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PATY STATE/TERRITORY WINNERS 35 fruit and vegetables, staying hydrated, maintaining good hygiene, getting a good night’s rest and possibly boosting our immune systems with some quality vitamins will also help to keep everyone healthy, too. Maybe one good thing to come out of all of the social distancing might be that it slows the spread of colds and flu, too. What are your go-to products for keeping a healthy immune system over the cooler months? I’m a big fan of looking to gut health for treatment of many issues, so definitely recommend getting onto a good probiotic, such as Life Space or Inner Health, as well as taking an immune supporting formula such as Oriental Botanicals Astragalus 8 to enhance our immune resistance. Then keeping on hand some Bioceuticals ArmaForce or Ethical Nutrients Immune Defence tablets to get onto at the very first signs of a cold or flu developing will help to lessen the severity of anything that may develop. Jack Wales, ACT – Macquarie Discount Pharmacy What’s your advice for getting through the cough and cold season this autumn/winter? How can we stay healthy, considering also the COVID-19 pandemic? Current social-isolation practices have the benefit of limiting contact with those who are potentially ill, not just with COVID-19. The incidence of cold and flu can also be reduced by avoiding nonessential travel and remaining at home for work if possible. I’d recommend that customers consider calling their local pharmacy to make arrangements for either medication delivery or placing in scripts ahead of time to minimise waiting in-store for items. Pharmacy assistants can also put aside retail items on request, and it’s important to check product availability with the store before coming in. This is particularly important with regard to pain relief for children, and cold and flu medication. What are your go-to products for keeping a healthy immune system over the cooler months? Cleaning hands with soap after going out is essential in reducing the spread of illness and maintaining a healthy immune system. Both Palmolive and Dettol offer handwashes that are suitable for cleaning hands. Ordinary sanitiser is merely a temporary measure, and only builds up layers on the skin with subsequent applications. But for daily activities, Aquim offers a range of sanitisers that are affordable and normally available in large quantities. In terms of supplementation, B12 and vitamin D are good picks for the shopping basket, especially due to reduced daylight hours. Vitamin C is still available, but it’s important to evaluate whether you can get it from dietary sources instead, such as fresh orange juice in the morning. A good alternative to consider for the above is echinacea, with clinical studies evaluating the potential positive impact it has on immune health. Suzanna Calder, Northern Territory – PharmaSave Casuarina What’s your advice for getting through the cough and cold season this autumn/winter? How can we stay healthy, considering also the COVID-19 pandemic? Stay hydrated. Eat plenty of dark green leafy vegetables. Take a vitamin C and zinc supplement. Exercise. Get enough sunshine (when the sun comes out). What are your go-to products for keeping a healthy immune system over the cooler months? My go-to products to keep a healthy immune system are vitamin C and a probiotic, and do all of the above \[in my first answer\]. Catherine Brandis, Western Australia – Bunbury Drive-In Chemist What’s your advice for getting through the cough and cold season this autumn/winter? How can we stay healthy, considering also the COVID-19 pandemic? Healthy immunity is everything. Without a strong immune system, we become prone to catching colds, flu and viruses. Using immune-boosting food, drink and vitamin supplements means we can constantly fuel our natural defences to combat the upcoming cold and flu season. Keeping healthy physically through regular exercise, and mentally through social interaction with family and friends, assist in keeping us healthy. Now, of course, there are many restrictions in regard to social distancing, but that doesn’t mean regular contact with family and friends has to stop. Modern technology is a marvellous thing that keeps us all connected no matter how great or small the distance is. What are your go-to products for keeping a healthy immune system over the cooler months? During the cooler months it’s important for us to keep a healthy immunity and respiratory system. Vitamin C and zinc are two of the best ingredients that I like to recommend, as they’re known for their immune enhancing and antiviral properties. Echinacea, elderberry, olive leaf, garlic and astragalus are also fantastic ingredients to assist our bodies in supporting a healthy immune system. Trusted advice along with natural medicines found at your local pharmacy should be everyone’s go-to, to ensure healthy immune systems are built and maintained. “Eat a variety of nutritious and delicious foods, and stay active and hydrated in these times.” RETAIL PHARMACY ASSISTANTS • MAY 2020