Your Christmas supplement survival guide

Christmas is here! And while it is a season full of joy and excitement for many, it is also one of the most stressful times of the year. What with all the presents to wrap, food to buy, socialising to do it is no wonder many of us feel run down at this time of year – not to mention all the colds, flus and other illnesses that tend to be rife in winter.

To help you through the season, Time Health have put together the ultimate Christmas supplement survival guide. Here we recommend supplements to support sleep, manage stress, boost energy and of course give your immune system a helping hand.

Sleep

There are many factors that contribute to a disrupted sleep pattern over the Christmas period – extra socialising, stress, last minute wrapping! All these things can mean once you do eventually get into bed you can struggle to switch off. The supplements below may help you to drift off:

Montmorency Cherry – Studies have shown the Montmorency cherries can improve sleep parameters such as duration and quality and might be of benefit in managing disturbed sleep. Our Montmorency Cherry made with CherryPURE® Montmorency tart cherry extract is the premier whole, freeze-dried, tart cherry and the only tart cherry source backed by two ingredient-specific clinical studies.

Reishi – This mushroom has been used in traditional medicines for centuries, and there are studies to back up its claims. Multiple studies found after three days reishi helped participants to fall asleep faster and stay asleep for longer.

Stress

There are so many magical moments at this time of year, but with that often comes a little bit of stress. Here are a few supplements that will hopefully help you keep your cool this Christmas:

Lemon Balm – Coming from the same family as mint, lemon balm is a lemon scented herb that is native to Europe, North Africa and West Asia. It has been used in traditional forms of medicine for centuries, with its main uses being to improve mood and cognitive function. Our Lemon Balm made with Bluenesse® is one of the first forms of lemon balm with clinically verified effectiveness, having the backing of several double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel design human studies.

Saffron – More than just a spice, saffron is popular for its ability to improve mood and sleep. Saffron also acts as a relaxant, helping the body adapt to stress. Affron is a unique standardized saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) that is cultivated in Spain. Spanish saffron is widely regarded as some of the highest quality in the world. Three clinical studies have been performed using Affron saffron extract, demonstrating it’s positive benefits for mood, stress, sleep, cognition, and vitality.

Energy

With less sleep and more stress, many of us will be looking for ways to boost our energy so we can keep up with the festivities this year. Try these supplements to give you that boost:

Cordyceps Militaris – Cordyceps militaris is often referred to as ‘the performance mushroom’ due to its popularity among athletes. It is most commonly used to boost energy levels. It is thought this mushroom increases molecule adenosine, which is vital for delivering energy to muscles.

Sensoril Ashwagandha – Ashwagandha is best known for supporting symptoms of stress and promoting relaxation, however Sensoril Ashwagandha is derived from a unique blend of the leaves and roots to give a complete full spectrum Withania somnifera formulation providing 11% Withanolides and 35% Oligosaccharides. Allowing it to provide a natural boost in energy and alertness while helping to relax the mind, reducing symptoms of stress.

Immune Support

Supporting your immune system can help with all of the above, as staying well means you are likely to sleep better, have more energy and in turn be able to manage stress. This time of year colds, flus and other illnesses are rife, so give your immune system a helping hand with these supplements:

Vitamin D – We all know vitamin D is considered the ‘sunshine vitamin’ and we also know there isn’t a lot of sunshine around at this time of year! Almost everyone could benefit from taking a vitamin D supplement during winter, as it is almost impossible to get enough from natural sources alone.

Vitamin C – This vitamin helps the body produce white blood cells, which help to protect the body against infection. Not only does vitamin C help to produce white blood cells, but it also helps them function correctly while protecting them from free radicals. Acerola cherries are one of the richest sources of vitamin C on the planet.

Zinc – Zinc is essential for immune cell function, and a deficiency could lead to a weakened immune system. Several studies show that taking a zinc supplement can reduce the length of a common cold by up to 33%.

The all rounder

If you’re looking for a supplement that will help give that little bit of a boost in all the above areas this year, try our Mushroom Complex 6. Our bestselling Mushroom Complex 6 contains an equal mix of the six most revered medicinal mushrooms: Chaga, Cordyceps, Shiitake, Reishi, Lions mane and Maitake. These mushrooms have been used in traditional systems of medicine for thousands of years to help support immunity, energy, cognition and overall wellbeing.

It is important to remember that supplements can help to support a balanced diet, not replace it. Prioritising rest and nutritious food this year will help to ensure you have a happy and healthy Christmas.