Probiotics and the Common Cold
Michael Ventresca • January 3, 2020
You’ve probably heard probiotics can help improve digestive health, but did you know they also play a major role in immune function? This may seem odd. After all, when you think of immune health, you probably think of colds, flu, or even hayfever, all of which seem far removed from digestion.
To understand how digestion affects immune function, think of the immune system as fighting a war on two fronts. The first front, where the body devotes most of its efforts, is fought in the gut against pathogens in food and drink. The second front exists in the bloodstream against things we inhale. The more troops needed in the gut means less available for airborne pathogens like the common cold.
Enter probiotics. As the gatekeeper to nearly everything that enters the bloodstream, the gut is tasked with allowing vital nutrients to enter while working to remove pathogenic bacteria, like e coli and salmonella, and toxins. Probiotics provide enormous benefit first, by working to crowd out bad bacteria and second, by forming a physical barrier of protection called a biofilm. Without this, bacteria and toxins are able to leak through the intestinal wall further taxing the body.
By getting probiotics regularly through fermented foods, like tempeh and sauerkraut, or supplements, you're providing the body with the necessary troops to succeed on the first front thereby ensuring a much more effective immune response against airborne challenges like the common cold.
Few supplements provide greater overall nutritional support than probiotics. At Vital Choice, we carry a wide variety of some of the best options available including our own Vital Choice 20-Billion Probiotic that uses clinically studied acid-resistant and shelf stable strains. To browse our selection, click here
or please stop in the discuss which one is right for you.
To learn more, check out episode 341 of Steve Lankford's Health Quest Podcast Nutrition for Supporting Immune Function.
Related: Immune Support Basics
Mike Ventresca is the owner of Vital Choice Health Store located at 9243 Sprague Road in North Royalton’s Timber Ridge Plaza. The phone number is 440-885-9505
or www.VChoice.com. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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Over the years, I’ve tried just about every type of multivitamin out there: tablets, capsules, raw food blends, fermented formulas, you name it. And while many are a clear step above your big-box brands, it’s rare I come across one that actually makes me want to switch. Recently, I started taking the True Grace 50+ Multi , and I’ve been genuinely impressed. First, it checks all the right boxes for me. It’s made with fermented, whole-food-based nutrients that are easier on the stomach and better absorbed. It’s free of synthetic fillers, artificial colors, GMOs, and gluten. What makes this formula stand out is what it offers beyond the basics. This isn’t just another multivitamin with the usual laundry list of nutrients. True Grace 50+ is designed with targeted support for four key areas of healthy aging. You’ll find Lion’s Mane mushroom for brain health, CoQ10 for heart and cellular energy, and MenaQ7 (a patented form of vitamin K2 ) to guide calcium to the bones instead of the arteries. It also includes antioxidants to support long-term vision, which is a growing concern for many of us over 50. What really caught my attention, though, is ergothioneine , a naturally occurring amino acid often referred to as the “longevity vitamin.” It helps protect cells from oxidative stress and supports brain, heart, and skin health. Most multivitamins leave it out entirely or include only a token amount. This formula delivers a full 5 mg per serving, a dose that actually makes a difference. While the 50+ formula is what I personally use, True Grace offers a full line including Men’s and Women’s core multis , 40+ versions , plus a prenatal for moms-to-be. All with the same focus on clean, effective nutrition. Do I still believe in other whole-food-based multis? Absolutely. But this is the first time in a long while I’ve actually made a switch. And I’m glad I did. Mike Ventresca is the owner of Vital Choice Health Store located at 9243 Sprague Road in North Royalton’s Timber Ridge Plaza. The phone number is 440-885-9505 , or visit VChoice.com . This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
