How to Prepare The Body for a Healthy Fall

With its changing, vibrant leaves and those chilly mornings that are perfect for enjoying hot drinks, fall is a season that many people look forward to all year. Unfortunately, fall is also the season when many people suffer from allergies triggered by a spike in the presence of mold and mildew.

Cool, crisp weather can also mean increased chances of getting colds and the flu. Most cold and flu outbreaks occur between October and March (unless you live in the tropics), and studies suggest that colder temperatures and lack of vitamin D are the prime factors. Cold weather also forces us to spend more time indoors, depriving us of vitamin D while exposing us to more people and therefore more germs.

Combating Allergies Naturally

To minimize allergies, reduce your exposure to mildew, mold, and other fungi that tend to grow on damp fallen leaves and compost piles. The first frost won’t destroy mold and mildew, which is why many allergy sufferers experience symptoms long after pollen counts dies down.

The good news is that these fungi typically go dormant in the winter. But what can you do to combat your allergies in the meantime? Keep compost and leaf piles far away from the house and wear a protective mask when raking leaves and doing yard cleanup. Inside the house, use a dehumidifier and keep kitchens and bathrooms disinfected to avoid mildew and mold buildup.

To manage your allergies this fall, it’s beneficial to take prescription or over-the-counter allergy medications containing antihistamines, which usually come in the form of pills, nasal sprays, and even eye drops. Many allergy sufferers also use neti pots with a saline rinse to treat symptoms. For those with allergies that are unresponsive to over-the-counter options,

allergy shots can even be an effective alternative treatment.

In general, treat allergies with supplements and healthy food choices, like apples, to keep the provider away. Studies suggest that the antioxidant quercetin that is found in apples, onions, and other produce demonstrates antihistamine effects, while the bromelain found in pineapples is effective at treating inflammation and respiratory distress caused by allergies.

Natural Cold Prevention

According to the CDC, millions of cases of the common cold are reported every year in the U.S. Caused by viral infections, symptoms of a cold include stuffy sinuses, a sore throat, and a cough.

To prevent colds, be sure that you are getting enough vitamin D. Foods that are reliable sources of vitamin D include egg yolks, mushrooms, salmon, sardines, and tuna. Vitamin D supplements can also be taken by those who find it hard to get enough of the nutrient through diet alone. Although there is insufficient proof that vitamin C can prevent colds, consuming it may decrease the length and severity of the common cold.

There is some evidence that garlic and foods containing flavonoids may also decrease the risk of catching a cold, or at the very least, speed up the recovery process.

Fighting Off the Flu

The influenza virus (flu) is a respiratory infection that negatively affects many people each year, killing an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 people worldwide. Symptoms of this viral infection frequently include body aches, a high temperature, and cold sweats.

The flu virus can live on hard surfaces for 24 hours, making it hard to avoid. But you can prevent the virus by getting a flu vaccination each year. Make it a habit to regularly wash your hands after using the bathroom and before preparing food and eating meals to decrease your chances of getting the flu even further.

If you do get the flu, you can recover faster by staying home and getting rest until symptoms subside. To recover from the flu, your body also needs nutritious food, so include fresh fruits and vegetables in every meal to strengthen your immune system in its fight against the virus.

How Natural Bio Health Can Help

Consider a supplement such as Natural Bio Health’s DAILY BOOST, which contains alpha-lipoic acid combined with other vitamins and minerals daily, which work together to support the immune system.

Vitamin D is also essential for strengthening your immune system, yet most people don’t get nearly enough of the vitamin. Choose supplements that contain D3 (cholecalciferol), since it’s effective at raising your vitamin D levels.

Don’t let the cold, flu, or allergies ruin your fun this fall. Contact our team at Natural Bio Health to find out which immune-boosting supplements are best for you.