There’s lots of ways to boost your immune system this cold and flu season! Let’s dive right in!

1. Reduce Sugar and Increase Antioxidant-Rich Foods
   Your immune system requires specific nutrients to function optimally. You can create a healthy foundation with a diet high in antioxidants and low in both refined sugar and artificial sweeteners. Boost your antioxidants by enjoying fruits and veggies such as greens, red peppers, oranges, and blueberries. And reduce your refined sugar intake by reaching for naturally sweet foods, like bananas, berries, and dates!

2. Amp up your Vitamin C Intake

Getting enough antioxidants and Vitamin C may be the most important of them all!

Vitamin C helps to reduce inflammation in the body and fight off free radicals that can weaken the immune system. In fact, studies have shown that several cells of the immune system accumulate vitamin C and need it to perform specific tasks.

We suggest an absorbent, pH balancing form of Vitamin C from a multivitamin that contains 1000mg of mineral ascorbate.

3. Reach for Adaptogenic Herbs

Stress from a hectic lifestyle, poor diet, and little sleep can increase your risk of getting a cold or flu because your body is less prepared to fight them! We recommend adding adaptogenic herbs to your daily supplement regimen. Adaptogens are herbs that strengthen your immune response and build up your resilience to stress which can result in less upper respiratory infections. Herbs such as Astragalus, Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, and Liquorice have been used for centuries and can be found in over-the-counter botanical formulas.

4. Reach for an Immune Defense Formula to Build your Immunity Shield

The Ki Immune Defense & Energy Formula is a high potency herbal medicine featuring Astragalus, Olive Leaf, and Shiitake mushroom, all of which are known for their antiviral, antioxidant, and adaptogenic qualities!

Astragalus

Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Astragalus is an adaptogenic herb historically recommended for deficient states (1) and used for infections, cardiovascular disease, and as an adjunct in cancer therapy (1). Astragalus meets the demands of everyday physical and environmental stress by reducing one’s vulnerability to upper respiratory infection.

Shiitake Mushroom

Shiitake mushroom is native to East Asia and it’s cultivated for both culinary and medicinal purposes. In a human intervention trial, people ate shiitake mushroom for four weeks which resulted in an increase in natural killer cells, an increase in sIgA, and a reduction in C-reactive protein, suggesting an increase in systemic and gut immunity and a reduction in inflammation (2).

Olive Leaf

Olive leaf is an under-utilized natural medicine. The polyphenol constituents of olive leaf, most notably oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol, demonstrate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardio-protective properties (3).

The Ki Immune Defence & Energy Formula charges the body’s immune defence mechanisms to reduce the severity and frequency of upper respiratory infections while boosting endurance and energy!

How are you supporting your body during the cold and flu season?

References:

• https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1534735403256419
• https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07315724.2014.950391 https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ben/emiddt/2018/00000018/00000001/art00012
• https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/2/358/htm
• https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/17/12/2019/htm

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17461391.2018.1449895?