With the New Year comes not only resolutions, but the inevitable cold. Each year, like clockwork, cold and flu season peaks in January, leaving in its wake tired bodies, scratchy throats and chronic coughing. When a cold strikes, the sick are often puzzled on what helps and what is useless in helping the body fight a cold.
Now consumers may be wondering if they should count on cough syrups and cough drops to relieve their agony. A new report by the American College of Chest Physicians questions the effectiveness of these, suggesting that their key ingredients either may not work or are given in too low of a dose to be effective. The new findings may confuse Americans even more on how to fight a cold. However, some tried and true practical advice can go a long way in this regard.
"Since most Americans catch two to four colds a year, knowing what actually helps fight a cold is important," says Mehmet Oz, M.D., professor at Columbia University and co-author of the New York Times bestseller "YOU: The Owner's Manual" (HarperCollins, 2005). "Several studies suggest chicken soup and vitamin C shorten the duration and severity of a cold. Once the coughing and sneezing starts, grab a glass of 100 percent orange juice and heat up some of your Mom's chicken soup."
One of the most powerful antioxidants, vitamin C is also key to supporting the immune system's ability to fight colds and flu in the first place. Vitamin C helps neutralize free radicals (harmful elements naturally occurring within the body and through environmental factors) to help fight cell and tissue damage that could lead to infections and diseases. The vitamin is found naturally in citrus fruits and juices, as well as green peppers, tomatoes and broccoli.
Other Immune Boosting Tips Suggested By Dr. Oz
Dr. Oz suggests ways to boost the immune system to help prevent a cold because, after all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure:
-- Choose nutrient-rich foods: Include nutrient-dense foods rich with flavanoids, folate, vitamin C, potassium and magnesium into every meal. According to recent medical research, the link between nutrition and one's health works two ways: Poor nutrition can lead to chronic inflammation (the body's natural defense against disease) thereby weakening the immune system to open the door to an array of illnesses. Or, eating a healthy diet can help reduce inflammation and boost the immune system overall. -- Stay active: Strengthen the body's immune system with moderate physical activity. Variety is important to keep the entire body healthy. Simply walking 30 minutes every day is the best way to get started on an active routine. -- Socialize: Create a strong social network to raise the level of the body's immune system. Depression has been linked to infection, presumably because depression inhibits the fighting ability of T cells.(1) Boost your immune system through community involvement, and time with your friends and family. -- Manage stress: The way people respond to stress impacts their health. The more stressed, the greater the risk of accidents, infection and arterial aging.(2) Reduce stress by getting out of the situation. Rest and relaxation are also good stress reducers.
