For us in the UK the main holiday season is approaching. And whether you are planning a family break in England in August or a month long trip in Asia in December holiday breaks can be fraught with health perils such as upsets tummy and diarrhoea or catching a flu bug on the flight abroad.
In this article we look at three of our Cytoplan supplements and how they might help you enjoy your holiday to the full by encouraging good health and nutrition. We don’t normally associate our products with our blog articles but in this instance it’s a good way of illustrating each example.
Holiday Health Tips Number 1 – Flying? Unfortunately busy airports, public transport and packed airplanes are ideal for transmitting viruses such as cold and flu pathogens. Priming you immune system prior to travel will help your body defend against viral ‘invaders’. We would recommend the natural nutrient ‘Beta 1-3, 1-6 Glucan’ which is available in a supplement form.
Beta 1-3, 1-6 Glucan ‘upregulates’ the innate immune system so that it protects against all non specific bacterial threats. If the immune system is alert and primed it can engulf bacteria before they have the opportunity to replicate and invade.
Infection usually becomes noticeable in terms of symptoms 48 hours after the primary infection has entered the body (as after 48 hours there are sufficient numbers of bacteria to cause a problem) – if the immune system is primed and ready to go it will have ‘engulfed’ the bacteria long before they have replicated. Beta 1-3, 1-6 Glucan also upregulates gut associated lymph tissue which is another mechanism for protection against bacteria that cause gastric problems.
Flu viruses “bind complement” which means they stop the part of the immune system that responds to fight viruses, called “complement”, from working. Beta 1-3, 1-6 Glucan actively and specifically inhibits this binding effect and so ensures activation of the immune system in response to the viral invader. Infection from viruses take about 48 hours after the virus has entered the body. If the immune system is activated it will prevent the virus from replicating so effectively the flu symptoms will not start.
The Cytoplan ‘Immunovite’ supplement comprises purified Beta 1-3, 1-6 Glucan – a natural form of soluble dietary fibre, derived from the cell wall of baker’s yeast. This supplement is a purified extraction and does not contain enough yeast protein to cause any allergic reactions (for example, for those who have yeast sensitivities). A supplement ideal for travellers and particularly relevant for long-haul flights and exposure to in-flight airborne infections.
Suggested Intake: Once daily for a minimum 7 days prior to travel, and daily during the trip.
Holiday Health Tips Number 2 – Travelling abroad? Protect your whole family against tummy upsets such as diarrhoea caused by pathogens. Certain probiotic supplements will help maximise good gut health (a good bacterial balance) – the key is to start taking them a week before you travel, and then during the trip.
We recommend the probiotic ‘Saccharomyces Boulardii’ which is unique in that it displaces all yeast species (such as candida) and prevents their colonisation. It also prevents pathogenic bacteria such as e.coli from adhering to the intestinal walls.
Saccharomyces Boulardii which has been clinically proven in the following areas:
- Support against E.coli – Escherichia coli (E.coli) is the commonest cause of Traveller’s diarrhoea, as it is also the predominant bacterial cause of infantile gastroenteritis. E.coli in contaminated food is implicated in haemorrhagic gastroenteritis
- Support against Amoebic Parasites
- Support against Clostridium Difficile
- Support against Gram-negative Pathogens
- Support against Candida – Saccharomyces Boulardii is commonly used to support intestinal health in people with Candida overgrowth
To help beat travellers ‘tummy’ and diarrhoea the Cytoplan supplement ‘Pro-Travel’ provides the traveller with support against a broad array of pathogens that include bacteria, yeast and protozoans; Pro-Travel contains 250mg of the probiotic ‘Saccharomyces Boulardii’ – the level at which it is most effective.
Saccharomyces Boulardii also prevents pathogenic bacteria such as e.coli from adhering to the intestinal walls. Regular ingestion of Pro-Travel before and during your journey makes it possible to maintain the fine balance of the intestinal flora and to stimulate the body’s natural defences against a wide range of pathogens. The probiotic strain used in this product makes it an ideal protector against “traveller’s tummy” in all parts of the world.
Suggested Intake: Once daily for a minimum 7 days prior to travel, and daily during the trip. It is important to start taking this prior to your journey.
Holiday Health Tips Number 3 – Avoid ‘Leisure Sickness’! You approach your holiday with a flurry of activity, preparation and extra effort at work or home; you start your holiday and as soon as you start to unwind you get sick with a cold, or flu like symptoms.
Sounds familiar? Our immune system, energy production, and adrenaline can all be stimulated by the demands of work (or for example managing the family and home) and this can help to ward off illness.
The immune system is stimulated by such pressure and focus – literally telling the body not to get ill so tasks can be carried out. When the pressure suddenly stops research suggests that in some cases the ‘switch off’ leads the immune system to dramatically relax too and think – ‘no more pressure, ‘I’ can get sick now, I’ve been fighting it off for so long anyway’.
The term ‘Leisure Sickness’ was coined following a sizeable study carried out by Professor Ad Vingerhoets, from the department of psychology and health at Tilburg University. You can search online for more information and mainstream media coverage of the research if you are interested.
It is preferable for travellers to attain maximum immune support and support for stress hence we recommend a well balanced high B-Complex Multivitamin and Mineral Formula. A one-a-day supplement started several weeks prior to travel or as part of your year-round routine.
Vitamins C & D plus the minerals Selenium, Zinc and Chromium are all proven to have immune support and/or antioxidant properties. ‘Beta 1-3, 1-6 Glucan’ provides a role in activating the immune system. Men (and post-menopausal women) require very little or no Iron supplementation so a low iron formula is ideal for all the family and grandparents too.
B-Complex Vitamins are necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous system and may be the single most important factor in the maintenance of the nerves. As B Vitamins are essential to our nervous system stress places a greater burden on our B-Vitamin supply, quite literally ‘burning’ up our reserves. The water solubility of the B-Complex vitamins means that any excess is excreted and not stored; therefore they must be continually replaced.
The Cytoplan supplement ‘Foundation Formula 2’ is a Food State multivitamin & mineral high in B-Complex vitamins with 1-3, 1-6 Beta Glucan for enhanced immune support. A formula ideal for travellers to attain maximum immune support and support for stress. As a low iron formula this supplement is ideal for the whole family.
It is beneficially combined in a probiotic base and includes vitamins C, D, E and K. All these are at optimum nutrient levels to take into account recent research data attesting to benefits from elevated levels of nutrients such as vitamin D. Also includes optimally high levels of Selenium, Zinc and Chromium for good antioxidant protection.
Suggested Intake: A one-a-day multi formula. Take daily several weeks (to a month) prior to travel and 1 tablet every 8 hours whilst travelling to help with tiredness and to aid recovery thereafter.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!
Amanda
If you have any questions regarding this article or any other health matters please do contact me (Amanda) by phone or email at any time. I can also put you in touch with a nutritional practitioner in your area.
Amanda Williams
Cytoplan
amanda@cytoplan.co.uk
01684 310099
Last updated on 16th December 2014 by
