Don’t Go Near an Airport Without These Vitamins

Many of the reasons we travel – interesting food, new climates, diverse environments – are also the reasons we can end up having to explain embarrassing symptoms to a local doctor in broken Spanish. Well that, and the germ-covered surfaces of an airport and hours spent in close proximity to strangers and bathrooms. Shabir Daya, pharmacist and co-founder of natural health supplement website Victoria Health talks us through the essential vitamins and natural supplements you need to feel like the best version of yourself while you’re away.

How to Avoid Fatigue

"Ubiquinol is the most active form of an enzyme called Co-Enzyme Q10 which, as well as being a powerful antioxidant, oxygenates all the muscle and soft tissues of the body, helping to enhance energy production.”

How to Combat Jet Lag

“In clinical studies those taking High Potency Pycnogenol from pine bark extract had to endure jet lag symptoms for only 18 hours postflight (long haul jet lag usually lasts for about 48 hours) and the symptoms were considerably less in severity than those who didn’t take it. If you find yourself wide awake in the middle of the night in Hong Kong, try Asphalia for Sleep, a natural remedy containing wheatgrass which is rich in naturally occurring melatonin.”

How to Keep Stress Under Control

“During stressful moments the adrenals, the body’s stress modulating and energizing glands, place a huge demand on the supply of Vitamin B and C. Terra Nova’s Vitamin B Complex with Vitamin C provides both of these as well as herbs including ashwagandha and rhodiola that help reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol.”

How to Avoid Traveller’s Tummy

“Traveller’s diarrhea, Spanish tummy or whatever you want to call it is caused by tainted water, poor hygiene by food handlers or food contaminated by insects. Travel Biotic by Viridian Nutrition is a probiotic that works by increasing the numbers of the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Since this beneficial bacteria produces lactic acid, the pathogenic bacteria responsible for causing traveller’s diarrhea does not get a chance to stick around. Use this supplement to both prevent and treat an upset stomach.”

How to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis

“Moving around the cabin as much as possible is really the best way to prevent DVT but for added insurance there is circulatory supplement called Diosmin Plus which contains a very specific combination herbal extract that has been shown to help improve circulation in the lower limbs. (N.B. It’s not suitable for those on blood thinning medication.)”

How to Ease Travel Sickness

“Experiments have shown that ginger capsules are more effective than over-the-counter medicine in preventing travel sickness. Take one of these Ginger Capsules by Lamberts daily three or four days before your journey. The ginger absorbs acids and blocks nausea in the gastrointestinal tract.”

How to Boost Immunity

“Vitamin D is a powerful immune booster and DLux 3000 by Better You is an oral spray which means it by- passes the GI tract and is absorbed through the myriad of blood vessels under the tongue and sides of cheeks. If you do get struck down with a cold, Horseradish and Garlic Complex will help speed up your recovery.”