10 weird tricks that prevent colds and the flu

8/11/2019 10 Weird Tricks That Prevent Colds and the Flu

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10 Weird Tricks that Prevent Colds and the Flu

ByWoman s Day|Healthy Living16 hours ago

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sick womanBy Sarah Burns

Cold season's arrival doesn't mean you have to be down for the count-or dole out needless dollars at

the drugstore. "The newest research reveals certain lifestyle tweaks can boost your body's natural

defenses to help you better fend off colds and flu," explains Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, author ofRealCause, Real Cure. Here, 10 side effect-free strategies to keep you in fighting form.

1. Keep your toes toasty.

A case of cold feet could lead to a lot of achoo-ing, says Ron Eccles, PhD, director of the Common

Cold Centre at Britain's Cardiff University. How? Chilly tootsies tell your brain to conserve your

body's heat, he explains. The brain then responds by firing messages that reduce blood flow to areas

that lose heat quickly, like the mucus membranes of the sinuses. Decreased blood flow means

decreased flow of infection-fighting white blood cells, leaving your body more vulnerable to viruses.

Dr. Eccles's advice: Wear warm socks.

Related:Discover healthy afternoon snacks that keep you full.
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2. Swish salt water.

Putting your shaker to work could pay off. In one study, scientists found gargling with a mixture of 8

oz warm water and tsp salt at least 10 seconds twice daily cut a person's risk of viral infections as

much as 34%. The reason: "When we breathe in sickness-causing bacteria or viruses, they can get

stuck in the mucus membrane in the back of the throat," explains Carrie Demers, MD, medicaldirector of the Total Health Center in Honesdale, PA. "Rinsing with a gargle that contains salt-a

natural antiseptic-can flush out problematic phlegm and purge illness-producing invaders."

3. Pass on pain meds for minor aches.

Aspirin, ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID) work by suppressing natural,

protective compounds, like white blood cells-the very agents responsible for attacking and destroying

invading germs, explains Dr. Demers. So during cold season, strive to steer clear of those pills unless

you truly need them.

4. Get moving.

Weaving a workout into your daily routine could cut your risk of catching a cold by a whopping 50%,

say researchers at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. "Regular exercise stimulates the brain

to produce more serotonin, dopamine and human growth hormone," explains Pamela Peeke, MD, an

assistant clinical professor of medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in

Baltimore and author ofFit to Live: The 5-Point Plan to Be Lean, Strong and Fearless for Life.

"These compounds help your body optimize production of germ-fighting antibodies and make them

more aggressive when they encounter invaders." More good news: "Even chunks of exercise-15

minutes here or there can be enough!"

Related:Learn how to get trim and toned in 10 minutes.

5. Partake in tea time.

Studies suggest that people produce three times more interferons, powerful proteins that destroy

viral invaders on contact, if they sip 20 oz of black tea daily. Credit likely goes to the beverage's

naturally potent antioxidants, explains Dr. Peeke. For a bigger health bang, let your tea steep for a

few minutes before you sip. Studies show this helps release more of the drink's disease-fighting

antioxidants.

6. Turn on the tube.
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Tuning in for 30 minutes today may protect you from colds and flu later. According to researchers at

Pittsburgh's Carnegie Mellon University, taking a daily, calming TV break can cut your risk of

developing illness by up to 80%. "The stress hormones cortisol and adrenalin slow down white blood

cells, making it harder for them to kill invading viruses," says Dr. Demers. "But a fun-filled break

that leaves you feeling relaxed squashes adrenalin and cortisol output within minutes, allowing yourimmune system to aggressively attack invaders."

7. Consider crafting.

Sewing, scrapbooking, stain-glassing-spending just 20 minutes daily doing a soothing, stress-

shredding craft can strengthen your immunity by 76%, say experts at Stony Brook's State University

of New York in Long Island. "That's because your body's ability to produce virus-fighting white blood

cells and protective antibodies rises as soon as stress hormone production drops," explains Dr.

Demers.

Related:See 10 cool, new inventions that'll make your life easier.

8. Sleep more.

Another reason to work in enough winks: "Deep sleep is your body's prime time for building

infection-fighting antibodies and interleukins-natural inflammation and illness fighters," explains Dr.

Peeke. And studies have shown that being chronically tired can almost double your risk of catching

nasty infections and staying sick for a longer time. Fortunately, snoozing at least eight hours nightlycan reduce your risk, say researchers at Carnegie Mellon University.

9. Get a massage.

A great excuse to hit the spa: Researchers have found that the soothing strokes of massage can

reduce the body's production of immunity-weakening stress hormones and increase feel-good

hormones like dopamine and serotonin up to 30%, helping usfeel happierand more energized, says

Wendy Warner, MD, founder of Philadelphia's Medicine in Balance and author ofBoosting Your

Immunity for Dummies. No time for a professional treatment? Massage your scalp, face and neck

using slow, circular motions for 10 minutes each day, she recommends.

10. Eat breakfast.

It really is the most important meal of the day, especially if you're surrounded by sickness. According

to researchers at the Netherlands' Maastricht University Medical Centre, breakfast eaters are half as

likely to fall prey to viral infections. Experts say regular morning meals triple your body's production
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of gamma interferon, a natural antiviral compound. And you don't have to whip up anything fancy to

get this protection. Experts say any A.M. meal works, as long as you leave the tablefeeling full.
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10 weird tricks that prevent colds and the flu

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