Let’s talk about the cold weather!

​Alright, I live in the Midwest (it snowed, again, for the third time this fall) and we are in full blown “cold/flu season”!

​While getting ready to write this blog, I called my grandmother and my mother to ask a couple questions.

My grandmother is 79 years young, and bless her heart, when my son is around in the winter- “bundle up before you catch a cold” comes out of her mouth without hesitation. I know she knows differently now, but it’s true that old habits die hard. And quite honestly, if she gets him to put his winter clothing on, without hesitation- that’s fine with me!

​As I say often, I love science because it’s always evolving. Well, my grandmother’s mom used to suggest a shot of Brandy to kick the cold as well! Good thing that’s taken a back seat- along with lobotomies.

​My mother is a generation younger than my grandmother. (You’re welcome, Mom.) While she was growing up: the cold weather made you sick, but chicken noodle soup, 7UP, and saltines made you better. My mom’s mother was ahead of her time, she started giving my mom Vitamin C for prevention!

Okay, okay, let’s put a kibosh on his old wives’ tale....

Flu is not a season!

​It is the inability to adapt due to decreased sun exposure and water intake combined with increased sugar intake and stress. (Read that again.)

​If you live where the wind hurts your face during the winter months, you are not getting nearly enough Vitamin D. Where is the BEST source of Vitamin D? The sun. Sunlight increases vitamin D synthesis when it strikes bare skin. Deficiency in Vitamin D contributes to inflammation in the body and decreased immunity. Well over 50-60% of Americans have inadequate Vitamin D levels. Pregnant mothers are at an upwards of 70+%!

Did you know Vitamin D has very strong influence on almost every single organ system in the body?

Did you know that Vitamin D supplementation has been shown to be more effective (and safer) than the flu shot?
​-this blog will be coming soon-

• Please do not run to your local grocery/health store and pick up Vitamin D. Not all supplements are created equal! Our supplements can be shipped right to your door! 

There are different forms of Vitamin D and excess can cause hypercalcemia, Let me elaborate on that:

Vitamin D3 has been shown to be 87% more potent in raising vitamin D concentrations in the body.

​Vitamin D and Vitamin K can work together to optimize calcium metabolism. 

​Vitamin K3 - that is a synthetic metabolite that needs to be converted to MK-4 to be active, it is not generally in supplements or used in humans. 

​Vitamin K (either K1 (found in leafy greens), K2 (from fermentation) or both) is often used in conjunction with Vitamin D supplementation to support calcium absorption into bones.

Optimal gut health is vital when it comes overall health and wellness. In order to achieve optimal gut health, probiotics must be utilized. Without probiotics, imbalances in the gut microbiota, dysregulate immune responses. Specific probiotic strands like: Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG® and Lactobacillus casei DN-114001 have been extensively studied for immune system support. Learn more

​It is true that the common cold virus can reproduce itself more efficiently in the cooler temperatures found inside the nose than at core body temperature, but this does not mean that the cold weather will make you sick! It’s 2019, we know that a shot of Brandy isn’t going to fix a cold or the flu; but we also know that there are many, many preventative supplements to reduce your chance of succumbing to the latest “bug” this winter! If you would like to know more, please, contact us today.

​Let’s get back to health,
Dr. Taryn