In Part 2 of our series on natural health during cold and flu season, we’ll hear about how the immune system works, which supplements have been shown to support wellness, and some of the best ways to help maintain health year-round. Malia Curran, MS, MPH is a nutrition consultant and speaker, and sees clients in the Denver, CO area.
Podcast: Download







Comments are moderated
and generally will be posted if they are on topic and not abusive. For more information, please see
our 


Great follow up for the first wellness podcast. WE have been taking wellness formula, and the kids have actually become use to the flavor.
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:51 pm
HELLO! I miss tasting my 7 layer fiesta dip across from the hot foods section!!!!
November 4th, 2009 at 2:56 am
Good to hear I have some natural options for my family. I feel like we as a culture have become out of touch with our bodies and natural responses to dealing with colds.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:52 am
I really applaud the work your store does, both in making healthy food and products available, but also in providing online education-information. Thank You!
November 9th, 2009 at 8:03 am
Vitamin C seems to be the end all be all for humans and animals. Very powerful, indeed. Good to note that prevention is key with colds, once your immune system is down it is so much more work to get back in shape.
November 9th, 2009 at 8:09 am
I really appreciate all of the info you present in these podcasts, but I have trouble remembering all of the names of herbs and supplements which are listed. Any chance you have a list on the website or in the store?
November 9th, 2009 at 8:09 am
Esther C is very easy for the body to integrate, I believe it is the best way to absorb vitamin C. I have trouble taking multivitamins, even after food they upset my stomach, it seems like herbs are much easier on my system and kidneys.
November 9th, 2009 at 8:12 am
Very cool series! It has been a barn burner of a cold season already
It is good if we all support our immune system, the less colds the herd carries the healthy we all are.
November 9th, 2009 at 8:24 am
Considering how brutal this flu season already is, I would suggest any prevention and immune boosting is a great move.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Elderberry is an age old tincture. I’ve heard of elderberry wine can have medicinal properties
November 9th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
As always a lot of great info packed into a nice length!
November 9th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
I believe a good multi throughout the year is invaluable. It just helps to keep your system balanced out. I like that stress as a negative factor is mentioned.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Very hip podcast/topic. My kids have all been sick this year. We are solid on vitamins and wellness formula and it seems like their systems are returning to normal. I appreciate the idea of being active with immune support prior to illness.
November 10th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Vitamin C, is so beneficial for our bodies and immune system. It is tricky in fall and winter when natural sources such as citrus are out of season.
November 10th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
I can’t shake a cold I’ve had for about 3 weeks now. It started as the flu and has been getting worse and worse since. I see your point about building up the immune system prior to getting sick… next time
November 10th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
This is a good follow up to the first wellness podcast.
November 10th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
I take liquid vitamins every morning and I have not been sick for ages. I believe mental health plays a huge part in physical health, so stay happy, stay strong!
November 10th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
I am so happy to know your company is promoting a natural healthy approach to wellness. Bravo!
November 10th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Your store carries a nice wellness formula and liquid vitamins which I find essential for my health.
November 10th, 2009 at 9:57 pm
I honor WF for always providing information and products which are both natural and organic, and difficult to find at other stores. Thank you.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:17 am
I’ve always wondered if there is any truth to the old adage that a small sip of brandy and hot water before bed is helpful for fighting off colds. I wouldn’t expect that Whole Foods good endorse this, but curious non the less.
November 11th, 2009 at 9:27 am
Glad you mentioned the most simple, free, way to avoid illness- washing your hands! To many kids at our school wipe their noses in their hands then hug each other, cute , but brutal for spreading colds.
November 11th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Loved this podcast–very informative, back-to-the-basics reminders and ideas. Great for this time of year! Also good encouragement to keep taking your daily vitamin.
November 11th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
I really hope to boost up my immune system with some of these tips. I have already had to brutal colds this fall which tells me I am doing something wrong.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
It is a joke at our house, that although I keep my blood clean with a massive amount of ginger and garlic, I may be also destroying the fauna in my digestive track. Guess I need to beef up the probiotic intake to offset the madness.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
So far so good this this cold season. I daily take a powder multi + airborne and feel great! knock on wood.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Probiotics are so important with digestion and optimizing nutrition. Glad to see hear this getting some coverage.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Again this reaffirms my belief that Vitamin C is a magic gem, a diamond in the rough.
November 12th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
It is so nice to hear a podcast which supports natural ways to combat the flu. Theraflu is all I hear and I know this is not a good way to go. Natural lemon and ginger and garlic are great for boosting the immune system. Probiotics is a new one for me. thanks again.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Very neat to hear the role of White blood cells in immune system support, it makes sense. I agree that it is important to first support the immune system, prior to being exposed to viruses. If your system is healthy it really does have the innate ability to fight off invaders.
November 13th, 2009 at 7:41 am
Off to the store now, to pick up some more probiotics. My kids have taken these for 2 years with great results.
November 14th, 2009 at 10:23 am
WFM carries a Zinc chewable for kids which we have been using with our kids this season. The taste is a bit rough for them, believe it or not they actually prefer wellness formula to zinc :O
November 15th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Whiteblood cell count is so valuable for keeping us healthy.
November 15th, 2009 at 9:53 am
I hear what you are saying about multi-vitamins, but I feel like they tax the kidneys. Herbs seem like a better way to go.
November 15th, 2009 at 9:56 am
I saw the Elderberry signs in your store, they look great. My grandmother always told me that Elderberry wine has medicinal properties.
November 15th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Astragalus? I had never heard of this before…. I’ll look into it at your stores.
November 15th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Zinc is an interesting suggestion. I take source natural’s wellness formula which is a great way to get a big burst of immune defense in one stinky shot
November 15th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Great podcast, and very good timing… our house has been battling colds for the entire month.
November 15th, 2009 at 10:11 am
I just learned about Zinc last year. Seems to really help with my wellness.
November 15th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
200 viruses which can cause colds, wow!
November 15th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
I love the last tip! I sound like a broken record, telling my kids to wash wash wash their hands.
November 15th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
There is a great post here about the medicinal value of Elderberry:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambucus
November 15th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Boy the kids at our school have been very very sick lat month. 2 in 5 kids per class were out. Some had to go back to school before they were really over their flu and it just keep cycling. We have a bunch of signs up reminding people to wash their hands.
November 15th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Multi vitamins work great for me, not to mention they are colorful! I still try to get most of my vitamins from fresh veggies.
November 15th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Not sure if this is true or not, but I have heard liquid vitamins are much easier to assimilate for the body. I switched over to these about 6 months ago, not to say I can tell a difference one way or the other.
November 15th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Very good podcast. I wish you had a list of all the herbs and vitamins mentioned so I could print it out.
November 16th, 2009 at 5:39 am
I am surprised goldenseal and echinacea are not mentioned here. I supposed wellness formula considers these old standbys which are vital in immune system health.
November 16th, 2009 at 5:59 am
I like all of the info in this podcast. A lot of great information packed into a few minutes. Thanks.
November 16th, 2009 at 6:17 am
It is important, as you stated, to stay ahead of the game during flu seasons. Keep up on vitamins and keep those hands clean!
November 16th, 2009 at 6:43 am
I really enjoyed learning about your take on wellness. I agree it is so good to build up our immune systems before we are exposed to viruses.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
I agree with others here- it is important to support the system with Vitamin C especially in the winter when we naturally eat less citrus. Good job!
November 18th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Tis podcast is impressive. So much good info. I want to mention how impressed I am with your store staff. I asked some questions on a recent visit, about Arnica and the amount of knowledge they shared was brilliant!
November 18th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Multivitamin support is a very good way to balance out wellness-nutrition. Washing hands of course is the easiest way to help each other reduce the spread of viruses.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I noticed Malia Curran is on several of your podcasts. I enjoy the simplicity in which she delivers information for difficult subjects.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Great podcast, love the attention to Wellness!
November 19th, 2009 at 10:51 am
I am so happy to learn about natural remedies. It has been a tough cold season already this year.
November 19th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Great series! Vitamins and herbs are so much better then theraflu and cough syrups!
November 19th, 2009 at 10:54 am
My kids are crazy about the 365 gummy vitamins! Good thing to, they tried Flintstone Chewibles and actually contracted a big rash form the food die.
November 19th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Wash your hands moms-dads and kids! It is simple and it works!
November 19th, 2009 at 10:58 am
Glad to have found this podcast. I really value you the products and service at your stores, and if is good to see the same value online.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:01 am
I grew up with ginger tea being served to my brothers and sisters, even in the summer. I carry on this tradition. Not to say this is the only reason, for our good fortune and health, but I do believe it helps!
November 19th, 2009 at 11:03 am
Malia Curran is brilliant. I have listened for the last year and continue to come back for her knowledge.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:06 am
I appreciate the mention of simple action steps like washing hands, and taking vitamins. The healthier the herd, the better for all.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:26 am
I can’t say enough about Vitamin C. For young ones under 3 there is a great C+ cold formula which my girls really respond to, it is nothing short of amazing!
November 19th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Great podcast-good comments!
November 19th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Good follow up to Wellness 1. I noticed your store has disposable hand wipes by the front entrance. Good touch!
November 19th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Wash your hands friends. Garlic keeps the evil away as well!
November 20th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Thanks for yet another great podcast, and timely! I have been enjoying these for some time now, keep it up!
November 20th, 2009 at 9:54 am
I am getting really excited for the Holidays, but dreading the flight, I guess I am a germ freak. I will be building up my immune system prior to flying this year.
November 20th, 2009 at 1:06 pm