Eat Right

Contrary to popular belief, eating lots of fruits is not the way to go.  Fruits contain large amounts of sugar which can weaken your immune system.  Another thing that can weaken your immunity is refined carbohydrates like wheat flour and rice flour.  Avoid breads, cookies, crackers, and other snacks that contain flour or added sugar.  Whole grains have some value when eaten in the right amounts, but they do nothing to help you prevent or beat a respiratory illness.  They can actually make it worse.

Load Up On Vitamins

If you do get sick, make sure you get plenty of Vitamin A.  As you cough and sneeze, your epithelial cells slough off and must be regenerated.  If you are not making it a point to load up on Vitamin A, those cells will not regenerate fast enough and you will stay sick longer.  The safest way to get all the Vitamin A you need is by taking beta carotene, as you body will convert it into Vitamin A only as it needs it.  Keep some Airborne tablets on hand to quickly supplement with vitamins at the first sign of sickness.

Use Holistic Remedies

Once laughed at by the medical community as hocus-pocus, clinical studies have proven many natural remedies to be very effective.  One of my favorites is Zicam gel swabs.  If you use these at the first sign of illness, it will lessen the duration and severity of your cold.  It’s the closest thing to a “cold cure” that I’ve found.  And when taken with vitamin supplementation, you will be back on your feet in no time.

Don’t Recycle

Switch out your drinking glass for a new one every hour.  This prevents others in your household from accidentally picking up your germs, and it keeps you from reinfecting yourself.  Change your pillowcase out every night, and shower daily if you don’t already.

Get Some Peace of Mind

If your illness seems especially severe or you’re experiencing a lot of diarrhea or vomiting, don’t sit around and worry about it.  Go see a doctor or call a nurse line for medical advice.  It will make you feel better and in the event your illness is serious, you will have caught it early, increasing your chances for a speedy recovery.

Filed under: Fitness

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