Immune Health
& Wellness
Q&A WITH ABBEY SHARP
Mediaplanet sat down with registered dietician and founder of Abbey's Kitchen Inc., Abbey Sharp to discuss the importance of the gut-immune connection and how adjusting your diet can support strong immune health.
How can altering your diet improve immune health? What advice would you give someone looking to make lifestyle changes to support their gut and immune health?
A healthy gut microbiome requires a wide range of different beneficial bacteria that help to support a healthy immune system. To help support a healthy diverse microbiome, we need to think about probiotics (the actual good “bugs”) and prebiotics (the food for the bacteria). We can also discuss postbiotics, which are the waste products left behind when your body digests probiotics and prebiotics (i.e. Vitamin K, amino acids and antimicrobial peptides). Probiotics are found in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, miso, sauerkraut and pickles, and prebiotics are found in fibre-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains. Therefore, the best diet to support microbiome diversity with the “good bugs” that help support a healthy immune system is a predominantly plant-based diet. This doesn’t necessarily mean we need to eliminate all animal products, rather we want to focus on getting in a fibre-rich diet made up with a wide variety of plants. Most North Americans don’t get enough fibre, so aiming for that goal of 25-38 grams per day can make a huge difference for our gut.
Add Black Elderberry to Your Arsenal To Fight Cold and Flu Bugs
With cold and flu season on the way, consider adding Sambucol black elderberry to your prevention and treatment strategy.
The cold weather season is approaching. That means more time spent indoors and increased exposure to viruses and bugs.
Colds and flus can often strike at the most inconvenient times, forcing us to take time off work to recover or take care of sick children. Fortunately, there are things families can do to prepare their immune systems for the fall and winter months as well as natural health products they can take to speed up recovery time if they do get sick.
Mediaplanet recently spoke to Sherry Torkos, pharmacist and author of The Canadian Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, to learn some of her cold and flu prevention and treatment tips.
What do you recommend for cold and flu prevention?
I always recommend eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and antioxidant-rich foods. Other things like regular exercise, not smoking, drinking lots of water, and getting enough sleep are also important, as is stress management. We tend to be more susceptible to illnesses when we’re under stress, as it makes it harder for our bodies to fight back.
What about natural remedies and plant-based health products?
Things like vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc are very important to the immune system. Black elderberry is another product that can help prevent colds and flus as it has strong antioxidant properties and has been shown to be an antiviral. Sambucol , for example, has many different products that can be taken for year-round immunity and acute symptom relief when needed.
My favourite is the new Immunity + Cold & Flu powdered drink which tastes amazing, and is perfect for on-the-go! The Immunity gummies always go over well with kids because they also taste great.
How safe and effective are black elderberry products?
Not all black elderberry products are the same. Lots of products have black elderberry but Sambucol uses a very specific type of black elderberry that has been the subject of many peer-reviewed clinical studies.
What should we do if we do get sick? Sometimes, despite our best efforts, illnesses will strike. Again, black elderberry extract can be used for symptom relief and to speed recovery. Sambucol Anti-Viral syrup helps relieve cough, congestion, and aches and pains and also comes in a new Day/Night formula for those who don’t like syrups.
I always recommend people talk to their pharmacist, but in my experience Sambucol is generally very safe and well-tolerated. It’s not contraindicated for high blood pressure and has no known drug interactions, plus it tastes good.
What should people look for in selecting a black elderberry product?
It’s important to look for products that are backed by clinical research. Sambucol has been around for over 20 years, has been the subject of clinical research, and has Health Canada-backed claims for helping to reduce the symptoms of viral illnesses and aid recovery. It is the #1 Black Elderberry brand in the world so trusted by millions.
Read the whole interview with Abbey at healthinsight.ca
Stay healthy this cold and flu season with Sambucol’s range of black elderberry products for the whole family. Learn more at sambucol.ca
This article was sponsored by Sambucol
Sherry Torkos Pharmacist & Author, The Canadian Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine
Anne Papmehl
Support Your Immune System as Cold and Flu Season Approaches
Taking a proactive approach to health means having the vitamins and minerals required to help fight off viruses, adding supplements as needed1
Michele Sponagle
With the arrival of colder weather, Canadians start thinking about the upcoming cold and flu season. Medical experts are now predicting a perfect storm where instances of COVID, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are all happening at once2
Each year, 5 to 10 per cent of Canadian adults and 20 to 30 per cent of children are infected with influenza, typically in the late fall and winter3
Vitamins and minerals support overall health
The data underscores the importance of having an immune system that is in tip-top shape to stay healthy, especially during cold and flu season.
While proper nutrition plays a key role in helping to support your immunity, few Canadians get all the vitamins and minerals they require through diet alone4. It could create a nutritional deficit that may compromise our ability to fight off viruses that cause colds and flu. To bridge the gap, many people turn to help from vitamin and mineral supplements, like the lineup of powders and gummies offered by Emergen-C. Formulated with vitamin C, zinc, B vitamins, electrolytes and more, Emergen-C offers a variety of formats and flavours to support one's immune
Centrum: Multivitamins For Different Stages of Life
In a sea of multivitamin products, Centrum stands strong. Backed by four decades of research, it’s the #1 doctorrecommended brand in Canada.
Veronica Stephenson
system and overall good health. Consider the vitamin C in Emergen-C Immune+ alone. To get 1000 mg, you would have to eat 10 oranges to match that amount. Once daily, just mix the powdered contents of the package with four to six ounces (120mL to 180mL) of water and stir. Drink with food a few hours before or after taking other medications or natural health products.
Smart choices to support your immune system
Emergen-C Immune+ powders may help reduce the duration and severity of colds when taken regularly. They may also help prevent colds in those undergoing physical stress. It’s wise with anything you consume to always read and follow the directions provided on the label. Emergen-C should also be taken with food. For use of Emergen-C powders beyond six months, consult a healthcare practitioner for advice. Also consider Emergen-C Immune+ Gummies, available in two natural fruit flavours — Super Orange and Elderberry. They’re vegetarian and gluten-free. Take three of the chewable vitamin and mineral supplements daily to help maintain immune function and overall good health. No water needed. They’re ideal for busy individuals and families on the go. For cold and flu season, a strong immune system is your best defence.
Being proactive and taking preventative measures before you’re exposed to the viruses that can make you sick is a smart strategy. Experts recommend adopting these habits year-round: healthy diet, get adequate sleep and regular exercise, manage stress, avoid smoking, and limit alcohol intake5 And, as the weather grows colder, consider vitamin C products, such as Emergen-C. These measures will help ensure you’re getting all the essential vitamins and minerals you need to support and maintain your immune system.
REFERENCES
1. Nutrition and immunity. The Nutrition Source. (2022, December 5). https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/ nutritionsource/nutrition-and-immunity/
2. MacMillan, C. (2023, January 12). “tripledemic:” what happens when flu, RSV, and covid-19 cases collide? Yale Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/ tripledemic-flu-rsv-and-covid-19
3. City of Toronto. (2022, October 4). Influenza (flu) fact sheet. https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/healthwellness-care/diseases-medications-vaccines/influenzaflu-fact-sheet/
4. Ahmed, M., Praneet Ng, A., & L’Abbe, M. R. (2021, September 1). Nutrient intakes of Canadian adults: Results from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)-2015 public use microdata file. The American journal of clinical nutrition. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/34020449/OR https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ articles/PMC8408873/ The Canadian Food Supply. Research Program for Nutrition Policy and Population Health. (2022, January 28). https://labbelab.utoronto.ca/projects/the-canadianfood-supply/ 5. 10 tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and body weight. (n.d.). https://fsph.iupui.edu/doc/10-Tips-Healthy-Lifestyle. pdf Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, February 8). How you can prevent chronic diseases. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.https://www. cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/prevent/index.html
Your diet, exercise, sleep habits, and stress levels may vary day to day — but for good health, meeting your daily requirements for essential vitamins and minerals should be a constant. Maintaining a balanced, nutritious diet is an important part of that equation, but it helps to have a scientifically formulated supplement to fill in the gaps. And sure, there are thousands of products on the market — but Centrum isn’t just another multivitamin. With four decades of advanced nutritional research as its foundation, Centrum stands out as one of the most extensively studied multivitamins globally. An extensive supplier quality management system ensures the purity and quality of the raw materials making up its extensive suite of products, and now, some Centrum products are verified non-GMO and gluten-free. With deep roots in the field of nutritional science comes a deep commitment to quality and innovation — that’s why Centrum is the #1
doctor-recommended and #1 selling multivitamin brand in Canada.
Keep your immune system in fighting shape all year long Balanced nutrition is critical for a strong immune system, but even for those who eat right and exercise, a scientifically-backed supplement can go a long way. Without keeping a detailed record of everything you eat in a given day, it can be hard to make sure you have all your nutritional bases covered. That’s why Centrum multivitamins have everything you need — from A to Zinc. No supplement can replace a healthy diet, but when life gets busy, you can count on Centrum’s meticulous formulations and decades of intensive research to give your body exactly what it needs. Multivitamins are not just for flu
season or busy days — daily pressures, from stress to environmental pollution, can put significant strain on your body’s natural defenses. Centrum formulas don’t just prop up the integrity of your immune system — they’re designed to support your overall health all year long.
Maintaining a balanced, nutritious diet is an important part of that equation, but it helps to have a scientifically formulated supplement to fill in the gaps.
Customized formulas for every life stage and health goal
When it comes to multivitamins, one size doesn’t always fit all. Your gender, age, and other factors (like pregnancy) dictate what kind of formulation will work best for you. Take control of your health journey at any stage of life by exploring Centrum’s comprehensive product line. Centrum offers tailored formulations to address diverse health needs, from hair and nail health to specialized products for seniors.
This article was sponsored by Emergen-C.
Air In The Workplace
In observance of International Day of Clean Air 2023, Fellowes conducted an annual survey of over 500 Canadian office workers. Exploring the current perceptions around safe air in the workplace, the survey sought to clarify the importance of air quality to health and wellness.
The survey of workers in an office at least one full day per week revealed that only 25 per cent of respondents believe the air in their workplace is very clean.
At the same time, employees are aware of the importance of clean air to their well-being. In fact, 95 per cent acknowledge that clean air should be a right for employees, and 93 per cent state that clean indoor air helps them perform their best at work.
New standards in safe air
The increasing public demand for improved indoor air qualityy (IAQ) led to the release of standards for controlling infectious aerosols and maintaining healthy IAQ by ASHRAE, an organization dedicated to advancing human well-being through technology in building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality,
and refrigeration. ASHRAE guidelines recommend a combination of clean air delivery rate and filtration levels equivalent to five air changes per hour (eACH). The Government of Canada has also drafted similar guidance for IAQ, and encourages the use of air filtration to maximize air cleanliness. As awareness of air quality’s impact on health and wellness becomes more widespread, taking action requires a scientifically-backed, multi-faceted approach.
Taking strategic action
To meet these new standards, employers and individuals should invest in HEPA-grade air purification to ensure adequate protection from airborne viruses, bacteria, pollution, allergens, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the workplace. For deeper insights into how contaminated air is impacting a space, Canadians should also consider solutions with real-time indoor air quality, such as the Fellowes Array air quality management system. These systems provide complete visibility into the air quality status of any space for accurate filtration whenever it is needed.
Fellowes encourages Canadians everywhere to invest in indoor air purification — for better health now and into the future. Contact Jeanette Simoes at 905-475-6320 or jsimoes@fellowes.com to learn more and get started.
This article was sponsored by Fellowes Canada.
place.
That’s where our Deep Immune® line gives you a fighting chance. It helps maintain a healthy immune system, so, when illness is the villain, you’re strong and ready for action.
And, if you do get sick, our EchinaSeal® actually relieves symptoms, (it doesn’t just, you know... mask them). That means getting back on your feet, feeling better sooner.
Fisherman’s Friend: A Tried and True Remedy for Cold and Flu Season
Fisherman’s Friend is a trusted remedy that has provided quick relief from cough and cold symptoms for over 150 years.
The days are getting shorter and temperatures are beginning to fall. Cold and flu season is just around the corner, and despite their best efforts, many Canadians will fall ill over the coming months.
Shorter winter days mean less hours of sunlight, which is a natural source of vitamin D. Vitamin D plays a critical role in our immune system, and if we don’t get enough it can make us more susceptible to infections like the cold and flu. With seasons changing, we naturally begin to spend more time indoors. Being in close proximity to others makes it easier for viruses to spread from person to person.
Colds develop gradually, and symptoms are often milder than the flu. They often improve in about a week. By contrast, flu symptoms appear severely and can last up to two weeks.
Taking proactive steps to stay healthy can help you navigate the season more successfully: staying warm, practising good hand hygiene,
and getting vaccinated are all ways to help protect against seasonal illnesses.
150-plus years of soothing sore throats
But if you do find yourself suffering from cold or flu symptoms, don’t despair. Each year, thousands of Canadians reach for a trusted remedy for sore throats, congested heads, and annoying coughs. Fisherman’s Friend has provided quick relief from cough and cold symptoms for more than 150 years. What makes Fisherman’s Friend lozenges so effective is the high concentration of menthol, which instantly reduces throat irritation, eases breathing, and delivers a refreshing sensation.
Orange is the new fresh
Whether you’re looking for something that packs a punch, like the Original Extra Strong, or prefer a milder taste like Citrus, Fisherman’s Friend lozenges are available in a range of flavours to suit everyone’s tastes. The Citrus, Cherry, Mint, Lemon, and Honey-Lemon are all sugar-free
and easily identifiable in their iconic striped packaging.
The newest addition to the Fisherman’s Friend lineup is the sugar-free Orange Spice flavor. This exciting mix of orange and ginger brings great taste and instant refreshment while still providing effective relief from cough and cold symptoms. The lozenges are also vegetarian, gluten- and dairy-free, and certified kosher.
From a humble remedy to a household name
In 1865, Fleetwood, U.K. pharmacist James Lofthouse developed a unique mixture of licorice, eucalyptus, and menthol for fishermen to take on freezing trips into the rough seas. The formula provided the fishermen with instant relief from the prolonged exposure to harsh conditions. The Lofthouse family saw the potential of these truly effective lozenges and started selling them to shops in local towns, and eventually began to export them worldwide. Today, Fisherman’s Friend produces five billion lozenges a year, and the business remains familyowned and operated.
Find your flavour of Fisherman’s Friend at fishermans friend.com
This article was sponsored by Fisherman's Friend.