The common cold is the leading cause of doctors’ visits, and American school children miss about 22 million school days each year due to colds. Some estimates are that 1 billion colds occur each year in the U.S. Children may have between six and 10 colds each year and the average adult suffers between two and four each year. You can catch a cold even when you cannot recall being around anyone with a cold. It’s not really a mystery — people can exhale the cold virus for at least 24 hours before they become sick.
Remember what your Grandmother always told you about the cold and getting sick? While conventional medicine and science has pooh-poohed a lot of what our elders told us, there is some evidence to support the wisdom of our past generations. Here is why the cool weather can hasten the cold into your system.
Breathing colder fall and winter air affects the ability of the cells in your nose to react to an invading virus and thus may increase your risk of developing symptoms! AND if your immune system is stressed already or you are in a weakened state (caused by poor food choices, not enough sleep, persistent stress, etc) then voila … you are fair game for a virus party!
Since we tend to stay indoors and in closer proximity to others during colder weather, this also increases our exposure to contagion.
You KNOW what to do to keep your immune and nervous system strong — good whole foods, sleep, exercise, a well-adjusted and aligned spinal/nervous system, Vitamin D, raw local honey, hydration, and Vitamin C.
Research supports the use of Vitamin C during a common cold to reduce the length of symptoms, and regular supplementation, especially during cold season, consistently reduces the duration of your cold.
Typically, the higher the dose you take the better the results during a cold. However, there are limitations when taking oral Vitamin C, as it can cause loose bowels. This side effect can be reduced or stopped by using a buffered Vitamin C supplement.
On top of the immune system benefits, other health benefits of taking Vitamin C include:
- May reduce risk of Chronic Disease
- May help manage High Blood Pressure
- May lower your risk of Heart Disease
- May prevent Gout Attacks by reducing uric acid levels
- Helps prevent Iron Deficiency
- Protects your Memory and Thinking as you age