Welcome to early autumn. As the weather cools down, the kids head back to school, and many of us are back in the office after a lengthy period of working from home, chances are we’re all going to be mingling indoors a lot more than we did last fall.

While it’s great to see more friendly faces, this year you’ll want to be extra-prepared for fending off seasonal challenges with these must-have natural immune support supplements.

Quercetin

You may not be familiar with quercetin, but you’ve probably heard the buzz about black elderberry. This popular herb is a natural defender of upper respiratory health.^, What’s the secret sauce that gives black elderberry its immune-boosting powers? Antioxidant flavonoids – particularly quercetin. In fact, quercetin is considered the most active compound in black elderberry – the “juice” behind the juice.

There’s a catch, though: quercetin can be difficult for the body to absorb. That’s why we recommend Quercetin LipoMicel Matrix from Natural Factors. This technologically advanced formula disperses quercetin into tiny microdroplets that are up to 10 times easier for your body to absorb, helping unlock the full benefits of this powerful antioxidant.

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D is one of those essential vitamins that everyone needs, yet few of us get enough of. This might sound surprising since our bodies make vitamin D naturally when exposed to sunlight. But long hours indoors and a lack of sunshine in the colder months can take a toll on our vitamin D levels. By some estimates, nearly 40% of the U.S. may be deficient in the sunshine vitamin.

That’s a problem because we need vitamin D for healthy immune function. However, studies show that taking vitamin D supplements can strengthen your natural resistance by a healthy margin – particularly if your D levels were low to begin with. As the days get shorter and the sun gets more scarce, it’s a great time to start taking vitamin D. Opt for D3, which is the bioactive form of the vitamin.

Zinc

Zinc is a micro mineral that has macro importance for our health, including our immune function. Studies show that even a mild zinc deficiency can weaken our immune response making us more vulnerable to what goes around.

When you start to feel the first signs of an immune challenge, that’s when you want to have zinc on hand. Studies have shown that taking zinc within the first 24 hours of feeling off can make a big difference in how you quicky you bounce back.^, Zinc can be difficult to absorb, so we recommend a bioavailable zinc chelate, like this one from Natural Factors.

Oil of Oregano

Best known as a fragrant herb often seen in Italian cooking, oregano has also been used as an herbal remedy since the time of the ancient Greeks. Oregano is full of natural compounds that have antioxidant and protective properties, particularly carvacrol.

Important! Don’t confuse oil of oregano with oregano essential oil. Oil of Oregano is an extract that’s safe for human consumption. You can put a few drops under your tongue or into water. Oregano essential oil is much more concentrated and should not be used internally.

Stock Up Now!

No one likes to head to the store when they’re not feeling well, so make sure to have these items stocked in your cupboard before you need them!

References

1. Torabian G, Valtchev P, Adil Q, et al. Anti-influenza activity of elderberry (Sambucus nigra). Journal of Functional Foods. 2019;54:353-360.

2. Hawkins J, Baker C, Cherry L, et al. Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation effectively treats upper respiratory symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2019;42:361-365.

3. Simonyi A, Chen Z, Jiang J, et al. Inhibition of microglial activation by elderberry extracts and its phenolic components. Life Sciences. 2015;128:30-38.

4. Forrest K, Stuhldreher W. Prevalence and correlates of vitamin D deficiency in US adults. Nutrition Research. 2011;31(1):48-54.

5. University of Queen Mary London. Vitamin D protects against colds and flu, finds major global study [Online]. ScienceDaily. 2017. Available from: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170216110002.htm.

6. Wessels I, Maywald M, Rink L. Zinc as a Gatekeeper of Immune Function. Nutrients. 2017;9(12):1286.

7. Singh M, Das R. Zinc for the common cold [Internet]. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015. Available from: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001364.pub5/…

8. Hemilä H. Zinc Lozenges May Shorten the Duration of Colds: A Systematic Review. The Open Respiratory Medicine Journal. 2011;5(1):51-58.

9. Rowles A. 9 Benefits and Uses of Oregano Oil [Online]. Healthline. 2020. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/9-oregano-oil-benefits-and-uses.

+These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.