Wellness

WINTER IS COMING: LET'S GET IMMUNE READY!

Alright wellness warriors, winter is nearing and WF wants to arm you for battle. As we’ve all learned from seasons past, there is no one pill or solution to keep nasty flus and colds at bay, but there are some practical, efficient and easy steps we can take to boost our immunity. With the never-ending storm clouds of COVID-19 continually bearing down on us, it’s never been more important to be proactive about preventative health.

The road to optimal immune health has many paths and taking one road won’t get you there. WF is reaching out to the experts for some direction!

Food

Soups and bone broth have been enjoying the limelight in the last few years thanks to the Keto and Paleo diets as an aid to losing weight, but according to nutritionist Lianne Phillipson, “It not only helps to digest mucus but also supports your gut where 80% of your immune system resides.” Loading up on garlic and onion (hey, we’re all wearing masks anyway) will give you some serious anti-fungal, antiviral and antibacterial boosts. For women with candida issues, add probiotic-rich, fermented foods, like kimchi and kombucha this season.

You’ve already been told to eat the rainbow, and we’re here to remind you, to eat the darn rainbow! Phillipson says, “Think color: sweet potatoes, beets, colorful peppers, broccoli, carrots, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and cherries, that can all go into a smoothie.” And, of course, she stresses the importance of hydration from water, herbal teas and just sipping that broth out of a mug.

Public enemy #1 in all of this? Sugar! Phillipson warns, “Sugar suppresses the immune system for hours. Sadly, it is found in just about everything. Even that glass of OJ in the morning, because of its high sugar content, can start you on a rollercoaster of immune suppression and wanting more sugar throughout the day.” With the holidays quickly approaching, remember to read those labels and watch out for the excess glucose in all your favorite treats!

Supplements

Amidst the ever-changing information surrounding COVID-19, one thing is certain, Vitamin D is enjoying superstar status. Some research has suggested that lower Vitamin D levels are associated with more COVID-19 cases and deaths. While not proven, one idea is that Vitamin D can boost the immune system and help fight off the infection. So, how much should you be taking and what other supplements can you add?

WF checks in with Dr. Tara Campbell, a naturopathic doctor, who says in addition to eating nutrient dense real food, there are foundational nutrients for proactive and preventative immune care.

Some of her suggestions include:

1-VITAMIN D3: 2000IU/day is a baseline daily dosage, but she highly recommends testing your Vitamin D levels – especially right now!

2-ZINC BISGLYCINATE: 15-30mg/day. Zinc Bisglycinate is a key immune and skin supportive nutrient. Bisglycinate is a more absorbable form. Did you know that pumpkin seeds are one food rich in zinc? Take your zinc and eat pumpkin seeds!

3-VITAMIN C: 1000-2000 mg/day. Vitamin C helps with adrenal, skin, energy and cellular support.

4-OMEGA 3: 1500 EPA/day helps to reduce inflammation and to alleviate skin dryness while supporting brain and hormone health.

5-DIGESTIVE ENZYMES: can have many benefits to overall well-being, including, hormone imbalance.

6-MULTI-STRAIN PROBIOTIC: 11-20 billion strain. Your immune system starts in your gut!

 

While these recommendations are a great start, there’s no better time to check in with a naturopathic doctor and get an overall assessment on micronutrient imbalances and deficiencies. Find out what you need and how much, specific to you!

Just to be clear, Dr. Campbell isn’t suggesting you replace your MD with a ND. When it comes to choosing to see a doctor or a naturopathic doctor, she says, “It’s not one or the other. It’s important to have both. You want your conventional doctor for specific things, and you’ll want a ND to be your advocate for optimal health and help make sure you have a personalized wellness plan that fits those missing puzzle pieces in order to feel your best.”

A personalized nutrition and wellness plan is the perfect holiday present to gift yourself this season!

OR

Add a personalized nutrition and wellness plan to your wish list for this holiday season!

Lianne Phillipson is a Registered Nutritionist, Award Winning and bestselling author of two books–her latest Sprout Right Family Food. She’s the host of the fun and informative EAT THIS with Lianne Podcast and a well-known speaker ...
She is a leading expert and a trusted contributor to radio and television and has appeared on CityTV’s Breakfast Television, City Line, CTV’s Your Morning, CP24 and CHCH’s Morning Live. She’s also a nutrition expert on NewsTalk1010, part of the iHeartRadio network. Phillipson is raising two healthy daughters in Toronto and has a loyal following of thousands of health-minded families that she helps to make healthier choices, one mouthful at a time.
Dr. Tara Campbell, ND is a registered Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and founder of Higher Health Naturopathic Centre and IV lounge.

She is a graduate of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine
... (CCNM) and Queen's University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Health and Psychology.

Dr. Tara enjoys seeing patients of all ages and has a special interest in hormone and neurotransmitter balance, chronic fatigue, immune health, digestion, weight and metabolic concerns, athletic performance, injury recovery, and pain management.

Using evidence-based medicine and naturopathic therapies, Dr. Tara educates and empowers her clients to achieve their Highest Health. She combines clinical nutrition, IV vitamin therapy, botanical medicine, acupuncture, mindset and lifestyle discussion in order to provide comprehensive and complete holistic health care.

Dr. Tara is an active member of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors (CAND) as well as the Ontario Association of Naturopathic Doctors (OAND).

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