So it is pretty unusual for me to get ill over the winter (or anytime really). Some might say I'm lucky and have a good constitution, which I have no doubt plays a big part. Some might say it is because I eat a healthy diet and don't have much in the way of alcohol or caffeine, which again no doubt plays it's part. But my real secret is that I invest in a simple back up programme to make sure it is really hard to get me unwell.

Pasteur recanted on his deathbed, saying that it wasn't the (invasive) organism that was the problem, but the environment it lives in. After all, it is very hard to germinate seeds on concrete. So build a stronger environment and the chances of getting ill with colds etc are greatly reduced.

So what is my secret? 3 Simple and obvious supplements in fairly high dose.

So no surprise that at this time of year that the Vitamin D3 is hot on the table. From the end of September until the end of March, you could go butt naked in full sun for the whole day and not create a single drop of Vitamin D3. Due to our latitude on the planet, the sun is too low between those months to make any in us. So unless you are out getting winter sun, or having quite a bit of oily fish in your diet you make none. Our stores will last about 3 months, so no surprise that most of you are running out by Christmas at the latest and that is if your Vit D3 levels were already pretty good.

Personally I am not a fan of the tablets of D3 as it is best dissolved in oil and so my product recommendation is for the Epigenetics Smart D3 Oil. This is an easy dose system, 1 drop = 1000iu and I suggest as a maintenance you are looking to have at least 5 drops a day with breakfast, if you are pretty healthy and have some oily fish in your diet. If you are immune compromised or don't feel that robust, then you can go for 10 drops daily. As a fair therapeutuc dose when you become unwell, you can easily and safely take 20 drop a day. 

I love this as it is dissolved in pesticide free Black Cumin Oil which helps the uptake as well and like all Epigenetics International products is made with the absolute minimum of fillers, binders and excipients so you get the best absorption and less likelihood or any adverse reaction.

 My equally top favourite is Zinc. This is not just because I'm a man either - zinc is to men what magnesium is to women. But because I know that this has kept me well at times where I should have got sick. It is such a great benefit to our immune systems, and also really good if you have any skin issues. I test this up a lot for clients with eczema, acne and other skin conditions.

If you think your immune system is fairly good and you are just looking for a back up, I suggest the Smart Zinc 15 and take 1 capsule a day with your evening meal. 

If you feel that you need a bit of a stronger dose, feel immune compromised or are under a lot of stress, you might want to opt for the Smart Zinc 30, double the strength, and again take 1 a day with evening meal.

With both of these, if you are starting to feel unwell you can up the dose. Take 1 capsule twice a day. If you are using the Smart Zinc 15 then you can have 2 capsules twice a day if you feel you need it.

And let us not forget perhaps the most famous cold remedy, good ole Vitamin C. Essential for so many functions in the body and the requirements of this in the body can vary a lot if you are under a great deal of stress. So the lead up to Christmas can easily qualify as one of those times you should be increasing your intake.

I prefer the Smart C Complex from Epigenetics as not only is this (as with all their other products) very low on excipients, magnesium stearate free etc, but also comes with a host of other immune supportive compounds that I love.

It also contains the following organic natural food substances to provide a complete Vitamin C Complex:

• Organic Reishi, Shiitaki Mushrooms and organic beetroot which are rich sources of tyrosinase. Beetroot also contains Vitamin K.
• Rutin, a naturally occurring substance from buckwheat, provides the Vitamin P for the permeability of the blood vessels.
• Hesperidin – a naturally occurring bioflavonoid to provide anti-histamine protection.
• Alpha lipoic acid – this naturally recycles the Vitamin C which allows us to gain more benefit without taking very high doses.

The Reishi and Shiitake have been shown to be superb immune support, plus the natural antihistamine in the hesperidin and recyling created by the Alpha Lipoic Acid, for me make this a top notch product.

You can take 1 capsule 2-3 x a day for support and double the dose if you are getting a cold or similar.

Epigenetics Integrnational is a practitioner referral site, so you are getting the best that the industry can produce. When you get to the check out you will notice that it asks for who referred you, at which point you can just find my name Ben Calder and off you go. Makes no difference to the price, just allows them to track where you came from.

So there you have my 3 special simple keys for keeping the nasties off this winter. Follow it and you will be well. If you have any questions or comments, don't hesitate to leave them below and I will be happy to answer them.

Stay well

Ben