How do you successfully prevent colds?

Veröffentlicht am: October 09, 2024
Dr. med. Wolfgang Bachmann
Dr. med. Wolfgang Bachmann

General practitioner

Year after year it's the same - from November/December we are plagued by colds and influenza. 

Why is it that the flu epidemic starts at the same time every year?

There are several reasons for this!

Viruses love the cold air! When it is cold and dry outside for long periods, these are ideal survival conditions for viruses.

We also spend time in heated rooms with low humidity, which irritates our mucous membranes. This leads to a reduction in the body's own barrier against viruses and bacteria.

Viruses are constantly changing, which is why our immune system can no longer recognize them as such. They are also very persistent and survive on palms, door handles and even banknotes.

The result - we fall ill.

So why do we only react when the flu is already here? 

The existing drugs on the market are usually only designed to combat symptoms . But it would actually make more sense to protect yourself preventively . 

Our immune system basically has a good defense system. However, this natural defense needs support from time to time when it comes to coping with challenges such as a cold or flu epidemic.

So how can we protect ourselves at an early stage?

Fit with vitamin C

Vitamin C prevents colds and influenza as it strengthens the white blood cells that are responsible for the body's defenses. The duration of the illness is reduced.

Study results show that the illness phase of a cold usually lasts up to 9 days. By taking 5,000 mg of vitamin C throughout the day, the illness phase can be reduced to 5 days or less. 

➤ Strengthen your immune system immediately!

Please note that only a daily and regular intake of vitamin C will have the desired protective effect!

Vitamin D - the sunshine vitamin

Numerous research findings confirm the importance of the sunshine hormone vitamin D for a healthy immune system.

➤ Fill up on vitamin D now!

At this time of year, the days get shorter and so do the valuable hours of sunshine. However, a full 90 % of vitamin D is produced by the skin through exposure to sunlight. It is therefore not surprising that 57% of all German adults develop or worsen vitamin D deficiency towards the end of winter due to a lack of sunshine. A lack of vitamin D inevitably leads to a weakened immune system!

Zinc against susceptibility to infections

Zinc is particularly known for its immune system-promoting effect. This is because zinc has a strong antiviral effect. The immune function is improved by zinc and vitamin C and the number of defense cells is increased.  

Zinc also helps with stress, fatigue, susceptibility to infections and cold symptoms. Studies show that taking zinc reduces the severity of cold symptoms by around 40 % and shortens their duration by 3-4 days.

 

Sources (in English):

Van Straten, M. & Josling, P. (2002, May-June). Preventing the common cold with a vitamin C supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey. Advances in Therapy, 19(3):151-9, doi: 10.1007/bf02850271

Gorton, H. C. & Jarvis, K. (1999, October). The effectiveness of vitamin C in preventing and relieving the symptoms of virus-induced respiratory infections. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 22(8):530-3, doi: 10.1016/s0161-4754(99)70005-9

Hintzpeter, B., Mensink, G. B., Theirfelder, W., Müller, M. J. & Scheidt-Nave, C. (2008, September). Vitamin D status and health correlates among German adults. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 62(9):1079-89, doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602825

Prasad, A. S. (2008, May-June). Zinc in human health: effect of zinc on immune cells. Molecular Medicine, 14(5-6):353-7, doi: 10.2119/2008-00033.Prasad

Wintergerst, E. S., Maggini, S. & Hornig, D. H. (2006). Immune-enhancing role of vitamin C and zinc and effect on clinical conditions. Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism, 50(2):85-94, doi: 10.1159/000090495