Get Ahead of Cold Season: Essential Tips for Immune Health

Why wait until you’re treating a cold when you can prevent it with the right steps? Ensuring your family gets enough plant nutrients is crucial for immune health. Discover how to bolster your immune systems and prepare for the cold season with effective strategies.

The Ultimate in Immune System Support

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for the body. It is fat-soluble, meaning the body absorbs it from your foods and stores it until needed. Vitamin A is required for healthy vision, normal organ function, and to support a healthy immune system.

Phytosterols, or plant sterols, are—as you might have guessed—predominantly found in plants! You can also get them from eating nuts, seeds, or certain nut and seed oils. Phytosterols are particularly useful for immune health because they are structurally similar to cholesterol, which is essential for immune system function.

Plant sterols help regulate an overactive immune response or enhance an underactive one. One particularly important type of plant sterol for preventing illness and regulating immune activity is beta-sitosterol.

Historically, human diets were much richer in plant sterols, but now, our diets are very low in them. To increase your daily intake of plant sterols, and beta-sitosterol in particular, eat grains like bran or wheat germ, or nuts like almonds, cashews, and walnuts.

Other sources of plant sterols include flaxseed oil (28 milligrams per tablespoon), carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, bananas, and apples (8 to 18 milligrams per 100 grams), and oranges, beets, and Brussels sprouts (24 milligrams per 100 grams). Some phytosterol powerhouses are pistachios (60 milligrams in 1 ounce) and avocado (76 milligrams per 2/3 cup of cubed avocado).

Looking after immune health is vital year-round, but especially leading into cold season. Prevention is always easier than treatment! If you’re looking to supplement for immune support, here are a few things to consider:

1. Vitamin A: A healthy immune system, as well as regular growth and development, requires certain nutrients at regular intervals. Find vitamin A regularly in a whole foods diet. Vitamin A supports many biological functions and plays a key role in maintaining overall good health.
2. Phytosterols: Phytosterols bolster our immune system by keeping it adaptive and responsive. Plant sterols are the perfect immuno-modulators naturally occurring in many of the vegetables and nuts mentioned above!
3. Beta-sitosterols: These plant sterols are powerful when it comes to supporting a responsive immune system. If you can’t manage to get enough in your daily diet, supplemental support is the way to go.

Finding an immune-supportive supplement that contains all three is always best! These nutrients work synergistically to support the many facets of our immunity.

Living an Immune-Supportive, Healthy, Active Lifestyle

Of course, a supplement can’t be your sole support. It’s important to ensure you are eating a diet rich in a variety of fruits and vegetables, complemented by whole grains and supported by plant-based or environmentally conscious proteins.

Certain herbs and plants are particularly useful as well. Try including more garlic, oregano, turmeric, ginger, leafy greens, and a variety of nuts and seeds.

Ensuring that you are moving your body daily, washing your hands regularly, and getting adequate rest can also mean the difference between a well-functioning, healthy body and one that is more susceptible to illness.

So, instead of stocking up on tissues and soup, help your family prevent illness with a healthy diet, an active lifestyle, and Health First Immuno First. Immuno First has the necessary nutrients your immune system requires. It is a potent source of vitamin A, as well as both phytosterols and beta-sitosterols. Taking it daily will help ensure you and your family maintain strong and responsive immune systems and keep illness at bay!

References:
1. “Beta-Sitosterol – an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics.” sciencedirect.com, www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/beta-sitosterol.
2. Bouic, P. J. “The Role of Phytosterols and Phytosterolins in Immune Modulation: A Review of the Past 10 Years.” Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, vol. 4, no. 6, 1 Nov. 2001, pp. 471–475, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11706278/, https://doi.org/10.1097/00075197-200111000-00001.
3. “Natural Sources of Beta-Sitosterol.” com, www.livestrong.com/article/219561-natural-sources-of-beta-sitosterol/. Accessed 16 July 2024.
4. “Phytosterols.” Linus Pauling Institute, 29 Apr. 2014, lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/phytosterols.

About the Author: Health First Network

Health First Network is Canada’s leading membership group for independent health & wellness retailers and the exclusive supplier of the premium Health First supplement brand. There are over 140 independently owned and operated retail Members across the country. Click here to learn more about Health First.