As soon as the chilling winter season begins, it seems like cold and flu season is lurking like a dark storm cloud, threatening to strike at any moment. Many may believe that catching a cold or the flu is just an inevitable part of the season. However, you can maintain your health and vitality by simply following a healthy diet, making smart lifestyle choices, and supplementing with natural solutions that help boost your immune system.
Cold vs. Flu: The Crucial Differences
It’s no wonder people often get confused between a cold and the flu, as they both are respiratory illnesses. However, they are caused by different viruses and come with varying degrees of severity.
Colds are generally mild, and the primary symptoms include nasal stuffiness, sneezing, and a runny nose. While adults and older children usually have little to no fever, infants and toddlers can experience a fever ranging from 100-102 degrees Fahrenheit. Additional symptoms of a cold may include a headache, cough, postnasal drip, burning eyes, muscle aches, or a decreased appetite.
The flu is much more severe and potentially life-threatening, especially for elderly people, newborn babies, and people with chronic illnesses. Symptoms of the flu include fever, body aches, fatigue, and a dry cough. Recovery usually takes about a week, but lingering symptoms like a cough and fatigue may persist beyond that period.
Building Your Immune System Through Lifestyle Choices
Keeping your immune system strong requires consistency as numerous factors can potentially weaken it: stress, chronic inflammation, exhaustion, a sedentary lifestyle, highly processed/refined foods, dehydration, and exposure to toxins. Here are some health-promoting habits that can help nurture not only your immune system but also your overall wellness:
Drink Up
Staying hydrated is crucial to ward off illnesses, as water makes up over half of your body mass. Hydration helps with the efficient transmission of crucial information within your body, and it also helps eliminate toxins and foreign invaders, making it easier to fight off infections.
Sleep Soundly
Deep, restorative sleep is vital for your body’s repair process. Numerous studies have shown that lack of adequate sleep can have severe consequences on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Following a regular sleep pattern helps regulate and strengthen your immune system.
Eat Healthily
A nutrient-rich diet full of fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins, and unprocessed foods is vital for maintaining optimal immune health. Foods that are high in nutrients are linked to increased immune activity, decreased oxidative stress, improved digestion, healthy inflammation response, healthy glucose metabolism, and better lipid profiles. High-quality protein sources include organic meat and poultry, wild fish, whole legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Natural Remedies for Immune Support
When it comes to boosting your immune system and preventing colds and flu, certain nutrients, herbs, and supplements can be valuable additions to your daily routine:
Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP)
Modified citrus pectin is a natural supplement made from citrus fruit peels that have been modified for enhanced absorption and bioactivity within the body. Studies show that MCP is a potent anti-cancer therapy, anti-inflammatory agent, and a safe chelator of heavy metals and toxins. Furthermore, it has been proven to significantly enhance immune function.
Medicinal Mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms are known to regulate immune function and combat infections. They naturally contain beta-glucan compounds that enhance immunity by boosting macrophage activity. Species that are particularly beneficial for immunity include reishi, cordyceps, maitake, and shiitake.
Herbal Formulas
Several potent herbs and herbal formulas can aid in immune support. Highly recommended options include the Chinese herbal formulas Yin Qiao San, Gui Zi Tang, Ge Gen Tang, and Padma Basic. Also, tonifying and adaptogenic herbs like astragalus, ginseng, and eleutherococcus (Siberian ginseng) can be useful on a preventive level or for combating symptoms once they have set in.
Vitamins and Minerals
Daily doses of vitamin C, vitamin D-3 (particularly during winter), and zinc have been shown to significantly boost the immune system. Zinc is also the essential mineral for the thymus gland’s health, which is responsible for managing immune function in the human body.
Final Thoughts
Lastly, don’t forget the most straightforward and most effective strategies: keep your distance from people who are sick, avoid touching your face, and wash your hands frequently. By combining these simple tactics with long-term natural cold and flu prevention methods, you and your family can stay healthy all year round.
