With the start of cold and flu season, Fox News Digital reached out to several health professionals and spoke with them to get their advice on natural remedies to consider when a person contracts any of these illnesses, according to the New York Post.
Very important recommendations
As always, it is wise to see a doctor if there are any questions or concerns about health or symptoms that a person may be experiencing, as the situation varies from person to person, but there are also 10 recommendations that should be taken into account:
1. Vitamin C
Experts suggest that those who feel that they are suffering from signs of a cold or that their health is not well can take vitamin supplements, especially vitamin C and vitamin D3.
Dr. Naval Parikh, head of the Department of Medicine at Broward Health North, said that vitamin C is found in citrus fruits and is also available in supplement form, advising that a sick person should take “at least 1,000 mg per day” of vitamin C.
For her part, Dr. Summer Curley, Vice President of Clinical Operations and Health Plan Solutions, said that vitamin C contains antioxidants, which “protect the cells of the human body from harmful substances called free radicals,” but she warned about the doses taken. As stated on the Mount Sinai Health Network website in New York, it is extremely rare to experience serious side effects from an excess of vitamin C. This is because the body is unable to store an excessive amount of this vitamin. but amounts greater than 2,000 mg/day are not recommended, as high doses can lead to a disorder.” Stomach and diarrhea, and rarely lead to kidney stones.”
2. Vitamin D3
Dr. Curley also recommended taking vitamin D3, noting that it “is a great dose of daily sunlight, and is known to help support the immune system in fighting viruses.”
Taking too much vitamin D3 can also be harmful, Dr. Curley warns, explaining, “The main consequence of vitamin D toxicity is a buildup of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia), which can cause nausea, vomiting, weakness, and frequent urination.” According to According to the Mayo Clinic website, excessive vitamin D intake can lead to symptoms such as bone pain and kidney issues, including the formation of calcium stones.
3. Zinc
Zinc, an essential mineral, is another natural remedy that has proven successful in treating cold symptoms. Dr. Curley said that zinc is “important for the function of immune cells, which support the body’s defense against infection. Zinc supplements may also help support a healthy immune system.”
Dr. Parikh advised the importance of “taking zinc supplements during the first three days of the appearance of symptoms, taking care to ensure that you follow the instructions carefully.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Benjamin Jack, an emergency physician in Texas, said that excessive use of zinc sprays “has been associated with a permanent loss of the sense of smell.”
4. Honey
According to Dr. Jack, honey has proven to be effective in reducing coughs in both adults and children. However, it is crucial to remember that honey should not be administered to infants below one year of age, as it can lead to botulism.
5. Elderberry
For years, elderberry, a medicinal plant, has been used to alleviate cold and flu symptoms and boost the immune system. Dr. Curley explained that elderberry is abundant in antioxidants and may enhance immune function while reducing symptoms related to upper respiratory infections.
6. Chicken soup
A study conducted by the University of Nebraska Medical Center in the 1990s discovered that chicken soup is an effective treatment for the common cold. Dr. Steven Renard experimented in the laboratory, testing his wife’s grandmother’s chicken soup recipe. The results revealed that certain ingredients commonly found in everyday foods may possess anti-inflammatory properties.
Dr. Parikh also praised the plant-based cold remedy he was given as a child when he was sick, explaining that it was “an ancient Indian natural remedy given with warm water, salt, turmeric and butter that helps relieve chest congestion, soothe a sore throat and relieve a cough.”
7. Saline sprays
“Saline nasal sprays are a safe and simple solution” to help treat congestion, Dr. Jack said, adding that they are “effective and usually do not have the side effects associated with medicated sprays.”
8. Shower with hot water
Dr. Parikh noted that “taking a hot steam shower” can do wonders to relieve congestion and make a cold or flu less miserable.
9. Healthy nutrition
“The best way to strengthen your immune system is to eat a balanced, nutrient-rich diet” before getting sick, which should include “plenty of foods that contain vitamin C, such as broccoli, oranges or cantaloupe,” Dr. Curley said.
“Vibrant fruits and vegetables, bursting with antioxidants, like berries, carrots, and spinach, play a crucial role in bolstering our immune system. By shielding our bodies from detrimental substances known as free radicals, they help safeguard our overall well-being,” she explained.
She also advised trying to “avoid processed foods and excess sugar” and “stay hydrated with plenty of water and other sugar- and caffeine-free drinks.”
In this context, Dr. Parikh said that tea can act as an anti-inflammatory.
10. Good sleep
Many experts said that the importance of a good night’s sleep and rest when sick cannot be underestimated. Dr. Curley explained that an adult “needs at least seven to eight hours of good sleep every night,” noting that good sleep helps renew new cells decisively and gain the energy needed to fight infections, while sleep deprivation can reduce Immune function.
Dr. Parikh concluded the advice by saying, “Physical exertion is harmful to the immune system when sick, so it is important to get plenty of rest and sleep when suffering from a cold or flu.”
