The complexities of the human brain can leave both a scientist and layperson a tad awestruck. Research is beginning to elucidate the fascinating repercussions of inflammation in the brain.
What is inflammation?
Inflammation is a finely tuned biological defence system designed to maintain the body’s equilibrium. When the body perceives tissue damage or infection, it triggers inflammation as a protective response. A deep wound in the hand, for instance, causes the body to trigger acute inflammation in the area as a first aid measure.
The redness, swelling, pain, heat, and loss of function in the hand are five hallmark signs and symptoms of acute inflammation. Once the wound is cleaned and stitched, the hand will begin to heal and the body will turn off the inflammation response. But if this defence system becomes dysregulated, inflammation can persist for months to years in the absence of an actual threat.
Silent mode
Chronic inflammation can be triggered by recurring episodes of acute inflammation, unresolved infections, exposure to harmful physical or chemical compounds, or genetic susceptibility. Advanced age and deficiencies in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals can impair the body’s ability to resolve inflammation.
The sneaky thing about chronic inflammation is that it often goes unnoticed. Low-grade, systemic inflammation can be simmering unnoticed for years, and eventually target the brain and nervous system in a process known as neuroinflammation. Neuroinflammation can cause cognitive changes and increase the risk of diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s.
Quell inflammation
Quelling chronic inflammation can improve your mental well-being today and preserve your cognitive function in the years to come.
Eat well
The Western diet has been associated with intestinal hyperpermeability and low-grade systemic inflammation. Enjoy foods rich in flavanols (berries), healthy fats (fish), and whole grains.
Consider supplements
Always check with your health care practitioner before taking a new supplement. The following supplements may help reduce inflammation or support brain health:
fish oil
zinc
magnesium
resveratrol
curcumin
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin E
selenium
Choose anti-inflammatory foods, like the following:
Food
Anti-inflammatory effects
cacao
has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect
fish
are rich in omega-3 fatty acids—a higher intake is associated with lower levels of the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP)
green tea
polyphenols in green and black tea are associated with a reduction in CRP
berries
antioxidants and polyphenols may protect against inflammation
olive oil
mitigates pro-inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)
tomatoes
regular consumption of tomato juice, rich in the antioxidant lycopene, has been shown to reduce inflammation among overweight women
broccoli sprouts
compound has been shown to attenuate obesity-related inflammation
whole grains
consumed regularly, have been shown to reduce systemic low-grade inflammation
beans
have been shown to reduce low-grade inflammation among those with cardiometabolic diseases
avocado
consumed once per day, is associated with a decrease in CRP
mushrooms
rich in anti-inflammatory polysaccharides, which may be helpful in diseases related to inflammation
Article courtesy of Alive Magazine, By Dr. Cassie Irwin, ND
Why are some people healthier than others? Yes, your genes play a big role. But there are other determinants of health that have nothing to do with your genetic makeup. Where you live, how you’re educated, and other societal influences are all important factors in our health. Find out more.
Two hypothetical kids
There are significant implications for advantage and disadvantage related to social determinants of health. Look at socioeconomic position, for example: a child born into a higher tax bracket is much more likely to be in a higher tax bracket when they’re older.
Let’s take a look at the life course trajectories of two hypothetical kids. Joe is born into an affluent neighborhood, while John lives in subsidized housing with his six siblings in a single parent home.
Joe’s parents are able to afford organic produce, put Joe into private school, and drive him to and from his various sporting activities throughout his childhood. As a result, Joe gets an excellent education that allows him to attend university, secure a job in a top tax bracket, and enjoy an active social life.
John’s father works double shifts to make ends meet, but the only apartment he can afford has a black mold problem that has given John respiratory issues for years. John’s school is oversubscribed, and he’s falling behind because of sick days. To support the family, John takes a construction job and eventually drops out of high school. Years of manual labor and poor self-care have taken their toll on John, and he lives with chronic pain.
You can imagine that two very different states of health and well-being are being experienced by Joe and John in later life. These differences may not necessarily be due to differences in the individuals, but in the broader social and economic circumstances in which they find themselves.
What next?
To address systemic issues such as the negative impact of social determinants of health, we must look to addressing modifiable aspects of lifestyle at the individual level and systemic inequities at the population level.
Your DNA is not your destiny
Although there are many social determinants of health that you can’t control, focus on the ones that you can control, such as diet, exercise, and social connections.
Pack yourself a healthy lunch.
Go for an evening walk with your partner.
Plan a family gathering.
When you need nutritional help, chat with your health care practitioner. They may recommend certain supplements, such as the following:
Nutritional helper
Benefits
vitamin C
immune health, wound healing, bone health, antioxidant protection
vitamin D
bone health maintenance, decreased risk of cancer mortality, mood stabilization
vitamin B6
red blood cell formation, brain processes and development, immune function, and steroid hormone activity
vitamin B12
brain support, red blood cell genesis support, energy booster
magnesium
muscle repair, neuromuscular facilitation, blood sugar control
zinc
sleep support, digestive support, reproductive organ support
Health has never been a more prominent topic or concern than in the era of COVID. But for all of us, supporting our immune system is the cornerstone of our well-being, whether we’re living in a pandemic or not.
“Health is defined now by most medical establishments as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity,” says naturopathic doctor Brian Davies.
Immune system redux
To best support our immune system, it helps to have a sense of how it works. Put simply, its job is to defend against disease-causing microorganisms. It has two main components.
Innate immunity, the immune system we’re born with, consists of physical barriers like our skin as well as cells that attack pathogens that enter the body, responding quickly via effects like fever.
Adaptive immunity is the part of our immune system that learns to react to foreign agents. When it’s exposed to a new germ for the first time, it responds by trying to fight it off; we might get sick, but our immune cells remember the invader and mount a more rapid response when it returns.
Having a healthy immune system doesn’t mean never getting ill. It’s quite the opposite, in fact. And remember that not all viruses are created equal, as we’ve all learned with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID.
“Having symptoms such as fever, cough, muscle aches, headache, and the like are indications that your immune system is working to fight off infection, not the infection itself,” says Ashley Stapleton, naturopathic doctor. Nevertheless, the global health crisis may have led to a greater awareness of the importance of taking care of ourselves, a wake-up call of sorts.
Immune system support
“When looking at key support for general immune health, a healthy lifestyle is a critical part of supporting our immune systems,” Davies says. Some people who should consider modifications to their lifestyle to better support their immune systems are those who
eat highly processed foods
don’t sleep well
are under excessive emotional or physical stress from injury or overexercise
consume excessive amounts of alcohol
smoke cigarettes
All of these factors put excess stress on the body, which is known to suppress innate immunity and dysregulate our adaptive immune system.
Caring for your immune system
Here are some other approaches to providing your immune system with support.
Cut out sugar
Avoid alcohol
Get plenty of good sleep
Reduce stress
Supplemental immune support
Always check with your health care practitioner before trying a new supplement. Supplements that may help support your immune system include:
Vitamin D got our attention for its promising role in immune health in 2020, but it doesn’t work alone. Learn about its lesser-known co-pilot, vitamin K2, and how these two nutrients collaborate for many aspects of health.
Teamwork
No nutrient works in isolation. For many aspects of well-being, notably bone and heart health, vitamin D teams up with vitamin K. Some of the same chronic illnesses that predict poor COVID prognosis also happen to be associated with reduced vitamin K status.
Balancing act
At the simplest level, vitamin D facilitates calcium absorption, while vitamin K2 directs that calcium toward bones and away from blood vessels. This particular synergy also means K2 may play a role in safeguarding against potential ill effects of excess vitamin D-induced calcium absorption, such as by restoring flexibility to hardened arteries.
Digging deeper, vitamin D stimulates the production of metabolic proteins that remain essentially inactive until vitamin K2 flips their switch to “on.” Vitamin D encourages the action of bone-building cells, while vitamin K2 reins in the action of bone breakdown cells, a balance central to maintaining bone density. The combination of D and K2 together appear to help make bones both stronger and more flexible.
This may be especially important for children’s health, since growing bones need vitamin K2 to effectively incorporate calcium into healthy bone architecture.
Homing in on immune health, both vitamin D and K2 play a role in healthy lung function, with D modulating immune response to respiratory pathogens, while K2 is believed to help protect elastic tissues that give lungs their ability to expand and contract.
Clearing up vitamin K confusion
Vitamin K is not a singular vitamin but is actually a small family of vitamins largely represented by the siblings K1 and K2. While it’s rare to be deficient in vitamin K1, researchers believe that inadequate levels of vitamin K2 may be common.
Vitamin D deficiency is common too. While vitamin D is mostly derived from sun exposure, with fatty fish being one of the very few food sources, so low levels are no mystery. The reasons behind a potential low vitamin K2 status are a little more complex. Some animal-based fare, namely egg yolks and butter, contain a pinch of K2. Certain fermented foods that are underrepresented in the North American diet, such as specific cheeses, are rich in vitamin K2.
Supporting our immune health
Many of us are thinking about the big picture of health resilience. Exercise and nutrition are parts of the solution. Topping up with key nutrients may prove inexpensive insurance against health vulnerabilities.
To be clear, no nutrient has been proven to prevent or treat COVID-19. Clinical trials are ongoing. In the meantime, there’s no downside to making sure we are getting adequate amounts of important nutrients. Check with your health care practitioner for personalized advice.
Iron is a mineral that is essential for growth and development.
Low Iron vs Iron Deficiency
There really isn’t a difference between low iron and an iron deficiency. Dr. Foster, a board certified family medicine D.O., says that “one is the more common phrase for the other.” Do you think you may have low iron? Well rest assured, you’re not the only one! Iron deficiencies are very common, especially among women and in people who have a diet that is low in iron. Such as women who menstruate, who are pregnant or breastfeeding mothers (or those who have recently given birth), people with gastrointestinal diseases, and more.
Iron Deficiency Symptoms
Although it may be temporary, the symptoms are important to pay attention to. Dr. Foster says that the top five symptoms of low iron includes “fatigue, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, hair and nail changes and pica — which is the medical term for chewing ice. A few more symptoms include cold hands and feet, chest pain and extreme pallor.”
However, if you have any of these symptoms, you should consult your doctor to determine if you have an iron deficiency.
Energy For What You Love
MegaFood Blood Builder Iron Supplements
Are formulated to support healthy energy & be non-constipating
Made with real food & added nutrients
Gentle enough to take any time of the day, even on an empty stomach
Take your immune health to the next level with Country Life Vitamins
It’s not always easy to eat a balanced diet with all the nutrients we need, and something as important as our immune system needs extra attention. To fill the gaps we might be missing, adding in certain vitamins to our daily wellness routine makes sure we’re covering all our bases without the added stress. Thanks to Country Life Vitamins, we can trust that the ingredients they use in their products follow their 5 pledges – Authenticity, Cleanliness, Freshness, Consistency & Accuracy.
Immune Support When It Matters
Vitamin D
Also known as the Sunshine Vitamin, Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain healthy bones and teeth, as well as promote immune health.*
Multivitamins
Get the essential nutrients you need for health and wellness. Their Core Daily-1 multivitamins simplify your daily nutrition with support across seven key nutritional areas.*
Minerals
Minerals are elements used by the body that are not produced by plants, and play an important role in metabolism and other various bodily functions.* Many of their minerals are chelated (bound to amino acids) and they provide both single forms as well as multi-mineral formulas.
Calcium
Formulated to maximize your body’s calcium absorption for healthier teeth and bones, their calcium supplements may also be blended with minerals for total-body utilization. Adequate calcium and vitamin D as part of a healthful diet, along with exercise, may reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life.*
Looking for a great way to add vitamins into your daily morning routine?
Check out this refreshing smoothie recipe!
Immune Boosting Berry Orange Smoothie
Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free ~ Serves 2
This delicious smoothie is rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, with an added boost of sunshine – Vitamin D!
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups fresh squeeze orange juice
1 cup of your frozen berry of choice – we used blueberries (can use fresh but will not be as thick)
1/2 cup of fresh or frozen strawberries
1/4 cup of almond or coconut milk (we used almond)
1 banana
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon of honey or maple syrup
4 sprays Country Life Vitamin D3 spray (2 sprays = daily serving size but this recipe yields 2 servings)
Method
Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into 2 glasses and enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
UPDATE 5/5/2020: Here is the latest important information:
Due to supply issues, we are limiting certain items as follows (we are unavailable to special order these items as well):
LIMIT 2 PER CUSTOMER:
Yeast
LIMIT 4 PER CUSTOMER:
Eggs
UPDATE 4/30/2020: Here is the latest important information:
Due to high demand with curbside orders, our phone extensions have changed! Please listen to our NEW phone menu as they have changed for ALL stores.
UPDATE 4/17/2020: Here is the latest important information:
Due to supply issues, we are limiting certain items as follows (we are also unavailable to special order these items as well):
LIMIT 1 PER CUSTOMER:
Hand sanitizers and related products (glycerine, tea tree oil, etc.)
All immune-related and anti-viral supplements
Whole chickens
LIMIT 2 PER CUSTOMER:
All household cleaning products, toilet paper, etc.
Protein staples, and beef products
Chicken, eggs, milk
Yeast
LIMIT 4 PER CUSTOMER:
Cascade toilet paper
UPDATE 4/15/2020: Here is the latest important information:
In order to shop inside all of our stores, state mandated masks must be worn inside.
The coffee/tea stations and nut butter machines are no longer self-service. To use these areas, please ask an associate for help.
Want to change up your routine at home, check out our blog, social media accounts and our Pinterest page for fun ideas! There is something new everyday! Make sure you check out Women’s Voice magazine & the Non-GMO Project’s streaming of the award-winning documentary film Modified, available for FREE until April 22nd! For more information, check out our social media pages (Facebook and Instagram).
UPDATE 4/11/2020: Here is the latest important information:
Please wear a mask if you leave your house. All of our team members are wearing masks and we are encouraging all customers to wear masks when they shop inside with us.
All stores will be closed tomorrow for Easter and we will reopen on Monday.
Our Curbside Pick-Up program will be unavailable from 6pm tonight until Monday morning. If you have a Curbside order in process or ready for pick-up, you must come get it before 8pm on Saturday as we will be CLOSED on Sunday for Easter and you will have to wait to pick-up on Monday. However, all stores will remain open until 8pm tonight if you need to grab a couple of last minute groceries for tomorrow!
Regarding our Curbside Pick-Up program, orders may take more than 24 hours to fulfill. Please check your email for receipt of order and kindly DO NOT place a repeat order to insure we got your first one- it confuses the system too much. Thanks for your patience.
UPDATE 4/9/2020: Here is the latest important information:
Please be patient with us! In order to practice proper social distancing, we are limiting the number of customers in the store at a given time.
Curbside orders may take extra time to be fulfilled – we thank you for your patience and cooperation. Our stores are still open for walk-in business but please practice proper social distancing.
UPDATE 4/7/2020: Here is the latest important information:
Effective today, 4/7/2020, our cafe hours have changed! Cafes will be open from 9am-4pm everyday. If you would like to place an order, you can place the order inside, call or order online through www.shopbasil.com.
Please be aware of certain policies for our Curbside Pick-Up program:
We will process orders as quickly as possible, but please understand that it might take us several hours (or longer) before your order is ready for pick up.
Depending on volume, some orders may not be available for collection until the following day.
Orders placed after 6pm will ONLY be available for collection the following day.
Orders are available for pickup from 9am-7pm daily.
All orders are final. We currently do not have the ability to revise the order after it is submitted.
UPDATE 3/31/2020: Here is the latest important information:
Need a quick and easy dinner for two? We now offer F2M Dinner for 2 for only $19.99! To see what’s on the menu, please call the stores directly:
Flemington: 908-788-5737
Clinton: 908-735-3822
Lambertville: 609-460-4500
UPDATE 3/23/2020: Here is the latest important information:
Regarding our Curbside Pick-Up program, your tips are applied to our round-up program as generous gift to our local organizations. Each of our stores are “rounding-up” at the registers for different local groups (as follows):
Flemington = The Flemington Food Pantry
Clinton = The Open Cupboard Food Pantry
Lambertville = Fisherman’s Mark
Our cafés are still open! To order from the café, you can come in, call ahead, or order online by visiting www.shopbasil.com!
We are asking all customers to follow these guidelines in order to help our staff and community stay as healthy as possible:
Practice social distancing (6 feet) at all times (and when possible)
Shop quickly
Please limit shopping to one family member when possible
Due to supply issues, we are limiting certain items as follows (we are also unavailable to special order these items as well):
LIMIT 1 PER CUSTOMER:
Hand sanitizers and related products (glycerine, tea tree oil, etc.)
All immune-related and anti-viral supplements
Whole chickens
LIMIT 2 PER CUSTOMER:
All household cleaning products, toilet paper, etc.
Protein staples, and beef products
Chicken, eggs, milk
LIMIT 4 PER CUSTOMER:
Cascade toilet paper
We’re working on our checkout terminals so that physical touching of pinpads are limited. What do we mean by this? When paying with a card (debit or credit), all cards are to run as credit. This means that for debit transactions, customers must press ENTER when prompted for a pin (but DO NOT enter your pin).
Until further notice, CASH BACK IS SUSPENDED.
UPDATE 3/20/2020: Here is the latest important information:
Starting Saturday 3/21/2020, the first hour (8am-9am) of all stores will be open solely to seniors (62+), pregnant mothers and immunocompromised individuals. If you do not fit under any of these, please wait to shop until after 9am!
In an effort to protect our most vulnerable Community Members, we are now offering curbside pick-up. Please call us directly at the following numbers to place a phone order:
Flemington: 908-788-5737
Clinton: 908-735-3822
Lambertville: 609-460-4500
Unfortunately, we do not have our catalogue online currently available. However, you can place a cafe order for pick-up at shopbasil.com. We are working on getting the rest of our catalogue online.
Our curbside pick-up is a work in progress and we greatly appreciate your support and patience with us as we work through the “kinks” of this program! We are trying to process orders within a timely manner.
We are not selling self-serve kombucha until further notice.
We are also “rounding up” at the registers for local food pantries in the area. The following stores that we are “rounding up” are for the following food pantries:
Flemington = Flemington Food Pantry
Clinton = Open Cupboard Food Pantry
Lambertville = Fisherman’s Mark
UPDATE3/19/2020: In support of a healthy community, we are updating some store policies:
Please be expedient with your purchases and exit the building. While you are shopping in the building, we appreciate the practice of social distancing (maintaining a distance of about 6 feet from others) when possible.
To limit the time it takes to wait for your cafe orders, you can place your order, pay for it, and select a pick-up time online! To do so, please visit www.shopbasil.com. Please make sure that you select the correct store before ordering!
If you’re feeling “under the weather,” please be mindful of others and stay home.
We have temporarily suspended our refund and return policies. To ensure the health and safety of our employees and customers, ALL sales are final.
In order to reduce the spread of germs, we are asking that all customers and staff to not bring in any reusable containers, drinkware, or bags. However, if you are using a reusable bag, we would like to ask you to bag your own items.
Due to supply issues, we are limiting certain items as follows (we are also limiting special orders of these items as well):
LIMIT 1 PER CUSTOMER:
Hand sanitizers and related products (glycerine, tea tree oil, etc.)
All immune-related and anti-viral supplements
LIMIT 2 PER CUSTOMER:
All household cleaning products, toilet paper, etc.
Whole chickens, protein staples, and beef products
Chicken, eggs, milk
If you’re staying home and would like to invest in a future purchase with us (once we all nip this thing in the behind), please consider ordering a gift card! You can purchase a gift card atshopbasil.com!
We appreciate your cooperations and your local support!
UPDATE 3/17/2020: This is an evolving situation that we will continue to closely monitor on a daily basis. When updates arise, we will notify our staff and customers as soon as possible. We want to thank our staff and customers for the endless love and support that we have received over the past couple of days. We appreciate your understanding of our various supply issues and our constant updates. Here are the updates as of today:
We have sent out a company wide update informing all team members of CDC recommendations for preventing the spread of germs. In that same communication we are putting a strong emphasis on team members adhering to the Basil Bandwagon Handbook sick policy, which reiterates many of the CDC’s recommendations.
As always, our team members will continue to frequently wash their hands and will be wearing gloves at checkout lanes. Cashiers will also have cleaning supplies at the registers to frequently wipe down checkout lanes, pin pads and other frequently touched surfaces. Our teams will also be wiping down frequently touched surfaces throughout the store, including doorknobs and handles.
All seating areas have been removed.
All cafés will continue to have take-away service.
We will not be offering any food samples and all vendor demos have been cancelled in an effort to reduce the spread of germs and reduce person-to-person contact. We have also removed all testers (grocery, wellness, and beauty areas) from the shelves and will replace with new ones in the future.
All kombucha stations are no longer self-serve. We ask that all customers do not refill your personal growlers at this time. Please ask an associate to fill a growler or cup. We will be providing free growlers soon- until then, please use to-go cups only.
Our staff is working hard to keep the store fully stocked as possible. We are working with our distributors to maintain inventory, although we may experience temporary out of stock issues with some essentials. This is an unprecedented event and volume of sales.
Due to supply issues, we are limiting certain items as follows (we are also limiting special orders of these items as well):
LIMIT 2 PER CUSTOMER:
Hand sanitizers and related products (glycerine, tea tree oil, etc.)
All immune-related and anti-viral supplements
LIMIT 3 PER CUSTOMER:
All household cleaning products, toilet paper, etc.
LIMIT 4 PER CUSTOMER:
All meat and protein staples, eggs, milk
UPDATE 3/7/2020: Hey there Basil Bandwagon shoppers! We know coronavirus is the talk of the town lately and while we don’t want to make light of it, we want to remind everyone that there’s no reason to panic! Even in China where most cases have occurred, there is only 1 case for every 85,000 residents that live there. And the other good news is that in 80% or more of those cases, symptoms are like a bad cold.
How is Basil Bandwagon Natural Market Doing Their Part to Limit the Spread of Germs?
Cashiers have wipes at the registers to frequently wipe anything that may be touched by our shoppers (keypad, register belts, etc.). As always, our employees will continue to frequently wash their hands with hot water and soap, and we will continue to make sure that café tables and other frequently touched areas of the store will be washed and disinfected to help avoid the spread of germs.
Tips for Staying Healthy in General:
Wash Your Hands – Frequent hand washing with just soap and warm water is important for protecting against all infectious diseases and use hand sanitizers and disinfectants when soap and water are not available. Hand sanitizer is becoming harder to find as distributors cannot keep up with such high demands. Click here for some DIY recipes you can make at home!
Disinfect Surfaces – Coronaviruses can persist on surfaces for up to 9 days! Make sure you disinfect surfaces in your home, especially if you think someone might be infected.
Strengthen Immunity – Unfortunately those folks who are older and/or are immune compromised have a much higher rate of death from all viruses, and so doing what you can to strengthen your immune system is vital.
Strategies to Boost your Immune System
Exercise, stress relief, a balanced diet and certain supplements are all effective ways to boost your immune system:
Exercise – Regular exercise mobilizes T cells, a type of white blood cells which guard the body against infection. However, continuous rigorous workouts can actually weaken the immune system, so moderation is a key.
Sleep – A solid 7-8 hours is needed to avoid reducing the activities of T cells in your body.
Less Stress – Stress can release the hormone cortisol, which negatively affects T cell reproduction. Try yoga, meditation or deep breathing each day to reduce your stress levels. If you would like some recommendations, ask some of our staff members – there are lots of local businesses who would love to work with you!
Moderate Alcohol Intake – while moderate consumption of alcohol can positively affect overall health, excess intake (more than 2 drinks/day) can negatively affect the immune system.
Stop Smoking – Smoking impairs the immune system, and you have a significantly higher chance of being seriously affected by virus infections.
Healthier Diet – Vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts are loaded with nutrients essential to immune health. A diet rich in colorful food typically will be higher in valuable vitamins. These foods all can help you strengthen your immune system: citrus, red bell peppers, broccoli, garlic, ginger, spinach, yogurt, almonds, turmeric, green tea, kiwi, poultry, and sunflower seeds to name a few!
Herbs, Vitamins and Supplements – While the hope is you can get many needed nutrients from your diet, supplementing can help improve your immune system. Here are just a few things you may want to include in your daily regime:
Vitamins A, B6, C, D & E all help strengthen your immune system, and especially Vitamin C, which you can get from citrus fruits, spinach and strawberries. And although it’s cold here now, consider getting outside during sunny days to help your body produce more Vitamin D. Even just 15 minutes in the sunlight will help!
Mushrooms and mushroom supplements – rich in essential nutrients and very good for your immune system.
Herbs, Vitamins, & Supplements
Household Cleaners
Healthier Diet
We all hope that the spread of Covid-19 is curtailed as soon as possible and if so, great, but if not, we look forward to helping you as you reduce stress, improve your diet and strengthen the ever important immunity system. All of which is good regardless of what season we are in!
We didn’t just seek out a generic brand to sell in our store. We wanted to find a line of supplements that reflected our own high standards. And, we found it!
Here’s what we LOVE about our private label:
Award Winning
We have an amazing line of 470 award-winning innovative formulations (Check out our Aller-7!) and are constantly developing our line to make sure we bring you the latest discoveries and the most trusted ingredients through science based research.
Tried and Tested
Our formulas use a full spectrum of active ingredients, each independently double-tested so you can feel confident you’re getting what your body needs.
Quality
We have achieved an extensive list of certifications and standards regulated to European Commission Standards. With a minimum of 4 FDA inspections per year, our brand is 1 of only 2 companies in the U.S that is 100% certified by the FDA in their analyses. We are committed to providing the highest quality in supplementation!
Trust
All Basil Bandwagon Brand ingredients are sourced from suppliers we trust with full transparency from harvest, to our state of the art eco-friendly facilities, straight to our shelves. Our manufacturer has nurtured relationships with suppliers for over 40 years.
Local
Like you, we love shopping local! Our line is produced by a New Jersey-based family-owned business, building the local economy since 1978.
Here’s some more of our posts that feature our brand:
This month’s sale is on Boiron and Europharma: 25% Off! Perfect time to stock up!
Boiron Supplements
Oscillococcinum
This is one of our go-to remedies for fighting off flu-symptoms. It is safe, natural and easy to take. It has been shown in clinical studies to help reduce both the duration and the severity of flu-like symptoms (www.oscilli.com). We recommend always having a box on-hand at home so that you are prepared for when these dreaded symptoms hit! Oscillococcinum is best taken at the FIRST sign of symptoms.
Sabadil
Allergies are the worst! With Spring around the corner, we all need to be prepared. Itchy and watery eyes, sneezing, runny noses, and itchy noses are all part of the nuisance that this homeopathic supplement can address. Keep a box on hand at work, in your purse, and at home.
Arnicare Gel
For muscle pain, stiffness, swelling from injuries and bruising, this stuff is a life-saver. Simply apply the gel onto your skin in the affected areas. The gel absorbs so nicely and provides wonderful relief from the discomfort of pain. It is unscented, non-greasy and gentle on skin.
Kali Phosphoricum 30c
Too many hours spent working – especially staring at your computer and smart phone? We’ve all been there. This homeopathic remedy is one of the most popular for good reason. It is used to alleviate discomfort from tension headaches associated with intellectual fatigue. The tube of pellets is easily stored in your purse or workbag so you can reach for it as soon as your headache hits you.
Hypericum Perforatum 30c
Many of us suffer from nerve pain at some point in our lives: sciatica, fibromyalgia, shingles and more. These conditions can be incredibly painful to manage. With more folks preferring to opt for natural, non-prescription pain relief, this is a great option to manage nerve pain. As a homeopathic remedy, Hypericum Peforatum is safe to take in conjunction with other medications and supplements.
Europharma’s Terry Naturally
CuraMed 350mg Effervescent Tablets
Many chronic health conditions are inflammatory-based. Beyond swelling and stiffness, inflammation can cause pain, which can impact mobility and mood. Pain medications are often prescribed by healthcare practitioners to manage symptoms, but they do not address the root of the problem. Steroids are also often prescribed by healthcare practitioners to manage the swelling, but do not come without some major side effects. Curcuma longa – the active concentrate of turmeric – provides powerful natural relief from inflammation. For folks who have trouble with swallowing pills or tablets, these dissolvable effervescent tablets are a great effective alternative.
Curamin PM
If chronic pain keeps you awake at night, this supplement is something to consider. Curcuma longa, in combination with 5mg of melatonin (our body’s own natural hormone that regulates our sleep cycles) will help alleviate occasional discomfort and sleeplessness.
Vectomega Omega-3 Plus Phospholipids & Peptides
Many of us choose to supplement with Omega-3 fatty acids to support healthy hearts and immune systems. In addition, these supplements help support healthy skin, hair, nails, joints, and eyes. There are so many good options today, but this product is easily one of our favorites. Created from North Atlantic Salmon, it is the only omega-3 bound to phospholipids and peptides, the building blocks of healthy cell membranes.
Traumaplant Comfrey Cream
Comfrey Cream has been used for years to help heal bruises, pulled muscles, fractures, sprains, strains, and osteoarthritis. In more recent years, comfrey has gotten a bad reputation due to a toxic component within it called, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, that can damage the liver. However, Terry Naturally’s Traumaplant Comfrey Cream has been carefully formulated WITHOUT the inclusion of this component, so that we can enjoy all the benefits of comfrey without the dangerous side effects.
CuraMed 750mg Superior Absorption Curcumin
Like the effervescent tablets, CuraMed is an incredible product for managing discomfort associated with inflammation; however, this product is in capsule form and is formulated at the 750mg strength to provide maximum effectiveness to those coping with more intense symptoms. We talk with countless customers each week who rave about this product and how it’s helped given them quality of life back!
