The majority of diligent vitamin supplementers are still stuck in the 80’s when it comes to their winter wellness regime, a new survey of Australians reveals. Many are asking how to improve and boost your immune system.
The survey, conducted by Research Now for natural health brand GO Healthy, shows 67% of us are taking vitamins daily with “resistance to illness” being our primary concern, yet most are only using one of the classics – Vitamin C (40%) and a multivitamin (21%) – at the first signs of a cold.
So How Do You Boost Your Immune System?
“That’s a great start,” GO Healthy’s resident naturopath Peta Teuma says, “but Vitamin C is not the full story.
Classics are called that for a reason; Vitamin C is incredibly important in reducing the duration and severity of colds, but it is really surprising to see so many of the other health heroes like Zinc, Probiotics, and Olive Leaf being completely overlooked given all the new literature readily available about their benefits.
“We seem to have a host of proactive, health-conscious wellness warriors using the best in modern knowledge and technology in their diet and exercise regimes, jumping back into the habits from their childhood at the first sign of mid-winter malady.
Popping a Vitamin C and curling up for an afternoon of Full House might have been enough in the 1980’s, but we know there’s a lot more we can do to give our bodies a fighting chance during cold and flu season in 2018.”
The survey found 37% of respondents took vitamins for immunity, but well over half only took Vitamin C and/or a multivitamin at the first signs of illness – ignoring Echinacea (5%), Manuka Honey (3%), Olive Leaf extract (3%) and a host of other options shown to be beneficial.
Want to give your immune system a refresh and discover how to boost Immunity? Read more in our free Holistic Health Magazine Library – How to Boost Your Immune System.
Supplements to Boost Immune System – Peta Recommends Updating Your Winter Arsenal With These Immune Boosters:
• PROBIOTICS
Peta says probiotics can play a huge part in protecting us from the nasty germs that are flying around throughout winter.
“Seventy percent of our immune system is located in our gut, so it makes sense that by improving our gut health we in turn improve the strength of our immune system,” says Peta.
“Unfortunately, the antibiotics that many of us take when we’re sick will also wipe out our good gut bacteria, leaving our immune systems vulnerable to future infection.”
To remedy this Peta recommends taking a probiotic all year round to keep good gut bacteria fighting fit.
GO Healthy’s GO Probiotic 40 Billion Howaru Restore (RRP $54.99 / 60 VegeCapsules) and GO Probiotic 75 Billion Howaru Restore Plus (RRP $74.99 / 60 VegeCapsules) can provide excellent probiotic support for the majority of Aussies who don’t get enough probiotics in their diet.
• ZINC
Zinc is important for the optimal health of the immune system and can even prevent a virus from multiplying, explains Peta.
“Zinc can play a vital part in curbing the severity of cold and flu symptoms, which is why I recommend upping the intake of Zinc at the first sign of symptoms,” says Peta.
GO Healthy’s GO Zinc Complex (RRP $39.99 / 120 VegeCapsules) contains a high dose of Zinc and is potent enough to be taken just once per day.
• ECHINACEA & OLIVE LEAF
According to Peta, Echinacea is known for its ability to support the health of the immune system and reduce the severity of symptoms while olive leaf is used for its antiviral and antibacterial properties, helping to fight bacteria, viruses and fungi associated with illness.
“I would highly recommend taking both Echinacea and Olive Leaf during the winter months and upping the dosage as soon as you start to feel the winter lurgy coming on,” says Peta.
Covering off Zinc, echinacea, olive leaf and Vitamin C in one to three capsules daily, GO Healthy’s GO Vir-Defence Cold & Flu (RRP $26.99/ 30 VegeCapsules) offers all-round immune support to promote a healthy immune system and relieve the symptoms of colds and flus.
• MANUKA HONEY
As the most researched honey in the world, Manuka Honey has a long history of medicinal use, due to its high level of antioxidant and healing properties.
“Honey has been used for thousands of years to treat wounds and bacterial infections,” says Peta. “Manuka Honey has been known to reduce the growth of strep bacteria, the bacteria that causes sore throats,” she adds.
However, she warns that not all manuka honey is created equal.
“Manuka’s quality is defined by two key characteristics: its Unique Manuka Honey Factor (UMF) and its levels of Methylglyoxal (MGO), both of which are given a number, with the higher number representing greater strength and efficacy,” says Peta.
Priced from RRP $29.99, GO Healthy GO Manuka Honey offers a wide range of UMF to match every need and budget from UMF 5+ to UMF 20+. Every batch is independently tested for UMF and MGO levels by accredited laboratories in New Zealand.
In addition to Manuka Honey and its stable of products to help fight colds and flus, the GO Healthy offering also spans support for General Health, Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Immune System, Joint & Bone Health, Healthy Oils, Sleep & Nervous System, Weight Management, Specialty Products and Children’s Health.
GO Healthy uses industry leading innovation, superior formulations and the highest quality ingredients to formulate a comprehensive range of supplements that pack a punch. You might also find this article on practical help to build your immune system.
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For more information on GO Healthy or to find stockists in Australia, visit www.gohealthy.com.au.
