| year the flu and cold pose major health concerns to | | | | Diet has always been a problem in western society. |
| everyone. There really is not a flu or cold season, as | | | | We simply do not give our bodies all of the vitamins |
| you can get either one of these in the winter or | | | | and nutrients required to maintain our health. The |
| summer. However, approximately 72% of infections | | | | result is usually lack of energy, tiredness, irritability, |
| do occur during the winter months. Although the | | | | susceptibility to both minor and major illness, infection |
| reason for this remains undetermined, a common | | | | and general malaise to name only a few. While our |
| theory is that during the winter months the | | | | food options are many, our lifestyle, fast food |
| metabolisms of animals, including humans slows down | | | | marketing and just out of habit, we narrow down |
| and as a result both viral and bacterial infections stay | | | | what we put in our bodies to a small group of items. |
| in the body for longer periods of time. This longer | | | | Thus, we miss some items that provide key vitamins |
| period allows even the mildest of infections that | | | | and minerals to our general well being and our |
| might be considered more of a nuisance (like a slight | | | | immune system may ultimately suffer. While it would |
| runny nose or cough) to expand further into | | | | be very easy to recommend that everyone focus on |
| something with more bothersome signs and | | | | a balanced diet with fresh fruits and vegetables, this |
| symptoms (such as fever, nausea, aches, tiredness) | | | | is not always practical. However, sound nutrition |
| lasting a few days. | | | | dictates that it is always good to reduce the amount |
| The increased concern and risk of flu pandemics and | | | | of fried foods, salt and sugar that we put into our |
| other respiratory infections affect people of all ages. | | | | bodies. |
| While it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk | | | | The first step in helping your immune system protect |
| of flu or cold infection you can take simple, | | | | you is to take a multi-vitamin once a day, everyday. |
| inexpensive steps to reduce these risks. Reducing | | | | If you have never done this or have not done this in |
| your risk of infection can be divided into two basic | | | | some time, it may take up to 12 weeks before your |
| categories: Germ Reduction and Immune System | | | | system fully utilizes the beneficial vitamins and |
| Fitness. | | | | minerals found in a single multi-vitamin tablet, but |
| Germ Reduction | | | | once you start taking these it is in the interest of |
| Germ reduction refers to reducing your exposure to | | | | your good health that you continue to make this a |
| flu and cold germs. This is accomplished by controlling, | | | | daily routine. Research over the years has shown |
| reducing and avoiding exposure to viruses and | | | | that because the majority of the food that we |
| bacteria that will make you ill. | | | | consume, including vegetables goes through an |
| The often overlooked but first line of defense | | | | extensive synthetic processing methodology, the |
| against all forms of flu and cold is proper hand | | | | nutritional value of our food has suffered by as much |
| washing. Out of all the preventative measures, hand | | | | as 80% in certain instances. From injecting hormones |
| washing is by far the most universally effective and | | | | into livestock for an increase in meat yield, growing |
| simplest procedure. You can reduce the risk of | | | | fruits and vegetables in synthetically enhanced or |
| catching the flu or a cold by following these simple | | | | polluted soil, chemical spraying of crops, to the |
| steps. | | | | premature harvesting of fruits and vegetables; all of |
| 1) ALWAYS Wash Your Hands with soap and water | | | | these things have led to each one of us not getting |
| for 20 seconds, before and after going to the | | | | the vitamins and minerals our body needs to maintain |
| washroom, before preparing food, eating and as | | | | a healthy immune system and slow down the aging |
| often as necessary. | | | | process. Given this situation, it is very important that |
| 2) Avoid touching your face or putting your fingers in | | | | a daily multi-vitamin be included as part of a regular |
| your eyes, nose, mouth or ears unless you have | | | | nutritional regimen. |
| washed them first. | | | | Another supplement, Panax Ginseng (Korean Ginseng) |
| 3) Keep an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (gel or wipes) | | | | is believed to generally improve the immune system. |
| handy to clean your hands in case you can’t | | | | In an Italian trial involving 227 individuals where half |
| get to soap and running water. Carry 3 to 6 alcohol | | | | were given a daily dose of 100 mg of Panax with the |
| swabs in your wallet or purse to be used in the | | | | other half given a placebo for four weeks and then |
| event you have to clean a public convenience before | | | | received an influenza vaccine the results appeared to |
| you use it; such as the telephone at your hotel, a | | | | be quite promising. A significant decline in flu and cold |
| public telephone or the steering wheel of your rental | | | | resulted in the treated group compared to the |
| vehicle, etc. | | | | placebo group at a ratio of 15 to 42. Antibody |
| 4) Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when | | | | measurements in the treated group were also at |
| you cough or sneeze. If you don’t have a | | | | higher levels than in the placebo group. Although |
| tissue, cough or sneeze into your shoulder or arm pit. | | | | further study is required, these findings suggest that |
| After all, you don’t want to put the germs | | | | Panax may be key in reducing the flu and cold. |
| you have picked up on your hands into your face nor | | | | The typical recommended dosage of Panax is 200 |
| do you want to put your germs on your hand so | | | | mg of extract daily for 15 days. Then, take a 15 day |
| that you can pass them on to family or co-workers | | | | rest period and then resume with a cycle of 15 days |
| via the things you will touch next. | | | | on and 15 days off. An increase of daily dosage over |
| 5) Wipe the handset of the telephone at your desk, | | | | 200 mg has not demonstrated any additional or |
| office door knob (both sides) and light switch on a | | | | increased benefit to the immune system. Panax or |
| daily basis with an alcohol swab or a damp cloth with | | | | any other type of ginseng must not be used by |
| mild soap and warm water as these are known | | | | individuals on prescribed medication based on the CYP |
| places for flu and cold germs. | | | | 3A4 process, MAO inhibitor drugs, children, pregnant |
| 6) At home, bathroom door knobs (both sides), light | | | | or nursing mothers, or those with severe liver or |
| switches, toilet flush levers and water facet knobs | | | | kidney disease, or high blood pressure. Always consult |
| are accumulators of invisible bacteria and should be | | | | your physician before adopting a ginseng regimen. |
| cleaned regularly with an alcohol swab or a damp | | | | An annual flu shot can help reduce your risk of |
| cloth with mild soap and warm water. | | | | contracting influenza. A flu shot is essential for the |
| 7) In public avoid using public use pens at banks, | | | | elderly, and those who suffer from chronic forms of |
| hotels and office buildings – bring and use your | | | | respiratory problems. |
| own pen all the time. You never know what invisible | | | | Getting enough sleep is also important in ensuring |
| germs are present. | | | | that your immune system is able to deal with any |
| Immune System Fitness | | | | type of infection. Most adults require approximately 7 |
| Immune System Fitness refers to doing the best you | | | | to 10 hours of sleep daily, depending on their |
| can to ensure that your body, should it become | | | | individual metabolism and state of physical health. |
| exposed to unfriendly virus and bacteria can | | | | Your immune system needs your help in order to |
| “fight it off” before it takes over and | | | | reduce the risk of serious flu and cold infection. You |
| makes you extremely ill. There are many factors that | | | | can do this by following these simple steps: |
| affect our immune system; these include diet, sleep, | | | | 1) Take a multi-vitamin each day. |
| stress, lifestyle and general level of health. While we | | | | 2) Try to make healthy food choices. |
| could easily spend a great deal of time on each one | | | | 3) Get between 7 – 10 hours of sleep, based |
| of these areas, for the sake of immediate, practical | | | | on your overall health and metabolism. |
| action that you can consider now, we will focus on | | | | 4) Consider getting an annual flu shot. |
| the first two items only; diet and sleep. It is | | | | 5) Discuss this article and other ways you can reduce |
| recommended that you discuss these other areas | | | | your risk of flu and cold infection. |
| with your own physician as well as this entire article. | | | | |