It's fairly typical for the time of year, but there seems to be a lot of people coughing out there right now. Of course, the cough is a hallmark of conditions like the common cold and the flu, but it can also be a symptom of other infectious respiratory diseases.
While the protective reflex of coughing is necessary for recovering from an infection, the discomfort, sleep disruption and irritation that comes with any kind of cough can make it unsettling to deal with.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to treat a cough and there are some great anti-viral and respiratory-supporting nutrients that can help protect us too. The better known nutrients include:
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Beta-Glucans
And we should also pay attention to the importance of B vitamins to support our immune and respiratory systems, particularly at this time of year.
Firstly thought let’s remind ourselves of the roles played by these essential nutrients.
Zinc
This mineral acts as an antioxidant and could be a much more important mineral in its role as a viral invader, as long as it can be absorbed properly, which rules out most Zinc supplements. Foodstate Zinc is much better absorbed, used and retained than other forms and we add the mineral copper which further helps absorption.
Selenium
An equally underrated mineral, Foodstate Selenium is essential to a strong immune system and boosts our defences and resistance to infection. Low levels are associated with depression and other mental disorders – particularly relevant at the moment.
Vitamin C
Important to the immune system, and water soluble so not a vitamin we can store. It improves the outcome of patients with Sepsis and Respiratory Infections. You can take plenty of Foodstate Vitamin C, unlike the synthetic version (ascorbic acid) which can cause intestinal discomfort.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is particularly important in protecting the lungs and respiratory system. Our Foodstate Vitamin D is the biologically active form and we have increased the dosage from 1000iu to 2000iu.
Vitamin D is life-saving and it’s a shame it hasn’t received more publicity. Ivor Cummins, in his excellent The Fat Emperor Podcast, has gathered data and statistics on the increased risk of death for those contracting the virus who are Vitamin D deficient – and it’s frightening!
Beta Glucans
These plant glucans are potent antioxidants with a unique quality to help fight viruses. Beta-Glucans help activate the immune system, alerting the body to help defend itself against viral and bacterial invaders.
B Vitamins – essential for body and mind
If you recognise any of these symptoms, you could very well be Vitamin B deficient:
- Forgetful, confused
- Poor sleep patterns
- Tired, apathetic, moody
- Joint pain, muscle weakness or muscle loss
- Numbness and cramp
- Tummy troubles
- Headaches
- Dry, chapped skin
B Vitamins are regarded as a good ‘pick-me-up' if you are feeling a bit drained. They also work very well together which is why our Foodstate Vitamin B Complex contains all 8 B vitamins. It also contains Vitamin C which works well to help with Vitamin B absorption.
What do B Vitamins do?
- They help maintain normal nerve function
- They improve our digestion by helping metabolise proteins, fats and carbohydrates
- They promote healthy skin, hair, brain and nerve function
- They support the respiratory system, especially Vitamin B1 (Thiamine). Thiamine may very well be as important as other nutrients in protecting the respiratory system against respiratory infections
Foodstate Supplements are in a ‘Food’ State, which means the nutrients will be presented to your body in the same form as they are in food. They are significantly better absorbed, longer retained and better used than standard so-called “natural” synthetic supplements.
Foodstate Supplements
All food. Nothing fake.
#NothingFake #thefoodstateco #foodstate #supplementsuk #healthy #wellbeing #wellness