DON'T WISH FOR IT. WORK FOR IT.

I’m not sure about you, but I am grateful to have had a great holiday and New Year but also happy to get back to a normal schedule again. 

I love all of the holiday parties and spending time with my family and fun but it can definitely make me feel a little run down over time. 

If you are feeling like me and looking to recover from the holidays here are some supplements that can help you. 

Sleep & Stress

Between holiday crowds, the increasing number of commitments and the impending visit from your in-laws, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed during the holidays. Supplementing with l-theanine or melatonin could help you relax and get a better night’s sleep.

L-theanine, an amino acid found primarily in green tea leaves, can help promote relaxation and sleep.

Research has shown that melatonin improves sleep quality, increases total sleep time and decreases sleep onset latency.

Digestion

During the holiday season, most of us are guilty of a little indulgence. Unfortunately, for many of us, indulging in certain foods can cause digestive discomfort and indigestion.

DGL, or deglycyrrhizinated licorice, may help soothe indigestion due to its anti-inflammatory and protective effects.

Digestive enzymes are naturally secreted in the stomach and small intestine to help you digest your food. 

During times when you have been eating more than usual, taking additional enzymes can give your digestive system a little extra help to get through those large meals and decadent foods.

Supplemental digestive enzymes often used to address various gastrointestinal disorders, help break down proteins, carbohydrates and fats to make them easier to absorb in the body. 

When choosing an enzyme supplement, it’s important to note that broad-spectrum digestive enzymes may be more effective for overall digestion whereas single-enzyme supplements, such as lactase alone, are targeted for specific needs.

Liver

Your liver is involved in hundreds of body functions, including balancing hormones, metabolizing fats, and detoxification. 

Whether you missed a few hours of shut-eye or had an extra glass of wine (or two), B vitamins and Milk Thistle can support your liver and help you recover from the holidays.

Vitamin B

B vitamins are essential to the activation of liver enzymes and proper functioning of liver detoxification pathways. For example, B vitamins, particularly B6, B12, and folate, are essential to the liver’s Phase 2 detoxification.

Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle, a plant originating from Europe, has long been used for its liver protecting effects. 

Its ability to prevent damage to the liver is thought to be primarily due to the antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects of silymarin and silybin, active constituents of milk thistle.

Immune Health

You’re healthy all year, then the holidays roll around and suddenly… Hello, colds and flu! Sound familiar? Stress, loss of sleep, and indulging in certain foods, such as rich meals and sugary treats, can leave you vulnerable to illness. The good news is supplementing with probiotics or elderberry may help you feel better faster.

Probiotics, well-known for keeping our digestive system happy, also play a role in keeping our immune system healthy.

Research has shown that probiotics may help prevent or decrease the duration and severity of upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold.

When you’re starting to feel a little under the weather, Elderberry, also known as may be your new go-to remedy.  Elderberry extract has been shown to be antiviral and might improve flu-like symptoms and reduce the duration of colds by four days due to its high concentration of flavonoids and other beneficial vitamins and minerals.

In the end, prevention is key, so be sure to get plenty of rest, minimize rich and sugary foods (when possible), do daily deep breathing to combat stress and be grateful for the holiday season!