Beat the Odds: Dodge Cold & Flu Season

The winter can be a fun-filled season, until you catch a virus! The cold and flu are two of the most common illnesses contracted during the winter. Getting the flu vaccine could greatly help reduce the likelihood of getting sick; but, the flu vaccine will only protect you from three or four strains of the flu virus. There are countless strains of the flu; the number of strains will always increase with time.

While getting the flu shot is generally effective in preventing the flu (it was around 50% effective last year), it is crucial to take other precautions to avoid catching not only the flu, but similar viruses and common colds; any kind of sickness is no fun to deal with!

The Nature of Health created a fun, informative video to help you prepare for the winter season! The video below provides you with 8 useful tips to avoid getting sick; a few of the tips can also be used to help get rid of a virus very fast!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6zbSEBHH9M

For more in depth explanations of each tip and for more information, keep reading!

Tip #1: Wash Your Hands

I have always been one to suggest playing in the dirt, as exposing yourself to germs builds your immune system. During the colder months of the year; however, taking extra precautions to protect yourself is necessary.

Always wash your hands before and after eating. Try not to touch your face. Try your best to avoid shaking hands with people because you'll never know if they coughed into their hands or have come in contact with a virus. Try to avoid people who are sick; if you can't, wash you hands whenever you can.

Of course, completely avoiding physical contact with others is near impossible, especially with those who you are close with. Keep in mind that washing your hands twenty times a day will probably dry them out, especially in the cold weather. Excessive hand washing can also make you more vulnerable to getting sick.There is no need to turn into a germ freak during the winter; but, becoming more aware of what can get you sick and taking precautions as needed could save you a week or two of feeling horrible.

Tip #2: Take Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the most known supplements to help prevent catching colds; however, it does not work miracles. Oddly, vitamin C has shown to reduce the likelihood of getting sick by about 50% for those who are physically active, particularly athletes who exercise in cold weather.

Vitamin C has been thought to activate white blood cells, which fight off viruses. This is how it is believed to help prevent or treat viruses. Studies that have tested the effectiveness of vitamin C in treating colds have been inconclusive. Dr. Harri Hemilä from the University of Helsinki, Finland, conducted a study to see if vitamin C reduced the duration of the common cold. According to the results of the study, colds were shortened by 19% when patients were given 8 grams of vitamin C. Dr. Hemilä has mentioned that the vitamin C dose for colds should be over 15 grams a day; however, this has not been tested. NCBI conducted a study that tested the effectiveness of vitamin C and found that while taking it in higher doses is more beneficial than in lower doses, its ability to prevent colds can not been confirmed.

Emergen-C is a great dietary supplement to take, as it supports the immune system. It primarily contains a high dose of vitamin C; it also contains Zinc and other beneficial vitamins and minerals.

The Nature of Health highly suggests taking vitamin C in addition to taking other precautions, as it will not work wonders on its own. Vitamin C is mostly beneficial in reducing the symptoms and duration of a cold when taken in high doses.

Tip #3: Go to the Gym

If you're looking for an effective way to avoid getting sick while looking and feeling your best at the same time, exercise regularly! When your blood is pumping, white blood cells travel through your body faster; this means that they are working harder to keep you immune.

Exercise can also reduce sickness duration and severity. While the odds of catching a virus when you exercise regularly is nearly cut in half, a study of 1,000 people found that those who were more fit or active reported a decrease in the severity of symptoms by 31-41%.

Exercise of any type is beneficial; but, the best form of exercise to keep your immune system strong are endurance and aerobic workouts; any type of exercise that gets your heart pumping will help! Running the treadmill or punching the bag are great endurance workouts; you can come up with your own exercise plan or even take a fun class!

If you do catch a virus, exercising while sick could help your immune system fight it off sooner. The Nature of Health only recommends doing this if you feel up to it. If you have a cough or if you have any symptoms that affect your body below the head area, we do not recommend exercising.

Tip #4: Avoid Junk Food

Who would have thought that your body could see junk food as a virus? When you have a poor diet, your immune system is more aggressive. Not only does this result in significant health issues, such as type two diabetes and vascular diseases; but, it also trains your immune system to focus on fighting against junk food.

A study at the University of Bonn showed the lasting effects of a poor diet on the immune system. According to its findings, the body is in defense mode even after a healthy diet is implicated. The connection between junk food and catching viruses is that junk food trains your immune system to fight against junk food, when it should really be focusing on fighting against viruses. Eliminating junk food from your diet will allow your immune system to reprogram itself; your immune system should not be fighting against the food you consume.

Implicating more fruits and vegetables into your diet will greatly help keep your immune system strong. The vitamins and minerals we need can be easily obtained from produce products. Selecting foods that offer nutritional benefits will also give you more energy and make you feel stronger.

Tip #5: Take Fire Cider

Fire cider is a fermented homeopathic remedy; you can make it yourself or purchase a bottle of Fire Cider - Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey Tonic. It contains all natural ingredients that all have incredible benefits; when combined, it's a powerhouse of remedies. One of its most popular uses is for preventing viruses, as it is anti-viral. Several of its ingredients are specifically known to be anti-viral; garlic, peppers, ginger, onions, and apple cider vinegar are all useful in boosting the immune system. There are a number of studies that have been done on the antiviral potential of garlic and onions. Horseradish is a decongestant and honey provides relief for a sore throat.

The recommended daily dose is one TBSP. If you have already caught the cold or flu, take 1-2 TBSP of fire cider 3 times a day for symptom relief and to shorten the duration of the sickness. Try to avoid taking fire cider on an empty stomach, as it can cause stomach upset.

Personally, I have taken fire cider when I began to feel the onset of a virus. I felt symptomatic for two days, and then it completely disappeared. In the past, I would always be sick for at least 1-2 weeks and the symptoms were unbearable, since my immune system isn't too strong. I credit the fire cider, as well as another homeopathic remedy called virattack for shortening the duration of my virus and relieving the symptoms.

Fire cider also aids in digestion, lowers blood sugar, fights off cravings, and assists in regulating metabolic function; it helps many people lose weight and it boosts energy levels. Its natural antibacterial properties also help fight off and prevent bacterial infections. Fire cider is also high in antioxidants which further help reduce the risk of infections and keep your heart healthy; the list of benefits can go on!

Tip #6: Take Virattack

Virattack is an herbal tincture that is plant-based. It contains the ingredients: lemon balm leaf, St. John's Wort, echinacea root, lomatium root, and olive leaf. All of these ingredients provide immune support; and can therefor, help prevent viruses and fight them off.

It is recommended to take virattack 2-4 times a day if you are at high risk of catching a virus (if you work around a lot of people, live at school, work in the medical field, etc). The Nature of Health recommends taking it twice a day if you think you may have been exposed, and 3 or 4 times a day if you feel sick.

If you are taking hormonal birth control, Virattack could make it ineffective. St. John's Wort has been known to interfere with birth control. NCBI conducted a study on this, which concludes that St. John's Wort does decrease the effectiveness of contraceptives. If you still take virattack while on birth control, you will not have any side effects; just proceed with caution and understand that you may not be protected from pregnancy until your next cycle.

Tip #7: Do Not Over Stress

Most cases of the cold and flu are not due to over stressing; however, stressing too much weakens your immune system and can put you at a much higher risk of catching a virus. Do you ever wonder why some people manage to get sick all the time while others don't? Many of them are likely over stressed.

To help cope with the stresses of every day life, allow yourself some time for enjoyable activities. Whether it be drawing, playing an instrument, watching television, or writing, finding an activity that you enjoy helps reduce stress.

If you struggle with relaxing, consider giving meditation or hypnosis a try. Both can help clear your mind. Also, calming magnesium could help with relaxation. While exercising these tips will not directly prevent you from becoming sick, finding relief from stress could help put your immune system back on track.

Tip #8: Wear Warm Clothes

As children, we have always been told by our parents to wear warm enough clothes during the winter season. Not only could failing to do so be extremely uncomfortable; but, it could greatly increase the likelihood of getting sick.

Researchers at Yale University conducted a study that found that when the body maintains a healthy body temperature, it fights off viruses more easily and the viruses cannot replicate as well. When the body is at a cooler temperature, the immune system does not perform as well.

Enzymes that attack viral genes are also more active in warmer conditions than they are in cooler conditions.

Based on this and for your overall comfort, put on a coat! When the winter season fully hits, wear long sleeves, warm pants, a coat, hats, gloves, scarves, and boots as a routine. Leave your stylish Hawaiian shirt in the drawer and don't touch it until April!

The Takeaway

Keep in mind that there are so many supplements that you can take to help prevent and fight viruses; I only named a few because there are way too many! Another great remedy for a cold that I must mention is elderberry. I would have mentioned it in the list; however, elderberry is heavily aimed at treating colds rather than preventing them. Hopefully with taking as many precautions as possible to avoid getting sick, you won't need to consider taking elderberry for the treatment of colds!

Always remember to put your health first; if you do end up catching a virus and need to rest, take the time you need (especially if it's the flu).

We hope you found these tips useful. You may have already known of a few of them; but sometimes as humans, we forget to apply common sense to our every day lives, especially when we need it most. Let these tips serve as a reminder to stay warm and healthy this season!