It’s that time of year again... seasons are changing, and temperatures are dropping, which means cold and flu season is quickly approaching. Is your immune system ready? We often respond to illnesses with a defensive approach, waiting until we catch something before taking care of it. But there is another way! The best defense is offense, so we are going to examine ways to arm your immune system with nourishment and healthy lifestyle strategies.
Your mission: To fortify your health and kick your immunity into gear!
To achieve this, start with a multi-faceted approach that includes immune-supporting foods, supplements, and healthy habits.
Treat Food as your Preventative Medicine Cabinet
Food that fuels and nourishes our bodies has the power to be a form of holistic medicine. Here are some of our favorite food hacks to give your immune system a running start.
Indulge in Vibrant Fruits and Vegetables
Colorful plant foods contain a variety of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals, that can reduce oxidative stress, inflammation and improve cellular function. Eating more plants may also improve gut health and support a healthy immune system. This improvement in gut health can be attributed to fiber and other plant components which can increase the growth of gut-friendly, beneficial bacteria.
Tip: work color into every meal to front-load your system with nutrients to strengthen your immune defenses. Get creative. Enjoy vibrant salads, veggie-rich soups, or smoothies filled with different colored berries, dark leafy greens, and protein.
Plan Ahead with Convenient Nourishing Options
On mornings when you don’t have time to whip up a vitamin-packed smoothie, reach for a high-quality protein shake like the Orgain Vegan Nutrition All-In-One Shake to give your defenses some extra muscle. This shake provides a good to excellent source of 10 different nutrients correlated with supporting your immune system. It’s formulated with organic whole foods like veggies, fruits, and nourishing grains helping to bridge nutritional gaps while keeping you feeling energized.
Tip: Stock up on these nutrient-packed beverages and keep them readily available.
Incorporate Probiotics
Your gut houses approximately 70% of your immune system, so it’s no surprise that your gut bacteria have influence over your immune system. Just like harmful bacteria can make us sick, good bacteria can support our health. Recent studies have suggested that strengthening our healthy gut flora with probiotics (aka good bacteria) may boost immunity by helping to change or repopulate intestinal bacteria.
Tip: to add more probiotics from whole foods, look to cultured Greek yogurt and kefir. For non-dairy options, consider kimchi, sauerkraut, miso and tempeh.
Skip the Sugar
Did you know that eating or drinking excessive sugar can significantly suppress your immune system? According to this nutrition study, this effect can occur after consuming 75g of sugar (equivalent to two cans of Coca Cola or two 12oz glasses of orange juice) and can last for at least five hours after consumption.
Supportive Supplementation
In addition to eating a healthy diet, supplements can act as extra support for the immune system and overall wellbeing. Consider a few of these immunity-boosting all-stars:
Orgain Superfoods + Immunity Up!™️ Powder
Seasonal bugs are no match for this powerful immune-supporting powder. Orgain Superfoods + Immunity Up! Powder was formulated to supercharge your wellness and keep you feeling your best. This delicious powder mixes beautifully in water and offers the unique benefit of 50 organic superfoods plus our plant-based immunity blend rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Zinc. These nutrients, alongside probiotics, provide your body with extra support at a cellular level to respond to immune challenges and oxidative stress.
Orgain Immuno14
Immuno14 is a comprehensive immune-supporting supplement boasting a powerful blend of 14 plant-based immunity ingredients. This unique combination features high-quality medicinal herbs, mushrooms, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It contains a synthesis of nutrient-rich plants to help your body maintain a healthy immune response so you can bring your best self forward.
Orgain Wild Omega-3
Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are well-known for their anti-inflammatory benefits, but a growing body of evidence suggests they show strong potential in supporting immunity. At Orgain we offer a high quality Omega-3 supplement that features an impressive concentration of DHA and EPA per serving (680mg EPA and 450mg DHA) to support your daily wellness needs.
Orgain Super D3
Vitamin D is critical for proper immune function and support. Yet, Vitamin D deficiency has become increasingly common due to limited sun exposure and a small selection of adequate dietary sources. According to this study, a deficiency in this nutrient may compromise your immune response and increase your risk of infection. The best way to know if you are deficient is by having your blood levels measured by your healthcare provider, so we encourage you to check. To support adequate vitamin D levels, we offer a high-quality supplement, Super D3, which delivers 5,000 IUs and 625% of your daily value.
As you can see, there are many ways you can support your immune system so try different strategies. If it seems overwhelming, start with one and build from there.
