You always know the telltale signs of a cold. Maybe you notice a stuffed-up runny nose first, or your throat feels a little scratchy and sore. By the next day, it’s developed into a full-blown illness and you feel absolutely miserable. Most U.S. adults catch colds two to four times a year, but there are ways you can beat those odds. With just a couple of minor lifestyle changes, you can boost your immune system and reduce your chances of getting a cold.
Immune Boosting Foods
If you are what you eat, then adding superfoods to your diet could help you resist colds and the flu. When choosing superfoods to fight colds, look at the nutrients that each food contains. Several nutrients can improve your immune system’s infection-fighting abilities;
- Vitamin C: aids in white cell and antibody production
- Vitamin D: encourages pathogen-killing antimicrobial proteins
- Vitamin E: strengthens cell membrane integrity
- Phytochemical antioxidants: combat cellular damage
- Sulforaphane: aids immune cell activity
- Iron: comprises enzymes that help immune cells function
- Zinc: supports immune system response
These immune-supporting nutrients exist in a wide variety of foods. Some of the best sources include dark leafy greens, apples, tomatoes, eggs and broccoli. Make sure your overall diet has an optimal balance of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean protein.
Using Holistic Remedies
Adding immune-boosting foods to your diet is a step in the right direction. You can also help out your immune system by choosing homeopathic cold medicine if you do get sick. There’s some logic to this suggestion, so let’s break it down for better understanding.
A Quick Overview of the Immune System
Our immune system has a memory bank. Every time we get sick, it produces antibodies to attack and neutralize the microbes causing our illness. Should the same pathogen return, our immune systems can more quickly manufacture antibodies to stop an infection. During the process, our systems produce histamines to increase blood flow and prompt other biological responses. Histamines cause symptoms like watery eyes, sneezing and runny noses to help rid your body of excess pathogens.
Human Immunity, Colds and the Flu
Our immune systems mount the same defenses when we contract a cold or flu virus. Unlike most other pathogens, these viruses can mutate rapidly from season to season. A cold virus from last year may not bear much resemblance to the one that’s going around this year. Our immune systems don’t recognize it, so they respond as if it’s a brand-new virus.
Fortunately, homeopathic remedies can speed up the recovery process. Brillia Health’s Cold-Flu Recovery contains three antibody ingredients that target specific symptoms and systems. Lapine CD4 immune globulin strengthens our immune cells to help them fight infections faster. Lapine interferon gamma immune globulin also strengthens immune cells, but it helps recruit more to overpower cold and flu viruses. Meanwhile, lapine histamine immune globulin reduces antihistamine activity.
Your Immune System, Only Better
Brillia Health’s Cold-Flu Recovery is just one example of effective homeopathic remedies. For those dealing with persistent coughing, Brillia Health’s Cough Control is a chest congestion homeopathic remedy that also uses natural antibodies. Along with immune-boosting foods, homeopathic remedies can improve your immune system’s response.
