Best Flu and Cold Remedies

Although you might be tempted to take over-the-counter medicine for a cold or flu, it is best to rest. Moving around can only worsen the symptoms of a sore neck and make it worse. Resting allows your body to recover from the symptoms of a cold or flu. Garlic is a great natural remedy to the flu and cold. Garlic is one of the best natural cures for colds and flu. Garlic is packed with anti-inflammatory properties and can also fight the virus that causes colds and flu.

Chicken soup

Researchers from Nebraska investigated the effects of chicken stock on white blood cell activity, specifically the movement of neutrophils. Researchers at the University of Nebraska discovered that chicken soup had an inhibitory effect upon neutrophil migration. This could help reduce the symptoms of a mild cold. The soup also reduced activity in the upper respiratory tract where cold symptoms are common. Researchers believe that the soup is a good remedy for cold symptoms.

Honey

Honey is an effective and delicious remedy for colds and flu. You can drink it as a tea or add it to warm water to ease congestion and soothe the throat. A teaspoon of honey mixed in a glass of water will help sooth cold and flu symptoms. The natural ingredients in honey have anti-inflammatory properties, so they can be effective in reducing the severity of cold symptoms. For an even more powerful effect, add a teaspoon cinnamon to your drink.

Garlic

Besides eating raw garlic, you can also take a supplement that contains garlic. Both raw garlic and cooked garlic can be used to treat colds and flu symptoms. They have the power to improve the immune system and ease cold symptoms. You will also recover faster if your body gets enough rest and water. A zinc supplement may be taken to increase your immune system. Raw garlic is the best form of garlic supplementation. But, there is no scientific proof to support the effectiveness of garlic as a cold and flu remedy.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C has existed for many decades. However, it has not always been a cure for colds. LinusPauling, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist and chemist, suggested that high amounts of vitamin A could prevent colds. This claim was later disproved. Researchers are now confident that vitamin-C can help to decrease the frequency and length of colds. The evidence is there.

Hot showers

Hot showers can relieve symptoms of the flu and cold, especially if you are already suffering from dehydration. Hot showers can cause mucus to be released and make you feel better. You can also make a mini sauna by installing a small shower in your bathroom. You will feel much better after inhaling the steam.

Drinking plenty of fluids

Drinking lots of fluids to combat the flu and cold symptoms has many benefits. One, proper hydration can help the body use medications more efficiently, which will result in quicker relief. Generally, adults should drink six to eight glasses of water daily, but you should increase your intake if you have symptoms. Another benefit is electrolyte-enhanced beverages, which replenish lost fluids and prevent symptoms from worsening.

Vitamin C can reduce the severity of flu symptoms.

According to a recent study, taking 6 to 8 grams of vitamin C daily can reduce the duration of a cold or flu by as much as 20 percent. But, it is not clear what the optimal vitamin C intake should be. These are because the results of existing studies don't show a clear dose-response relationship. Numerous trials have demonstrated that higher doses are more effective than single-dose trials of just 1 gram vitamin C.

FAQ

How much should you weigh for your height and age BMI calculator & chart

A body mass index calculator (BMI) is the best way to find out how much weight you should lose. A healthy BMI range is between 18.5 and 24.9. Aim to lose 10 pounds per month if your goal is to lose weight. Enter your height and weight to calculate your BMI.

This BMI chart can help you find out if or not you are obese.

These are the 7 secrets to a healthy life.

1. You should eat right
2. Exercise regularly
3. Sleep well
4. Get plenty of water.
5. Get enough sleep
6. Happy!
7. Smile often

Exercise: Good for immunity or not?

Exercise is good for your immune system. Exercise boosts the production of white blood cells, which can fight off infections. You can also eliminate toxins from the body. Exercise can help prevent heart disease and cancer. It reduces stress.

Exercising too frequently can make your immune system weaker. Exercising too hard can make your muscles sore. This can cause inflammation and swelling. Your body then has to produce more antibodies to fight off infection. These extra antibodies can lead to allergies or autoimmune disorders.

So, don't overdo it!

Statistics

• This article received 11 testimonials and 86% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. (wikihow.com)
• According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, we should strive for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity each week (54Trusted Source Smoking, harmful use of drugs, and alcohol abuse can all seriously negatively affect your health. (healthline.com)
• The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend keeping added sugar intake below 10% of your daily calorie intake, while the World Health Organization recommends slashing added sugars to 5% or less of your daily calories for optimal health (59Trusted (healthline.com)
• nutrients.[17]X Research sourceWhole grains to try include: 100% whole wheat pasta and bread, brown rice, whole grain oats, farro, millet, quinoa, and barley. (wikihow.com)

External Links

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

• Sources and Intakes for Added Sugars in Young Children, Adolescents and Adults with Low and Higher Intakes of Sugars - PMC
• Long-term associations between nut intake and body weight and obesity. PubMed

health.harvard.edu

• Supplements: A scorecard - Harvard Health
• How much exercise are you able to do? Harvard Health Publications. Harvard Health

who.int

• WHO asks countries to reduce sugar intake in children and adults.

nhs.uk

• Understanding calories – NHS
• Eating a balanced diet - NHS

How To

Ten tips for a healthy lifestyle

How to live a healthy life

We live in an era where it is difficult to get enough rest, we eat too often, drink too much alcohol, and use cigarettes. We don't pay enough attention to our bodies' health.

When you work full-time, it is difficult to maintain a healthy diet and exercise program. It's even harder when you are stressed because your mind tells you that you cannot handle the situation anymore. So we feel guilty and give up.

You may feel that something is not right with your body. Talk to your doctor about your condition. If there are no signs of something abnormal, stress from your job could be the cause.

Some people believe that their job allows them to exercise regularly, or that they have friends who support them in staying fit. They are fortunate. They don't have problems. They control everything. I wish every person could be like them. Many of us aren't able to find the right balance between our personal and professional lives. Many people have bad habits that lead to illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes.

Here are some ways to improve your daily life.

1. Get 7 hours of sleep minimum and 8 hours maximum each night. This includes proper sleeping positions and avoiding caffeine during the last hour before going to bed. Caffeine blocks the melatonin hormones making it hard to fall asleep. Make sure your bedroom is dark and clean. Blackout curtains are a must, especially if you work late at nights.
2. Good nutrition is key to a healthy lifestyle. Avoid sugary products, fried food and white breads. Try to include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables for lunch. Afternoon snacks are recommended to be rich in protein and fiber, such as nuts, seeds, beans, fish and dairy products. Avoid sugary snacks like cookies, chips, chocolates, and cakes.
3. Drink plenty of water - Most of us don' t drink enough water. Water can help us burn more calories, keep our skin supple and young, flush out toxins and improve our digestion. You will lose weight faster if you drink six glasses of liquid daily. You can determine how hydrated you are by examining the color of your urine. Yellow indicates dehydration; orange signifies slightly dehydrated; pink signifies normal; red signifies overhydrated; and clear signifies highly-overhydrated.
4. Regular exercise can increase energy and decrease depression. Walking is an easy way to improve your mood. Walking may appear easy but requires concentration and effort. Your brain must be able to concentrate on walking, while taking deep breaths and slowing down. A 30-minute walk for 100 to 150 calories can be burned in 30 minutes. Start slow, and then increase the pace. To avoid injuries, stretch after exercising.
5. Be positive - Positive thinking is essential for mental health. Positive thinking can create a happy atmosphere within us. Negative thoughts drain our energy and cause anxiety. Focus on what you want and do the things that will keep you motivated. If you feel overwhelmed by all these new tasks, break down each task into small steps. Remember that you are bound to fail sometimes but just pick yourself up and start again.
6. Learn to say No. We are often so busy that our attention is not focused on the important things we are doing. It is important to learn to say No when you need to. Not saying "no" is rude. A No means that you can't take care of something now. You will always find a way to complete the task later. Try to set boundaries. Ask someone else to help you out. Or simply delegate this work to someone else.
7. Take care your body. Keep track of what you eat. Eat healthier foods to boost metabolism and shed extra weight. Do not eat anything too heavy or oily because they tend to raise cholesterol levels. Good advice is to eat three meals and 2 snacks each day. You should consume around 2000 - 2500 calories per day.
8. Meditation can be a great stress relief and can help reduce anxiety. Sitting still with closed eyes allows your mind to relax. This exercise will give your mind clarity, which is very important in making decisions. Practicing meditation regularly will make you calmer and happier.
9. Don't skip breakfast - Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Skipping breakfast could cause you to eat too much during lunchtime. It is never too late to eat a balanced breakfast as long as you eat within 1 hour of waking. Eating breakfast increases your energy level and helps you to control your hunger.
10. Eat clean food - Food affects our moods more than we know. Avoid junk food or any food items that contain preservatives or artificial ingredients. These foods make your body feel acidic, and can trigger cravings. A variety of fruits and vegetables is rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that can help improve overall health.