Nourishing our Immune System

Ideally we would get all the nourishment we need for optimal health from our foods. Unfortunately, modern life is not always conducive to doing so. VFC’s Wellness department comes to the rescue with immune enhancing supplements to help fill the gap. I want to introduce you to a few of them; probiotics, aloe vera juice, essential fatty acids and olive leaf extract.

Probiotics
Most people are familiar with the use of probiotics during and after a course of antibiotic treatment. Probiotics can also be useful at other times to maintain a healthy population of intestinal flora; after all we want to be sure to absorb our nutrients whether they are from our food or supplements. VFC has a variety of probiotics available in liquid or capsule form, most are found in the cooler at the end of the supplement isle and a few are on the shelf in the aisle.

Aloe Vera Juice contains polysaccharides that help build the immune system, balance blood sugars, are anti-viral and possess anti-inflammatory properties. The Co-op carries three brands of aloe vera juice. My favorite is Pharm Aloe’s certified organic whole leaf extract, available in quarts at a reasonable price and gallons by special order.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are called essential because they are not manufactured by the body, are essential to good health and must be provided by food or supplementation. EFAs are beneficial to the heart, brain, eyes and have demonstrated benefits to the immune system (Meyers). These EFAs are present in fish oils as well as in hemp, borage, evening primrose, black currant and flax seed oils. VFC has many choices of EFA supplementation. Look for them in the cooler alongside the probiotics and on the aisle shelves.  

Olive leaf extract is in the news these days. Olive leaf is used around the world as a health tonic to promote general health and for immune support in the event of colds, flu or infection. Barlean’s Fresh Pressed Olive Leaf Complex is available in 8 oz bottles at the Co-op at introductory special prices in January and February.

If you feel your immune system needs an extra boost, we have many choices in the Wellness department that include ingredients such as Echinacea species, various medicinal mushrooms and many other herbs, vitamins and minerals that may be helpful.

Supplementation to maintain health can be very useful, but remember that stress takes a great toll on our immune system as well. So take the time to relax, get some exercise and enjoy friends and family and your life here on this sweet earth.

Carol Willis, Wellness Buyer

Sources
1 Meyers, Steve. Natural Products Marketplace. Dec. 2009: 12-21
2 Barlean’s 2009.  http://www.barleans.com/olive_leaf.asp#.html