‘Tis the season for immune support

By Mike Ventresca, Vital Choice Healthstore

I want to share with you my three favorite natural remedies for the cold and flu season. To be fair, I could write a Top 10 list and still be leaving out some great options, but, for me, these are the three “never run out of these” remedies.

First on my list is elderberry. Research shows the plant compounds in elderberry can significantly shorten the duration or severity of seasonal challenges by inhibiting a virus’s ability to enter a healthy cell and replicate. This is big because by short-circuiting the virus’s ability to replicate, your immune system can identify and destroy the virus more quickly. When choosing an elderberry product, try to avoid products high in sugar. Some of my favorite products are New Chapter’s Elderberry Force, Vital Choice’s Organic Elderberry Syrup and MegaFood’s Elderberry Gummies.

Second on my list is a medicinal mushroom blend. Mushrooms like reishi, maitake, chaga and turkey tail may have odd sounding names, but their ability to enhance immunity is perhaps second to none. In addition, medicinal mushrooms can support brain health, liver function and have inflammatory modulating properties. Health experts, including Dr. Andrew Weil, believe daily use of medicinal mushrooms is key to both short- and long-term immune health. MyCommunity by Host Defense is an outstanding product, which provides a blend of 17 potent organic mushroom species.

Last, but certainly not least, is good old vitamin D3. Studies show people with low vitamin D levels are at an increased risk for getting sick. Typically, taking 1,000-2,000 IUs of vitamin D3 daily from September through June is considered a good starting point.

For more information on these and many other great options, please stop in or visit our website, VitalChoice.com.

Mike Ventresca is the owner of Vital Choice Healthstore located at 9243 Sprague Road in North Royalton’s Timber Ridge Plaza. The phone number is 440-885-9505. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.