By Dr. Mercola
Each year Americans catch more
than one billion colds, making the cold virus the most common infectious
disease in the United States. It's estimated that the average U.S. adult
typically has two to four colds each year, while children may have up to 12.
Colds account for more school absences and missed work than any other illness
and are the number one reason people visit their physicians -- even though most
physicians have little to offer in the form of treatment.
It's a widespread misconception
that colds are caused by bacteria. Colds are actually triggered by viruses,
which means if your physician prescribes you an antibiotic, it will be
absolutely useless. More on this shortly, but before I delve into simple
prevention and treatment strategies, it's important you know how colds are
contracted in the first place.
How Do You Catch a Cold?
The most common way cold viruses
are spread is not from being around coughing or sneezing, or walking barefoot
in the rain, but rather from hand-to-hand contact. For instance, someone with a
cold blows their nose then shakes your hand or touches surfaces that you also
touch. Cold viruses can live on pens, computer keyboards, coffee mugs, and
other objects for hours, so it's easy to come into contact with such viruses
during daily life.
However, the key to remember is
that just being exposed to a cold virus does not have to mean that you'll catch
a cold. If your immune system is operating at its peak, it should actually be
quite easy for you to fend off the virus without ever getting sick. On the
other hand, if your immune system is impaired, it's akin to having an open-door
policy for viruses—they'll easily take hold in your body. So the simple and
short answer is, you catch a cold due to a poorly functioning immune system.
There are many causes of a weakened immune system, but the more common factors
are:
1.
Eating too much sugar and too many grains
2.
Not getting enough rest
3.
Ineffectively managing emotional stresses in your daily life
4.
Vitamin D deficiency, as discussed below
5.
Any combination of the above
Vitamin D Deficiency: Another Reason You May 'Catch' a Cold
Research has confirmed that
"catching" colds and flu may actually be a symptom of an underlying vitamin
D deficiency. Vitamin D is a potent antimicrobial agent, producing 200 to
300 different antimicrobial peptides in your body that kill bacteria, viruses,
and fungi. Suboptimal vitamin D levels will significantly impair your immune
response and make you far more susceptible to contracting colds, influenza, and
other respiratory infections.
In the largest and most
nationally represented study of its kind to date, involving about 19,000
Americans, people with the lowest vitamin D levels reported having
significantly more recent colds or cases of the flu -- and the risk was even
greater for those with chronic respiratory disorders like asthma. At least five
additional studies also show an inverse association between lower respiratory
tract infections
and vitamin D levels.
The best source for vitamin D is
direct sun exposure. Even though for many of us, this just isn't practical
during the winter, every effort should be made to attain vitamin D from UVB
exposure as there are many additional benefits from this route other than
vitamin D. The next best option to sunlight is the use of a safe
indoor tanning device. If neither natural nor artificial sunlight is an
option, then using an oral vitamin D3 supplement is acceptable—just beware that
mounting evidence suggests supplements cannot compare to sun exposure, as UV
radiation provides a number of health benefits you cannot get from a
supplement.
Based on the latest research,
many experts now agree you need about 35 IU's of vitamin D per pound of body
weight. This recommendation also includes children, the elderly, and pregnant
women.
However, keep in mind that
vitamin D requirements are highly individual, as your vitamin D status is
dependent on numerous factors, such as the color of your skin, your location,
and how much sunshine you're exposed to on a regular basis. So, although these
recommendations may put you closer to the range of what most people likely
need, it is simply impossible to make a blanket recommendation that will cover
everyone's needs.
The only way to determine your
optimal dose is to get your blood tested. Ideally, you'll want to maintain a
vitamin D level of 50-70 ng/ml year-round.
For an in-depth explanation of
everything you need to know about determining your ideal vitamin D level,
please review my recommendations about vitamin D testing. I strongly recommend that you also
listen to my free one-hour vitamin
D lecture, which covers in detail the importance of vitamin D to your
overall health. The research is very clear. The higher your vitamin D level,
the lower your risk of contracting colds, flu, and other respiratory tract
infections.
How Long Do Colds Last … and How Can You Make Your Cold Go Away Faster?
Most uncomplicated colds last
between eight and nine days, but about 25 percent last two weeks, and five to
10 percent last three weeks. Even the most stubborn colds will typically
resolve in a few weeks' time; this is actually one of the ways you can
distinguish a cold from allergies. A cold will last, at most, a few weeks, but
allergy symptoms can last all season.
How quickly you bounce back is
typically defined by you and your collective lifestyle habits -- and this does not
mean popping over-the-counter cough and cold remedies or fever reducers. In
fact, as long as your temperature remains below 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9
degrees Celsius) there is no need to lower it. Cold viruses do not reproduce at
higher body temperatures, so a slight fever should help you get rid of the
virus quicker and help you to feel better much sooner.
You should avoid taking
over-the-counter pain-relief medications as well, as a study showed that people
who take aspirin and Tylenol (acetaminophen) suppress their body's ability to
produce antibodies to destroy the cold virus. Aspirin
has even been linked to lung complications including pulmonary edema, an
abnormal buildup of fluid in your lungs, when taken in excess. You should use
these medications only when absolutely necessary, such as if you have a
temperature greater than 105 degrees F (40.5 degrees C), severe muscle aches or
weakness.
Hydrogen Peroxide: A Simple Trick to Beat a Cold
I don't advise over-the-counter
medications, but one simple treatment you can try that is surprisingly
effective against upper respiratory infections is hydrogen peroxide. Many
patients at my Natural Health
Center have had remarkable results in curing colds and flu within 12 to 14
hours when administering a few drops of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into
each ear. You will hear some bubbling, which is completely normal, and possibly
feel a slight stinging sensation. Wait until the bubbling and stinging subside
(usually 5 to 10 minutes), then drain onto a tissue and repeat with the other
ear. A bottle of hydrogen peroxide in 3 percent solution is available at any
drug store for a couple of dollars or less. It is simply amazing how many
people respond to this simple, inexpensive treatment.
Dietary Strategies to Kick a Cold
If you feel yourself coming down
with a cold or flu, this is NOT the time to be eating ANY sugar, artificial
sweeteners, or processed foods. Sugar is particularly damaging to your immune
system -- which needs to be ramped up, not suppressed, in order to combat an
emerging infection. So, if you are fighting a cold, you'll want to avoid all
sugar like the plague, and this includes sugar in the form of fruit juice and
even grains (which break down as sugar in your body).
Ideally, you must address
nutrition, sleep, exercise, and stress the moment you first feel yourself
getting a bug. This is when immune-enhancing strategies will be most effective.
When you're coming down with a cold, it's time to address ALL of the
contributing factors immediately, which includes tweaking your diet in favor of
foods that will strengthen your immune response. Those factors are outlined in
the table that follows.
Raw, grass-fed organic milk, and/or high-quality whey
protein
|
Fermented foods such as raw kefir, kimchee, miso,
pickles, sauerkraut, etc., which are rich in probiotics,
or good bacteria. Scientific research shows that 80 percent of your immune
system resides inside your digestive tract, so eating probiotic-rich foods or
taking a high-quality probiotic will help support your immune health.
|
Raw, organic eggs from free-ranging, preferably local,
chickens
|
Grass-fed beef
|
Coconuts and coconut oil
|
Animal-based omega-3
fats, such as krill oil
|
Locally grown fruits and vegetables, appropriate for your nutritional type
|
Mushrooms, especially Reishi, Shiitake, and Maitake, which
contain beta glucans (which have immune-enhancing properties)
|
Garlic, a potent antimicrobial that kills bacteria,
viruses, and fungi. Ideally this should be in fresh form, eaten raw and
crushed with a spoon just before eating.
|
Herbs and spices with high ORAC
scores: Turmeric, oregano, cinnamon, and cloves.
|
Make sure you are drinking plenty of fresh, pure water.
Water is essential for the optimal function of every system in your body, and
will help with nose stuffiness and loosening secretions. You should drink
enough water so that your urine is a light, pale yellow.
|
Chicken Soup. Yes, it does work! Chicken contains
a natural amino acid called cysteine, which can thin the mucus in your lungs
and make it less sticky so you can expel it more easily. Processed, canned
soups won't work as well as the homemade version, however. For best results,
make up a fresh batch yourself (or ask a friend or family member to do so)
and make the soup hot and spicy with plenty of pepper. The spices will
trigger a sudden release of watery fluids in your mouth, throat, and lungs,
which will help thin down the respiratory mucus so it's easier to cough up
and expel.
|
Three Cold-Busting Lifestyle Strategies
Vitamin D, check! Hydrogen
peroxide, check! Healthy diet, check! We've covered several of the primary
"weapons" you should have in your cold-fighting arsenal, but there
are others, too.
1.
High-Quality Sleep and Plenty of It: Pay
attention to how you are sleeping. If you aren't getting enough sleep, or
enough restorative sleep, you'll be at increased risk for a hostile viral
takeover. Your immune system is strongest when you're not sleep-deprived.
2.
Regular Exercise: Regular exercise is a
crucial strategy for increasing your resistance to illness. There is evidence
that regular, moderate exercise can reduce your risk for respiratory illness by
boosting your immune system. In fact, one study found that people who exercised
regularly (five or more days a week) cut their risk of having a cold by close
to 50 percent. And, in the event they did catch a cold, their symptoms were
much less severe than among those who did not exercise.
Exercise likely cuts your risk
of colds so significantly because it triggers a rise in immune system cells
that attack potential invaders. Each time you exercise you can benefit from
this boost to your immune system. Ideally, establish a regular fitness program
(such as Peak Fitness) now, to help
you ward off colds and other illness.
However, if you're already
feeling sick, don't overdo it. Over-exercising can actually place more stress
on your body, which can suppress your immune system -- and you don't want that
either. You might just go for a walk if you are coming down with a cold, or
simply tone down your regular workout. Any rise in body temperature will be an
unwelcome climate for a viral invader though, so some exercise is likely to be
beneficial.
3.
Address Your Emotional Stress: Emotional
stressors can also predispose you to an infection while making cold
symptoms worse. Finding ways to manage daily stress will contribute to a
strong and resilient immune system. My favorite stress buster is the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a system
that helps balance your body's subtle energies and repair emotional
"short-circuits." EFT may even help you overcome cold symptoms.
Supplements That Send Pathogens Packin'
Supplements can be beneficial for
colds, but they should be used only as an adjunct to the lifestyle measures
already discussed. Some of the more helpful options for cold (and flu) -- above
and beyond vitamin D – are listed in the following table.
Zinc: When taken within the one day of
the first cold symptoms, zinc
can reduce the duration of your cold by about 24 hours and reduce the
severity of your symptoms, according to a Cochrane Review of 15 clinical
trials
|
Vitamin
C: A very potent antioxidant; use a natural form such as
acerola, which contains associated micronutrients. You can take several grams
every hour till you are better, unless you start developing loose stools.
|
Oregano Oil: The higher the carvacrol
concentration, the more effective it is. Carvacrol is the most active
antimicrobial agent in oregano oil.
|
Propolis:
A bee resin and one of the most broad-spectrum antimicrobial compounds in the
world; propolis is also the richest source of caffeic acid and apigenin, two
very important compounds that aid in immune response and even fight cancer.
|
A tea made from a combination of elderflower,
yarrow, boneset, linden, peppermint and ginger: drink it hot and
often for combating a cold or flu. It causes you to sweat, which is helpful
for eradicating the virus from your system.
|
Olive
leaf extract: Ancient Egyptians and Mediterranean cultures used
it for a variety of health purposes, and it is widely known as a natural,
non-toxic immune system builder.
|
Remember This Tip: Wash Your Hands Sensibly
Washing your hands frequently is
one of the easiest ways to wipe out germs and viruses and reduce your chances
of becoming sick. Thorough hand
washing truly is an important preventative measure, as you are at far
greater risk of passing on an infection by shaking someone's hand than by
sharing a kiss. One report found that regular hand washing may be even more
effective than drugs in preventing the spread of respiratory viruses, such as
influenza.
When you wash up, plain soap and
water will do. Do not make the mistake of using antibacterial cleansers, as
their widespread use is leading to strains of resistant bacteria or
"superbugs," which cause the ingredients to lose effectiveness for
the times when they really are needed, such as for surgeons prior to surgery.
Furthermore, the active ingredient in most antibacterial products is triclosan,
an antibacterial agent that kills bacteria and inhibits bacterial growth. Not
only does triclosan kill bacteria, it's also been shown to kill human cells.
Antibacterial soaps are no more
effective than regular soaps. And one study found people who used antibacterial
soaps and cleansers developed cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever, vomiting,
diarrhea, and other symptoms just as often as people who used products that did
not contain antibacterial ingredients. So, there is absolutely no reason to use
antibacterial soap when plain soap is safer, and just as effective
Too Much Hand-Washing Can Backfire
There is another important caveat
to remember. Your skin—not the soap—is actually your primary defense against
bacteria. Resist the urge to become obsessive about washing your hands. If you
wash them too frequently, you can actually extract many of your skin's
protective oils, causing your skin to crack and bleed. It is rare for a germ on
your skin to cause a problem -- it is typically only an issue when you transfer
that to your nose, mouth, or an open wound, like cracked skin. Therefore,
excessive hand washing can actually be counterproductive by providing
potentially dangerous pathogens an entry into your body.
Avoid the Antibiotics!
More than 300 different viruses
can cause colds, so each time you have a cold it is caused by a distinct virus
(i.e. adenovirus, rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus, coronavirus). A virus is
much smaller than a bacteria; it is a tiny cluster of genetic material
surrounded by a protein wrapper.
There are currently NO drugs
available that can kill these viruses. Antibiotics, including penicillin, do
not have any effect on viruses, but unfortunately have been vastly
over-prescribed for this very (useless) purpose. That, coupled with the
excessive use of antibiotics in livestock, has contributed to a steep rise in
antibiotic-resistant diseases. Antibiotic-resistant infections now claim more
lives each year than the "modern plague" of AIDS and cost the
American health care system some $20 billion a year!
Furthermore, according to one
meta-analysis, the health risk from overuse of antibiotics is also a very personal one, as
opposed to simply raising the occurrence of antibiotic resistance in the
general population over time. Whenever you use an antibiotic, you're increasing
your susceptibility to an antibiotic-resistant infection -- and you can become
the carrier of this resistant bug and spread it to others.
When Should You Call Your Physician?
Sinus, ear, and lung infections
(bronchitis and pneumonia) CAN be bacterial, and if so, may respond to
antibiotics. If you develop any of the following symptoms, these are signs you
may be suffering from a bacterial infection rather than a cold, and you should
call your physician's office:
·
Fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 degrees
Celsius)
·
Ear pain
·
Pain around your eyes, especially with a green nasal
discharge
·
Shortness of breath or a persistent uncontrollable
cough
·
Persistently coughing up green and yellow sputum
Generally speaking, however, if
you have a cold, medical care is not necessary. Rest and attention to the
lifestyle factors noted above will help you to recover quickly and, if you stick
to them, will significantly reduce your chances of catching another one anytime
soon.
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