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But many might be surprised to learn that some of the best remediesagainst Mother Nature's winter wrath might in fact use her own natural waresagainst her.
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"If you walk into any drug store you'll see dozens of cold and flumedications, but these drugs simply treat the symptoms, instead of preventingthem in the first place," said Dave Foreman, registered pharmacist and memberof The Vitamin Shoppe Health Advisory Board. "Consumers' use of naturalproducts for their everyday needs continues to grow, and many of the latestnatural supplements take a page from nature's cookbook to boost the body'simmune system and help fight other winter ills."
According to Foreman, the latest natural trends in combating cold and fluinclude:
"These natural alternatives can be helpful for both adults and children.With the recent FDA recommendation about children under six avoiding over-the-counter cold medicines, these trends can be worthwhile for parents toconsider. While supplements can help, consumers should always consult withtheir doctor or health care professional on treating a cold or the flu," saidForeman.
About Vitamin Shoppe Industries, Inc.
Vitamin Shoppe is a leading specialty retailer and direct marketer ofnutritional products based in North Bergen, New Jersey. The company sellsvitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements, herbs, sports nutrition formulas,homeopathic remedies, and other health and beauty aids to customers locatedprimarily in the United States. The company carries national brand productsas well as exclusive products under the Vitamin Shoppe, BodyTech, MD Select,and VS Basics proprietary brands. The Vitamin Shoppe conducts businessthrough more than 300 company-owned retail stores, national mail ordercatalogs, and two websites, www.vitaminshoppe.com and www.Bodytech.com.
About Dave Foreman, RPh
Registered Pharmacist Dave Foreman's mission is to educate as many peopleas possible about the benefits of natural health and healing. Dave is agraduate of the University of South Carolina-College of Pharmacy and haspracticed as a traditional pharmacist for the past 16 years. His weekly radioprogram, "The Herbal Pharmacist(R)", is broadcast on Sirius Satellite Radio.-- Spicing Up Your Immunity: Oregano is most commonly associated with a steaming bowl of pasta and sauce. However, oregano also has immune boosting power. Oregano extract -- which comes in oil or in capsule forms -- can help boost the body's natural immune system, and also support respiratory health. -- Fighting with Fungi: Known for centuries for their medicinal properties, mushrooms are used by the immune system to help the body strengthen itself, and can help a wintertime assault; extracts from common mushrooms like maitake are used in many natural products to support the body's natural defense mechanisms. -- Berry Goodness: Berries are known for their rich antioxidant properties. Sambucus, a black elderberry extract that contains antioxidants and flavanoids, can be used once a cold sets in. -- Teas from Trees: The barking cough commonly experienced during a cold or the flu that leads to throat irritation can be helped with -- what else -- tree bark. Specifically, a steaming cup of tea containing a small quantity of slippery elm bark can be used to help sooth the sore throat resulting from that nasty cough.
SOURCE The Vitamin Shoppe Health Advisory Board
