Heading into the new year brings with it a void of runny noses, tickly throats, and full sinuses. With spring still a distant prospect, we are still faced with chilly mornings and the ability to only breathe out of one nostril.
However, noticing the early signs and making preparations can help avoid these annoying symptoms. Building up your immune system before the temperatures begin their annual plummet could benefit you. Whether you avoid the cold altogether or if you simply reduce the amount of time spent feeling unwell, give some of these tips a go and maintain full health this winter season!
Vitamin Supplements
Contrary to popular belief, stocking up on vitamins when you’ve caught a cold isn’t going to do much. Vitamins are there to support your normal cell function, which can involve aspects such as your immune system. While not everybody will commit to taking them every day, some people do find a benefit from taking certain types.
If you have a healthy balanced diet, you’ll likely be getting your vitamin intake from food, so won’t need to take a handful of vitamins every day. But it’s good to be aware of the types that are commended for their immune system saving abilities if you want to build your body’s defences up, whether you choose to consume it in its tablet form or in your day to day diet.
Supporting Bodily Reactions: Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is a nutrient essential in supporting the reactions and processes in your body, specifically ones which involve your immune system. It is widely available in capsule form, but if you want to increase your body’s content of it then include foods such as salmon, tuna, green vegetables, and chickpeas — hummus lovers rejoice!
Boosting Immune System: Vitamin C
Vitamin C is widely known for supporting the immune system. Deficiency in vitamin C has been linked to causing or increasing the likelihood of many related health conditions, and it is the key cause of the extremely rare condition scurvy. Therefore, ensuring that your vitamin C levels are topped up prior to the colder seasons can help your body to combat illnesses. The food products that you’ll find vitamin C in are wide ranging, from strawberries and tangerines to spinach, broccoli, and kale. For this reason, vitamin C tends to be at a healthy level in our bodies naturally, but it could help to be aware of exactly where you’ll find it if you’re committed to busting that cold!
Fighting off Infections: Vitamin E
Vitamin E is effective in fighting off infections in our bodies, so you’ll want to make sure that your levels of it are in check well before we head further into the winter months. It’s an antioxidant, and you will find it in foods such as spinach (every cold-warrior’s favourite leafy green), nuts, and seeds.
Sinus Relief: Echinacea
Worshipped by blocked noses across the world, this herb has become a go-to remedy for those tackling the common cold and its series of annoying symptoms. Part of the Asteraceae family — more commonly known as the daisy, it is available in a variety of formats, from teas, capsules, liquid extracts, and even as a dried herb. Any echinacea devotee will stress the plant’s natural abilities in alleviating their flu symptoms. The complex mix of active substances that it is made up of have been found to target and support the immune system, and various studies have acknowledged a link between taking echinacea and experiencing symptoms for a shorter duration than in those who didn’t give the herb a go!
A Cup of Tea a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
Britons are the self-confessed tea drinkers of the world, and our humble cuppa is an enshrined part of British culture. We have all got our go-to brew — from the classic builder’s tea to fair trade tea and aromatic chai variants. But did you know that choosing the right brew could help to boost your immune system?
Detox: Green tea
Green tea is known for its detoxifying, caffeine free qualities, but it could also be your newest go-to cold remedy! With an earthy mild flavour, you could mix it up by opting for a lemon or matcha variant, or simply stir in some honey for a warming, healing hug in a mug. It is full of antioxidants that can help to tackle bacteria and free radicals in the body, It also boasts a wealth of anti-inflammatory properties, which lend themselves nicely to soothing any sore throats, as well as tackling inflamed chests and coughing.
Energy: Black tea
Having a lack of motivation and energy is common when having a cold — but black tea could be the perfect solution for helping you keep calm and carry on this winter! Black tea has the potential to kick start your immune system before it has even encountered any nasties, and this is due to its content of ‘catechins’, smart molecules which target bacteria before it strikes. The aroma of black tea can help to open up those clogged airways, and hush that pesky cough. The antioxidants that it contains can also prove beneficial for lessening those signature all-over body aches that come with the cold. Add this one to your shopping list and enjoy a cup a day to help keep the cold at bay!
Prepare yourself to prevent getting ill with these great suggestions for maintaining good health!
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/3-vitamins-best-boosting-immunity/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scurvy/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/252684.php
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4068831/
https://www.cupandleaf.com/blog/green-tea-benefits
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/3-vitamins-best-boosting-immunity/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/types-of-foods-to-boost-your-immune-system-89020
