Invite Health Podcast, Episode hosted by Amanda Williams, MPH

Subscribe Today!

When you think about different things that can trigger your immune system, there is something that so many people deal with every single year, but they just kind of accept it. I want to talk about what you can be doing as far as diet and nutrients that can support your health much better when it comes to seasonal changes. Many people experience the runny nose, the sneezing, the itchy ears, the itchy throat. All of these things that we know can be brought on because of seasonal changes and different pollens in the air. I want to talk about what nutrients specifically, that are actually coming from nature, that can be beneficial when it comes to optimizing the way that your body responds to these different immunological changes.   

Obviously, foods matter. During this time, if you are more prone to the impact of those seasonal changes, you want to make sure that you are definitely adhering to a Mediterranean diet, which is going to be anti-inflammatory. The more we do to abate the actual inflammation throughout the airways as well as the sinuses, the better off we are. If you’re following the Standard American Diet, this is actually going to drive up the inflammation and it can really exacerbate many of those symptoms that you can experience during those seasonal changes. 

The Proven Health Benefits of Omega-3s for Respiratory Health – InVite Health Podcast, Episode 187. Listen Now >>

Nutrients to boost your seasonal immune support

Mangosteen extract has been around for a really long time. They date this back to the 1600s and they have coined it “the food of the gods” or even “the queen of fruits.” Mangosteen is a fruit that is really rich in terms of energy, protein, carbohydrates, and fiber. It has all these wonderful blends of different vitamins and minerals, which we know are very important when it comes to our immune system. Mangosteen extract contains things like magnesium, potassium and zinc. We also know that it has a high amount of things such as Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin A, all of which are important for maintaining our overall health. Mangosteen’s vitamins, minerals and antioxidants actually provide this barrier to allow the body to better fend off all of the harmful effects from all of these different pollutants. It is a tropical fruit, but when we are utilizing it in its extracted form, it’s really very powerful.† 

There was a study that was done many years ago and published in the Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin where they looked at the inhibition of histamine release, as well as prostaglandin E2 synthesis, via the utilization of mangosteen. They looked into the indigenous medicine that has been practiced for hundreds of years in Thailand and what they were able to determine was that the mangosteen extract actually inhibited immunoglobulin E (IgE), which mediated histamine release.† 

Another nutrient called quercetin is also beneficial to our bodies. It is a powerhouse when we think about bioflavonoids, which support our oral health at a cellular level. It is also helpful for endothelial health and our immune system. Quercetin is primarily derived from things like citrus fruits but also comes from things like onions, parsley and tea, so you can see how this trends towards the Mediterranean diet. Quercetin helps support a healthy seasonal immune response, as well as the lining of the blood vessels and healthy cholesterol levels.† 

We can also look at stinging nettle. Nettle root extract has been around for an incredibly long time and we know it’s very beneficial when we look at allergic rhinitis. The Journal of Phytotherapy talked about how nettle root extract could inhibit these key inflammatory events that cause the symptoms of seasonal allergies.†

Health Tips To Help You Deal With Fall Allergies – Invite Health Podcast, Episode 177. Listen now >>

Vitamin C also plays a really critical role. It is an essential antioxidant that really targets the histamine release, so we know that it’s naturally impeding or hindering the histamine pathway.†

When we have these 4 nutrients in particular, it really gives a power punch for those seasonal changes. Our Respiratory Hx® formulation contains these powerful nutrients all combined together. Even if you don’t fall into the category of having seasonal allergies, you can still benefit from these nutrients in terms of immune system support and easing inflammation in the body.  For more information about nutrients that can help support your immune system during seasonal changes, tune into the full podcast episode.† 

Thank you for tuning in to the Invite Health Podcast. You can find all of our episodes for free wherever you listen to podcasts or by visiting www.invitehealth.com/podcast. Make sure you subscribe and leave us a review! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at Invite Health today. We’ll see you next time on another episode of the Invite Health Podcast.