Welcome to The Local Wellness Connection with Dr. B.J. Hardick 🌿

Black Friday means one thing - winter is just around the corner and taking care of your immune system is important to help you enjoy all of the holiday festivities coming up. I also share an exciting new location opening for a local store in London - Jaydancin!

Seasonal Strength

How I’m Supplementing Through Late Fall & Winter 2025

Your guide to staying strong and resilient through the busiest, most draining months of the year.

By this point in the year in London, ON, it doesn’t feel like “fall” anymore — it feels like holiday season, which for most people means:

• Later nights
• More sugar and alcohol
• Heavier meals
• Higher stress
• Busy calendars
• Less sunlight
• Less routine

This is the exact combination that leaves many people feeling rundown by mid-December and sick in January. It’s not the cold itself — it’s how out of sync our lifestyles become.

Because of that, my supplement routine becomes more intentional from November through March, focusing on a few well-researched supports that help keep my system steady when demands are highest.

Why This Season Challenges Resilience

Research consistently shows that colder months challenge immune strength due to:

Reduced Sunlight

Vitamin D synthesis drops dramatically at our latitude, impacting immunity, mood, and inflammation. A large meta-analysis found vitamin D supplementation lowered the risk of respiratory infections, especially in those who were deficient.¹

Higher Sugar Intake

Sugar temporarily suppresses immune cell activity and depletes minerals like zinc and vitamin C.

Sleep Disruption & Stress

Even a single short night reduces natural killer cell activity the next day.² The holiday season is full of irregular bedtimes and emotional stressors.

Indoor Air & Close Contact

Spending more time indoors increases exposure to recycled air and decreases natural microbial variability.

This is why intentional support matters now more than ever.

My Core Seasonal Supplement Stack (November thru March)

Below is exactly what I take this time of year — simple, strategic, and research-backed.

1. Vitamin D3 (with K2) — Daily Non-Negotiable

A must-have in northern climates through late fall and winter.

Why I use it:

• Supports immune regulation
• Helps maintain healthy inflammatory balance
• Supports mood and circadian rhythm during low-light months

Research: Vitamin D supplementation has been shown to reduce respiratory infection risk in those with inadequate levels.

This is the exact product I use - Emulsi-D3 Synergy™

2. Vitamin C — Daily Steady Support

Stress, travel, and heavier eating deplete vitamin C more quickly.

Why I use it:

• Supports white blood cell function
• Helps regenerate antioxidants in the body
• Protects tissues from seasonal oxidative stress

Research: Regular vitamin C intake shortens the duration and severity of upper respiratory infections.

This is the exact product I use - Stellar C™

3. Zinc — Strategic, Not High-Dose Daily

Zinc works best at the first sign of feeling run-down, rather than continuously at high doses.



How I personally take it:

• Low-dose maintenance OR
• Short-term higher dose at onset of seasonal stress

This is the exact product I use - Zinc Supreme™

4. NAC (N-Acetylcysteine) — My Winter Anchor

One of the most underrated winter nutrients.

Why I use it:

• Supports glutathione, the body’s primary antioxidant
• Helps maintain respiratory resilience
• Counteracts oxidative stress from late nights, travel, and heavy schedules

Research: NAC supplementation decreased frequency and severity of winter respiratory symptoms in controlled trials

This is the exact product I use - N-Acetyl-Cysteine

5. Botanical Support: Immunitone by Designs for Health

Instead of mixing individual herbs like echinacea, astragalus, and reishi, I personally use Immunitone, a comprehensive seasonal-support formula that bundles the botanicals I trust most.



It includes:

• Echinacea
• Astragalus
• Reishi
• Elderberry
• And additional immune-supportive herbs and nutrients

Why I use it:

• Provides broad-spectrum immune support
• Combines time-tested botanicals in a single formula
• Easy to increase during high-exposure periods

There are many herbal blends on the market — this is simply the one I rely on, and it’s one we carry in-office for convenience.

This is the exact product I use - Immunitone Plus™

My Seasonal Lifestyle Anchors

Supplements work best when routine supports them. Through the holiday season, I focus on:

• Getting outside daily (even if it's cold)
• Prioritizing protein
• Reducing the “sugar creep” between events
• Protecting sleep whenever possible
• Building rest days into a packed schedule

These small habits are the real secret to entering January with energy rather than exhaustion.

If you're interested in learning more about these supplements, check out our Nutrition Store located in Hardick Chiropractic Centre for our sale (more information below!)

Our Nutrition Store is Having a Sale

Enjoy 20% off the entire Nutrition Store this week only!

Stock up for yourself or grab some for your friends and family

Visit us at Hardick Chiropractic Centre, or call or contact Kim@hardickchiropractic.com

In the Community

Jaydancin Opens a New Location

When I started hosting seminars many years ago, I have included Jaydacin as a Community Partner right from the start. Jaydancin offers locally made, quality, clean and thoughtful products for skin care.

A new location opens this weekend in Westmount Shopping Center

Enjoy their grand opening this weekend with prizes and special and unique gifts for you and people you know!

This information is provided for non-diagnostic and educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. This information should not be considered complete, nor should it be relied upon to suggest a course of treatment for a particular individual. Dr. B.J. Hardick is a Doctor of Chiropractic and is not a Medical Doctor. You should not use this information or information on Dr. Hardick’s website to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, or to determine your need for medication or treatment. Always consult your healthcare professional before adjusting any diet, exercise or medical regimens.

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links and discount codes in this newsletter are for affiliate partnerships. This means I may receive a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. I only share products I personally use and trust.