Blog
Nutrients & Supplements for Cold Season

As the weather changes and it becomes colder, we can expect our body’s needs to change as well. Many of us are aware of the need to support our immune system’s health during this transition; but have you considered other issues that come along with the changing of seasons? Due to reduced moisture in the air and staying indoors more, your skin may become drier. Some individuals may suffer from seasonal depression, fatigue, mood changes, and/or disrupted sleep. Some experience a flare up in their allergies from indoor triggers.

Do you have a nutritional aspect of your self-care routine in place for the season change? If not, this is the perfect opportunity to do so. I will share some tried-and-true methods that have worked for me and my family and feel free to let me know how it worked for you and yours. First, I start with increasing my consumption of antioxidants, B vitamins, and vitamin C containing foods. We eat fresh fruits and vegetables regularly but there are times in particular when I beef up the fruit and vegetable consumption significantly. Those times include before traveling and as the seasons change. I do not play, period. My daughter is so used to it that she already knows mommy is going to give her extra fruit for “snack” at snack time during these times. I explained to her that we have to protect ourselves against yucky germs a long time ago, so she gets it. When it comes to the antioxidants and vitamin C, many of the foods may overlap, but I consider that to be a convenient bonus. Antioxidant and vitamin C containing foods that I increase include collards, kale, squash, potatoes, carrots, cruciferous vegetables, avocadoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, citrus fruits, and spices. For B vitamins specifically, I may eat more leafy greens, beans and legumes, beef (cooked in moisture), salmon and trout, and sunflower seeds.

Next, I increase my intake of antioxidant-rich herbs. It is known that I am a tea lover. So much so that people often gift me tea from their travels or merely when they see a tea they think I would like. Although I am a fan of fancy tea, as the season changes I simply steep hot water and fresh herbs and fruit. No frills or expensive blends. One of my favorites yet simple herbal blends to steep is fresh mint leaves, fresh ginger, fresh squeezed lemon, and a spoonful of local honey. Yes, everything fresh!

After simply bumping up the intake of foods containing antioxidants, B vitamins, and vitamin C, I layer in some quality supplements for us. The supplements I found to get the job done and offer the most support are vitamin B complex, vitamin E, and vitamin C. And there you have it. I start by increasing my intake of antioxidants, B vitamins, and vitamin C containing foods and spices. Don’t sleep on the spices. I follow up by consuming antioxidants via homemade herbal teas. I seal the deal by following up with quality vitamin B complex and vitamins E and C supplements.

Here is the link to my dispensary. There you will find and can order the exact products I have used safely. 
Integrative Therapeutics, Vitamin E, 400 IU, 60 Softgels
NutriBiotic, Vitamin C 1000 mg Capsules, 250 Capsules
Pure Encapsulations, B-Complex liquid, 140 ml (4.73 fl oz)