HELP YOURSELF TO A COLD FREE WINTER

With winter fast approaching now is a good time to take a look at how we can ensure we remain healthy and well during the cold winter months.

Common colds can really drag you down and we now know that flu can be deadly, which is why the NHS offers flu vaccinations to those most at risk. How can we protect ourselves against the estimated 120 million episodes of colds and flu this season?

WASH HANDS

Touching everyday objects with contaminated hands is the number one cause of harbouring, spreading and acquiring the common cold virus. How many times have you quickly rinsed hands under a cold water tap? Well, it’s not enough to get them properly clean, they need a good wash with disinfectant at least five times a day, including after each episode of coughing, sneezing and nose-blowing.

BOOST YOUR DIET TO PROTECT YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

Make sure you eat a well balanced diet with adequate carbohydrate, protein and fat intake. This is of key importance in the maintenance of the immune system. As the cold months approach, particular nutrients become more important to a normally functioning immune system, says Dr Mouton author of "Intestinal Ecosystem and Optimal Health". As well as vitamins and minerals contained in fruit and vegetables, these include:

* Iron - Rich sources include red meat, fish, liver and pâté. Plant sources include kidney beans, lentils, tofu, apricots, prunes, figs and fortified breakfast cereals. Vitamin C enhances absorption of iron, so eat foods in combination: kidney beans with tomatoes or breakfast cereal with a glass of orange juice.

* Zinc - Rich sources include red meat and fish, particularly oysters, and pumpkin and sunflower seeds. Milk and cheese, wholegrain cereals and lentils also contain zinc.

* Selenium - Good sources include Brazil and cashew nuts (above), fish and shellfish, especially crab, and mung and soya beans.

TAKE EXERCISE

Don’t be a couch potato, as people that don’t exercise have a far greater chance of getting a cold or flu than the moderately active, according to research from Loughborough University. "Moderate exercise boosts white blood cells as well as increasing the concentration of antibodies in the saliva, protecting against respiratory infections," says Mike Gleeson, professor of sport science and co-author of Immune Function in Sport and Exercise (Churchill Livingston, 2006). Recreational activity such as gentle walking, however, is healthier in winter than doing a marathon and if possible it is worth avoiding physiological and psychological stress during the time of year when colds and flu are most virulent - as well as ensuring that you are not overtired after training.

CONSIDER TAKING A SUPPLEMENT FOR A BOOST

Probiotics - Take a daily dose of a probiotic supplement rather than probiotic yoghurty drinks, as these are often high in sugar. Research shows that two thirds of the body’s immune cells reside in the gut – so it is paramount to keep it healthy with a good balance of friendly bacteria. It is important to look for probiotics that are formulated with particular strains to support your immune system. One product is Immunox – it contains antioxidants and probiotics and is specifically formulated to boost the immune system. Probiotics have their own immune boosting role within the gut, but importantly they also help aid absorption of the good nutrients such as antioxidants that our bodies need for immunity. So Immunox works on a dual basis to boost the immune system.

If you do take probiotics there’s really no point in doing it half-heartedly. They need to be taken regularly every day or, at least for a period of time, to replenish the bugs that are naturally flushed from your body daily.

Also look at increasing your intake of:

Ginseng - Taking 200mg capsules of North American ginseng root cuts the risk of colds by more than 30 per cent.

Garlic - A 12-week placebo-controlled trial, comparing garlic extract with placebo found that those taking garlic were two to three times less likely to develop a cold or flu.

Vitamin C - Research suggests that taking the recommended daily dose of 60mg of vitamin C reduces the risk of colds by a mere 4 per cent. However, followers of the double Nobel Prize-winner Linus Pauling argue that size matters. A major review of 60 studies, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology in 2000, for instance, reported that taking 1,000mg of vitamin C every day reduces symptoms of colds.

AND FINALLY ….. KEEP HAPPY!

Happy people were found to be three times less likely to develop a cold. Dr Sheldon Cohen of Carnegie Mellon University squirted 334 volunteers with a cold virus, and found that those with a "positive emotional style reported fewer symptoms". People who are depressed, angry or nervous are three times more likely to get ill than those who are more energetic, relaxed and happy!

Immunox

Probiotics have been scientifically proven to help support the immune system. Immunox is an advanced multi-strain probiotic and antioxidant combination as probiotics also help absorption of antioxidants. Immunox is recommended for people who lead active, demanding lifestyles and for those with weaker immune responses. The varied types (strains) of friendly bacteria in Immunox ensure the intestinal lining throughout the gut is well colonised with a healthy coating of friendly bacteria. A strong intestinal lining bars contaminants and harmful bacteria from entering into the bloodstream. A rich probiotic balance also supports immune cells in the intestinal walls to help limit the growth of pathogenic organisms.

The antioxidants in Immunox are a unique and balanced combination of essential antioxidants as well as other potent natural extracts with very powerful regenerating and free radical neutralising properties. DTECTA guarantees at least 2.5 billion live probiotics per capsule, 30 caps and R.R.P Euros 10.82

OptiBac

OptiBac is DTECTA’s high potency, multi-strain daily maintenance probiotic that contains six different strains of probiotics to work on all the parts of the small and large (colon) intestine. OptiBac also contains prebiotics which are simply explained as the food that probiotics needs to flourish. OptiBac is an excellent probiotic to help maintain health, immunity and overall well-being throughout the digestive tract. OptiBac guarantees at least 2.5 billion friendly bacteria per capsule in 60 capsules and R.R.P. Euros 13.84

Author Details: Rishi Khubchandani