Medicine or Malarkey: Spirulina, Airborne, & Vitamin C

With changing seasons, it becomes more important than ever to build up immune systems and cut colds short.

Are you a fan of Spirulina? Devoted to Airborne? Prefer the Vitamin C? All are popular choices—but do they really help support your health during this change of seasons?

What Can Spirulina Do for Me?

This funny-sounding word may make some of us scratch our heads. What’s it all about? This dark blue-green plant is grown all over the world, and it is highly regarded for its medicinal properties. The “super food” has been known to for reduce cholesterol and lower blood pressure, and also support the immune system. How?

Spirulina is rich in vitamins and minerals, which is excellent for improved immunity. The addition of Spirulina to any diet may help defend the body from bacteria and viruses. That green-ish blue hue may also aid the body in producing white blood cells, which are essential to fighting off infections and colds!

Spirulina comes in either pill or powder form. The pill form is readily available, but it can also be found in powder form, which makes it easy to add to smoothies, juices or other foods for a health boost.

What About the Effectiveness of Airborne?

Marketed solely as a supplement, Airborne provides supplemental herbs, vitamins and minerals that can aid the body’s immune system against colds. Using a unique combination of vitamins and minerals—such as Vitamin A, C, E and Zinc, Selenium, Manganese and Magnesium—Airborne acts as a line of defense with support to the immune system, which strongly correlates with healthy functions in the digestive tract, lymph nodes and white blood cell production.

Although not a “cure”—with a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and plenty of exercise, Airborne can effectively work with the immune system to help guard against the common cold.

What About Your Trusted Vitamin C?

Vitamin C is an essential dietary component that is vital to a number of cellular functions, but is not limited to immunity benefits. Vitamin C aids in collagen production, brain function, and may even have certain properties that helps fight certain cancers and disease. Surprise!

While it is best to get Vitamin C from color-rich fruits and vegetables like oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, broccoli or tomatoes, for example, it can also be taken in pill form. A healthy consumption of Vitamin C will strengthen the body’s immunity—fighting off fatigue, regenerating antibodies, and improving overall function. Just be sure not to overdo it. Taking more than 1,000 mg/day can cause gastrointestinal issues such as cramps, vomiting, and even diarrhea.

What DO You Really Need to Stay Healthy?

Provide your body with the vitamins, minerals and nutrients it needs to support proper function throughout the year to maintain a healthy immune system. Natural sources of vitamins and minerals are the best option when available.

The best natural sources of vitamin C for your body will be in fruits and vegetables like oranges, strawberries and bell peppers. Vitamin E and B6 are also helpful in building up your immune system. Foods rich in vitamin E include nuts and spinach. Valuable B6 is found naturally in salmon, chicken, chick peas.

Hand-washing and self-care are also necessary. Wash hands regularly with soap and water to avoid contact with germs. Exercise regularly, hydrate and get plenty of rest to stay healthy.

Getting all of the nutrients that your body needs through proper consumption of fruits and vegetables is essential to good health and a strong immune system!

Keep in mind: multivitamins and supplements only help to make up for diet gaps—because they are exempt from FDA regulations, it’s important to do your research before buying and remember that there are no guarantees.

What you need for optimal health depends upon a number of complex factors, such as stress levels, current medications and smoking, which can deplete certain nutrient levels in the body. Remember that a healthy diet, regular exercise and plenty of sleep will provide the best benefits to keep your body healthy all year long.