I get a cold every September like clockwork, and like clockwork, I pass it on to loving husband — because sharing means caring.
And, like clockwork, when I get this cold I find myself at the health food store buying every herb, vitamin and tincture known to help provide relief.
So, this year I decided to get ahead of the game and ask two professionals what are some healthy and effective ways to get some reprieve for the common cold.
I interviewed two very popular, and established, naturopathic physicians in the Delta area, Dr. Heli McPhie from The Village Clinic (www.thevillageclinic.com) and Dr. Lisa Ghent (www.drlisaghent.com).
First, let’s address preventing a cold. Hand washing is king when it comes to cold prevention. While you don’t want your life going down the drain, you most certainly do want those germs to go down the drain.
Experts also recommend keeping your hands to yourself, or more specifically keep them away from your nose and eyes. These are the most common places for germs to get in.
Next, Dr. McPhie recommends living your life as healthy as possible.
Exercise, have a work/life balance, eat a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, and drink lots of water everyday. Yes, this is super boring, and something we probably already know deep down, but it is the healthiest way to prevent a cold (as well as a ton of other ailments, including staying above ground).
In addition to exercise and a whole foods diet (sorry, burgers and beer from the pub is not considered a whole food), she also recommends meditating 15 minutes a day.
Dr. McPhie explains that mediating has been has clinically shown to improve the immune system and cardiovascular health. Researchers hypothesize this is because people who meditate are less stressed and are more apt to follow a healthier lifestyle.
She explains that meditating is not a trend, unless you consider a trend something that’s been trending for over 5,000 years.
Her final recommendation to preventing a cold is her special Clinic Switchel drink. Every morning she recommends mixing four teaspoons of apple cider, two tablespoons organic maple syrup, ¼ fresh lemon squeezed and ¼ teaspoon grated ginger in 11 ounces of hot or cold water. This morning beverage will help support the immune system as well as alkalize the body (because a more acidic body can get sick easier).
If you do happen to catch a cold, no worries. Experts say that getting two to four colds a year is actually normal.
Dr. Ghent also recommends eating a diet rich in colourful vegetables and fruit as well as adequate sources of lean protein, while keeping the rest of your diet low sugar, yet high in hydration (the water kind, not the wine kind).
Additionally, Dr. Ghent often recommends an antioxidant immune boosting supplement, such as one that combines vitamins A, C and E along with key immune system co-factors like selenium and zinc.
For people who have lots of exposure to bugs, like teachers and health care workers, taking an additional supplement daily though the cold and flu season can be very helpful too.
It’s also a good call, Dr. Ghent says, to provide a barrier against the viruses and bacteria with healthy flora. This means taking a good quality probiotic, especially in the early fall months, to ensure that if bugs do get into your system, they can’t set up camp.
Both doctors emphasized minimizing stress in your life. Physiologically stress depresses our immune system, which makes us more susceptible to illness.
Dr. Ghent explains that typically people with a lot of stress aren’t sleeping well either, so it’s a double whammy. Their immune system is depressed and they don’t get the restful sleep they need to recharge and regenerate.
When all else fails, have some good, old fashioned herbal remedies on hand. Everyone gets a cold, so the key is helping your body bounce back quickly. Dr. Ghent personally has a few immune boosting herbs on hand that she starts to take as soon as she begins to feel any symptoms. These include echinacea, andrographis, astragulas and holy basil.
Oil of oregano is also great as a gargle for a sore throat.
Berberine, or goldenseal, she points out is also particularly potent and useful for more severe respiratory infections.
And there’s always garlic. This little gem is great for all types of colds and flus. Dr. Ghent recommends crushing one garlic clove and allowing it to sit for 10 minutes before consuming. This allows a chemical process to occur that makes the medicinal effects the most potent.
And finally, when you are sick, rest and don’t try to be a hero. Your body needs to fight the cold and requires rest to do so. Those around you will also thank you.
PJ Wren is a local trainer and writer who can be found at The Studio — Ladner’s award-winning fitness class studio. Visit www.thestudio.ca.
