Strengthen your immune system for the upcoming cold and flu season!
Colds and Flu terrify households all over. If you are sick you can’t go to work. If the children are sick they can’t go to school and you can’t go to work. If you are sick, who will take care of the kids? If you have kids in daycare or school you know what I’m talking about! Getting sick is something no one wishes for and no one needs to endure. There are some simple tips to keep you healthy through the year.
We’ve all heard the bit about hand washing, but it bears repeating. Washing your hands frequently helps to reduce the spread of germs by scrubbing them off your hands and washing then down the drain instead of into your body. What could be easier?
Vitamin D has also been noted as successful as the flu vaccine (and some, including me, would argue more so) at preventing the flu AND colds. Our levels of Vitamin D tend to fall in the winter months due to lack of sun exposure leaving us more vulnerable to infection during the height of the season. Most of my patients need extra Vitamin D from around October to April when sun exposure is less.
Some people like Echinacea for boosting immunity and I do love this herb, but I don’t use it continually throughout the season. I prefer to use Echinacea if and when an illness strikes. These compounds are very effective at boosting the immune system, but you can become immune to them as well. (pardon the pun) The last thing you want to be doing is taking something to boost your immune system and wind up making it ineffective because you’re taking it all the time!
Vitamin C is helpful to improve immunity as well, but take it frequently in smaller doses like 500-1000mg. Taking too much Vitamin C makes no discernable impact on the immune system, but only causes diarrhea. While 3000mg might cause diarrhea, 1000mg taken 3 times a day often will not and this is where it will benefit your immune system the most.
So....take these tips! Stay healthy! If you have any problems call Dr. Heather M. Veronesi at 860-601-1318
