Natural Ways to avoid/relieve the Cold & Flu

January 7, 2019
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Presented by: Rick Walsh, Owner of Samaritan Senior Care – Contact us: 208-893-6099

 

Despite advancements in medical care and treatment, traditional western medicine has little to offer in the care and treatment of the common cold. The following are natural, inexpensive things you can do to help beat the cold/flu:

 

  1. Exercise – If all your symptoms are above your neck, such as sneezing, sniffling and watery eyes, then breaking out in a sweat is generally considered safe. Your immune system functions better when you exercise regularly and is a good preventative measure.
  2. Sleep – has a strong regulatory influence on your immune system
  3. Vitamin D(3) –  Low levels of vitamin D will significantly impair your immune response and make you far more susceptible to contracting colds, flu, and other respiratory infections, so it’s important to make sure your levels are optimized. colds and flu rates increase in the winter months because of limited access to sunlight on our skin.
  4. Reduce Sugar intake when sick, sugar lowers immune system response.
  5. Hydrogen Peroxide – helps reduce the duration of your cold/flu – put a few drops in your ear and let sit for a few minutes.  You must start treatment in the first 24 hours to have a significant impact on reducing the length of the cold.
  6. Apple Cider Vinegar – Cold viruses increase the acidity of your body. To fight the virus, take a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar each day. This reduces the acidity and apple cider vinegar has acetic acid that helps prevent the growth of viruses.
  7. Coconut oil has both antibacterial and antiviral properties, making it a great addition to your treatment and prevention of colds and the flu.13 Rub coconut oil over your skin. It is readily absorbed into your body and, as an added benefit, will soften your skin too. Add one-half teaspoon to your coffee or tea when you have a cold and cook with coconut oil.

 

Three Vitamins for Colds

 

1.Zinc

Zinc is nutritionally essential for immune function. Zinc lozenges and powder are available for use during a cold or the flu that can shorten the length of your cold if you have a slight deficiency.16 Your body uses these micronutrients in a balanced state. Too much zinc interferes with copper bioavailability and too much iron can reduce your absorption of zinc. Foods rich in zinc include lobster, oysters, beef, crab, pork, cashews, chickpeas, chicken and Swiss cheese.17

2.Vitamin C

There is evidence that this water-soluble vitamin will shorten the life of your cold. People with higher blood levels also have a lower risk of death from all causes. Typically the higher the dose the better but one is limited to a relatively small amount with oral vitamin C. You can go much higher with IV or liposomal C. I personally use liposomal vitamin C,  2-3 grams every few hours when I am sick, or when friends and family get sick.18

3.Vitamin D

This vitamin is important to prevent a cold and the flu, so it’s important to make sure your levels are optimized.

Low levels will significantly impair your immune response and make you far more susceptible to contracting colds, flu, and other respiratory infections.