Written by Saema – Resident Naturopath at Choice Pharmacy
When preparing for your next adventure, it’s crucial to keep your health in mind. Travel can sometimes trigger or worsen certain conditions such as heartburn, IBS, constipation, diarrhoea, eczema, shingles, allergies, and cold sores. To ensure you stay healthy and comfortable on your trip, here’s a guide to must-have health essentials.
1. Boost Your Immune System
Traveling exposes you to new environments, which means encountering new germs and viruses. Strengthening your immune system before and during travel can help you stay well.
Immune-Supporting Supplements: Consider supplements that include Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Zinc. For those prone to cold sores, Lysine can help keep outbreaks at bay.
2. Protect Your Digestive Health
Digestive issues like travellers’ diarrhoea are common when visiting areas with different sanitation standards or where food and water safety may be a concern.
Travelan: This supplement is ideal for high-risk regions such as Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. It helps reduce the occurrence of travellers’ diarrhoea and alleviate symptoms like abdominal cramping and gastrointestinal discomfort. It also supports your immune defence and maintains gastrointestinal health.
Probiotics: Start taking probiotics, particularly the SB strain (Saccharomyces boulardii), a few days before travel to strengthen your digestive system and prevent diarrhoea.
Digestive Enzymes: These supplements help your body break down and digest food, preventing digestive discomfort. Lactase or other digestive enzymes are particularly useful if you’re prone to gut issues.
3. Stay Relaxed and Energized
Travel can disrupt your sleep and energy levels, so pack the right supplements to keep you balanced.
Magnesium: This mineral helps promote relaxation and can improve your sleep routine, which is especially helpful when adjusting to new time zones.
Activated B or Multi-Vitamin: Keep up your energy levels with a multivitamin that includes activated B or multi-vitamins, which are easier for your body to absorb and use.
4. Combat Motion Sickness and Digestive Discomfort
Long journeys can lead to nausea or an upset stomach, but natural remedies like ginger can help.
Ginger: A well-known remedy for motion sickness, ginger is also effective in relieving digestive discomfort. It’s traditionally used to treat nausea, flatulence, and indigestion.
5. Support Circulation and Hydration
Long flights or car rides can lead to poor circulation and dehydration. Be prepared with compression socks and electrolytes.
JOBST Compression Socks: These improve blood circulation and reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) during long periods of sitting. They also promote leg health and comfort.
Electrolytes: Pack electrolyte sachets to prevent dehydration, especially if you’re prone to diarrhoea or gastroenteritis.
6. Manage Allergies and Motion Sickness
Allergies and motion sickness can quickly ruin a trip, but the right medications can help you stay comfortable.
Antihistamines: Effective at preventing both allergies and motion sickness, antihistamines are a must-have for any travel kit.
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Need Help Packing Your Travel Health Kit?
Contact our pharmacy for personalized recommendations. Whether it’s immune support, digestive health, or circulation aids, we’ve got you covered for your next trip.
If you have any more questions, book in for a 15 mins free consultation or a full consultation with our naturopath.
You can book our naturopath for in-store consultation online or e-mail to naturopath@choicepharmacy.com.au to organise a zoom consultation.
