5 Tips to Stop a Cold Fast
The common cold, as we are all too familiar with, is just that…the most common of all human diseases. The majority of adults catch a cold 2-4 times per year. A cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract and as you know all too well…involves the awful sneezing, sniffling, congestion, runny nose, sore throat and much more.
Most cold viruses have an incubation period that is very short – 1-3 days. And what is worse, is that 50% of all people exposed to this cold virus will contract its wrath. Adopt the following tips to allow you to stop that cold in its tracks and get back to a life without the stuffy nose and cough.
Here are 5 Tips that will stop a cold FAST:
Take Zinc!
The mineral zinc can reduce the severity of colds and stop a cold if taken at the very first sign you may be getting one. Zinc slows the replication of the cold virus. Slowly dissolve a 23 mg. zinc lozenge every 2 hours for no more than 3 days.
Stop Eating Sugar.
The very first thing you must do outside of taking a zinc lozenge is to STOP eating sugar. Sugar depresses your immune system and literally feeds the bad bacteria in your digestive tract that when overpopulated (by sugar), allow those nasty bugs such as viruses and bacteria to take hold – big time.
Add a Probiotic.
70% of your immune system is in your digestive tract and regularly taking probiotics (a beneficial gut bacteria that sets up residence there), can lower your chances of getting a cold. If you do catch a cold, probiotics can help reduce the severity of your symptoms and shorten how long they last.
Pop Vitamin D3.
Vitamin D is typically deficient in most people – especially those who live in areas that have little sunshine and long winters. In fact, vitamin D is an underlying factor in both colds and influenza. If you ensure your Vitamin D levels are optimal to help prevent the cold taking hold.
Take Elderberry Extract.
Elderberry (liquid or pill form) originates from berries of the black elder plant found across Europe, Asia and northern Africa. It has been used for centuries as a healing plant for the common cold and flu virus. Clincally proven, Elderberry compounds literally “coat” the virus, preventing it from attaching to receptor sites and allowing our immune system to eradicate it. Take this delicious berry at the first sign of symptoms to shorten the length of time that you are sick.
Bonus Tip: Gargle With Salt Water.
I’m sure you have repeatedly heard to drink water while you are fighting a cold and this is true, however, gargling with salt water 3 times a day for 30 seconds or more is a key ‘stop that cold now’ fighting strategy. The salt water can deactivate and remove the cold virus right where it loves to set up residence.
To Your Optimal Health,
~ Lori