Today’s lifestyles can be stressful and generally involves poor dietary habits, hectic schedules, and anxiety, with little or no time to exercise. Threats of dangerous cold and flu strains and the current state of the economy can contribute to the rise in one’s stress levels. All of these factors combined can lay the foundation for stress, tension, fatigue, frustration, and anxiety that can decrease immune function and make us more susceptible to cold and flu viruses.

When it comes to colds and flu, we are faced with the necessity of keeping our immunity high along with what seems to be a difficult decision in regards to having a flu shot.  Whether you decide to have a flu shot or not, it is still a good idea to help keep your immune system strong.  Using natural dietary supplements can help build and keep your immune system functioning optimally.

Cold and Flu Viruses

Every year in the U.S. the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports several million cases of colds and flu. Up to 10% to 20% of the total U.S. population may become ill in any given year. Of these, thousands of the most serious cases require hospitalization, and each year there are several related deaths from complications caused by the flu. And now we have renewed and more dangerous strains, such as the Avian Flu and Swine Flu.

You can help to keep you and your family members well by keeping the immune system boosted and taking dietary supplements at the onset that will help shorten the severity and duration.

Help keep your immune system strong by:

• Taking supplements to help build the immune system
• Having products on hand in case you begin to not feel well
• Taking measures to reduce stress and exposure to illness

Some supplements we suggest to stay healthy are:

	Vitamin C antioxidants combat free radicals, directing the body toward greater health. Taking antioxidants like those included in Systemic C can help boost immune function, while protecting our cells and DNA from free radical damage. These antioxidants can also serve as a preventative measure against many different health issues from colds and flu to more serious disorders like cardiovascular disease.
	Vitamin D-3 is nicknamed the “sunshine vitamin” because the body makes it naturally when exposed to the sun, scientists are discovering that vitamin D-3 is an important hormone precursor that helps support the immune system and helps regulate the health of at least 20 different tissues, including the brain and joints. Vitamin D-3 also plays an important role in regulating cell growth, insulin levels, and bone formation.
	ArcticPure Omega-3 concentrated fish oils are one of the most important additions modern people can make in their daily health programs. Hundreds of studies show that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids supports the mind, the heart, the kidneys, and the immune  system. Rarely does a nutrient so powerfully and positively impact the human body.
	Vitalzym enzymes are extremely effective in supporting immune function. They are adaptogenic, seeking to restore a steady state to the body (1). When the immune system is running low, we become susceptible to infectious disease. Vitalzym increases immune response, producing more Natural Killer cells, and improving the efficiency of the white blood cells, all leading to improved immunity.  When it's cranked up too high, then the system creates antibodies that attack its own tissues, as are seen in the autoimmune diseases of Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Lupus. In this case, Vitalzym will tone down immune function and eat away at the antibodies the immune system is making to attack its bodies own tissue.
	Wellness Formula is designed to support the immune system when under physical stress. It contains a powerful combination of herbs, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals formulated to boost your well-being. Wellness is a Bio-Aligned Formula™ that goes deep to the root cause of body system imbalances. It is expertly designed to support interlocking components of the immune system, including mucous membranes, cell-mediated immunity and humoral immunity. It also addresses interrelated body systems that impact health: antioxidant defense, stress response, and the respiratory system.
	Mushroom Immune Defense™ features 16 of the best-studied species of health-supportive mushrooms, including shiitake, reishi, and maitake. These mushrooms contain compounds, including beta-glucans, glycoproteins and polysaccharides, which support a wide range of immune defenses.

As we are all aware, flu vaccines are available each year.  However, with all of the conflicting information, it is difficult to decipher what the truth really is regarding their safety and effectiveness.

On one hand we have the Center for Disease Control (CDC) stating that flu vaccines are perfectly safe and necessary, especially for a particular group of people, such as those “at high risk for serious complications.”

Then, there are those who are on the other side of the coin claiming the harm that could be potentially caused by the vaccine may outweigh the good.  While flu vaccines may not be widely accepted or needed by everyone, it is very important to communicate with your health care professional if you have any concerns whether you or your family members should have it or not.

Read our article: Building Your Immune System and Fighting Viruses  to learn more about what you can do to keep you and your family healthy during the cold and flu season, as well as all year long.  

• Taking supplements to help build the immune system
• Having products on hand in case you begin to not feel well
• Taking measures to reduce stress and exposure to illness
   

References:

1. Kunze R., Ransberger K., et at: Humoral immunomodulatory capacity of proteases in immune complex decomposition and formation. First International symposium on combination therapies, Washington, DC, 1991.