Doyou take any extra vitamins/herbs during the winter months?

[SweetTooth]

I read in my Prevention magazine "for enhanced immunity all season long, take a supplement shown to stimulate the white blood cells that fight infection". Prevention likes "Astragalus Forte" make by Herbal Fortress.

I am usually not one to take these things, I just try to fight off what I get by myself, BUT....do you take anything on a regular basis, esp through the winter months to stay healthy? If so, what do you take?

[Robyn1007]

I take a Whole Foods brand multi-vitamin and a B-12 supplement (due to severe deficiency diagnosed in May) year round and add either Airborne or Emergen C when people around me are hacking to try to avoid getting sick. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

[SweetTooth]

I should add that I do take a multi vitamin daily. :)

[Terri_A]

I take a multi-vitamin, but that's it. Remember that if you take any prescription meds you should double check with your dr. before taking any supplements to make sure that they don't interact or interfere with your other medications.

I think one of the best things you can do to fight potential illnesses is get plenty of sleep!

[TKay]

I also take a multi-vite and, in the winter months, frequently add EmergenC. I have also taken Airborne and will do so (like Robyn1007 said) if people are snorting and hacking around me. I've actually had pretty good luck with this combo, but that's not say I never get sick. I also get a flu shot every year. I kind of figure if I can ward off one illness or sickness each year, it's worth it.

[Robyn1007]

Ack, you just reminded me that I keep meaning to go get a flu shot this year. Since I'm outdoors with kids and runny noses and sleep deprived most of the winter I really should get one. Okay, I'll call the doc this week.

[greek salad]

I just finished reading an article, that washing your hands often is one of the best ways to reduce chances of getting colds etc.

I just take my usual multi.

[Grace]

I subscribe to the Nutrition Action Newsletter which is put out by CSPI (Center for Science in the Public Interest). They had a big article last year about what to take/not take for cold season.

I choose to take Multibionata (recommended by them) as my multivitamin. It was the only thing they found that had any provable data regarding claims about boosting your immune system.

They had big warnings about Airborne (and said it's preposterous that it could protect anyone from a close by sneezer/hacker). Here is the thread from last year where I typed out all the info from the article.

http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?t=101965&highlight=airborne

And for the record, I also believe that hand washing is the best preventative, although I do believe in other basics like getting enough sleep, exercising, relaxing and avoiding stress, and taking probiotics to help one's overall immune system.

[Kathy B]

The only thing extra I take is a zinc lozenger 2-3 times a day if I feel a cold coming on. (I was taking them off and on all of last week, and it never did turn into a full blown cold.)

[VictoriaL]

In addition to a multi, fish oil, and vitamin E (which I take all year), starting at the beginning of October I take an additional 500mg of vitamin C every day and for the first week of every month I take echinacea. My SIL told me about this 3 years ago, that it "boosts" our immune system enough during this one week to be effective throughout the next 3 weeks. So far, it seems to have worked. DH and I have had nothing more than sniffles or the occasional sore throat since. And when we do, I pull out the Cold-eeze lozenges (zinc and vitamin C) for a few days and it never progresses past mild cold symptoms.

And, as Grace said, getting enough sleep and exercise are key to keeping your body in shape to fight infections as well as eating good, healthy food.

[SusanMac]

I'm the same as Kathy.

Take a multi-vit all year-round. During cold season, I take 2 zinc/vit C lozenges each day. I held off a cold last week. I also try to drink more juices if I'm around people w/colds (usually cranberry juice, or some Odwalla/Naked juice. OMG, they're yummy! Gotta watch the calories tho, since I can suck them down just like water)

I've had good luck w/AirBourne, but am somewhat suspicious of them. Absolutely no one has to screen or regulate what they heck they put in those.

[TKay]

Interesting info about Airbourne. I did want to pop back in and say I absolutely agree about keeping up water intake, sleep and overall rest. I do believe you're more susceptible to getting sick when you are stressed and run down. Your body is expending its energy to keep you going rather than keep you from getting sick (if that makes sense).

[Abbey]

I take a Whole Foods brand multi-vitamin and a B-12 supplement (due to severe deficiency diagnosed in May) year round and add either Airborne or Emergen C when people around me are hacking to try to avoid getting sick. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Robyn, I've just started sprinkling nutritional yeast (loaded with the B's) on my food. I'm hoping that it will help me ward off sickness this winter. I've heard that it also helps boost your mood (because of the B vitamins)..an extra bonus for this time of the year!

For the past month, I've been drinking an Emergen C daily,and I'm also trying to get more fresh veggies into my fall/winter diet.

[Robyn1007]

Robyn, I've just started sprinkling nutritional yeast (loaded with the B's) on my food. I'm hoping that it will help me ward off sickness this winter. I've heard that it also helps boost your mood (because of the B vitamins)..an extra bonus for this time of the year!

For the past month, I've been drinking an Emergen C daily,and I'm also trying to get more fresh veggies into my fall/winter diet.

From what I've read, nutritional yeast is not naturally high in B12 but instead is often (but not always) fortified with it so keep that in mind if you're trying to address any kind of B12 deficiency like I have. Still, I may pick some up to have around.

[jrichards]

Where do you find the nutritional yeast flakes? Are they dried? I think I read about someone using them on their popcorn, and saying they had a cheesy taste.

I haven't tried looking for them myself yet, but figured I'd get the scoop here.

Thanks.

Jennifer