Probably the most common question I’m asked at this time of year, is around the best supplements to take to support immune health. I will always preface this by highlighting the importance of getting the basics right, as mentioned above, but I do have some hero products I find myself recommending often, and here they are:
Vitamin D: The Irish government recommends that people in Ireland aged 12-64 should take a 15 microgram Vitamin D supplement from October to March, due to the lack of sunlight we get this far north of the equator. Vitamin D has an important role to play in supporting the immune system, as well as helping to maintain normal muscle and bone health. Some people may be prescribed higher doses than this, in which case theey should follow the advice of their prescriber.
Star Product recommendation: This PharmaPlus 1000IU Vitamin D soft capsule is easy to swallow, easily absorbed, and created by Pharmacists.
Multi Vitamin Supplements: When it comes to recommending vitamins, my motto is always to only take what we need when we need it, and of course, to always check first with your GP or Pharmacist before taking any new supplements if we have any medical condition or are taking any other medication (or supplements for that matter). There are times when we feel as though we could use an extra bit of nutritional support, and with Pharmacists being the go-to experts for a lot of people when It comes to supplements, a team of Pharmacists in Ireland set about creating the immune supplement they had always searched for.
Star product recommendation: PharmaPlus Active Immune is my go-to all-round immune supplement for a number of reasons (disclaimer – I am a brand ambassador, but it is for the following reasons):
Active Immune contains evidence-based ingredients proven to help support the immune system, in the optimal therapeutic dosages.
The Pharmacists who designed the product made sure to leave out ingredients which do not have a proven benefit (this is just as important as what they have left in)! For example, I often see iron in a multivitamin product, where this is not recommended for the general population to take. It also comes in two great-tasting flavours making a tasty daily supplement drink!
These have been some of my top tips when it comes to preparing your body and mind for the Winter season, based on some of the most common questions I have been asked as a Pharmacist. I hope you can take some of these tips and tricks away with you, and look after you and your health this Winter.