Professionals of every kind have their favorite go-to tools for handling common problems. Let's take a look at one of our favorite tools for immune system support and upper respiratory challenges.

​Congaplex: Go-to Immune Support

Congaplex is one of our favorite answers when patients ask about what to do for stuffy sinuses, coughing, sneezing, and the other fun than comes with upper respiratory challenges. We especially keep it handy around our houses during the winter when those problems hit the hardest. 

Conga - plex can be thought of as a complex of whole food nutrients that fight congestion and support the immune system.

Congaplex is actually a specially formulated blend of other Standard Process supplements:

• Cataplex A-C includes whole food vitamins A and C, which support healthy mucous membranes (our first defense against microbial invaders) and immune system resistance. This is NOT synthetic vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is only the wrapper around the whole vitamin C complex. It also includes Echinacea which helps modulate a healthy immune response.
• Thymex includes thymus enzyme extract that helps support the thymus, a key gland that produces antibodies to fight infection.
• Calcium Lactate is a very absorbable form of calcium, which plays an important role in phagocytosis ("eating") of microbes.
• Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) involved in protein building.

We have found it to be a great choice and kids especially like the Congaplex chewable version that includes berry powder. We use it in lower doses for prevention or higher doses when fighting off a bug. 

Check out some of the good foods inside: bovine thymus extract, carrot root, bovine bone, nutritional yeast, wheat germ, bovine adrenal, alfalfa juice, oat flour, alfalfa flour, bovine kidney, veal bone, veal bone extract, mushroom, buckwheat leaf juice, buckwheat seed, peanut bran, soybean lecithin, carrot oil.

You could try Congaplex or eat all of these!

Echinacea has traditionally been used for hundreds of years, partly due to the thought that it benefits the immune system and protects against colds and infections. However, research has showed mixed results and there has been much confusion and misunderstanding of how Echinacea may provide health benefits. The following myths and explanations take a closer look at how Echinacea should or should not be used.

Prevention not Cure

Studies have demonstrated Echinacea may have more potential to support a healthy immune response when taken preventively rather than during an acute illness. While it may be helpful when taken during an infection, Echinacea's greater potential appears to be as a preventive measure to prepare the immune system before an infection occurs.

Echinacea & Long-term Use

Concerns regarding long-term use of echinacea have been dispelled by research that shows Echinacea is not only safe when taken over a year, but beneficial. A study in mice fed Echinacea daily for 13 months, showed increased health and longevity compared to mice not fed Echinacea. Other studies have indicated potential benefit when taken by those with chronic immune system issues.

Purple Coneflowers are Echinacea?

It's important to recognize the various species of Echinacea and their varying ability to effect immune system function. The purple coneflowers frequently grown in gardens (pictured above) are one species called Echinacea purpurea. Another species called Echinacea augustifolia has more traditionally been used, and research indicates its roots contain higher levels of alkylamides that are the primary active constituent. It's the alkylmides that cause a tingling sensation on the tongue when taken.

Studies indicate E. augustifolia root or a blend of both species are more effective for immune support. If your supplement doesn't cause a mild tingling when held in the mouth, it may be too low in active constituents to be effective. Studies that have found less benefit with Echinacea, tend to use the wrong plant, the wrong part (not the root), the wrong method of concentration, or too small a dose.

How Does Echinacea Effect the Immune System?

Research has demonstrated multiple changes in immune cell function with Echinacea. Research has noted significant increases in natural killer cells and monocytes. Natural killer cells are important in defending against viruses, by killing virus-infected cells in the body. Monocytes are a type of white blood cell that can capture microorganisms or transform into macrophages that "eat" fungi and microbes. There also appears to be beneficial effects on T cells and heat shock proteins that play a role in a healthy immune response.

In a study of adults flying internationally in economy class, those taking Echinacea Premium tablets before, during, and after flight experienced fewer symptoms of respiratory illness compared to the placebo group.

Echinacea is worth considering as part of a healthy lifestyle to support proper immune system function. Our preferred version is Echinacea Premium due to its high quality and research support. Those with allergies to the daisy family should be cautious, though there is less concern when the root of the plant is used.

The unknown nature of coronavirus has caused great concern but provided little in the way of recommendations other than improving hygiene habits. There is no need to live in fear, but improving your health habits is a good idea.

Washing hands, covering coughs, and cleaning surfaces is a good start to limit transmission of viruses, but there are also easy actions that can be taken to lower the risk of viral infections or minimize their harm. And they can make you generally healthier while you do them!

Appropriate preventive measures for viral infections can be divided into two categories:

1. More thorough cleaning and hygiene habits to limit viral transmission 
2. Healthy habits to strengthen your health and limit the impact of viral infections

Keep Clean & Reduce Viral Transmission

By now most have heard the common sense recommendations to increase cleaning and limit contact with others. Know that antimicrobial soaps have not been found to be any more effective than regular soaps and ingredients like triclosan antibacterial has been linked to other health issues. Make sure you spend 20 seconds when washing those hands. Hand sanitizers are only to be used when soap is unavailable. It provides no additional benefit.

Increased humidity can also be beneficial to reduce viral transmission. Research has demonstrated that more humid environments interfere with the spread of viruses. That's one of the reasons it's easier to catch a bug in the winter with drier air inside and out. Using a simple humidifier can make a big difference.

Strengthen Your Health

The best way to strengthen your health and reduce your susceptibility to infection is to improve your basic health habits:

• Get plenty of sleep (7-8 hours for most people)
• Minimize stress or perform stress reducing activities (walk, meditate, etc.)
• Eat healthy - avoid processed foods and sweets and eat whole foods (meats, veggies, fruit, nuts, seeds, etc.)
• Stay active with stretching, exercise, or other activities you enjoy
• Maintain healthy posture and structure which has an effect on proper functioning of your body

More Strategies We Use to Stay Healthy

Manual treatments like adjustments and massages work the body and have been shown to increase immune cell activity shortly after being performed. Some special techniques can help open the sinuses when congested.

Supplements we like for prevention include a high quality Echinacea or Immuplex from Standard Process which provides important nutrients that support the immune system. Keep up your level of Vitamin D, which drops in our gray skies of winter in Northeast Ohio. When the body is fighting an infection, St. Johns Wort, Andrographis, Congaplex, or a good high dose Vitamin C can provide helpful support.

If you want to stay healthy and resilient to whatever comes along, make sure to take steps to actively improve your health.