A chill has entered the air and pumpkin patches are popping up on the street corners of LA. We all know what that means—fall is here!

The beginning of the holiday season is one of our favorite times of the year, but it doesn’t come without its challenges. The colder months are when the common cold and the flu make their rounds. Aside from potential illness, holiday feasts and shorter days make it much easier to over consume. As we prepare for what the holiday season has to offer, there’s no better time to boost our immunity.

Let’s dive into how we can promote immune health and enjoy the holiday season to the fullest extent.

Supplement your diet...literally!

Through diet alone, it can be difficult to supply our immune systems with the fuel they need to thrive on a daily basis. Luckily, we have access to vitamins, minerals, and hormones that can do wonders for our bodies. And best of all, these supplements are safe and natural products that come from the earth.

Before stocking an item, we ensure that every supplement meets our rigorous standards. Our health and nutrition team looks into every ingredient, seeking out organic products that are preserved naturally, sourced sustainably, and certified by credible entities.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C plays a vital role in immune function. Not only does it aid production of white blood cells, the body’s pathogen-fighting soldiers, it strengthens our defense barriers by boosting skin health. Vitamin C can also improve iron absorption, heart health, and blood pressure levels.

Did you know that the only way to get Vitamin C is to consume it through foods or supplements? The body can’t produce it on its own, which makes it all the more important to add it into our dietary routine.

Zinc

Along with Vitamin C, zinc is a game changer when it comes to a healthy immune system. This essential mineral is needed for the development and function of immune cells. Without it, the body’s natural defense system can’t function at an optimal level. Zinc also decreases body inflammation and accelerates wound healing by helping the body produce collagen.

Vitamin D

Living in sunny southern California, we’re all lucky to get an ample source of Vitamin D from direct sunlight. But as the days grow shorter and clouds roll in, this key supplement gets a lot more scarce. Vitamin D has been linked to strong bones, immune health, and cardiovascular function.

are suggesting that it may even play a role in minimizing the threat of cancer.

Turmeric

Turmeric is known for its earthy, peppery taste and its vibrant golden color. In fact, it’s the magic ingredient that gives curry dishes their distinctive pop on the plate.

Turmeric’s active ingredient is curcumin, a powerful biological agent. For starters, it’s a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that can play a part in preventing heart disease and cancer. Ever wondered why turmeric is commonly paired with black pepper? It comes down to more than taste. Black pepper improves the body’s ability to absorb curcumin into the bloodstream, enhancing every ounce of turmeric that we consume.

Aside from pill form, you can get your daily dose of turmeric through our

or hand-crafted tonics like the and the .

Ashwagandha

If you’re searching for a supplement with a long history of use, look no further than

. This small shrub, native to India and Africa, has been used for over 3,000 years to promote stress management and natural healing.

Western science is beginning to echo the benefits of this special plant.

that it can reduce blood sugar levels, impede the growth of tumors, and reduce inflammation. One of the most appealing benefits of ashwagandha is its stress management properties. Ashwagandha naturally reduces levels of cortisol, the hormone that leaves us feeling anxious and overwhelmed. While stress is an important biological mechanism, too much of it can drain our bodies and make us susceptible to bugs every fall. Try supplementing your diet with ashwagandha and experience the benefits of Ayurvedic medicine!

Sea Moss

As its name suggests, sea moss is a naturally-occurring ocean algae, but you won’t find it on the beaches of LA. It thrives off the Atlantic coast in frigid waters. Sea moss has a history of being used as a thickening agent in foods, but studies suggest that consuming it as a supplement has a wide array of health benefits. Sea moss is a probiotic-rich food and contains 92 of the 102 minerals that make up the human body. It's high concentrations of iron, magnesium, zinc, and iodine support immune response, gut integrity, and blood sugar management.

Try Medicinal Bone Broths.

We’re here to tell you that bone broth is more than a trend! If you’re looking for a nourishing morning ritual to replace your cup of coffee, bone broths are a great place to start. These nutrient-rich elixirs are packed with nutrients that are linked to joint and gut health, reduced inflammation, and immune efficiency. Several studies suggest that nutrients like glutamine, which are ample in bone broths, can strengthen intestinal walls and streamline the digestive system.

Aside from their health benefits, bone broths are a savory delight. You can find them in the soup section, or

behind the Tonic Bar.

Prevent Bloating and Digestive Discomfort.

Even if we give our bodies the tools to boost our immune response, it’s easy to run down our digestive systems throughout the holiday season. Here are a few ways to prevent bloating, constipation, and other digestive undesirables.

Be mindful of volume intake.

Enjoying delicious meals is part of the holidays, but with heaps of turkey and pumpkin pie...it’s easy to over consume! Even if the food on your plate is healthy, eating excessive quantities taxes the digestive system and prevents us from feeling our best. A number of experiments back this sentiment. The Blue Zone study, which identified primary factors that lead to longevity, encourages people to fill their stomachs to only 80%. All to say, prioritizing moderation can boost our health and comfort levels throughout the fall season.

Experiment with gut-healthy products.

If you find yourself sidelined with an upset stomach, there are quite a few natural remedies that can get you back on track. Our Nutrition Department Team can show you where to find the probiotics, enzymes, fiber, digestive bitters, & more to help get your digestion back on track.

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As you can see, there’s so much that we can do to support the immune and digestive system as we approach the holiday season. Autumn only lasts for so long, and you deserve to enjoy it to the fullest!