Strengthen Immune Performance to Sideline Colds and Flu this Winter

Exposure to seasonal colds is inevitable. How we resist infection and accelerate recovery
directly affect how we “enjoy” winter. There are many ways we can prepare our immune
system from the cellular level up to keep healthy this winter.

You’ve come down with a cold, or even worse hit by a flu bug; with no cure in sight your
best bet is to shorten its duration. Astragalus, Common andrographis and echinacea are
among the botanical options for both resistance and relief; however, let’s explore some
additional nutrients that can rev up your body’s innate defense mechanisms to accelerate
your recovery.

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an amino acid which fuels production of glutathione (the body’s
major antioxidant) serves to protect cells from oxidative stress and preserve vitamins C
and E in their active forms to amplify immune system performance. It also helps breakdown
biofilm formation common to upper respiratory tract infections.  Alpha lipoic acid is another
potent antioxidant which strengthens immunity at the cellular level along with regenerating
the action of vitamins A, E, and glutathione.

Vitamin C is renowned as a cold and flu fighter as well as the synergistic relationship it has
with keeping vitamin E biologically active. Vitamin E, for its part, exerts a protective effect for
upper respiratory tract infections. Clinical trials reported in the Journal of the American
Medical Association (JAMA) further report a 20% lower risk of contracting the common cold
with 200 IU daily vitamin E supplementation compared to placebo.

Look for these nutrients as standalone products or in synergistic formulas such as New
Roots Herbal’s AgeLess Telomeres.

Get a grip this winter, don’t let cold and flu get traction at the expense of your health and
happiness.

Exposure to seasonal colds is inevitable. How we resist infection and accelerate recovery
directly affect how we “enjoy” winter. There are many ways we can prepare our immune
system from the cellular level up to keep healthy this winter.

You’ve come down with a cold, or even worse hit by a flu bug; with no cure in sight your
best bet is to shorten its duration. Astragalus, Common andrographis and echinacea are
among the botanical options for both resistance and relief; however, let’s explore some
additional nutrients that can rev up your body’s innate defense mechanisms to accelerate
your recovery.

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an amino acid which fuels production of glutathione (the body’s
major antioxidant) serves to protect cells from oxidative stress and preserve vitamins C
and E in their active forms to amplify immune system performance. It also helps breakdown
biofilm formation common to upper respiratory tract infections.  Alpha lipoic acid is another
potent antioxidant which strengthens immunity at the cellular level along with regenerating
the action of vitamins A, E, and glutathione.

Vitamin C is renowned as a cold and flu fighter as well as the synergistic relationship it has
with keeping vitamin E biologically active. Vitamin E, for its part, exerts a protective effect for
upper respiratory tract infections. Clinical trials reported in the Journal of the American
Medical Association (JAMA) further report a 20% lower risk of contracting the common cold
with 200 IU daily vitamin E supplementation compared to placebo.

Look for these nutrients as standalone products or in synergistic formulas such as New
Roots Herbal’s AgeLess Telomeres.

Get a grip this winter, don’t let cold and flu get traction at the expense of your health and
happiness.

 Gordon Raza, BSc

 As the technical writer for Flourish, Gord shares his
 unique perspective on natural health products, nutrition,
 and active living.