It’s hard to believe that after the fabulous summer we’ve had, the cold and flu season is nearly upon us (oh joy). The good news is there’s lots of ways you can help to protect yourself and your family, naturally.
Clean eating
A healthy balanced diet can really help to boost your immunity and your spirits. Juices and salads aren’t particularly tempting in the colder months. But you might want to look at making wholesome soups, stews and curries. You could whiz up a batch at the weekend, then freeze a few portions to whip out when you can’t be bothered to cook from scratch. You might also want to supercharge your food with a sprinkling of Aduna powder. Aduna Moringa Green Superleaf Powder, for example, is high in ten essential vitamins and minerals, and can be added to soups and smoothies.
It’s not always easy to get enough vitamins and minerals through your diet alone. So a daily supplement can be a good idea.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C can help to boost your immune system. If your first thought is ‘better pick up some orange juice’ you might be surprised to hear that yellow bell peppers actually have a much higher concentration of Vitamin C. Broccoli, green leafy veg and strawberries are also good sources. If you think you might struggle to get enough Vitamin C through your food, pop a bottle of Natures Aid Vitamin C in your basket.
Vitamin D
Our bodies only store Vitamin D for a short amount of time, so the reserves you built up over the summer won’t last very long. A Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to all kinds of problems, including weaker bones, depression, weight gain and even cancer. Vitamin D isn’t found in that many types of food, so it’s difficult to get enough just by eating a healthy diet.
Biocare BioMulsion® D gives you all the Vitamin D you need in just one daily drop. It contains Vitamin D3, which is the type of Vitamin D made by the body when exposed to sunlight, so it’s easily absorbed.
Vitabiotics Osteocare Liquid is specially designed to protect your bones, so contains Vitamin D3 along with calcium, magnesium and zinc. It’s also suitable for ages 3 up, and comes in a pleasant tasting orange liquid (handy for kids who refuse to take tablets).
Multi-vitamins
While nothing can replace a healthy balanced diet, a good quality multi-vitamin is a good insurance policy. BioCare Adult Multivitamins and Minerals is a good choice. It’s suitable for vegetarians, iron and copper free, and safe to use if you’re breast feeding.
Fighting fatigue
It’s natural to feel a bit more tired in the winter months. If you’re feeling particularly tired and lethargic though, it might be worth asking your doctor to check your iron levels. If they’re low, a daily iron tablet can make a noticeable difference. Terranova Easy Iron 20mg Complex is gluten-free and vegan, and, unlike some high-street brands, won’t ‘block you up’. 
Knocking back the coffee is certainly tempting, but won’t help for long. Try switching to herbal teas, such as Pukka Revitalise Tea and aim to avoid sugar crashes by cutting down on carbs and sugary foods. 
Children’s vitamins
Children have different needs to adults, so supplements aimed at grown-ups are usually not suitable for under-16s. We offer a range of children’s supplements, including BioCare Children's Complete Complex, Natures Aid Multivitamin Drops for Infants and Children and Vitabiotics Wellteen.
Dealing with SAD
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is linked to shorter, darker days. If your mood often seems lower in the winter months, or you’re feeling more irritable or lethargic, you might be suffering from SAD. Try to get as much sunlight as you can, even if it’s just taking a daily walk at lunchtime. It’s also worth moving your chair closer to the window. Some people also benefit from a light box, which simulates natural sunlight.
Coping with Christmas 
While Christmas can be a great time for relaxing, eating, drinking and being merry, the run up can prove a little stressful at times. If the very thought of packed shops, family arguments and endless washing up is enough to bring you out in a cold sweat, you might want to check out our Bach Rescue Remedy range. Just four drops in a drink or on your tongue might help to ease emotional demands.
Browse our range of vitamins, minerals and supplements.