4 Supplements to Bring While Traveling

We are deep into summer, especially in Arizona, and by July the heat can really weigh on us. So, many of us make every effort to head out of town to cooler temperatures during these hot summer months. However, travel can take a toll on our bodies in a variety of ways.

Travel, regardless of how we choose to get there, can increase your exposure to viruses and bacteria and decrease your immune function due to change of sleep patterns, stress and dehydration. If traveling by plane, you are in close proximity to a lot of people which makes you more susceptible to getting sick. Additionally, often when we travel, we may not sleep well, or our sleep patterns may be disrupted which can also be a culprit of a weakened immune system. Travel can also be very stressful from getting to the airport and checking our bags to delayed flights and perhaps even the fear of things not going as planned. Lastly, dehydration, sitting for long periods of time and eating foods we aren’t use to can all wreak havoc on our body.

So, how can we avoid getting sick when we travel? Simple. Taking supplements while on the road can significantly increase our chances of staying healthy during or after travel. Here is a list of four supplements that can help:

Systemic Enzymes. When driving or flying long distances our blood vessels can become constricted due to sitting for long periods of time in a confined space. This can, in turn, cause blood clots in our legs, which can be very dangerous. Systemic enzyme supplements containing Nattokinase and Serrapeptase can help dissolve clots and improve circulation by consuming the excess fibrin that causes blood to sometimes thicken and thus clot.

Probiotics. When traveling outside the country, eating different or exotic foods, or drinking water from different municipalities, our bodies sometimes struggle to keep up. These different microbiomes can cause a variety of ailments including diarrhea, gastroenteritis and malaise. However, bringing a strong spore-based probiotic can help fend off certain bacteria our bodies may not be accustomed to digesting. Spore-based probiotics are stronger than typical probiotics and do not require refrigeration.  Additionally, studies show that 70% of our immune system is in our gut so taking a probiotic when traveling helps strengthen our immune defense.   

Digestive Enzymes. When traveling, you’re likely not making your own food, and you’re probably taking liberties and eating different foods than you normally would at home. This can often cause an upset stomach, gas, bloating or a variety of other discomforts. Taking a digestive enzyme with a meal can help break down foods so our body can better digest and absorb nutrients. Also, different locales and climates can facilitate new or different bacteria to grow on foods - also causing problems in our gut. Digestive enzymes can help digest these new bacteria keeping our digestive system functioning optimally.

Vitamin C. Planes, airports and really any public place are problematic –they have many people passing through them, making them a breeding ground for germs. While sanitizer can help, it’s always good to up your intake of vitamin C to boost your immune system. Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that helps our immune system fight off disease as well as helping maintain blood pressure which can increase with the stresses of travel. Vitamin C as a daily supplement and staying hydrated can really help.

We all look forward to travel, but let’s make sure we can enjoy the entire trip. The above four mentioned supplements will help boost your immune systems and help with digestion – the two primary culprits of getting sick when traveling. Always make a point to hydrate, get eight hours of sleep, try not to let things stress you out and try to eat healthy foods at least one meal a day. With this recipe you are sure to stay healthy on vacation this summer. 

Bio: Justin Marsh is the Founder and CEO of Arthur Andrew Medical, a leading manufacturer of enzyme and probiotic-based dietary supplements headquartered in Scottsdale.