Traveling should be relaxing and enjoyable. Unfortunately, it can also be hard on your body. Recycled air on flights exposes you to cold and flu germs and jet lag can make you lose valuable days of vacation time. And, eating foods that you are not used to can also cause digestive distress. Being prepared before you travel can make the difference between a miserable trip and a memorable one.

Here are some supplements that will make your life a little better while you travel.

1. Melatonin

Plane travel may interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates our sleep-wake cycles. This might explain why airplane travel disrupts our sleeping patterns and why it takes a while for us to adjust to a new time zone. Studies suggest that melatonin doubles the speed at which your body adjusts to the new time zone. For that reason, take melatonin for half the number of days as time zones you crossed, plus one. For example, if you travel six time zones, take Melatonin for 3+1=4 days, with maybe just a half dose on the last day. Start taking melatonin the day you arrive at your destination.

2. Probiotics

“Friendly” bacteria that normally live in the intestinal tract can be destroyed or depleted by stress, dietary changes, or from coming in contact with foreign bacteria while traveling. Therefore , it is very important to take probiotics to help maintain optimal intestinal health and immunity. Probiotics such as Pathway SUPREMA-DOPHILUS may be helpful for diarrhea caused by bad bacteria or from taking antibiotics. SUPREMA-DOPHILUS is an advanced combination of seven species of beneficial bacteria to give you a complete probiotic formula. Each capsule is enteric-coated to insure survivability and is also shelf stable, so there is no need for refrigeration when traveling.

3. Relaxation Formula

Traveling can be very stressful. To help calm your nerves during anxious travel moments, use Pathway RELAXATION SUPPORT. This formula is a blend of relaxing herbs, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to gently quiet the mind and body, allowing for rest and relaxation. Pathway RELAXATION SUPPORT has two unique patented ingredients, Relora® and SunTheanine®, to calm, focus, and relax you without making you drowsy.

4. Zinc

At the first sign of a scratchy throat, get soothing relief while also strengthening your immune system by sucking on a zinc lozenge. Pathway ZINC LOZENGES contain zinc, vitamin C, slippery elm and bee propolis for maximum immune protection. These vitamins, minerals, and herbs keep viruses from penetrating deep into the body. Pathway ZINC LOZENGES are convenient for travel and are great tasting, too.

Tags: melatonin, probiotics, relaxation, travel, zinc

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 at 2:45 pm and is filed under Health Concerns, Nutritional Supplements, Stress Management & Lifestyle. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.