Holistic healing

Caught a cold

With sniffle season underway, you might be wondering how to sidestep getting ill. Here are the truths about warding off nasty bugs

Myth: Vitamin C helps me get over a cold?

Truth: Although vitamin C may not prevent you from catching a cold, research suggests that it can help you when you have one. Studies have shown that taking 200mg of vitamin C daily reduces the severity of a cold and the time it takes you to recover from one by at least a day. This is because vitamin C is required for the healthy functioning of the immune cells and the nutrient becomes depleted during an infection, which prolongs the duration of the illness. So make sure you reach out for vitamin C tablets next time you feel a cold coming on to give your immune system a well needed boost.

Myth: Antibiotics will cure my cough and cold?

Truth: Since most coughs are caused by a cold or flu virus they cannot be treated with antibiotics, as these are only effective against bacteria. In this instance, taking antibiotics would not help your infection at all and may even suppress your immune system. This is because the medication kills friendly bacteria, which are an essential part of our immune system. They also have unwanted side effects including heartburn and diarrhoea, and over use of antibiotics can make pathogenic bacteria resistant to them.

Myth: Eating raw garlic will keep me germ free?

Truth: Garlic contains a variety of sulphur compounds which possess antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties to help keep germs at bay. Allicin, the most powerful sulphur compound, is only found in raw garlic and this has the strongest anti-microbial effect. Allicin also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and therefore can help the immune system in a number of ways. Since the taste and smell of raw garlic may put you off eating it, allicin supplements are available, which may be easier to take.