Holiday Season or Cold & Flu Season?

The season is here!  Not just the holiday, but the cold & flu season is here as well. 

Congestion, cough and watery eyes have been the primary complaints of our customers so this month immune support is our topic.  Are you eating to support your immune system?  The raw materials you put into your body are at the forefront of optimal health. 

Mother Nature is very keen indeed as with the change in the season, she also provides us with a great deal of valuable foods that contain a variety of immune supportive nutrients to encourage and boost a robust immune response. 

As we celebrate the changing of the seasons, we are provided with the following immune- supportive foods:

• Vitamins A & C    Greens, Squash, Cauliflower, & Citrus
• Zinc                       Mushrooms, Chard, Squash, Nuts & Seeds
• Vitamin D             Pastured Eggs and Liver, Seafood, Mushrooms

A healthy immune response also depends upon a healthy gut barrier.  Reduce to eliminate your intake of processed foods and allergens and increase your intake of high ranking ANDI scoring foods.  Eating nutrient-dense whole foods is one way to provide your body with the full spectrum of nutrients it needs while keeping calorie intake to a healthy level.

Many other minerals are important in supporting immune function. Clinical research studies have shown that iron deficiency results in impaired response to antibodies, and defective phagocytic cell functioning.  Copper deficiency is associated with an increase in infections and may impair development of immune cells such as T-cells and the phagocytic cells.  These are your first responders so feed them well!

Eating seasonally and whole not only decreases the amount and duration of illness but also builds a strong immune response to every day stress. 

If you’re suffering the seasonal cold or flu, be sure to stop by Whole Foods Market and ask your Whole Body Team Member for support of your symptoms.  There are a variety of natural products to choose from!