Immunity Boosters for Cold, Flu, and COVID Season

From cozy sweaters and hearty soups to crunchy leaves underfoot, there are many things to love about fall in Oregon. However, it’s also cold, flu, and COVID season, which can really throw a wrench in your apple-picking plans. This year, enjoy all that is lovely about fall without worry by taking care of your immune system ahead of time. In this article, our Whole Health team shares their best advice on ways to boost your immune health and dodge the common cold-weather viruses, including:

• Natural supplements to promote immune health
• Lifestyle changes to improve immune function
• Diet, exercise and sleep routines that strengthen the immune system

Supplements for Immune Support

Before we do a deep dive into herbal supplements, it’s important to note that immunity support products are intended as a health supplement but offer no guarantee of preventing illness in some individuals, including those who may be immune-compromised. Be sure to consult with your healthcare provider to determine if supplements are right for you. Once you get the green-light, check out these recommendations from our Whole Health team.

Mickelberry Gardens Elderberry Honey Tonic (Portland, OR) blends the natural immune-boosting properties of raw Pacific Northwest honey, raw apple cider vinegar, and traditional herbal remedies. It includes black elderberries, Echinacea tops, and Pacific Northwest bee propolis. A pleasing mix of sweet honey and berries with a zing of vinegar will help coat and soothe sore throats. It’s also rich in vitamins, oxidants, enzymes, and probiotics. This tonic is available in 2, 4, and 8 oz. glass bottles. We suggest taking this tasty tonic by the spoonful daily. It’s also delicious in tea or mixed with sparkling water.

Kick-Ass Immune Spray from WishGarden Herbs is ready to combat threats to your immune system. It features Yerba Santa leaf, Yarrow aerials, Baptisia root, and other herbs to support the immune, respiratory, and lymphatic systems. A staff of herbalists makes Kick-Ass Immune Spray from start to finish with vegan and gluten-free ingredients. Kick-Ass formula is intended for early onset symptoms, which means it should be taken as soon as you begin feeling run down, and that sneaky suspicion that you’re getting sick creeps in.

Source Naturals Wellness Formula boasts more than 25 vitamins, minerals, and time-tested herbs to provide targeted support for immune system health. It features 1,300 mg of Vitamin C as well as Zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin D-3, garlic, elderberry, and a host of other nutrients.

Host Defense Mushrooms for Comprehensive Immune Support

is a blend of 17 mushroom species featuring a unique combination of mycelium and fruit bodies intended to promote immune system health. Host Defense Mushrooms are certified organic and grown in Washington State. Host Defense Mushrooms also offers Turkey Tail Mushroom Mycelium Powder, which is made from freeze-dried activated mushroom mycelium. Turkey Tail is promoted as a way to lower stress, ease fatigue, and promote digestion while boosting immune properties.

Gaia Herbs Quick Defense Immune Support is a fast-acting formula that combines two Echinacea species with elderberry and ginger in liquid phyto-caps to support a healthy immune system response. Herbs grown on the company’s farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina are part of this best-selling formula.

Bio-Active Silver Hydrosol Daily Immune Support has only two ingredients, 99.999% pure silver and purified water. Sovereign Silver features microscopic, bio-active particles to aid absorption. Silver has been used to promote human health for hundreds of years.

Market of Choice’s trained Whole Health teammates are well-versed in our immunity products and are here to answer your questions and help you choose a supplement that’s right for you.

– Brynn Hildebrand, Market of Choice Whole Health Sales Manager.

How do You Stay Healthy This Cold, Flu, and COVID Season?

In addition to getting your yearly flu and COVID vaccines, there are many lifestyle and diet adjustments you can make that will boost your immune health and keep your defenses strong against viruses.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to keep from getting sick is to reduce your risk of exposure to illnesses, like COVID. Practices such as avoiding close contact with sick people, wearing a mask in crowded places, washing your hands, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces go a long way toward keeping you healthy.

Exercise to Boost Immune Health

Research shows that 30-60 minutes of moderate intensity exercise several days a week is a great way to boost your immune system.

Exercise, like brisk walking, yoga, or weight lifting boosts your immune function in several ways. Most importantly, it gets the immune cells in your body circulating. The more they circulate, the better their defenses are.

Getting enough sleep is also beneficial to your immune health. Children and teens need 12 hours of sleep a night, while adults need about 7 hours of sleep. Many of us have learned to scrape by on minimal sleep, pushing through the exhaustion, but it only works temporarily. Anything less than adequate sleep is not sustainable and can lead to a compromised immune system.

Getting a little extra sleep in the winter is natural as well. According to the National Sleep Foundation, healthy adults need 1.75-2.5 hours of additional sleep per night during the winter months.

If you struggle to get enough sleep at night, melatonin (we like Source Naturals) can help. Melatonin is a natural hormone that plays a role in sleep. Over-the-counter melatonin supplements can help regulate your sleep cycle. It’s important to note that melatonin is not a sedative, so it won’t make you sleepy. For best results, take it a few hours before bedtime, rather than when you’re ready to fall asleep.

Eat Immune-Boosting Foods

Consuming foods high in vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties is a natural way to give your immune system the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and strong.

• Citrus fruits are loaded with vitamin C, which fights the common cold.
• Berries are rich in flavonoids that have been shown to reduce respiratory illness.
• Ginger has an anti-inflammatory effect that may play a part in immune function.
• Leafy Greens are packed with antioxidants that are important to immune health.
• Yogurt, Kefir, and fermented foods contain probiotics that support digestive health, which is shown to affect immune function.

Market of Choice cares about helping you stay healthy and well this cold and flu season. Visit our Whole Health department and talk to our knowledgeable team about immune supplements. Fill your diet with healthful foods, and remember that the tried and true methods of hand washing, avoiding contact with sick people, and getting a yearly vaccine for the flu and COVID are still your best defenses against illness. Take care of yourself, and enjoy the beauty of fall time in Oregon!