 There is just something exciting and satisfying about growing sprouts! From start to finish it is just a couple days and every time you rinse them you can visually see that they have grown. 🌱🤓 Then you get these tiny, crunchy, beautiful micronutrient packed sprouts to add to your food! Choosing sprouts is like choosing friends, they all have different personalities. Do you have that friend who you know is a great person, yet is a little edgy-you can only handle them in small doses? That describes the broccoli sprout. Strong in flavor with bit of bite, broccoli sprouts are wonderful to strengthen digestion by raising hydrochloric acid levels. The fenugreek sprout is all heart and soul, perfect for supporting our emotions and the endocrine system, both of which are tied up in the heart, soul and brain. They are also great for balancing the adrenal’s cortisol production and regulating thyroid hormone production. What about the friend who’s very gentle and laid back, who listens to everything you say and offers words of comfort? This describes red clover sprout, which is very soothing as it gently cleanses our lymph and blood, removing toxins and purifying our bodies. And do you have that friend whom you sometimes hold back from sharing everything with, because you know that her fiery, explosive disposition will mean she’ll leap to your defense before you’re even finished speaking? That’s the radish sprout, which is remarkable for its ability to purge the liver. The most important role that sprouts play is to bring back vitality to people who are always exhausting themselves for others. When you put your heart and soul into everything you do, whether home or work, sprouts have the unique ability to support you. We have several sprouts and sprout blends to choose from as well as sprouting lids and jars all at great prices! Come on in and meet your new friends!
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 Our bodies have a variety of “systems”. We have a cardiovascular system, a digestive system, a musculoskeletal system, a respiratory system, an endocannibanoid system, a nervous system, an immune system, and so on. All of these systems play a vital role in our health and our immune system is there to defend us from outside viral and bacterial predators. It is quite fascinating how it knows exactly how to fight off the invaders! We do so many things to ourselves on a daily basis that weaken, instead of support the immune system.
As a business owner, there have been several days during my career that I could not call in sick because if I did, I would have had to close the store. In those moments I realized how important (especially when your livelihood depends on it!) it is to keep your immune system in top shape. As well as taking a lot of immune boosting supplements, I started to make sure to add some daily lifestyle practices. Here is a list of practices I have incorporated into my life over the past few years:
If you don’t have time to be healthy right now, you will have to make the time to be sick! ~ Kris Wear *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  We all know that we want healthy immune systems, but where is it located within our bodies exactly, and what can we do to support it? We now know that 60-70% of the immune system is located in our gut! Here’s a deeper dive into how probiotics can support optimal immune system activity, both as a supplement and contained within a whole food source in the form of sauerkraut. And since we’re talking about immunity, we also need to talk about an amazing virus fighting berry, the Elderberry.
Probiotics + Immunity Beneficial bacteria in our bodies outnumber our own human cells 10 to 1. We are hosting trillions of bacterial cells, collectively called the microbiome. Microbiota is essential for immunologic, hormonal, and metabolic homeostasis, or balance. It helps us break down food and digest nutrients, and is an integral part of our gut lining, where 70% of our immune system lives. Just as we are all unique in our genetic makeup and what it takes to keep our bodies healthy and thriving, we have unique microbiomes, a microbiome fingerprint. Fortunately, there has been a surge of interest in microbiome research, and scientists have identified many strains suitable for our specific needs. Whether you’re looking for urgent care after a round of antibiotics, weight loss support, immune support, digestive support, or just want to take your health to the next level, we’re here at WON to help you find the right probiotic supplement for your needs. A normal, healthy gut will have an estimated 100 trillion microorganisms, primarily residing in the large intestine. These gut dwelling bacteria help keep pathogens, the harmful foreign invaders, in check. We want to make sure that the beneficial bacteria are balanced and plentiful enough to do their job as part of the body's first line of defense. Use of antibiotics, immunosuppressive therapy, gastrointestinal distress, and irradiation have been known to disrupt bacteria balance, and are common reasons for probiotic supplementation. The gut flora performs metabolic activities similar to that of an organ, scientist have even referred to the micro-biome as "the forgotten organ". It manufactures vitamins such as vitamin K and some B vitamins, and turns fibers into short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate, propionate, and acetate, which nourish the gut wall and also perform important metabolic functions. These fatty acids also stimulate the immune system and strengthen the gut wall, which can help prevent unwanted harmful bacteria from entering the body and activating an immune response. Sauerkraut + Immunity Sauerkraut is finely cut raw cabbage that has been fermented by a variety of lactic acid bacteria. It has a long shelf life and a distinctive sour flavor, both of which result from the lactic acid formed when the bacteria ferment the sugars naturally occurring in the cabbage. First invented to preserve cabbage, sauerkraut was used by sailors to prevent scurvy. Now we know that not only is Sauerkraut abundant in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins A, C, K, B vitamins, and minerals, but it is a delicious way to help support a healthy microbiome, containing naturally occurring probiotics. Sauerkraut is a superior food source of probiotics, containing notably more lactobacillus acidophilus than yogurt. We're talking trillions of good bacteria vs. billions found in yogurt. The variety of strains in sauerkraut is also impressive, meaning that it will give us a wider range of benefits including protection from a wider variety of harmful bacteria. Consuming just 2 ounces of Sauerkraut may contain more bacteria than a bottle of a probiotic supplement. Probiotics make the food we eat more digestible, and help the nutrients within to be more efficiently absorbed and utilized, so getting both probiotics and a good dose of vitamins and minerals in one tasty package is a win in our eyes. If you’re not convinced Sauerkraut is a health food worth including in your diet, it is also rich in antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory, immune boosting properties. Be sure to consume your Sauerkraut unpasteurized, so all of that good bacteria remains intact. Elderberries + Immunity Are Elderberries in your emergency supplement sick kit? They’re certainly in ours, and here’s why. Beyond being a rich source of vitamins A, C, and antioxidants, elderberries are unique in their ability to fight viruses. Studies have shown that phytochemicals in common elderberry are effective at stopping a virus at multiple stages of infection: host cell attachment, entry, and propagation (later stages of influenza after the cell has already been infected). Elderberries can help strengthen a person’s overall immune response. Elderberry solution has been found to stimulate cells to release certain cytokines, which are chemical messengers that determine what immune cells will play what role in innate and adaptive immune responses. Cytokines may react in localized areas, or systemically, and may also directly mediate antimicrobial effector activities. So, if you’re interested in reducing the duration of flu symptoms 3-4 days, having higher levels of antibodies, or helping prevent infections in the first place, get those Elderberries in your medicine cabinet! If you’re not about to harvest a bunch of berries and make your own syrup, we have Elderberries in syrups, tinctures, capsules, lozenges, gummies, and in raw form in our bulk section. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  Immune Support with Essential Oils
As the season begins to change, and the temperature starts to drop, you’ll notice a lot more people sniffling, sneezing and coughing. This time of year, especially, it is so important to give your immune system the added support it needs to protect you from bacteria and viruses. Many essential oils can be used to both, keep us healthy, and support our bodies during illness. Essential oils are made up of tiny molecules that can deliver healing properties to the systems that control our physiological state. The best way for the body to absorb the therapeutic components of essential oils is a combination of inhalation through the olfactory system of the nose and absorption through the surface of the skin. WON is proud to spotlight three of Pranarom’s, 100% organic, essential oil blends to help you through the upcoming cold and flu season. IMMUNE DEFENSE SOLUTION is a remarkable immune support blend for health and wellness. Its ingredients include Lavender, Eucalyptus, Niaouli, Rosemary, Ravintsara, Peppermint, Clove Bud and Coriander oils. Lavender oil, renowned for its many beneficial properties, is antimicrobial, supports the nervous system and promotes relaxation. Eucalyptus oil is invaluable to help treat colds, it helps to clear congested sinuses, stimulates healthy circulation and mental focus. Niaouli oil is considered a powerhouse for its lymph and circulation stimulating properties. Rosemary oil is useful in treating bacterial and fungal infections and has mild antiviral properties. Ravintsara oil is a go to for chest congestion, stuffiness, tickly throats and contains strong antiviral properties. Peppermint oil is known for its revitalizing properties, it is soothing, refreshing and works as a decongestant. Clove bud is a powerful antibacterial and antiviral oil. Lastly, Coriander oil helps to soothe an upset stomach, achy joints, and muscles. To use, apply 1-2 drops directly on the inside of wrists or soles of the feet until absorbed. Use up to 2 times per day. For extra immune support, massage 6-8 drops on the rib cage or the back, 4-6 times per day for up to one week. In a diffuser, simply add 5-10 drops with water. GOOD SAMARITAN, also known as Thieves, is a wonderfully balanced blend that is purifying and protecting. It, too, has Clove, Eucalyptus and Rosemary oils and to it, Cinnamon and Lemon oils have been added. Cinnamon oil is one of the strongest antibacterial oils, making it ideal for treating bacterial infections. Lemon oil naturally stimulates the immune system and has been shown useful in treating the flu virus. This multi-purpose helper oil is the most potent of the three and can be used topically, in a diffuser and as a natural cleaning solution. PURIFY, from Pranarom’s childrens line, is a refreshing diffusion blend of essential oils to purify and sanitize the indoor air. Along with Naiouli and Coriander, this blend also uses Sweet Orange oil, Fir Balsam oil and Lemongrass oil. Sweet Orange oil is cheerful and antiseptic. Fir Balsam oil is soothing, calming for muscles and supports respiratory health. Lemongrass oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties. This blend is safe to diffuse near babies and children. To use, add 3-4 drops in a diffuser with water or, apply topically in a carrier oil to open the respiratory tract. Essential oils are a gentle, effective and enjoyable way to have a first line of defense against the germs we are exposed to during the cold and flu season. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  Benefits of Reishi
After finding out that there are over 1.5 million strains of mushrooms on earth, most people become overwhelmed on where to begin on their medicinal mushroom journey. Our recommendation for a great medicinal mushroom starting point is the esteemed Mushroom of Immortality, better known as Reishi. This annual polypore mushroom has been used as a super herb supporting systems of the body for over 2,000 years in China and Japan. So, sit back and let us tell you a few good reasons you should come on into WON and check out our Reishi selection! Amazing Sleep Tonic Reishi helps our inner systems chill out. While not having the reaction like let’s say Kava, Reishi is non-sedative. When consumed as a tonic, small daily doses, Reishi may help to support the body’s sleep cycles. Our WON staff has found that daily use seems to give the best boost to your sleeping cycles. Stress Buster Reishi is used in herbal medicine as an adaptogen. Adaptogens are considered regulators and they support the stress response system in our bodies. In doing so, adaptogens help to modify and regulate hormone production and flow helping our body adapt to stress. Reishi can be taken daily as a tonic for long term use. This grounding mushroom helps you chill out and adapt to all of life’s good and bad stresses. Optimum Immune Support Reishi may also help support your immune system. It has many polysaccharides, antioxidant properties, and beta glucans that can help with immune function. Reishi has the ability to educate the immune system, Reishi is the ultimate immune modulator! If your immune system is compromised Reishi can provide an amazing boost. How Reishi Tastes Most people find that Reishi tastes woody or earthy and slightly bitter. Many health foodies will know that the most bitter foods are often the ones that are best for us. In fact, properly extracted fruiting bodies of Reishi will be much more bitter than mycelium products, which often taste like rice. The flavor of Reishi will grow on you as you fully experience the benefits unfold in your life.
Host Defense Mycoshield is our highlighted product! This product contains five species of polypore mushrooms that combine for powerful immune stimulation. And yes, you guessed it, this product contains Reishi as one of the main ingredients! Mycoshield is great for daily immune support and protection or can be dosed higher to outlast seasonal illness. Mycoshield is currently 20% until the end of September! Also, in the month of September our entire line of Host Defense Mushrooms will be on line drive 20% off. So, come on down to WON and find out what else these amazing mushrooms are good for. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  Echinacea
Echinacea is a pretty commonly known herb used for immune support and as a blood purifer. The parts used are the flowers, leaves and the roots. To get the optimal benefits from this herb, it is best to use products that contain both the root and the aerial (above ground) parts. The roots have high concentrations of the volatile oils that are helpful for the treatment of flu-like infections, while the above ground parts of the plant contain more polysaccharides that help treat colds, upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections and slow healing wounds. Echinacea is commonly used to prevent and shorten the duration of viruses like the common cold and flu. It actually reduces the chances of catching the common cold by 58% and reduces the duration of the common cold by almost a day and a half! It can be used as a pain reliever to reduce symptoms such as a sore throat, cough and fever. You will usually see either Echinacea Angustifolia or Echinacea Purpurea. Typically, herbalist will use these interchangeably with Echinacea Angustifolia being known as more desirable, possibly because it has been shown to relieve anxiety in low doses. Many herbalists recommend Echinacea to help boost the immune system and help the body fight infections as it is known to boost your white blood cell count. Due to this boost in white blood cells, Echinacea is not recommended for individuals with an autoimmune disorder. If you are starting to get sick, drink a cup of Echinacea tea every two hours until symptoms disappear. Echinacea is available in the bulk section, in capsules, as a tea and in a tincture. Osha Root Osha root, also known as bear root, is a perennial herb native to north America. It is recognized for its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. It is typically used for the common cold and flu. It is very effective as a treatment for respiratory conditions such as sinus congestion, sore throat, and bronchitis. It promotes perspiration and sweating to cool down a fever and detox the body and stimulates your white blood cells. (Not recommended for those with an autoimmune disorder) It also has a numbing effect that can soothe irritated, dry or sore throats. It has been used to treat tuberculosis, headaches, toothaches, motion and air sickness, sore throats, coughs, and other respiratory illnesses. It is also great for those traveling to higher altitudes or for those doing long-distance hiking as it promotes easy breathing. Osha contains oxytocin, a powerful hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain that plays a crucial role in bonding and creating feelings of love. (Not recommended during pregnancy) I think it’s nice when you are having a rough time with an illness to have an herb that will not only help you feel better but will also make you feel happy. J Osha root tea has a special preparation process, you will usually simmer a stick in a pot of water for approximately 20 minutes or longer to get the best results. As a bonus, Osha can be used multiple times! Osha root is available in the bulk section, in tincture and as a syrup. Stay Well Tea Stay Well Tea is a blend of amazing immune boosting, antiviral herbs including Echinacea, Lemon balm, Elder flower, Elder berries, Lemon peel, Goldenseal leaf, Olive leaf and Ginger. Echinacea, as stated above is an immune boosting herb that not only treats but also helps to prevent colds and the flu. Goldenseal leaf is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and has immune enhancing properties. Its effective against a wide range of bacteria, protozoa and fungi. Commonly used to treat gastrointestinal issues, including traveler’s diarrhea and that from food poisoning. Lemon Balm acts as an anti-viral, providing nervous system support along with symptomatic relief from chills, fever, digestive problems, upset stomach, gas, vomiting, headache, cold sores and nervous tension. Lemon Balm nourishes and calms the body in distress especially during a cold or flu. Elder flower is antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory. It works to decongest the respiratory system including the sinus and nasal passages. Elderberry is an amazing antiviral thanks to the compound known as Antivirin. This not only helps to prevent viruses from invading the cells, but also prevents the virus from replicating. The anthocyanins found in Elderberries enhance immune function by boosting the production of cytokines. Cytokines are unique proteins that euact as messengers to help regulate the immune response and defend the body against disease. People with the flu who took Elderberry reported less severe symptoms and felt better faster than those who did not. Olive leaf was first discussed in a medical journal article by Daniel Hanbury, M.D. in 1854. He used it as a tea and treated people with fever and malaria. Olive leaf is high in a polyphenol called Oleuropein. The Elenolic acid in Oleuropein stops the growth of viruses, including those associated with the common cold and inhibits the growth of bacteria, viruses, upper respiratory tract infections, worms, protozoa and micro fungi, including athletes’ foot. Lemon peel contains an array of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The high vitamin C content helps to neutralize free radicals, stimulate the immune system and speed up recovery time. Last but not least, Ginger root helps to gently heat the body allowing relief from fevers. Ginger root also helps to treat nausea, and aid in a healthy digestive system. Ginger promotes immune responses to kill viruses. Many sore throats are caused by viral infections that cannot be treated with antibiotics. Ginger has been used as a pain reliver for sore throats, loosen congestion and speed up recovery time. For daily immune support, drink one cup daily. If you are feeling sick, drink 1-3 cups daily. Stay Well Tea is found in our bulk section. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  Immune Vitamins/Minerals
Reacta- C Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that keeps multiple body systems functioning. Several immune cells need vitamin C to perform their task, especially phagocytes (a category of white blood cells that is capable of engulfing and absorbing bacteria and other small cells) and t-cells (a type of white blood cell that is of key importance to the immune system and is part of the body’s immune response to specific pathogens). Vitamin C accumulates in phagocytic cells, specifically neutrophils (these are the first immune cells to be recruited and are the most abundant white blood cell), and can enhance phagocytosis (the process in which a white blood cell engulfs a bacteria or virus), generation of reactive oxygen species, and ultimately microbial killing. This is why a vitamin C deficiency results in a reduced resistance against certain pathogens. Not only does our body need vitamin C for the immune system. It also supports heart & vascular health, supports collagen synthesis, supports a healthy metabolism, helps protect against free radical damage, supports healthy hormone production, & even supports brain health by aiding in the production of neurotransmitters. Now not all vitamin C's are created equal. Some can cause digestive upset or are not well absorbed and flushed out of the body so it can not be utilized for all these functions listed above. Reacta-C is a complex that features a gentle form of vitamin C (strontium calcium ascorbate with L-theronate) enriched with bioflavonoids (herperidin, rutin & acerola cherry) to aid in absorption of that super antioxidant. This blend also includes Indole 3 Carbinol which is found naturally in cruciferous vegetables and is a potent antioxidant that also helps support healthy immune function. Not only that but Solaray makes a Reacta-C with elderberry so then you are not only getting all the immune support vitamin C has to offer, but you can also get all the great anti-viral properties elderberry has to offer. This is a great product to help defend you against the cold and flu season coming up. Vitamin D3 Vitamin D3 is an essential vitamin for multiple body functions. One in particular is our immune system. Vitamin D also can modulate the innate (defensive, fights any foreign invader, contain phagocytes, leukocytes, & dendritic cells) and adaptive (fights only specific infection, has a 1-2 week response time, composed of B cells & T cells) immune responses. Our immune cells (B cells, T cells, and antigen presenting cells) contain a vitamin D receptor as well as the fact that these immunologic cells are all capable of synthesizing the active vitamin D metabolite. Deficiency in vitamin D is associated with increased autoimmunity as well as increased susceptibility. Research has found that people with vitamin D deficiency seem to have an increased susceptibility to infection. One study in Finland took 800 military recruits and separated the men by vitamin D levels. The recruits with lower vitamin D levels lost significantly more days from active duty due to secondary upper respiratory infections than recruits with higher vitamin D levels. The beneficial effects of vitamin D on protective immunity are due in part to its effects on the innate immune system. One of the main pieces of the innate immune puzzle is that macrophages, which are the white blood cells that engulf viruses and bacteria once detected in our body, are armed with vitamin D dependent antimicrobial responses. If we are deficient in vitamin D, our macrophages cannot do their job properly since they do not have enough of the substance do so. Vitamin D not only helps our defensive immune system, but it also aids in our adaptive immune system. This can be beneficial for those who suffer with autoimmune diseases. There have been many studies of vitamin D status in lupus patients from across the globe. Deficiency of vitamin D is extremely common in lupus patients. Often more than 50% of lupus patients with deficient levels and severe deficiency is not uncommon. Disease activity has also been shown to correlate with vitamin D. Similar correlations between low levels of vitamin D and disease activity and severity have been observed in other autoimmune diseases such as MS and RA. Overall vitamin D is essential for our immune system to function properly and since we live in an area where our sun exposure is extremely limited in the cold and flu season months it is even more important that we take a supplement during these months. If you want to know how much vitamin D your body needs on a daily, it is 27 times your body weight. So if you weigh 170 pounds you need 4590 IUs of vitamin D a day. Zinc Zinc is an essential trace mineral that our nervous system, reproductive system and immune systems use to function. Zinc is very important for our immune system and wound healing. New research suggests that zinc helps control infections by gently tapping the brakes on the immune response in a way that prevents out of control inflammation that can be damaging and even deadly for some. Scientists determined in human cell culture that a protein lures zinc into key cells that are first responders against infection. The zinc also interacts with a process that is vital to the fight against infection, whether it is bacterial or viral, and by doing so helps balance the immune response. When a pathogen is recognized, a series of molecules wake up from dormancy to create a process that activates the innate immune response. A major part of this process involves a highly active protein that is known to play an important role in the immune response to infection. Once it is activated and enters the nucleus of a cell a gene is expressed that produces a zinc transporter. The transporter then rapidly mobilizes to the cell’s wall, where it can then shuttle zinc from the bloodstream into the cell. After cell entry the zinc is then directed to and binds to a different protein. When this happens it halts any further activity in that process. The impact on the immune system of this feedback between the cells and zinc is that it prevents excessive inflammation which can be damaging to cells and the body. Your white blood cells also use zinc to kill bacteria and viruses by shooting it at the pathogens. So not only does zinc help support our immune system but it helps it function better by helping to regulate the amount of inflammation sent to the area. The more inflammation the slower the healing process or recovery of the illness. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. |
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