We’re in the final stretch of winter, and wow - it has definitely hit us hard! It feels like almost everyone is coming down with a cold or whatever bug is going around right now. At this time of year, people constantly ask us what they should actually take to stay healthy or bounce back faster from colds, the flu, and pesky viruses.

With so many supplements sitting on the shelves, it’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed. What works best to keep you from getting sick in the first place? What should you grab when you're right in the thick of it? And what helps you recover? Personally, my favourite immune formulas combine targeted herbs with core vitamins and minerals to cover all those bases.

I'm always talking about Vitamin C, Zinc and Selenium because they play vital roles in supporting a healthy immune system. Vitamin C and zinc help immune cells function effectively, while selenium acts as a powerful antioxidant, helping protect cells from oxidative stress and supporting normal immune function ⁽¹⁾.

If you ask me, you really can’t go wrong with Olive Leaf Extract. Unlike herbs you only reach for when you're sick, Olive Leaf makes a fantastic everyday tonic. Packed with compounds like oleuropein, it offers natural antiviral and antibacterial support to keep bugs at bay year-round. It’s been one of our absolute top sellers for over two decades because people simply see results ⁽²⁾.

Andrographis is another amazing herb which is used for centuries in traditional Ayurvedic and Asian medicine, this powerful herb is ideal to take at the very first sign of a scratchy throat or chill. Research shows it helps reduce the severity and duration of upper respiratory symptoms ⁽³⁾.

Echinacea is another long-time favourite and a great herb that stimulates immune cell activity to help your body fight off infections right out of the gate ⁽⁴⁾.

Sacred Basil (Tulsi) might not as popular as Echinacea, but it’s a hidden gem. Traditionally used as an adaptogen and antimicrobial, it helps relieve classic cold symptoms like fevers and coughs. It acts as a natural expectorant to clear out mucus, making it a lifesaver when a cold settles in your chest ⁽⁵⁾.

Now, instead of juggling six or seven different bottles, picking a high-strength combination formula that brings together Andrographis, Echinacea, Sacred Basil, Olive Leaf, Vitamin C, Zinc, and Selenium gives you total coverage. You can take it at a lower dose daily as a preventative, or step it up when you feel a bug creeping in. It’s easily one of the most effective immune blends out there to get you through the rest of the cold season!

For more information about cold and flu remedies, drop into Go Vita, Your Health Shop at 5 North Street, Batemans Bay. You can also call us on (02) 4472 9737 or visit us online at www.govitabatemansbay.com.au. Don’t miss our weekly segment on 2EC radio, where Marianne and Go Vita's Nutritionist Sofia chat about health and wellness with Kimmi Saker every Wednesday after 12.30pm.

References:

1.       1.Carr AC, Maggini S. Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients. 2017 Nov 3;9(11):1211. doi: 10.3390/nu9111211. PMID: 29099763; PMCID: PMC5707683.

2.      2. Lockyer S, Rowland I, Spencer JPE, Yaqoob P, Stonehouse W. Impact of phenolic-rich olive leaf extract on blood pressure, plasma lipids and inflammatory markers: a randomised controlled trial. Eur J Nutr. 2017 Jun;56(4):1421-1432. doi: 10.1007/s00394-016-1188-y. Epub 2016 Mar 7. PMID: 26951205; PMCID: PMC5486627.

3.       3.Hu XY, Wu RH, Logue M, Blondel C, Lai LYW, Stuart B, Flower A, Fei YT, Moore M, Shepherd J, Liu JP, Lewith G. Andrographis paniculata (Chuān Xīn Lián) for symptomatic relief of acute respiratory tract infections in adults and children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2017 Aug 4;12(8):e0181780. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181780.

4.       4.Karsch-Völk M, Barrett B, Kiefer D, Bauer R, Ardjomand-Woelkart K, Linde K. Echinacea for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Feb 20;2014(2):CD000530. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000530.pub3. PMID: 24554461; PMCID: PMC4068831.

5.       5.Jamshidi N, Cohen MM. The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Tulsi in Humans: A Systematic Review of the Literature. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:9217567. doi: 10.1155/2017/9217567. Epub 2017 Mar 16. PMID: 28400848; PMCID: PMC5376420.

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