Food considerations.
Eating or avoiding the right or wrong foods plays an important role
in how your cold transpires. Keep in mind the following
food recommendations:
FOODS THAT
PROMOTE HEALING:
Drink plenty of water, up to 1 gallon a day. This
keeps your body properly hydrated and more strongly able to fight
off the virus.
Eat more light and easily digestible foods. These include
vegetable soups and salads, or fish or chicken that is lightly
cooked.
Eat plenty of garlic & onions, cayenne or other hot
peppers & spices. Anything that can make your eyes water will also
help clear cold-related congestion.
Pineapple juice diluted with an equal amount of water
contains a high amount of vitamin-C and helps break down mucus.
Drink this frequently throughout the day.
Another fruit high in vitamin-C is Grapefruit. It
helps keep your immune system strong by helping detoxify your liver,
which is your body's first line of defense for illnesses.
Chicken soup. This is not just an old folk remedy, it
actually does help.
If you have nausea or suffer from an upset stomach,
drink a cup of 7-up or ginger ale as needed.
FOODS TO AVOID:
Stay away from milk or other dairy products. These
may actually produce more mucus and make your congestion worse.
High in fat, hard to digest foods such as animal
meat, cheese or pastries.
Foods high in sugar or starch. Candy should
especially be avoided.
Can
dietary supplements prevent or treat colds?
Cold supplements.
It is important to combine a good diet with the proper nutritional supplements. Consider adding the following into your cold-fighting
regimen:
A)Vitamin-C
is an excellent way to both help prevent and reduce the severity of
a cold. It's good to take 1,000 mg of vitamin-C every day regardless
whether or not you have a cold. During a cold you should double your
intake to 2,000 mg per day.
B)
Zinc
lozenges (or you can use a
zinc supplement,
although it may not be as effective as lozenges). Make sure the lozenges contain as much as 20 mg
of zinc gluconate. Suck on these lozenges once every several hours
throughout the duration of the cold.
C)Camphor is a powerful
supplement that can alleviate the severity or duration of your cold
& its symptoms.
D) Use
plenty of
Vitamin-A
daily, about 25,000 IU, during the cold.
E) A good prevention supplement
is spirulina, as it helps
your immune system better ward off colds and flu.
Best Values We've Found.
Swanson Zinc Lozenges (w/ Vit. C)
Potent antioxidant combo-
reinforces your body's defenses, and can help cure your cold
more quickly. Fast-acting, great-tasting
naturally orange and lemon-flavored lozenges. Take every few
hours during the duration of your cold. Potent
lozenges- each deliver 25 mg of zinc and + 100 mg of vitamin
C.
Swanson Vitamin C (w/Rose Hips)
Fundamental free-radical
protection. Well know to help prevent colds, flu & sickness
as well as reduce symptoms. Each capsule delivers 500 mg of vitamin C
Fortified with 50 mg of rose hips to promote + absorption
and enhance antioxidant potency. 500 Mg., 100 Caps.
Herbal
cold remedies.
Use the following natural plant compounds to help prevent colds or
reduce their intensity:
A)
At the very beginning of the cold, take
echinacea.
Taken early this herb may prevent the cold from realizing its full
potential. Echinacea may also reduce how long the cold will last (taking
astragalus extract along
with echinacea may help alleviate cold symptoms more effectively).
B)
Use goldenseal to help reduce the amount of mucus associated with your
cold.
D)
Drink
anise tea
or elderberry tea frequently during the cold. If your cold includes an
upset stomach, try
mint tea.
Nasal passages may be cleared by drinking
sage tea.
E)Peppermint
oil may help reduce chest congestion when inhaled. Meanwhile nasal
congestion can be alleviated when using
eucalyptus oil as
aromatherapy.
F)Rhodiola
extract (when taken daily) may help prevent colds or flu by reducing
stress on the immune system.
G) Folk remedy:
Clear nasal passages by inhaling onion or garlic scented steam. Mix in
either chopped garlic or onion into a pot of water. Bring to a boil
and place your head over the steam.
Best Value We Found.
Swanson Superior Echinacea
Classic herbal support for the
immune system. Take at first sign of cold until symptoms
subside. Guaranteed 4% echinacosides. Combines 200 mg
standardized herb with 200 mg + whole herb powder. 200 Mg.,
60 Caps.
Nature's Way Goldenseal
Reinforces the body's immune
system. Great for reducing cold-related mucus. Convenient capsules deliver 400 mg of guaranteed
potency goldenseal extract. Standardized to 1.5% total
alkaloids. 400 Mg., 100 Caps.
Enzymatic Therapy Rhodiola
An energizing herbal boost for
your mind and body. Combats cold and sickness-causing mental and physical stress.
Take daily as prevention for weakened immune systems.
Standardized to contain 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside.
Delivered in all-natural all-vegetable clear UltraCaps. 40
Caps.
Consider a warm body bath or foot bath, either of which can ease cold
symptoms. Taking a steamy hot shower, using a
facial sauna or real
sauna may also help clear congestion. If you have a fireplace, sit
down facing it - not only is it warm but it's also meditative and
relaxing. Do any of these several times per day.
Indoor
climate considerations.
Keep
indoor temperatures moderate and steady.
Avoid extreme temperature variations such as walking from a hot shower
into a chilly house. Make sure
your home is not too dry.
Buy a decent
humidifier or a
cool mist vaporizer. Keeping the air in
your home moist will help clear cold related congestion and
sore
throats.
Listen
to your body. It's telling you to rest.
Rest.
Fight your urge to stay active - many people actually feel 'guilty'
laying down even when they're sick. The fact that you have a cold in
the first place may be because your body is worn down from not resting
enough before. Rest will help heal your cold symptoms more quickly.
Things
to keep nearby.
Keep a
tissue box near you at all times.
Always blow out mucus - swallowing it or holding it in is a sure way
to prolong your agony. Keep within reach
a quality
ear thermometer which takes your
temperature quickly. These work fast and accurately unlike the 'old
fashioned' mercury thermometers.
Use
this downtime to your advantage.
A)
Use this 'down time' for personal improvement.
Catch up on prayer or meditation, write a letter to a loved one or
make a letter to yourself jotting down ideas to improve your life.
Perhaps you can read a good
Anthony Robbins motivational book or
watch an inspirational
Wayne Dyer DVD video. The possibilities are endless - use
your imagination.
B)
Put in a really funny movie.
This will help take your mind off your cold symptoms at least for an hour or
two. Laughing may also help improve your attitude. Keeping a positive
attitude and just believing you can beat the cold can make your body
subconsciously defeat the virus more quickly.
...If
you insist on doing something ...
Though rest is
essential, you may feel 'guilty' just laying there and doing nothing. If you feel you must get up and do something, take a short (5 to 10
minute) slow walk outside. Not only will the fresh air invigorate your
senses and spirit but your circulation will also improve, possibly helping
clear out bodily stagnation such as congestion.
NOTE: Don't walk if
you feel TOO sick, if it's too cold, rainy or otherwise unpleasant.
On a similar note (and if the weather cooperates) just sit outside in
the sun breathing in the fresh air. This may make you mentally
stronger to handle your cold.
Final
word.
Avoid using antibiotics because they will not work against viruses.
Reduce nasal congestion by rubbing a strong aroma on your chest such
as Vicks. Keep your
feet warm at all times.
Wear
extra warm socks when outside of bed.
Also consider wearing socks when in bed.
*
Indicates price at the time of publishing.
Current price & product availability subject to change anytime without
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Disclaimer:
All statements provided on
this page have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration and may contain errors. The information contained
herein is not intended to replace or contradict any advice or
recommendations provided by a licensed medical professional or
clinical practitioner.
Please
exercise extreme caution and do your own additional due diligence
if you intend to use any or all information provided herein. Blezz.com assumes no responsibility
to the said effectiveness of any or all of the suggested tips, treatments or
potential cures listed on this page. Individual results may vary greatly depending on the user,
the current state of the users physical and/or mental health, age,
willpower or other contributing factors. You may also wish to consult with a
qualified professional before proceeding.]
Eat
well, become well.
