Top Supplements for This Year’s Super Flu

Understanding Flu Season

In North America, the influenza season usually runs from October to May. There is normally a spike in the winter months, from November to February (1).

This year, in addition to the two main flu strains, there is a new strain of flu: subclade K, also called the K strain. Researchers say that this strain has increased transmissibility (2).  Because of this, some people are calling subclade K a "super flu."

This year’s more severe flu season is concerning because a spike in flu cases happened early in the season (3). Symptoms range from mild to severe, and sometimes require hospitalization. Flu symptoms include:

• Cough
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Muscle or body aches
• High fever or feeling feverish/chills
• Vomiting and diarrhea (more common in children than in adults)

All flu viruses, including the super flu subclade K, are transmitted in the same ways. When sick people cough or sneeze without covering their nose and mouth, infected droplets spread through the air and land on surfaces. When they land on surfaces, the virus can be transmitted by touching an infected surface and then touching your face, particularly the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Flu viruses can also be aerosolized, meaning they can travel through the air and deep into the lungs. Flu-containing aerosolized particles can last up to 60 to 90 minutes at levels that can cause infection (4).

If you do get sick this season, remember it is best to stay home and rest until you're feeling better, which may take a week or longer.

While this year’s cold and flu season still has a few months left, there are things you can do to protect yourself and your family before you feel any flu symptoms coming on, including getting your flu vaccine.

Prevent Getting Sick

Staying healthy during flu season requires both good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing, and a healthy lifestyle. For many people, dietary supplements are also a part of their immune system support strategy.

Immune Defense Shield

ROOT Brands Immune Defense Shield is designed to help support your body’s ability to maintain a strong immune system, which helps to reduce and fight off illness.

It contains vitamins and minerals, including OmniMin™ Trace Minerals. These trace minerals are highly bioavailable, meaning they are ready for your body to use. The combination of vitamins and minerals also supports the body’s cellular functions.

Restore for Mucus and Gut Immunity

Keeping your gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) and gut microbiome healthy is important for maintaining your health and having a healthy immune system. Your GI tract contains 70% to 80% of your immune cells (5). This means keeping your gut healthy supports a strong immune system. Restore for Mucus and Gut Immunity helps support a healthy microbiome by balancing good and bad microbes.  

Clean Spirits for the Latest NAC and Flu Research

The liver is often overlooked when thinking about the immune system. However, it is an important part of the immune system through its detoxification systems and its constant monitoring of the blood supply. ROOTS Brands Clean Spirits helps support the liver, its normal detoxification processes, and immune functions. It also contains N-Acetyl-Cysteine, which supports antioxidant systems and is a precursor needed for glutathione production.

Dietary Precautions

Your dietary habits also play a role in supporting your immune system.

Fruits and vegetables are packed full of vitamins and other micronutrients that support a healthy immune system. Many of the nutrients they contain also have anti-inflammatory properties. Citrus fruits contain Vitamin C, which supports immune function.

Making half of your daily grains whole, like choosing whole wheat bread instead of white bread, provides nutrients for the gut microbiome, which supports your immune system. Whole grains also provide zinc and selenium, which are immune-supporting minerals.

Staying well hydrated is also important. Keeping your body hydrated helps transport nutrients and oxygen throughout the body and helps your body produce mucus, which protects your nose, eyes, and throat from viruses. And when you have a sore throat or illness, a hot or cold drink can be soothing.

Another way to support your health is to avoid foods high in added sugars and processed foods.  A diet high in added sugars and processed foods may increase inflammation. 

Managing Stress and Sleep

Experiencing chronic stress means the body may produce high levels of cortisol. Having chronically high cortisol levels may lead to increased levels of inflammation. That’s one reason stress management is important during flu season and year-round.

Some ways to manage stress include:

• Deep breathing: Pausing to take a few deep breaths.
• Meditating: Meditating for two to five minutes can help.
• Moving: A short walk can help you reset your stress levels.

Sleep is another tool that helps you stay healthy all year. Getting seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night supports your immune system and reduces inflammation.

Some steps you can take before heading to bed to help you sleep include:

• Avoid stimulants such as caffeine for a few hours before bed.
• Getting away from screens for at least 30 to 60 minutes helps your brain get ready for sleep.
• Going to bed at the same time every night helps your body get into a routine and recognize it’s time to sleep.

If you need to improve your stress levels and amount of sleep, remember that small steps count. Choose one thing to improve for stress or sleep, and once that is working, make another small change.

Supporting Your Immune System This Flu Season

Supporting your health doesn't require doing everything at once. Small, consistent steps, like prioritizing sleep, eating nourishing foods, managing stress, and filling nutrient gaps when needed, can add up over time. Choose the strategies that fit best into your life and focus on what feels sustainable. Also, it's not too late to get your flu shot and do all you can to avoid the super flu.

If adding supplements fits into your lifestyle, the ROOT Brands products discussed above are designed to support different aspects of immune health as part of a broader approach.