When the wheezing, sneezing and runny
nose of the common cold return to your house for the winter season,
they could be in for a big surprise. Recent medical research has given
us a few new ways to fight back against cold's week-long onslaught.
The key is not in killing the cold virus, which comes in hundreds too many forms to neutralize with a vaccine. Instead, researchers are finding that cold relief comes when the body's natural cold-fighting ability is given a power assist. "Medical science may not have discovered a cure for colds, but our bodies have," said Bruce Shennum, research coordinator for a natural products manufacturer in the field. "It's called the immune system, and when it's functioning properly, it works great."
Want to give your body's natural cold-fighting arsenal a little extra ammunition? Scientists say the following three products may prevent a cold's onset, or cut down the time you have to suffer.
Zinc: Doctors don't
know for certain why a throat lozenge containing zinc lessens a cold's
effects, but a University of Texas study showed promising results.
Participants in the Texas study started a daily regimen of 23 mg. zinc
lozenges immediately after contracting a cold, and saw the duration of
their cold symptoms shrink from nine days to only three.
Echinacea: This herbal
remedy, a favorite cure-all of native Americans for centuries, has a
documented strengthening effect on the immune system. natural food
proponents suggest taking a "protective" dose of 6 - 8 capsules per day
when exposed to others with colds, or during the onset of a cold.
Echinacea, in capsules or droplet form, is available in health food
stores.
Vitamin C: The most
readily available source of cold protection is as near as the oranges
in the supermarket produce department, or in a capsule form in the
health and beauty aids aisle. Linus Pauling, two-time nobel Prize
winner and vitamin C advocate, suggested a dose of 4000 to 14000 mg per
day to fight a cold, and lower doses to ward off an infection. Note
that vitamin C can act as a mild laxative, and the dosage should be cut
back if diarrhea results.
Of course, you should consult your physician before taking any medicine, to be certain that it is a healthy idea for you. If Doc gives the go-ahead, try one of the above ideas to see if it can be your "cure" for the common cold.
