6 Ingredients To Beat The Common Cold

Immunity is a term that refers to our specific immune responses to pathogens (like the bacteria and viruses that make us sick) but most of us have a much broader definition.

We see immunity simply as a measure of how resilient we are to illness and infection.

When we look at immunity this way, it‘s important to understand the inter-related nature of the human body.

Its organs, tissues, and systems all work together to make sure that we are functionally healthy.

And, they all require the right ‘mix‘ of nutrients, from the ‘big guys‘ like protein, carbohydrates, and fats, through to the ‘little guys‘, the vitamins, minerals, and secondary nutrients, including the various antioxidants we get from fruits, vegetables, and berries.

So, first up, we need to ensure that we are getting enough food overall to supply the fuel we need (calories), enough protein, healthy fats, and appropriate levels of carbohydrate (determined by our genetic makeup), and enough vitamins and minerals to support all the functions of the body.

It's this last point is where many of us miss out. A lot of Kiwis simply don‘t get all the nutrients they require from food alone.

Estimates from the New Zealand Ministry of Health ‘NZ Adult Nutrition Survey‘ of 2008/2009 suggest that many New Zealanders are not getting the recommended amounts of many of the vitamins and minerals from their diets.¹

Some of the key findings included:

• Around 20% of people fail to get sufficient Vitamins A, B1 and B6.
• 8% of people fail to get sufficient Vitamin B12.
• Around 25% of people don‘t consume enough zinc. Interestingly nearly 40% of males do not get adequate zinc from their diet.
• 45% of people don‘t get enough Selenium (a mineral lacking in New Zealand soils).

If you are lacking in any of these nutrients, your immunity is not going to be up to scratch!

Good Green Vitality provides all of these nutrients (and more) in an easy, once-daily, multi-nutrient drink, based on whole-food extracts.

Good Green Vitality: serious nutrition for immunity

Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral often lacking in our diets, particularly in children and older people.

The immune system doesn‘t work properly without adequate zinc,^2,3 and zinc supplementation is recommended, especially if you are prone to frequent infections.

Taking a zinc supplement is likely to reduce the duration and severity colds and flu-like viruses.⁴

Foods rich in Zinc include: lean beef, spinach, pumpkin and squash seeds, cashews, cocoa powder, chickpeas, white mushrooms.

Nuzest Good Green Vitality contains 12mg per 10g serve, which is 109% of the RDI for adults aged 19-50yrs in New Zealand.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C, or Ascorbic Acid, can help to reduce symptoms of colds and shorten their duration.⁵

Some studies also suggest that regular use through the cold season might help to prevent colds.^{6, 7}

Regular and consistent use of Vitamin C gives the best effects (in other words, not just taking it when you start to feel a cold coming on!) Vitamin C appears to be especially useful for athletes for reducing post-exercise cold symptoms.

Foods rich in Vitamin C include: capsicums, kale, kiwi, broccoli, strawberries, oranges, tomatoes.

Nuzest Good Green Vitality contains 300mg per 10g serve, which is 706% of the RDI for adults aged 19-50yrs in New Zealand

Ginseng

Ginseng is a herb used extensively in traditional Chinese medicine and other traditional healing systems.

Studies show that Ginseng can help to prevent the common cold, and if you do get caught, this herb can help to reduce duration and severity.^8-10

Seniors might especially benefit from ginseng for preventing flu-like illnesses.¹⁰

Nuzest Good Green Vitality contains 100mg per 10g serve.

Probiotics

Probiotics are healthy bacteria that colonise the gut. They help to fight harmful bacteria and viruses that cause illness and reduce the chance of allergens and irritants entering the body.

Probiotics also directly help the body to control its immune responses. Specific probiotics can help to reduce colds, respiratory infections, and ear infections in children.^{11, 12}

Probiotics also seem to especially benefit athletes. A Lactobacillus supplement given to elite athletes over a 4-month reduced the number and severity of respiratory infections.¹³

Several studies show that probiotics and probiotics combined with either multivitamins or minerals help prevent colds and/or reduce their duration and severity in adults.^14-16

Nuzest Good Green Vitality contains 8 billion CFU (colony forming units) of dairy-free probiotics per serve. Other foods rich in Probiotics include: yogurt, kefir, dark chocolate, pickles, tempeh, sauerkraut.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin produced in the skin as a result of sun exposure.

Many people do not get enough sun, or eat enough Vitamin D containing foods to preserve health and performance.

Supplemental Vitamin D3 can help to prevent respiratory infections.¹⁷

Foods rich in Vitamin D3 include: sunlight (not a food but the best sources), salmon, tuna, milk, eggs, mushrooms.

Nuzest Good Green Vitality contains 20µg per 10g serve, which is 200% of the RDI for adults aged 19-50yrs in New Zealand

Other immune boosting herbs

Other herbs in Good Green Vitality have a long history of use in traditional medicine systems for promoting improved immunity; these include ashwagandha, astragalus, and shiitake mushroom.

Without a regular supply of these key nutrients, your immune system becomes vulnerable to illness and infection. Good Green Vitality provides 75+ ingredients that support all 12 of your body systems.

Add one scoop to your favourite juice, water or smoothie first thing in the morning and you‘ll see how easy it is to stay healthy and resilient.

Kick start your immune system and feel better fast

Our 120g trial size Good Green Vitality gives you a 12-day immunity boost. That‘s enough time for you to begin to feel the difference. Once you give your body all the nutrients it needs to function at its best, you‘ll never look back!

The information provided in this article is intended for educational purposes only and is general advice. It should not, nor is it intended to be, relied on as a substitute for individual medical advice or care. If the contents of this, or any other of the blogs in this series raises any concerns or questions regarding your health, please consult a qualified healthcare practitioner.