Travel Supplements

So youre headed off to paradise on vacation! But how much fun will you have if you get sick? Here are some tips for travel supplements that should be in every vacationers carry-on or suitcase!

Depending on exactly where youre headed, immunizations may be in order.

Sleep can be difficult to come by when traveling. Taking supplements such as GABA, valerian and kava to make the flight more relaxing. (If you have liver problems, talk to your healthcare pro before taking kava. Also, dont mix alcohol with stress-relieving supplements. Chamomile tea keeps you calm, but it also works for nausea and as an anti-inflammatory.

When traveling across time zones, the bodys circadian rhythms, which respond to day and night, get confused, causing fatigue, sleep problems, queasiness and trouble concentrating--otherwise known as jet lag. To reset your bodys clock, try staying awake until a reasonable hour on the day you arrive, and then get a full nights rest. If you cant fall asleep, try melatonin.

Your digestive system may backfire as a result of the tension or motion sickness that travel brings. Carry a selection of supplements such as ginger, enteric peppermint, bitters, lactobacillus tablets or a homeopathic remedy called Trip Ease for nausea and intestinal problems.

Along with water, immune-enhancing supplements such as echinacea, goldenseal and vitamin C will help fight off any germs floating through the cabin! Its not a bad idea to begin taking these supplements the week before you leave.

Airline travel can also raise the risk of developing a serious health problem--deep vein thrombosis (DVF) or so-called economy-class syndrome--a condition in which blood clots form in the legs and could break loose and travel to the heart or lungs. Dehydration and prolonged sitting for more than five hours in a train, car or plane causes the blood to become sticky, resulting in blood clots.

To help prevent DVT, experts advise drinking plenty of water, moving around the cabin for five minutes of every hour and, if possible, propping your feet up when sitting. Medical support socks can also help prevent DVT. These help keep the blood flowing smoothly in your legs.

Alternative first aid kit. Ask your natural products retailer for pre-made alternative first aid kits specifically for developing and developed countries. They typically include products to help ease diarrhea, insomnia, colds and flu, motion sickness, stress, water purification, skin rashes, mosquito bites and more.