Why Your Supplement Routine Should Change With The Seasons
As summer fades into autumn, the supplements we take changes too!
It's no fun being sick, and it's really no fun having sick kids! We make choices to eat healthy food and make getting enough sleep a priority. However, we also choose to take various supplements to support our health.
We prefer natural, food or plant-based supplements and avoid synthetic vitamins and minerals whenever possible. As life changes, nutritional needs, finances, and various other things change too. We believe these kinds of supplements are the most bio-available and provide nutrients in ratios that naturally occur and that our bodies can best use.
We live in Central Minnesota and we have drastic changes in seasons and temperatures throughout the year. Therefore, it makes sense that our supplements would change with the seasons as well.
This is not to be taken as medical advice. This is for informational purposes only. I'm am sharing what we choose to do for our family. You need to do your own research and make the best decisions for your family.
Our Year-Round Supplements
Even though we change some supplements throughout the year, there are a few we take all year long.
Herbal Multivitamin
A basic multivitamin is handy to take year-round to fill in the gaps on those days when you just don't eat perfectly. I make our herbal multivitamin, but this one from Earthley is very similar.
Probiotics
Probiotics are an essential part of gut health. And a healthy gut leads to a healthy body! We choose to eat probiotic-rich foods multiple times each week rather than taking a probiotic supplement. Yogurt, kefir and kombucha are a regular part of our diet. I choose to make them as home as this is by far the most cost effective option. I use these kefir grains, this yogurt culture (no yogurt maker needed) and this kombucha SCOBY.
My Womanly Supplements
I've generally been blessed with fairly easy monthly periods. However, I still choose to gently support my body each month with the following things:
Red Raspberry Leaf Tea
I was first introduced to the herb red raspberry leaf during pregnancy. It is known to gently tone the uterus and result in less painful and more effective contractions. It also provides generous amounts of the vitamins C, E, A & B complex as well as calcium, iron, phosphorus, and potassium.
I notice easier, lighter periods and more energy when I drink a cup of red raspberry leaf tea on most days. Red Raspberry Leaf tea is very inexpensive, especially when bought in bulk since one pound of dried tea leaves lasts many months! (Use a tea ball to make loose leaf tea easily!)
Blackstrap Molasses
Blackstrap molasses (not regular molasses) is generally not considered a supplement but because it is high in easily assimilated iron, I choose to take it regularly. I take a spoonful several times a week. Blackstrap molasses is great topping for yogurt, granola, and pancakes/waffles. It also is a main ingredient in a homemade, natural electrolyte beverage.
The iron in the blackstrap molasses supports my body and gives me extra energy when my body is cleansing and replenishing. I definitely notice a difference when I forget to take it! I buy my blackstrap molasses from Azure Standard (or this one from Amazon)
Vitex (Chaste Tree Berry)
I’ve been taking Vitex for about two years now to help my body deal with the changes that happen during perimenopause. Vitex helps the body to natural balance hormones, especially progesterone. A bonus side effect as been a marked reduction of hormonal acne. (I’ve taken this Vitex and this one. Vitex is also an ingredient in Earthley’s Fertili-Boost tincture).
Our Fall & Winter Supplements
During the Fall and Winter I choose to add the following supplements each day:
Elderberry Syrup/Tincture
Elderberry tincture is our "flu shot"! I make my own but have also purchased Elderberry Tincture from Earthley. (You can also purchase an elderberry syrup DIY kit from Earthley.) I'm convinced this helps us to stay healthy and avoid influenza each year!
Vitamins D3 + K2
Because we live in Minnesota, it is very hard to get sunlight on our skin (to make Vitamin D) during the long cold winters.
While foods like grassfed butter, gouda cheese, natto, and sunned mushrooms do contain Vitamin D, I still choose to supplement during the winter months.
The most natural way to supplement vitamin D would be to take fish oil daily. (Or use this topical cream.) I know this would be difficult for my family, so for now, we choose to supplement with liquid drops.
Our Spring & Summer Supplements
Once the snow melts, I transition us from our fall & winter supplements to our spring & summer supplements.
Adaptogenic Immunity
We live in a Lyme-Endemic area and have dealt with Lyme Disease three times. Because of this, I make it a priority to support our immune systems so we can naturally fight off the Lyme bacteria we are bound to come into contact with. Stephen Buhner in his book Healing Lyme recommends Astragalus root to support the immune system and prevent infection with Lyme Disease.
We choose to use Adaptogenic Immunity which contains Astragalus root and other herbs to support the immune system.
This tincture could be taken year-round for general immune support. However, I choose to replace it with Elderberry tincture during the fall and winter months.
Making Supplements a Part of our Daily Routine
When I look at this list, it seems like a lot of supplements! However, I'm a firm believer in preventing illness and promoting health rather than in treating illness. We have made the taking of supplements part of our daily routine.
Most of the supplements for the kids (Herbal vitamin, Elderberry tincture, Adaptogenic Immunity tincture) can be put in with their breakfast (baked oatmeal) and they don't even notice! Or I just add all supplements to a small glass of water and we drink this with breakfast.
These natural, food-based supplements as a part of our daily routine to promote health and prevent sickness. And since our weather changes drastically from season to season, so do our supplements!
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From today until August 19, 2024, Earthley Wellness has put many of their immune support tinctures on super sale!
You can now get Adaptogenic Immunity (4oz), Vita-C (4oz), and Elderberry Elixir (4oz) all for $58.48! Also included is the How to Feed Kids the Healthy Way and The Immunity Tool Guide for free with the purchase of this bundle. Hurry and take advantage of this incredible deal!
Another (free) guide that may interest you is the Back to School Guide!