How to survive cold snap WITHOUT sneezing
“Close social bonds boost immunity,” says Dr Megan Arroll, health psychologist (www.meganarroll.com). “People who have relationships with a variety of others, such as work colleagues, friends, extended family, hobby/gym buddies, etc, are less likely to come down with a cold. So a simple, and enjoyable, trick to enhance immune function is to spend time with others.”
Those who make love once or twice a week produce 30% more immunoglobulin A cells – viral antibodies – than those who don’t, according to one study.
“Lack of sleep suppresses your immune system, making you more vulnerable to infections and metabolic and hormone changes,” says Lisa Artis at The Sleep Council. “Research suggests that the release of certain hormones during sleep boosts the immune system.”
“There are more than 20,000 important antioxidants in the fruit and vegetables that we eat, and we need all of them,” says Emma Ross, A. Vogel nutritionist. “Aim for a rainbow diet, incorporating as many different colours as possible, particularly the dark greens and purples.” “Garlic acts as a powerful immune booster that stimulates the multiplication of infection-fighting white cells, boosts natural killer-cell activity and increases the efficiency of antibody production,” explains Dr Marilyn Glenville, author of The Natural Health Bible for Women. Add it to everything you cook. “Alternate between hot and cold,” advises Shona Wilkinson, nutritionist at Superfooduk. “This helps to boost your immunity by increasing two types of white blood cells – monocytes and lymphocytes.
“The immune system is stimulated by your body trying to warm itself up from the cold water, while switching to hot water stimulates your body’s detoxification system. The fewer toxins we have in our body, the more your immune system is better able to deal with bacteria and viruses.”
“The water in our body carries nutrients to your cells, and waste and toxins away and keeps body temperature stable. It keeps the lining of your mouth hydrated and moist, reducing susceptibility to colds,” explains Dr Glenville.
“Drinking plenty of water will also help your body deliver nutrients, flush out waste and dilute mucus, helping to eliminate bacteria and viruses that can make
you ill.” A study by Professor David Nieman at Appalachian State University in North Carolina examined the risks of catching a cold among a group of women aged between 65 and 84 over a 12-week period. Their findings revealed that walking for between 30 and 40 minutes five times a almost halved the women risk of catching a cold.
Lack of sleep suppresses your immune system so you’re more vulnerable to infections and hormone changes