Colds, Do's and Dont's;

Colds;
Avoid 'em--and if you can't, alternative therapies may help you feel better
By Chrystle Fiedler
:REMEDY Winter 2008
The runny nose, the coughing, the sneezing—chances are, a cold is coming your way. But it is possible to reduce your risk, or to ease the symptoms if you do catch one, by following these simple steps.Avoiding Colds1. Drink matcha green tea. “It’s made of green tea leaves that have been ground up into a fine powder,” says Suzy Cohen, R.Ph., author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist. “In lab studies it has shown powerful antioxidant activity.”2. Take probiotics. Take supplements of acidophilus and bifidus bacteria. “The more the merrier,” says Cohen.3. Get enough sunlight. “Sunshine causes the skin to produce a form of vitamin D. It improves immune function by activating the body’s T cells, which go on to attack infected cells,” says Cohen.4. Exercise regularly. "Research indicates physical activity can stimulate the immune system and promote healthy sleep,” says Mark Moyad, M.D., director of preventative and alternative medicine at University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor.5. Get enough sleep. “Getting a full night’s sleep, usually around eight hours, can keep natural defenses at optimum efficiency,” says Dr. Moyad.6. Eat a diet rich in vitamins C and E. “Foods containing these vitamins, such as nuts and citrus fruits, help support the immune system,” says Dr. Moyad, the author of Dr. Moyad’s No BS [Bogus Science] Health Advice. Treating ColdsA dose of several teaspoons of dark honey, which has antimicrobial action, and 500 milligram doses of vitamin C (taken in the form of Ester-C) can help manage colds, says Dr. Moyad. “You can take these once a day proactively during cold season, or if you have a cold, several times a day,” he says.Randy Horwitz, M.D., Ph.D., the medical director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona in Tucson, recommends garlic, horseradish and wasabi: “We find that these foods can really help to thin the mucus and secretions when you have a cold.” Proceeding carefully, “chew a few cloves of raw garlic a day for best results,” he suggests. “Eat as much horseradish and wasabi as you can tolerate.”
The Smart StepsThese do’s and don’t's for treating colds are simple to follow and will help you heal, says Steven Chang, M.D., a family practitioner at UC Davis Medical Center.Do’s:
Do drink plenty of fluids. Sneezing, coughing, a runny nose and phlegm can all lead to dehydration.
Do take a hot shower. Warm, humidified air eases congestion.
Do get plenty of sleep.Don’ts:
Don’t take antibiotics. Antibiotics work against bacteria, not cold viruses. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics can cause the emergence of resistant bacteria.
Don’t stress. Being sick is a type of stress on your body. Adding more stress to the system can make your cold symptoms even worse.
Don’t “sweat out” a cold—there is no truth in this notion. Instead, do whatever makes you comfortable.