Every year when Winter comes, we start to see and hear more and more advertisers promoting vitamins as a way of preventing and fighting off the common cold. This is not surprising, as many of these vitamins have been tried and tested to work. In fact, some civilisations have been using these to treat health issues for centuries.

Maintaining a strong immune system is the best way to avoid falling ill, and to keep it functioning optimally requires a good balance of exercise, rest, and a healthy diet. Your body will naturally absorb most of the vitamins and minerals it requires; a well-known example here being vitamin C taken from orange juice. But what if you don’t like the flavour of oranges? Or don’t have time to eat all the necessary foods to get the nutrition you need? This is where incorporating various supplements can help your body get what it needs to function at its best.

Vitamin C – Originally discovered as the best way for sailors to fight off scurvy by a healthy intake of fruit, Vitamin C aids in the production of white blood cells and acts as an antioxidant, protecting your body against harmful free radicals.

Vitamin D – This vitamin often drops for people over the winter months as it is synthesized in the body through sunlight exposure. It plays an important role in your immune function and has strong links to reducing respiratory infections.  If you live in somewhere where the winters are long, then it’s likely that you will need to take a vitamin D supplement due to the limited sun exposure.

Zinc – This mineral is great at producing the antibodies needed to help wounds heal as well as blood clotting, thyroid function, promotes normal growth during pregnancy and the development of immune cells within your body. It’s also important to your sense of taste and smell.

Probiotics – If you eat something that makes you ill, it can lead to hours or sometimes days of discomfort. This really demonstrates how important your digestive system is, and the stronger yours functions, the sooner you can get back to feeling better and eating what you want. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria to help keep your stomach in balance, supporting your overall immune function and health.

Elderberry: Derived from the elderberry plant, this herb is known for its immune-boosting benefits and has been used for its medicinal properties for over 4000 years. Containing high levels of antioxidants, fibre and vitamin C, elderberry promotes heart, lung and respiratory health, lowers stress and inflammation, and helps your blood sugar levels. What’s best about this is it can be consumed as a tasty drink made from its syrup.

Echinacea: Another herb which helps boost your immune function is Echinacea. Similar to elderberry, it also helps promote respiratory health, as well as reducing inflammation. In addition to this, it also has antiviral, hormonal and antioxidant effects, as is known to relieve pain. This is a great supplement to take as soon as you feel the onset of any sort of cold symptoms.

While it’s worth remembering that it can be a smart move to consult a professional when you are ill, especially if your symptoms have been drawn out for some time, using some of the above supplements can be a great way to not only help you get on top of a cold, but also give your immune system a boost. This results in a happier healthier you. Of course, taking these supplements is not a replacement for a healthy balanced lifestyle, but by them, you can raise your body’s overall resilience and avoid that common cold.

We also have a range of sprays and creams to help boost immunity. View our entire product range here.