November
2007
Do Cold Busters Like Emergen-C and Airborne Actually Work?
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Shh! It’s a secret cold!
Yes, they do. However, understand that these natural cold and flu remedies are not really “curing” anything. If you see a product claiming anything along those lines, that is a red flag. But what many of these products do - and homeopathic remedies do not fall into this category as they’re completely worthless - is simply boost your immune system with vitamins and sometimes additional minerals or phytonutrients. In fact, many of them are not unlike a potent multivitamin. The studies on “curing” colds with natural remedies are inconclusive, but studies have shown time and again that vitamins like C, the B-complex, and many other supplemental nutrients absolutely have immuno-strengthening properties. That’s why I recommend always taking steps to boost your immune system on a daily basis, whether you’re sick or not. Don’t wait until you feel the first itch of a sniffly nose to begin boosting your immune system. Prevent what you can before you even get it.
In general, the core factors for a strong, healthy immune system are:
- Regular, if not daily, exercise
- Multivitamin supplementation
- Fish oil supplementation
- A clean diet based around fresh produce and whole foods
- Avoidance of sugar
- Stress management
- Daily sunshine
Further reading:
The 7 Habits of Healthy (Thin) People
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Technorati Tags: immunity, airborne, emergen c, cold, flu, natural remedies
There would be a lots less people with a winter cold if everyone would follow this guideline. Just last night I went to my hairstylist for a trim and she always compliments me that as long as my hair is it’s so healthy. She can tell I eat right and take great vitamins because she says the health of my hair is in great condition. Same thing with one’s health, if you take good care of yourself, you’re body will be in great condition to NOT catch a winter cold!!!
Good point Donna. When you are healthy it shows in your skin, eyes, hair and nails.
Good - thanks for showing us a little of the “fine print” - I knew there was more than they were telling me.
Although it has been said again and again, many people seem to underestimate the effect of their food consumption toward their appearance or even their body system. Great post, I agree that we have the ability to boost our own immune system.
Also from what I’ve heard those products like airborne are not meant to be taken everyday, they are better suited for once in a while like if your going on an airplane or a crowded event, etc. I would imagine that your body can become immune to them over time if taken to much. I think they can be useful in certain situations, but proper care of yourself in the first place is the best defense.
Jerry: Immune to what? They are vitamins.
Sir when back in Blighty either last Winter or Winter afore i saw a docu on scientific myths.
They had some fella from the Linus Pauling Instittute talking about Paulings claims about Vit C.
As far as the presumbaly db studies they’d done they concluded if i recall as a preventative it was all gibberish and when you had the cold vast doses helped the cold go more quickly by..wait for it…10 whole per cent !
So it shows you that a double Nobel laureate(only personage to have that honour cos neither wuz shared) is just as stupid at seeing things where there nuthin as the rest of us bods.
Incidentally had he used a ‘could this have been acquired in a diet on the plains of Afrique ‘ rationale he might not have come up with it !
All good things Sir.
Sinc.
Simon (Fellows)
Moe, all I know is people that I have spoken to that took them long term found that they weren’t effective anymore after long term use, that’s all I’m saying.
And what about zinc supplements, such as Zicam. I have tried this, and they *do* appear to work. Any data or studies on how effective they are?