Tricks to Cure a Cold

Each year Americans catch more than one billion colds, making the cold virus the
most common infectious disease in the United States.

It accounts for more school absences and missed work than any other illness,
and it's the number one reason people visit their physicians -- even though most
physicians have little to offer in the form of treatment.

It's a widespread misconception that colds are caused by bacteria. Colds are
actually triggered by a virus, which means if your physician prescribes you an
antibiotic, it will be absolutely useless.

More on this shortly, but before I delve into simple prevention and treatment
strategies it's important you know how colds are contracted in the first place.

How Do You Catch a Cold?

The most common way cold viruses are spread is not from being around
coughing or sneezing, or walking barefoot in the rain, but rather from hand-to-
hand contact. For instance, someone with a cold blows their nose then shakes
your hand or touches surfaces that you also touch.

Cold viruses can live on pens, computer keyboards, coffee mugs and other
objects for hours, so it's easy to come into contact with such viruses during daily
life.

However, the key to remember is that just being exposed to a cold virus does not
have to mean that you'll catch a cold. If your immune system is operating at its
peak, it should actually be quite easy for you to fend off the virus without ever
getting sick.

If your immune system is impaired, on the other hand, it's akin to having an open-
door policy for viruses; they'll easily take hold in your body. So the simple and
short answer is, you catch a cold due to impairment in your immune system.
There are many ways this can result, but the more common contributing factors
are:  

1. Eating too much sugar and too many grains

2. Not getting enough rest

3. Using insufficient strategies to address emotional stressors in your life

4. Vitamin D deficiency, as discussed below

5. Any combination of the above

Tricks to Cure a Cold
Vitamin D Deficiency: Another Reason You May "Catch" a Cold
It's estimated that the average U.S. adult typically has two to four colds each
year, while children may have up to 12! One reason for the widespread
prevalence may be that vitamin D deficiency is incredibly common in the United
States, especially during the winter months when cold (and flu) viruses are at
their peak.

Research has confirmed that "catching" colds and flu may actually be a symptom
of an underlying vitamin D deficiency. Less than optimal vitamin D levels will
significantly impair your immune response and make you far more susceptible to
contracting colds, influenza, and other respiratory infections.

In the largest and most nationally representative study of its kind to date,
involving about 19,000 Americans, people with the lowest vitamin D levels
reported having significantly more recent colds or cases of the flu -- and the risk
was even greater for those with chronic respiratory disorders like asthma.

At least five additional studies also show an inverse association between lower
respiratory tract infections and vitamin D levels, and you can read about them in
detail here. But the research is very clear, the higher your vitamin D level, the
lower your risk of contracting colds, flu, and other respiratory tract infections.

It's not surprising, then, that the average American gets so many colds each
year, as current guidelines for optimal intake and normal vitamin D levels are far
too low -- and since most people do not get adequate sun exposure on a daily
basis (which is what produces vitamin D in your skin) many are deficient. I
strongly believe you could avoid colds and influenza entirely by maintaining your
vitamin D level in the optimal range.

How Long Do Colds Last … and How Can You Make Your Cold Go
Away Faster?
Most uncomplicated colds last between eight and nine days, but about 25
percent last two weeks, and 5-10 percent last three weeks. Even the most
stubborn colds will typically resolve in a few weeks' time; this is actually one of
the ways you can distinguish a cold from allergies.

A cold will last, at most, a few weeks, but allergy symptoms can last all season.

How quickly you bounce back is typically defined by you and your collective
lifestyle habits -- and this does not mean popping over-the-counter cough and
cold remedies or fever reducers. In fact, as long as your temperature remains
below 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 degrees Celsius) there is no need to lower
it.
Tricks to Cure a Cold
Cold viruses do not reproduce at higher body temperatures, so a slight fever
should help you get rid of the virus quicker and help you to feel better much
sooner.

You should avoid taking over-the-counter pain-relief medications as well, as a

study showed that people who take aspirin and Tylenol
(acetaminophen) suppress their body's ability to produce antibodies to destroy
the cold virus. Aspirin has even been linked to lung complications including
pulmonary edema, an abnormal build up of fluid in your lungs, when taken in
excess.

You should only use these medications when absolutely necessary, such as if
you have a temperature greater than 105 degrees F (40.5 degrees C), severe
muscle aches or weakness.

Hydrogen Peroxide: A Simple Trick to Beat a Cold

I don't advise over-the-counter medications, but one simple treatment you can try
that is surprisingly effective against upper respiratory infections is hydrogen
peroxide.

Many patients at my Natural Health Center have had remarkable results in curing

colds and flu within 12 to 14 hours when administering a few drops of 3 percent
hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into each ear. You will hear some bubbling, which is
completely normal, and possibly feel a slight stinging sensation.

Wait until the bubbling and stinging subside (usually 5 to 10 minutes), then drain
onto a tissue and repeat with the other ear. A bottle of hydrogen peroxide in 3
percent solution is available at any drug store for a couple of dollars or less. It is
simply amazing how many people respond to this simple, inexpensive treatment.

So What Else Can You do to Recover From a Cold, Quicker … and

Prevent One in the First Place?
As I said above, the number one way to conquer a cold (or flu) is vitamin D.
Vitamin D is an amazingly effective antimicrobial agent, producing 200 to 300
different antimicrobial peptides in your body that kill bacteria, viruses and fungi.
So optimizing your levels will not only help send a cold virus packing … it will
help ward off cold viruses in the first place.

The best source for vitamin D is direct sun exposure. But for many of us, this just
isn't practical during the winter. The next best option to sunlight is the use of
a safe indoor tanning device. If neither natural nor artificial sunlight is an option,
then using oral vitamin D3 supplements is your best bet.
Tricks to Cure a Cold
Based on the latest research, many experts now agree you need about 35 IU's of
vitamin D per pound of body weight. This recommendation also includes children,
the elderly and pregnant women.

However, keep in mind that vitamin D requirements are highly individual, as your
vitamin D status is dependent on numerous factors, such as the color of your
skin, your location, and how much sunshine you're exposed to on a regular basis.
So, although these recommendations may put you closer to the ballpark of what
most people likely need, it is simply impossible to make a blanket
recommendation that will cover everyone's needs.

The only way to determine your optimal dose is to get your blood tested. Ideally,
you'll want to maintain a vitamin D level of 50-65 ng/ml year-round.

For an in-depth explanation of everything you need to know before you get
tested, please read my latest updates in Test Values and Treatment for Vitamin
D Deficiency.

Dietary Strategies to Kick a Cold

If you feel yourself coming down with a cold or flu, this is NOT the time to be
eating ANY sugar, artificial sweeteners or processed foods. Sugar is particularly
damaging to your immune system -- which needs to be ramped up, not
suppressed, in order to combat an emerging infection.

So if you are fighting a cold, you'll want to avoid all sugar like the plague, and this
includes sugar in the form of fruit juice and even grains (which break down as
sugar in your body).

Ideally, you must address nutrition, sleep, exercise and stress issues the moment
you first feel yourself getting a bug. This is when immune-enhancing strategies
will be most effective.

So when you're coming down with a cold, it's time to address ALL of the
contributing factors immediately, which includes tweaking your diet in favor of
foods that will strengthen your immune response. Good choices include:

 Raw, grass-fed organic milk, and/or high-quality whey protein

 Fermented foods such as raw kefir, kimchee, miso, pickles, sauerkraut,

etc, which are rich in probiotics, or good bacteria. Scientific research shows
that 80 percent of your immune system resides inside your digestive tract,
so eating probiotic-rich foods, or taking a high-quality probiotic, will help
support your immune system health.

 Raw, organic eggs from free-ranging, preferably local, chickens

Tricks to Cure a Cold
 Grass-fed beef

 Coconuts and coconut oil

 Animal-based omega-3 fats, such as krill oil

 Locally grown fruits and vegetables, appropriate for your nutritional type

 Mushrooms, especially Reishi, Shiitake, and Maitake, which contain beta

glucans (which have immune-enhancing properties)

 Garlic, a potent antimicrobial that kills bacteria, viruses and fungi. Ideally
this should be in fresh form, eaten raw and crushed with a spoon just before
eating.

 Herbs and spices with high ORAC scores: Turmeric, oregano, cinnamon,
cloves (for more on ORAC, visitwww.oracvalues.com)

 Make sure you are drinking plenty of fresh, pure water. Water is essential
for the optimal function of every system in your body and will help with nose
stuffiness and loosening secretions. You should drink enough water so that
your urine is a light, pale yellow.

And what about the old wives' tale of chicken soup for your cold?

Chicken soup can help reduce your symptoms. Chicken contains a natural amino

acid called cysteine, which can thin the mucus in your lungs and make it less
sticky so you can expel it more easily.

Processed, canned soups won't work as well as the homemade version,

however.

For best results, make up a fresh batch yourself (or ask a friend or family
member to do so) and make the soup hot and spicy with plenty of pepper. The
spices will trigger a sudden release of watery fluids in your mouth, throat, and
lungs, which will help thin down the respiratory mucus so it's easier to cough up
and expel.

Three Cold-Busting Lifestyle Strategies

Vitamin D, check! Hydrogen peroxide, check! Healthy diet, check! We've covered
several of the primary "weapons" you should have in your cold-fighting arsenal,
but there are others, too.

1. High-Quality Sleep, and Plenty of It 

Tricks to Cure a Cold
Pay attention to how you are sleeping. If you aren't getting enough sleep, or
enough restorative sleep, you'll be at increased risk for a hostile viral
takeover. Your immune system is also the most effective when you're not
sleep-deprived, so the more rested you are the quicker you'll recover. You
can find 33 secrets for a good night's sleep here.

2. Regular Exercise 

Regular exercise is a crucial strategy for increasing your resistance to

illness. There is evidence that regular, moderate exercise can reduce your
risk for respiratory illness by boosting your immune system. In fact, one
study found that people who exercised regularly (five or more days a
week) cut their risk of having a cold by close to 50 percent. And, in the
event they did catch a cold, their symptoms were much less severe than
among those who did not exercise.

Exercise likely cuts your risk of colds so significantly because it triggers a

rise in immune system cells that can attack any potential invaders. Each
time you exercise you can benefit from this boost to your immune system.

Ideally, establish a regular fitness program, such as Peak Fitness, now, to

help you ward off colds and other illness.

However, if you're already feeling sick don't overdo it. Over-exercising can
actually place more stress on your body, which can suppress your immune
system -- and you don't want that either. You might just go for a walk if you
are coming down with a cold, or simply tone down your regular workout.

Any rise in body temperature will be an unwelcome climate for a viral

invader, though, so some exercise is likely to be beneficial.

3. Address Your Emotional Stress

Emotional stressors can also predispose you to an infection while making

cold symptoms worse. Finding ways to manage daily stress as well as your
reactions to circumstances beyond your control will contribute to a strong
and resilient immune system.

My favorite tool for this is the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a

system that helps balance your body's subtle energies and repair emotional
"short-circuits." EFT may even help you overcome cold symptoms.

Supplements That Send Pathogens Packin'

Supplements can be beneficial for colds, but they should be used only as an
adjunct to the lifestyle measures already discussed.
Tricks to Cure a Cold
Some of the more helpful options for cold (and flu) -- above and beyond vitamin
D -- are:

 Vitamin C: A very potent antioxidant; use a natural form such as acerola,
which contains associated micronutrients. You can take several grams
every hour till you are better unless you start developing loose stools

 Oregano Oil: The higher the carvacrol concentration, the more effective it

is. Carvacrol is the most active antimicrobial agent in oregano oil.

 Propolis: A bee resin and one of the most broad-spectrum antimicrobial

compounds in the world; propolis is also the richest source of caffeic acid
and apigenin, two very important compounds that aid in immune response
and even fight cancer.

 A tea made from a combination of elderflower, yarrow, boneset,

linden, peppermint and ginger; drink it hot and often for combating a cold
or flu. It causes you to sweat, which is helpful for eradicating a virus from
your system.

 Olive leaf extract: Ancient Egyptians and Mediterranean cultures used it

for a variety of health-promoting uses and it is widely known as a natural,
non-toxic immune system builder.

Remember This Tip: Wash Your Hands Sensibly

Washing your hands frequently is one of the easiest ways to wipe out germs and
viruses and reduce your chances of becoming sickened by them. Thorough
hand-washing truly is an important step, as you are at far greater risk of passing
on an infection byshaking someone's hand than even by sharing a kiss.

One report even found that regular hand washing may be more effective than
drugs in preventing the spread of respiratory viruses such as influenza.

When you wash up, plain soap and water will do. Do not make the mistake of
using antibacterial cleansers, as their widespread use is leading to strains of
resistant bacteria, or "superbugs," which cause the ingredients to lose
effectiveness for the times when they really are needed, such as for surgeons
prior to surgery.

Further, the active ingredient in most antibacterial products is triclosan, an

antibacterial agent that kills bacteria and inhibits bacterial growth. But not only
does triclosan kill bacteria, it also has been shown to kill human cells.

Antibacterial soaps are also no more effective than regular soaps. One study
found people who used antibacterial soaps and cleansers developed a cough,
Tricks to Cure a Cold
runny nose, sore throat, fever, vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms just as
often as people who used products that did not contain antibacterial ingredients.
So please avoid making the mistake of using antibacterial liquids and soaps.

Too Much Hand-Washing Can Backfire …

There is another important caveat to remember, and that is your skin is actually
your primary defense against bacteria -- not the soap. 

So resist the urge to become obsessive about washing your hands. If you wash
them too frequently you can actually extract many of the protective oils in your
skin, which can cause your skin to crack and bleed.

It is rare for a germ on your skin to cause a problem -- it is typically only an issue
when you transfer that to your nose, mouth or an open wound like cracked skin.
So obsessive-compulsive washing can actually increase your risk of getting sick
by providing an entryway for potentially dangerous pathogens.

So mild to moderate washing is wise, but excessive washing, especially with

harsh soaps, will actually be highly counterproductive.

Avoid the Antibiotics!

More than 300 different viruses can cause colds, so each time you have a cold it
is caused by a distinct virus (i.e. adenovirus, rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus,
coronavirus). A virus is much smaller than a bacteria; it is a tiny cluster of genetic
material surrounded by a protein wrapper.

There are currently NO drugs available that can kill these viruses. Antibiotics,
including penicillin, do not have any effect on viruses, but unfortunately have
been vastly over-prescribed for this very (useless) purpose. That, coupled with
the excessive use of antibiotics in agriculture, has contributed to a steep rise in
antibiotic-resistant diseases.

Antibiotic-resistant infections now claim more lives each year than the "modern
plague" of AIDS, and cost the American health care system some $20 billion a
year!

Further, according to one meta-analysis, the health risk from over-use of

antibiotics is also a very personal one, as opposed to simply raising the
occurrence of antibiotic resistance in the general population over time.

Whenever you use an antibiotic, you're increasing your susceptibility to

developing infections with resistance to that antibiotic -- and you can become
the carrier of this resistant bug, and spread it to others.
Tricks to Cure a Cold
So please, if you have a simple cold remember that an antibiotic will do far more
harm than good.

When Should You Call Your Physician?

Sinus, ear and lung infections (bronchitis and pneumonia) are examples
of bacterial infections that do respond to antibiotics. If you develop any of the
following symptoms, these are signs you may be suffering from a bacterial
infection rather than a cold virus, and you should call your physician's office:

 Fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.9 degrees Celsius)

 Ear pain

 Pain around your eyes, especially with a green nasal discharge

 Shortness of breath or a persistent uncontrollable cough

 Persistently coughing up green and yellow sputum

Generally speaking, however, if you have a cold medical care is not necessary.

Rest and attention to the lifestyle factors noted above will help you to recover
quickly and, if you stick to them, will significantly reduce your chances of catching
another one anytime soon.