5 Natural Supplements for a Back-to-School Immunity Boost

A fresh back-to-school season reminds us of the importance of setting our children up for success. But just like kids need preparation for better learning, our immune systems also need an extra boost to stay healthy in the season ahead. It's no secret that our bodies tend to take a hit during the fall months thanks to more exposure to cold and flu viruses, schedule shifts, temperature drops, and a lack of essential vitamin D. But between ensuring there’s good food in lunch boxes for growing kids and everything else on the to-do list, parents can forget to nourish themselves well too.

Good nutrition plays a role in everything from gut health to the immune system’s response to pathogens and even stress; but when life gets busy, quality supplements offer a more consistent supply of vital nutrition. Help yourself and your family start out and stay healthy this fall with these 5 best-in-class natural supplements.

1. Your Sunshine In a Bottle

You might associate vitamin D with strong bones and even a lifted mood, but did you know it also plays a role in immunity? Vitamin D supports general health by activating immune cells which regulate the body’s inflammatory response to threats. Vitamin D deficiency is also linked to a higher susceptibility to infections. 

In theory, we only need about 10 to 15 minutes under the sun a few times a week to get enough of this vitamin. Health-mandated sunbathing? Sign us up! But this approach comes with significant health risks, and with more sunless skies on their way, our best bet is to turn to nutrition for help. Also known as cholecalciferol, vitamin D3 truly “shines” as the ideal form for dietary intake. Unlike vitamin D2 (it’s plant-based counterpart), animal-derived D3 boasts superior bioavailability and a better half-life. This means that more of it can enter the bloodstream, and it stays in our circulation system for longer too. 

Enjoy sunshine in a bottle with Vitamin D3 Liquid—rain or shine, 365 days of the year. Just a single drop offers a high dose of 1,000 IU, so you can start your day without extra fuss in the kitchen.

2. A Timeless Remedy 

A peek into the pages of history show just how important vitamin C truly is for our overall health. Once upon a time, sea voyages went sideways as entire crews suffered from scurvy, a horrifying hallmark of vitamin C deficiency—that is, until doctors recommended adding citrus fruits to the menu. 

Whether you’re out adventuring or cozied up indoors, this powerful vitamin (also known as ascorbic acid) can help you power through the new school season and beyond. As an antioxidant we can only tap into through diet, vitamin C fights off free radicals and also acts as a natural antihistamine to stave off nasty allergy symptoms. By stimulating white blood cell and antibody activity, it can protect the body against everyday illness too; research shows promising links between vitamin C, less severe cold symptoms, and speedier recovery times. 

This fall, supplement with Ascorbic Acid. Specially formulated to reduce gastric irritation with a neutralized pH, this natural remedy can play ball with even the most sensitive of stomachs to offer quality immune support.

3. A Powerful Respiratory Support

Every fall season comes with an unwelcome tag-along: respiratory viruses. Sure, runny noses and phlegmy coughs picked up at school are just part of kids being kids, but parents with little ones get sick more often too.

When it comes to treating and strengthening our resiliency against these common bugs, NAC (short for N-acetyl cysteine) is one of nature’s best remedies. This essential amino acid relieves oxidative stress and promotes glutathione levels, an antioxidant that plays a big role in overall immune function. In one study, only 25 percent of those taking NAC experienced flu-like episodes over a six-month period, versus a staggering 79 percent from the placebo group. NAC is also an expectorant, meaning it helps thin out sticky, stubborn mucus for easier clearance (gross, but effective). 

Add NAC to your cold- and flu-fighting arsenal this season. Offering an optimal dose of 600 mg in a single daily capsule, this amino acid can help stave off the worst of respiratory illnesses for less sick days, stress, and mess.

4. An All-in-One Stress Shield

From daily homework help to balancing tighter grocery budgets and taking Fido to the vet, doing “too much” can take its toll on the body. And the research says it all: parents today are more stressed than ever. 

Where there’s stress, illness often follows. To combat this effect as we pick up speed for another school year, A.I. Formula offers a combination of botanical extracts and nutrients known for their immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory properties (alongside more of that essential vitamin C):

• Turmeric contains the active compound curcumin, which is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
• Ginger offers antioxidant benefits, and has further been linked to better respiratory health and fewer cold and flu symptoms. (In combination, ginger and turmeric can be particularly potent for immunity.)
• Quercetin supports the immune system by reducing inflammation and enhancing immune cell activity. It’s also been shown to help alleviate allergy and respiratory illness symptoms.
• Bromelain reduces inflammation and promotes healing. It’s particularly useful for relieving congestion and respiratory discomfort. Both bromelain and quercetin can be used for pain management in sinus headaches.

5. Your Key to Restorative Rest

Would you believe that the wee hours of the night are when the body clocks in some of its hardest working hours? Deep in dreamland, we’re able to enter into “reset” mode and heal ourselves to wake up mentally and physically rejuvenated. The body also releases cytokines, protective proteins that can regulate our immune response and keep illnesses at bay.

On the flip side, sleep deprivation is associated with a higher risk of both short-term and chronic health issues. One study even found that individuals who slept fewer than seven hours per night were nearly three times more susceptible to catching the common cold. But squeezing in those seven-plus hours is often easier said than done for those with kids. We lose around six years of good sleep just from welcoming a new bundle of joy into the world, and it’s not uncommon for this trend to continue all throughout the parenting journey. 

Hit “snooze” on unsatisfying sleep with the help of Pure Encapsulations’ Melatonin. Higher levels of this natural hormone are associated with longer sleep and a reduction in how long it takes us to drift off. By regulating the body’s internal clock through the circadian rhythm’s 24-hour cycles, just a few milligrams of melatonin promote a healthier sleep-wake cycle and immune system.

Find Natural Wellness with Pure Encapsulations

As you prep kids for a new school year, don’t forget to check “self-care” off your to-do list with the help of quality supplements. Using only natural, science-backed formulations, Pure Encapsulation offers transparency on every label for your peace of mind—with no unnecessary additives, hidden “nasties,” or allergens, guaranteed. Tap into the immune-boosting power of pure ingredients, and nourish your way to a healthier and happier fall season for the whole family.

Pure Encapsulations^® is dedicated to providing nutritional supplements that are designed with integrity using premium ingredients backed by verifiable science, and held to the highest industry standards. We're also committed to advancing the science of nutrition and sharing our passion and knowledge for the greater good.