The Immune Power-Up: How Wellness Experts Tackle Winter*
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Let’s be honest: Supporting your immune system is now a 24/7, 365 kind of thing. And as the temps drop and your focus turns to winter wellness, it’s especially top-of-mind. But exactly what that looks like—and how to put it into practice—is still a bit of a mystery.
Take it from the experts: It’s all about caring for yourself with nourishing foods, consistent movement, plenty of rest, and a few supplements with science-backed ingredients. Keep reading for their recs, and consider it immune support, powered up.*
Zinc
How do you support your immune system from summer solstice to snowfall? For self-love advocate Candace Molatore, self care is key—and with winter on the horizon, that looks like a stricter sleep schedule, energizing morning workouts, a big pot of veggie-packed soup, and immune-supporting ingredients like zinc.*
“Zinc is essential for the development and function of immune cells that are [part of our immune system],” registered dietitian nutritionist Kara Lydon, RDN says.* But despite its rank as an immune-support MVP, a recent USDA survey found that many Americans don’t get enough zinc.*
Add more to your diet with zinc-rich foods like oatmeal, cheese, turkey, oysters, beef, and lentils, and veggies such as mushrooms, peas, and spinach. Molatore likes to maximize her superfood intake by adding as many veggies as she can to a pot of soup or stew, and eating it alongside her Nature’s Way® Immune Power Gummies. “Not only do they taste great, but they’re easy to consume and make taking care of my body feel easy,” Molatore says.
Meet Candace
Candace Molatore is a social media coordinator, photographer, and self-love advocate. She prioritizes wellness all year, but takes it up a notch when winter hits. To stay active through the season—which she spends cooking, exercising, spending time with friends, and exploring her city—she supports her immune system with a daily dose of vitamins and minerals.*
If I feel good physically, I feel much better emotionally. I believe there’s a direct connection in how you feel physically and how that can affect your mood throughout your day.
— Candace Molatore
Quercetin
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If this plant pigment that acts as an antioxidant is new to you, hear this: You’ve had a secret support system in quercetin all along.* “An interesting fact about quercetin is its association with zinc,” says Vani Chopra, PhD, RDN, education content manager at Nature’s Way. “Quercetin can act as a zinc ionophore, meaning it can transport zinc into cells where it’s needed.* Zinc plays an important role in supporting the immune system.* These together can provide antioxidant and immune support to the body.”*
To get your quercetin fill, Lydon recommends incorporating tons of fruits and veggies—like capers, apples, onions, kale, citrus, and broccoli—into your winter recipe lineup. “I focus on nutrients from food first and then use supplements as sort of an insurance policy,” Lydon says. “To support my immune system, I focus specifically on supplementing with vitamin C, D, zinc, and quercetin.”*
For a simple (and satisfying) assist, give Nature’s Way® Quercetin Gummies with Zinc a try. The lemon-flavored gummies fulfill your recommended daily value of zinc, and the burst of quercetin helps move zinc to cells where it’s most needed.*
Kara Lydon, RDN is a registered dietitian, business owner, and mom who takes a holistic approach to wellness. Her formula? A wide variety of foods, daily movement and time in nature, a few simple mindfulness practices, and a consistent supplement regimen. These measures help her support her immune system year-round—so she’s prepared when indoor season arrives.
Meet Kara
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Immune Power Gummies
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Nature’s Way® Quercetin Gummies with Zinc
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Remember, wellness is not about perfection and it’s not one-size-fits-all. You can experiment with which wellness approaches feel good to you—body, mind, and spirit
— Kara Lydon, RDN
Vitamin C
Call it permission to order that fresh-squeezed OJ, no matter the season. Vitamin C reigns supreme when it comes to supporting your immune system—and one serving of Nature’s Way® Vitamin C Gummies delivers nearly three times the recommended daily value for vitamin C.*
Why is vitamin C so essential, especially as the weather changes? “It’s key for the function of immune cells, such as white blood cells and the production of antibodies,” Lydon says.* “It’s also an antioxidant, which helps to protect white blood cells from oxidative damage during the immune response.”*
So add a lemon wedge to your thermos, throw some orange-flavored gummies in your bag, and take on the winter.
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When it comes to winter wellness, go back to the basics. Eat well and often, get enough sleep, hydrate, move your body, manage your stress levels, and take your vitamins.
— Kara Lydon, RDN
Vitamin D
“I try to keep a positive mindset as things get cooler and darker. Mood changes can affect my physical and mental well-being, so I really prioritize my mental health during this time of year.
— Candance Molatore
Nature’s Way® Vitamin D3 Gummies
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
As the days get shorter and chillier, your daily outdoor dose of vitamin D might dip. Keeping it steady is key for immune health, Lydon says.* “Vitamin D helps maintain the integrity of barriers in the body that keep foreign invaders out,” Lydon says.* “It also helps with immune cell production, regulation, and function.”*
No sunshine? No worries. Opt for foods rich in healthy fats, like wild salmon and eggs, and let your supplements do the rest. You’ll get 250 percent of the daily value of D in one serving of Nature’s Way® Vitamin D3 Gummies. As for Lydon and Molatore, they’d call a take-anywhere, tasty way to take vitamin D3 a total win for winter.
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