You know when it’s coming—that congestion, scratchy throat, build-up and then “achoo”, the sneeze…you have a winter cold!
And you’re not alone. On average U.S. adults experience between two to 4 colds each year! However, just because you feel the sniffles setting in doesn’t mean you have to lie down and take that cold. Instead; try to fight that winter cold using the following six simple flu-fighting tricks…
1. A dose of vitamin D
Have you ever noticed that cold season hits when sunlight is at a minimum? In fact medical studies link an intake of 800 to 1000 IU of vitamin D3 a day to decreasing your chances of coming down with a winter cold.
2. Gobble some garlic
Long used as a traditional home remedy for its antiviral prowess, garlic can help ward off a cold.
3. Hit the hay
If you feel a cold setting in the best thing you can do is catch up on your zzzzzzzzzzz’s due to the simple fact that sleep boosts immune function.
4. The zinc link
Popping zinc lozenges or tablets when you feel the initial symptoms of a cold can stop a cold in its tracks and lessen the duration.
5. Drink more water
Hydration and drinking more water when you are sick can actually cleanse your nasal passages of bacteria particles.
6. Probiotic power
Medical studies link probiotic supplements (i.e., LGG and BB12) to decreased chances of catching a cold, plus, taking them can cut the duration in half.
Source: Yahoo Health