Having a cold is miserable, and unfortunately, many people will get one or two colds each year and especially during the winter months. As the temperature falls, we tend to spend less time outdoors in the sun and more time indoors in close contact with others.
It’s that time of year when it seems that everyone we know is coming down with a cold, especially for families with young children. Colds are caused by viruses and cannot be treated with antibiotics, but understanding how you can catch a cold can help you avoid them.
What Causes a Cold?
Often, a cold is caused because your immune system is impaired, but it can also be an underlying vitamin D deficiency. During the summer, exposure to sunlight for as little as half an hour is enough to make vitamin D, but during the winter months, vitamin D levels often fall too low. When you are deficient in vitamin D, it can significantly impair your immune system and especially your response to viruses. Therefore, it increases your susceptibility to contracting colds, flu and other respiratory infections.
Why Is Vitamin D so Important?
Vitamin D has highly effective antimicrobial properties, producing between 200 and 300 different antimicrobial peptides that help to kill viruses, bacteria and fungi. Researchers discovered that 2000 IU of vitamin D daily could help to eliminate seasonal flu, but this is a far greater amount than the recommended daily allowance advised by the British Columbia government. They recommend adults over the age of 70 receive 800 IU daily with an upper limit of 4000 IU. Children and adults aged between nine and 70 years have a recommended daily allowance of 600 IU with an upper limit of 4000 IU. The way adults absorb and process vitamin D can differ from one person to the next, so the only way to know for sure if your vitamin D level is correct is to have a blood test.
Otherwise, another thing that can help tremendously is your lifestyle choices.
What Should You Do When You Feel a Cold Developing?
Hopefully, you have a relatively healthy lifestyle year-round, but if you feel you are catching a cold, it’s time to make sure you aren’t eating too much sugar, processed foods or artificial sweeteners. Sugar is especially damaging for your immune system, and you want to boost it rather than suppress it to cope with the infection. Make sure you reassess your nutrition, exercise regime, sleep and stress levels the moment you begin feeling unwell as this is when strategies to enhance your immune system are most effective.
Choose organic produce where possible and opt for locally grown fruits and vegetables. Mushrooms are a good choice and particularly shiitake, maitake and reishi as these contain beta-glucans that help enhance your immune system.
Garlic is a good antimicrobial agent that helps to kill viruses and bacteria.
Be sure to drink plenty of fresh, plain water as it will help your body function optimally. Pay attention to your sleep quality and be mindful that regular exercise can increase resistance to illness. Taking regular moderate exercise can boost your immune system, reducing your risk for respiratory illnesses like colds. However, it’s important not to over-exercise which can stress your body further; a brisk walk might be all you need. If you have a stressful lifestyle, look for ways to manage your stress levels as this will help you build a stronger immune system.
Other supplements can be helpful when used in conjunction with lifestyle changes. Some that can be useful for treating a cold include vitamin C which is a potent antioxidant. You might want to take additional Vitamin C supplements to further boost your immune system and energize against free radicals in your body.
Oregano oil contains carvacrol, a powerful antimicrobial agent. Propolis is a bee resin containing a broad spectrum of antimicrobial compounds. It is a rich source of apigenin and caffeic acid, both of which help aid immune response.
At Bel Canto Dental in West Vancouver, our team is here to support your health in every season. From preventive dental care to advice on keeping your smile strong during cold and flu season, we are ready to help. Call us today at 604-926-7621 or use our appointment request form to book an appointment today.
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