Improving Immune Health With Cooler Temps

The winter season is fast approaching, so people will spend more time indoors. It also means an increase in winter health issues. This article will discuss the top winter health problems to watch out for and the best ways to improve immune health when temperatures dip below freezing.

Top Winter Health Concerns

As temperatures get cooler, the following health issues could become more prevalent.

#1. Catching a virus.

Cold and flu cases typically increase in winter, with peak flu activity in February. Dry winter air can allow the flu virus to survive and transmit to others easier than in the summer months. In addition, being near others can increase the risk of a virus spreading.

Viruses are typically transmitted via the following ways:

• Droplets via the mouth when coughing, sneezing, or talking
• Touching objects with the virus and then touching the nose or eyes.

High-risk groups include the older population, immunocompromised, young children, and pregnant females.

The following foods help to strengthen the immune system.

In addition to the foods listed above, the following all-natural supplements are specifically designed to help strengthen the immune system:

Immune Support Bundle contains three powerful Microbiome Labs products that provide maximum immune support benefits. 

• MegaMarine. This comprehensive fish oil is scientifically formulated to support a healthy gut microbiome. This is accomplished by its unique ratio of EPA, DHA, and DPA, designed to support a healthy gut and immune function.
• MegaQuinD₃. This supplement contains a powerful combination of vitamin K and D3, which supports mitochondrial, bone, heart, nerve, and immune functions.
• MegaViron™. MegaViron™ contains many powerful herbs with antioxidant properties. It is designed to support three key features of immune function:
• Surveillance system
• Clean-up crew,
• De-escalation team.

This supplement provides a short-term burst of immune support, making it ideal for seasonal immune support.

CytoDefend - Immune Support is a highly concentrated formula that contains a unique combination of natural extracts that support immune support: 

Elderberry fruit. Used for centuries to treat symptoms related to seasonal allergies and flu-like symptoms.

Zinc sulfate. Zinc plays a key role in the immune system, helping to boost the immune system and reduce the effects of infection. The antioxidant is needed to keep white blood cells working efficiently, cytokine production, and potentially reduce the duration or severity of specific symptoms. 

#2. Weight gain.

On average, people tend to gain 5 to 7 pounds during winter. A combination of more time spent indoors and consuming high-calorie holiday sweets and beverages could increase the risk of unwanted weight gain. Problems arise when this weight isn’t lost in the summer months, and more weight is gained in the following winter. This vicious cycle increases the risk of obesity over time.

Obesity can hurt the immune system:

• Obesity has been known to impair immune function and increase the production of pro-inflammatory cells.^[1]
• Covid-19 patients with obesity had a higher incidence of hospitalization, a higher rate of intensive care admission, invasive ventilation, and in-hospital mortality.^[2]

Here are the top ways to avoid winter weight gain:

• Drink water before going to holiday parties. This will increase feelings of fullness.
• Limit alcohol consumption. Alcohol is high in hidden calories.
• Limit consumption of holiday treats. Instead of snacking throughout the day, save the treats for after a meal or just once a day.
• Exercise for 30-60 minutes 3x per week. Jumping jacks, pushups, squats, and other bodyweight exercises can be performed without additional equipment and in the comfort of your own home.

#3. Asthma attacks.

Asthma is a respiratory illness, and cold weather could trigger an asthma attack. In addition, cooler temperatures could cause random flare-ups of asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, chest pressure, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath. Protecting the lungs and keeping them healthy during this time is critical.

Here are the top ways to protect the lungs this winter:

• Wear a loosely wrapped scarf around your mouth and nose. This will limit the effects of cold air on the lungs.
• Wash your hands with soap and water to decrease the risk of contracting other respiratory diseases, such as colds, bronchitis, or the flu.
• More time spent indoors can increase problems with indoor allergens. Top indoor allergens that could trigger attacks include the following:
• Tobacco smoke
• Dust mites
• Mold
• Cockroaches
• Household pets
• Paints
• Pesticides
• Air fresheners

Discover what triggers your asthma symptoms and take the necessary steps to increase your exposure to them.

The following foods are also considered among the best (and worst) for lung health:

#4. Seasonal Depression Disorder.

Also known as SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of depression that typically occurs in winter when days are shorter and nights are longer. Common symptoms of SAD include the following:

• Lack of energy
• Sadness
• Oversleeping
• Weight gain.

Preliminary studies indicate SAD could hurt the immune system:

• Low vitamin D levels have been associated with higher levels of SAD and poor mental well-being.^[3] A vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased susceptibility to infection and autoimmunity.
• Individuals diagnosed with SAD were found to have higher levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) compared to those not suffering from the disorder.^[4]
• Interleukin-6 is produced at inflammation and tissue injury sites, defending the body from harmful foreign invaders. While this is beneficial, elderly persons with “persistently elevated” levels of IL-6 saw higher all-cause mortality and worse in-hospital outcomes among patients with unstable angina (intense coronary disorder).^[5]

Here are a few ways to treat symptoms of SAD at home:

• Make an effort to get natural sunlight daily
• Limit days spent entirely indoors
• Exercise daily (30-60 minutes)
• Open blinds during daylight hours
• Sit next to bright windows at home or in the office
• Maintain a normal and consistent sleep pattern

Note: if depressive symptoms become severe seek psychological help.

Less daylight in the winter months and more time spent indoors could decrease vitamin D levels in the body. DV3 - Vitamin D3 Plus Immune Support helps to reduce inflammation and provides the body with the vitamin D it needs during the long winter months. In addition, this all-natural supplement contains vitamin E, magnesium, calcium, turmeric, vitamin C, and other powerful immune system boosters. 

Summary

While colds and viruses are the most discussed reasons for decreased immune function in the winter, there are a few other surprising causes as well. By knowing the various ways your immune system can be compromised as the temperatures drop, you increase your odds of staying healthy.

References:

1. Fátima Pérez de Heredia, Sonia Gómez-Martínez, Ascensión Marcos. Obesity, inflammation, and the immune system. Proc Nutr Soc. 2012 May;71(2):332-8. doi: 10.1017/S0029665112000092. Epub 2012 Mar 20. [PMID: 22429824].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22429824/
2. Jun Yang, Congmin Tian, Ying Chen, ( et al). Obesity aggravates COVID-19: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. J Med Virol. 2021 May;93(5):2662-2674. doi: 10.1002/jmv.26677. Epub 2020 Dec 1. [PMID: 33200825].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33200825/
3. Tenna Bloch Frandsen, Manan Pareek, Jens Peter Hansen, (et al). Vitamin D supplementation for treatment of seasonal affective symptoms in healthcare professionals: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled trial.  BMC Research Notes volume 7, Article number: 528 (2014).https://bmcresnotes.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1756-0500-7-528
4. S J Leu 1, I S Shiah, L N Yatham, (et al). Immune-inflammatory markers in patients with seasonal affective disorder: effects of light therapy.  J Affect Disord. 2001 Mar;63(1-3):27-34. doi: 10.1016/s0165-0327(00)00165-8. [PMID: 11246077].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11246077/
5. Enrique Z Fisman & Alexander Tenenbaum.. The ubiquitous interleukin-6: a time for reappraisal | Cardiovascular Diabetology.  Cardiovascular Diabetology Volume 9, Article number: 62 (2010). https://cardiab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2840-9-62#citeas