Changes in the weather and other aggressive environmental factors can weaken your immune system, along with stress, unhealthy diets, and lack of exercise. Help bolster your immune system with healthier lifestyle choices, and by replenishing nutrients essential to healthy immune function. Take a proactive stance. These approaches help you build a healthy "core" defense on a daily basis (and provide support when you need it most): High potency vitamin C to enhance the body's natural defense system. Bioavailable vitamin D for long-term immune support. Health-enhancing mushrooms (shiitake, reishi, fu-ling, cordyceps, maitake) offer a time-tested approach to a healthy defense system. Essential zinc to keep your mucosal membrane strong and boost production of white blood cells and natural killer cells. Oleanolic acid shown in preliminary studies to enhance total white blood count for a stronger immune defense. Selenium for antioxidant protection and healthy white blood cell activity. Probiotics (Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM®) help promote balanced digestive microflora to support immune function. When the storm hits. Even those who are well prepared can still experience some effects that leave them feeling run down. The following natural approaches are often recommended for an immune system under stress: Andrographis, an Ayurvedic herb traditionally used to support upper respiratory and immune health. Traditional Chinese herbs for lung support, including mulberry, apricot, gardenia, and pear extracts. Traditional Chinese herbs for seasonal immune support, such as forsythia, licorice, platycodon, schizonepeta, and ginger extracts. Traditional Chinese herbs for nasal and sinus support, including astragalus, angelica, xanthium, and cinnamon extracts.