Fit through the cold season
Coughs, colds and low moods are faithful companions for many people in autumn and winter. No wonder, it is cold season. Even if we attribute fatigue and colds to the dark, cold season – often the body simply lacks important nutrients. In addition to a balanced diet and exercise, our body now needs antioxidants in particular. Especially effective: ubiquinol and astaxanthin.
Balanced diet and effective antioxidants during cold season
antioxidants protect the body from free radicals. These aggressive molecules are produced as waste products from metabolism and cause oxidative stress – our immune system in particular reacts sensitively to them. Vitamin C was for many years considered the most important nutrient in the cold season.
But in nature there are much more powerful antioxidants. Two of them have become a particular focus of scientific attention in recent years: ubiquinol and astaxanthin are natural antioxidants that the body can utilize very well.
Astaxanthin strengthens the body’s defenses
Astaxanthin is found in marine animals such as crabs and salmon – its bright red color is also the reason for their vibrant red coloration. Today, however, astaxanthin is obtained from algae. The natural antioxidant improves antibody production and strengthens the immune system.
In addition, it is anti-inflammatory and, according to studies, also has a beneficial effect on the muscles and brain, for example – because oxidative stress affects all functional areas of the body.
Astaxanthin complements ubiquinol particularly well. This antioxidant nutrient, which is also natural, is the body’s own form of coenzyme Q10 and is obtained through fermentation. It is indispensable for energy production in every single cell of the body and also has a positive effect on the immune system.
Preventive natural vital substances
According to a study from the U.S., flu sufferers have significantly lower blood ubiquinol levels than healthy individuals.¹ A targeted dietary supplementation with the micronutrient can therefore have a preventive effect.
While both vital nutrients are also found in foods, for a sufficient amount of ubiquinol you would need to eat around 10 kilograms of broccoli or 60 avocados per day, and for sufficient astaxanthin you would need to eat almost a whole kilogram of salmon.
It is easier to take antioxidants in the form of capsules, which are available at pharmacies or online. Both nutrients are scientifically very well researched, have no side effects and are obtained naturally.
Conclusion: Prevention is everything! Nature knows many vital substances that can bring us fit through the cold season. If you also eat healthily and exercise regularly, you can start the autumn well equipped.
Source reference: ¹ Chase M. et al.Coenzyme Q10 in acute influenza. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2019 Jan; 13(1): 64-70. doi: 10.1111/irv.12608