It’s easy to get lost in the sea of supplements. And while there isn’t a particular rulebook on which supplement you should take and when, your body and lifestyle choices tend to change as the seasons do. During the winter, you’re likely to be focused on building your immune system, while in the summertime, you’re probably less concerned about catching a cold and more focused on being outdoors and moving around. Although everyone is different, there are some common concerns that arise based on the environmental changes happening around us. Let’s take a journey through all seasons of the year and chat about which supplements we can consider for each!
How to adapt your supplement routine for each season
Spring: Detoxing and tackling seasonal allergies
We’ve all heard of spring cleaning, but your home may not be the only one in need of a refresh. The human body has its own detoxification system that it uses to keep all the harmful substances out. One of the organs responsible for this task is the liver. It’s in charge of filtering toxins out of our blood and when it doesn’t have the sufficient levels of nutrients, the gunk starts to build up in our system. When this happens, it can trigger seasonal allergies. With flowers now in bloom, the air is filling with pollen – one of the biggest culprits of seasonal allergies.
To ease the sneezes and pesky itchy eyes, we can support our liver by strengthening its ability to get rid of all the toxins in our system. Milk thistle, besides being a beautiful purple plant, does wonders for the liver! Its antioxidant properties protect the liver from harmful agents so it can continue to stay strong at work. Orange Naturals’ Milk Thistle Tincture contains 1000mg of milk thistle per dose to protect the immune cells that work in the liver and provide regenerative effects. Another superfood for our livers is dandelion. It has traditionally been used by herbalists to detoxify the liver and reduce inflammation with its healing effects.
Summer: Boost of hydration and muscle
The skies are clear and we’re likely spending more time outdoors! Whether you’re planning for a day of swimming at the beach or going on a family bike ride, there are a few ways to fuel your muscles so you can continue to stay powered for all your summer activities. One key nutrient to maintain muscle function is magnesium. Magnesium acts as a relaxant for the muscles, preventing soreness and cramping so you can get back to your favourite summer fun without a hitch. Orange Naturals’ Magnesium Glycinate capsules offer 200mg of pure magnesium in a gentle form for sensitive-friendly absorption.
Between the beaming sun and the fun, summer days tend to be sweatier. It’s important we stay hydrated to regulate our body temperature during this heat, and to improve our mental and physical performance. Here’s where electrolytes come into play! Electrolytes are minerals in our body that support muscle function and help us stay hydrated. And one of these electrolyte minerals is magnesium. While our typical good ol’ water does contain traces of electrolytes (unless it’s distilled water), there are electrolyte drinks or mixes on the market for an extra boost. If you’re looking for a tasty and refreshing drink to help you stay hydrated, MagPop! is packed with 100mg of magnesium with an extra 325mg of vitamin C to support bone building and metabolism. And for the little ones, Kids Magnesium Drink Mix provides 100mg of magnesium and a yummy orange flavour that they can’t get enough of!
Now we can’t talk about muscle health without mentioning collagen, the building block that makes up 30% of our body’s protein. There are 28 different types of collagen in our bodies and each is responsible for strengthening different parts. For example, 90% of our collagen is categorized as type I and it’s used to give structure to our skin, bones, ligaments and tendons. Just as its name suggests, Orange Naturals Collagen Active Muscle promotes collagen production to help maintain our body’s muscle mass. It’s formulated with type I and III collagen peptides, the types in charge of muscles, ligaments and tendons! Ready to flex those muscles?
Autumn: Prepping for the flu season
As the temperatures drop and our immune systems are in need of a boost, let’s get ourselves ready for the flu season! Our bodies need sufficient levels of nutrients in order to be able to fight off harmful bacteria. These nutrients and antioxidants help protect the workings of the body and defend against diseases. One of these important nutrients is zinc, which can help support immune function. Zinc has been shown to reduce the risk of catching a cold and diminish cold symptoms. Similarly, vitamin C also has antioxidant properties that support the body’s ability to heal. Orange Naturals’ Zinc + Vitamin C packs 50mg of zinc and 400mg of vitamin C in one formula for a powerful combo that fights against the cold together.
Winter: Fighting infections and vitamin D deficiencies
‘Tis the season of sniffles and sneezes. As much as we try to prevent the flu from catching up to us, sometimes it happens! And when it does, we can feed our body with the nutrition it needs to combat that stubborn bug. When our little ones bring home more than just homework from school, Orange Naturals’ Vitamin C + Elderberry Chewables is a tasty way to help them combat the flu. Vitamin C helps your body tackle infections while elderberry provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It’s a two-in-one!
As the days get cold and dark, we’re probably all snuggled up at home trying to keep warm. Since we’re not going outdoors as much, our bodies are absorbing less of the sunlight we need to produce vitamin D. Because of this, we’re becoming more susceptible to vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D plays a role in supporting our body’s cells that work with our immune system. So the less of this sunshine vitamin we have, the risk of infections increases. For adults, Orange Naturals’ D3 Drops contain 2500IU of vitamin D, and 400IU in Kids D3 Drops to support the entire family’s immune systems through the flu season.
Unfortunately, the cold weather not only takes a toll on our immune system but our joints as well. The drop in temperature causes parts of our bodies to contract, resulting in stiffness that leads to aches and pains. Orange Naturals’ Jointly delivers nutrients that our joints need to move swiftly with ease.
All-year round
So we’ve talked about which supplements to take for each of the seasons, how about something we can take all year round? If you’re looking for something simple to support your health no matter the time of year, a multivitamin is a fantastic and easy option that can address the gaps that we might not be able to fill as easily. Despite maintaining a well-balanced diet, it can be difficult to obtain all the essential nutrients we need. Due to mass farming and changes in varieties of crops, the nutrition levels of our food have declined over the last several decades. Our Everyday Multi is formulated with a number of vitamins, like vitamins A, C, and D, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and zinc to prevent deficiencies and support your health throughout the year. Plus, all the great nutrients provide support for your bones, energy, and more!
Omega-3 is another multi-tasking nutrient that not only supports the heart but cognitive function and mood as well. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation while promoting good cholesterol levels for the heart. Our minds work endlessly to help us carry out our everyday tasks, so it’s only fair we return the favour! We can promote our cognitive abilities to support learning and memory with omega-3. On top of all these great benefits, it also supports skin and eye health! Our high-potency Omega-3 softgels provide 400mg EPA and 200mg DHA from pure sources and are easy to swallow. And of course, we can’t forget the little ones! Kids Omega-Yum contains 1275mg of EPA + DHA in every delicious berry serving.
Before starting your natural health supplements journey, be sure to speak with a healthcare professional about what’s right for you.
Transitioning your supplement routine between seasons
Since there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to taking care of our health, it’s important to listen to what our bodies are saying and provide them with the support they need.
Treat this guide as a starting point for figuring out which supplements to take by the season. Over time, your needs might change! Just remember, it’s up to you to personalize your routine according to what fits your goals and lifestyle.
Sources
Liver Disease and Environmental Allergies
How to boost your immune system
Antioxidant vitamins and their effect on immune system
