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It’s Not FLU Season, It’s SUGAR Season

We tend to think the flu virus just shows up in the Fall. But the reality is, viruses are around all year long. What changes is our body’s resilience. In the fall and winter we:

🍬 Eat more sugar and processed foods

🌞 Get less vitamin D from sunlight

💤 Move less and our sleep often suffers

🥳 Travel more and gather indoors in close contact with others


All of this lowers our defenses. Here’s the kicker: studies show that just 75 grams of sugar—about a handful of fun-size candy bars—can weaken white blood cell activity by almost 40% for up to five hours. That’s why I call it ‘sugar season'.

🥤 That's about one soda and a cookie

🍰 Or one slice of pie

🍸 Or two mixed cocktails

🍫 Or a handful of Halloween candy


When we overload on sugar, it spikes blood sugar, causes inflammation, and lowers immune defense. Add stress and cortisol on top of that, and you’ve got a recipe for a sluggish immune response.


And since about 70% of our immune system lives in the gut, sugar also feeds gut imbalances that make us even more vulnerable. Bacteria loves sugar! So it’s not just about germs—it’s about our terrain.


In Functional Medicine, we shift the focus: instead of just fighting germs, we strengthen the terrain. That means: balancing blood sugar, supporting gut health with fiber, probiotics, and hydration, lowering stress, prioritizing sleep, and getting foundational nutrients like vitamin D, zinc, vitamin C, and omega-3s. When those pieces are in place, your body naturally becomes more resilient to whatever bugs are going around.


Shaklee makes several products to achieve these goals:

  • Triple Defense Boost with vitamins C, D, zinc, plant-based adaptogens, elderberry and more. Supports, boosts and defends your immune system. Enjoy hot or cold. $1.49/day

  • Defend & Resist Complex with echinacea, elderberry, larch tree, and zinc. Supports healthy immune function. 6 tablets per day, can chew, swallow or use tablets as tea. $1.30/day As needed support, not intended for daily ongoing use.

  • NutriFeron® to support natural interferon production and immune balance. Inteferon stimulates immune cells and is vital to healthy immune function. 2 caplets daily. $1.44/day

  • OmegaGuard® to help lower inflammation, full spectrum Omega3s that support heart, brain, eye and joint wellness. 2 soft gels with meals. $0.73/day

  • Rest & Rewind because sleep is critical and when our bodies can repair. Mint tea, melatonin free, natural lemon balm, 5-HTP, polyphenols and antioxidants to support cellular health. $1.30/day

  • And of course, foundational support through Vitalizer, Life-Strip® or Meology™ so all the bases are covered. These are tools that make it so much easier to keep my immune system steady


So this Fall, instead of fearing flu season, let’s protect our body’s terrain. Make mindful choices with sugar, stay on top of sleep and stress, and keep your Shaklee toolkit close by.


When your body is resilient, you get to enjoy the season fully—more energy, fewer sick days, and more time making memories with family. That’s really what it’s all about 💙




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