How an Autumn Detox Can Preempt Holiday Weight Gain, Sniffles and Sneezes

Autumn is the last time of year that you think about doing a detox.

You’re just winding down from an active summer, and now it’s time to indulge in comfort foods and sweets for the holidays.

Save that detox for January, right?

It’s true that January is the most popular month for a detox, but by then, your detox will be reactionary—meaning you’ll already feel bloated, sluggish and sneezy.

A January detox is better than nothing, but wouldn’t it be great if you could do a preventative detox that might keep those extra pounds and germs at bay? 

And because it’s preventative, it’s a lot easier to do than the restrictive cleanses you force on yourself in January.

You can even keep eating all of your favorite holiday foods, like pumpkin, sweet potato, turkey and more.

So, how do you do an autumn detox?

We’ll tell you which nutrients to prioritize below and provide some tips on how to benefit from an autumn detox all year round. 

Why a Fall Detox is Critical for Year-round Health 

Why are you more likely to get sick in the cooler months?

Studies have found that our bodies don’t fight infection as effectively when the temperature drops [1]. And being inside is not much better.

Closed, stuffy homes are perfect environments for germs and allergens to spread [2].

Combine this with unhealthy habits like overeating, excessive drinking and a lack of exercise, and you have a recipe for months-long malaise. 

Becoming weak and ill during the cooler months can have an impact on your entire year. As you get older, illnesses can have lasting effects.

Not to mention, it takes longer and longer to work off that holiday fat.

A fall detox can prepare your body for the harshest time of year so you can feel healthy and maintain that summer energy until spring has sprung.

Here are just a few of the benefits of an autumn cleanse: 

• Strengthen Immunity: Autumn is the time to balance your inflammatory response and improve respiratory health. This will boost your ability to fight colds, flus and other cool-weather illnesses. Remember, you need to strengthen your defenses before winter arrives—not in January.  
• Cleanse the Liver: Your liver works hard, and it’s probably going to work even harder over the holidays. An autumn detox helps to flush the liver and revitalize it before those Halloween/football/Xmas/New Year’s Eve extravaganzas. 
• Burn more Fat: A fall detox can improve your ability to burn fat and process essential nutrition before you inevitably increase your calorie consumption. This might prevent you from gaining pounds of fat while improving your overall health and energy levels. 
• Boost Energy: Who doesn’t feel lazy once the temperature plummets? Going to the gym in the cooler months is tough. But with a preemptive autumn detox, you can boost your energy levels, making it easier to stay active and stress-free during the holiday madness. 

Key Nutrients for a Fall Detox

Doing a fall detox is as easy as taking a multivitamin and getting enough antioxidants.

But unfortunately, most Americans don’t get enough of the nutrition we need in autumn.

Here are a few key nutrients to focus on when doing an autumn detox.  

• Vitamin D: Americans are in the midst of a vitamin D crisis—as many as 95% of us don’t get enough. Vitamin D is necessary for immunity and respiratory health. It has been found to improve lung function and boost your defenses against respiratory diseases that are common in the winter [3]. Vitamin D comes from the sun, and in cooler months, it can be tough to get enough. The only other potent sources of vitamin D are fatty fish (like salmon) and fortified beverages, such as juices. So, taking a vitamin D supplement is highly recommended in the autumn (and throughout the winter, too). 
• Vitamin C: You know vitamin C is essential for immunity, but did you also know that it’s a super-potent antioxidant? Vitamin C plays an essential role in restoring your gut and liver health, controlling inflammation and keeping your skin healthy during cool, dry months [4,5]. Boost your vitamin C before cold weather arrives and enjoy better health all winter. You can get your daily vitamin C from a multivitamin, but if you want to make sure your immune system is iron-clad, take a vitamin C supplement.
• Vitamin E: Vitamin E is another antioxidant vitamin critical to immunity. It protects your cells from being attacked by viruses and bacteria during the months when you are most likely to be attacked. It also helps your skin stay hydrated during cool months when it tends to dry out and crack. About 90% of Americans do not consume enough vitamin E [6], which can make winter really tough. Get your vitamin E from an immunity supplement (along with the other nutrients on this list) to protect your body from intruders. 
• Zinc: Studies have found that zinc levels in your body are significantly lower in fall and winter compared to spring and summer [7]. This may be one reason we get sicker in winter, as zinc has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that you need when germs attack. Zinc has also been associated with maintaining a healthy body weight [8]. When your zinc dips, it’s easier to tack on those holiday lbs. 

The Power of Antioxidants in Autumn 

The autumn detox nutrients above have a few things in common.

First, many Americans don’t get enough of them (year-round!).

Secondly, most of them are antioxidants. Antioxidants are immunity-boosting nutrients that fight free radicals (toxins that attack our cells).

Getting more antioxidants improves your ability to fight germs, reduces inflammation, lowers stress, improves metabolism and boosts energy levels.

Whew!

And that’s not even the entire list.

Boosting your antioxidant levels is probably the most important part of your autumn detox.

Antioxidants prepare your entire body for the harsh weather to come. When you fortify yourself with antioxidants, you’ll be prepared to handle stuffy rooms, frigid days, and all the nieces, nephews and grandkids that carry truckloads of germs.

Antioxidants don’t just have a short-term effect, either. They decrease your risk of developing chronic, serious illnesses like cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s [9]. 

Remember, autumn is the time for an antioxidant power-up. Get plenty of the antioxidants above, plus more, by taking an immunity supplement.

Manna Liposomal Elderberry Immune was designed by nutritionists specifically to provide a huge boost of antioxidants (plus vitamin D) so you can stay strong all winter long.

Another incredibly powerful antioxidant is curcumin, a natural compound from the Curcuma root.

Curcumin has loads of health benefits. We recommend taking a curcumin supplement year-round to maintain a strong foundation of immune health.   

Autumn Detox Tips

Aside from getting the nutrients on this list, there are a few extra tips that can make your autumn detox a gift that keeps on giving all winter long.

• Spend time outdoors: It can be tempting to shut the doors and windows in the autumn, but going outside can boost vitamin D levels, improve your mood and keep you active for longer. 
• Plan physical activity: In summer, it’s easy to get your steps in. In the autumn, you need to be more vigilant about your physical activity. This is crucial for preventing fatigue, weight gain and the blues. 
• Switch out salads: Kick out those summer salads and sub in autumn veggies like squash, pumpkin, carrots, sweet potatoes and beets. They make wonderful soups, mashes and casseroles to warm your bones. And they are packed with antioxidants! 
• Drink water: As the weather cools, you’ll begin to lose moisture. Drink about two liters of water per day, and consider adding lemon juice and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass in the morning. This will help cleanse your liver.  
• Take supplements: It’s tough to get all the nutrients you need in the cooler months. Even if you plan your diet, you’ll likely lack a few essentials (such as vitamin D and vitamin E). Take a multivitamin or an immunity support supplement in the autumn to add extra oomph to your detox. If you plan to hit the booze over the holidays, consider a liver support supplement too. 

Don’t Wait for Winter; Protect Yourself with an Autumn Detox

If you think about it, it doesn’t make sense to wait until you’ve endured the holidays and flu season before doing a detox.

A detox won’t help nearly as much once you’re already sick and overweight.

That’s why an autumn cleanse should be a priority—more so than that regretful January detox.

Start protecting yourself by taking antioxidants and following the detox tips above. Remember to start before you give in to that first handful of Halloween candy, and you’ll enjoy better health all year.

And if you’re too busy with back-to-school and crunch time at work to reengineer your diet, take Manna Liposomal Elderberry Immune to get all the antioxidants and detox support you need for a healthy and high-energy winter.