Who hasn’t been in a public setting and heard the all to familiar mucous expelling nasal body cavity ringing sound of the sneeze. I do not consider myself a germaphobe, but I absolutely cringe like a frightened little boy when that thunderous sound is transmitted to my ears. Why? Perhaps it’s the fact that those tiny, almost invisible, respiratory droplets are traveling faster than I can run. It is estimated that 40,000 respiratory droplets are expelled at a rate of 47mph or 69 feet per second.
Although the sneeze is helpful for the human body, us innocent bystanders are blasted with the viral innards of another, like a paint flicking Picaso master wrist flicker. Lets avoid those sneeze artists altogether and try and prevent the common cold and flu. I am no expert in the flu or cold, but I do have a unique perspective in prevention, and I do have formal education on the matter.
I’m a chiropractor in Denver that typically treats neck and back pain, but sometimes that pain is accompanied with that not so friendly cough, sneeze, or runny nose. So, why am I commenting on cold and flu prevention when my true expertise is in neuromusculoskeletal issues. Blame it on my pricey chiropratic college education.
We received approximately 150 classroom hours purely dedicated to nutrition, and I highly value that part of my education. So, I would like to share some knowledge and help out my fellow man. I want to make this easy, and nothing like making it easier than a list. I also encourage you to speak to your doctor before implementing herbs and supplements into your daily rountine, especially if you are on pharmacologic therapy, or pregnant.
1. Vitamin C – Studies have shown 1 to 4 grams a day may make your cold shorter and less severe.
2. Zinc lozenges – Must contain zinc gluconate, zinc gluconate-glycine, or zince acetate, providing 13 to 25 mg every two hours, to help stop the virus and shorten the illness.
3. Echinacea – Take this when you notice that very first symptom of your cold. Take 3 – 5 ml of echinacea juice every two hours to make your cold less severe or 300mg of powder form for the first day. Then 3 times per day for a total of 7-10 days.
4. Andrographis – Several double blind studies have gound that androgrphis can help reduce syptom severity with 100mg of standardized extract taken two times per day .
5. Propolis – May be helpful in preventing and shortening the duration of the common cold. 500mg of oral propolis products once or twice daily.
6. Garlic – Helps prevent colds with 600-900mg a day of stardardized garlic supplement.
7. Marshmallow Root tea – Will help soothe your sore throat.
8. Black Elderberry – 10 – 30 ml taken twice daily will help you recover faster.
9. Rest – Your body cannot fight a virus if it is busy recovering from other stressful activities.
10. Fluids – Plenty of water and fluids with electrolytes will help thin mucous.
Please consult your health care professional before adding supplements or herbs to your diet, and stay home if you are sick. Exposing others to your germs may possibly cause life threatening circumstances to those with already compromised immune sytems.
To Your Health,
Dr. Trent Artichoker MS, DC
Denver Chiropractic, LLC
3890 Federal Blvd Unit 1
Denver, CO 80211
303-455-2225