This winter, we’ve had some teeth-chattering temperatures and plenty of snow across the country. And there’s no sign it’ll stop any time soon.
Of course, all this frightful winter weather can be hazardous to your health. So, over the next two days, I’m going to share with you my “Winter Survival Guide” — filled with do’s and don’ts for avoiding common, weather-related health conditions, including colds, the flu, achy joints…and even heart attacks and seasonal asthma.
Following these simple, natural steps is the best way to keep yourself in good health all winter — and year-round. So, let’s get started…
COLDS AND FLU
Cold and flu viruses run rampant during the winter — mainly because everyone stays cooped up inside, making it easier for viruses to spread from person to person. Here are my recommendations for avoiding these common winter viruses…
DON’T:
Be fooled by prescription drugs.
Antibiotics have no effect on cold and flu viruses because they’re viral — not bacterial. Plus, over-the-counter “cold and flu” medications just don’t work as well as natural remedies like echinacea, elderberry, and goldenseal. Plus, they have side effects like drowsiness, nausea, and upset stomach.
Get a flu shot.
Flu shots are ineffective — period. In fact, as I reported in the September 2018 issue of Insiders’ Cures (“The deadly dangers of flu vaccinations”), a study of more than 16 million people found that 80 percent of men and women over age 65 who received a flu vaccine in 2017 still ended up getting the flu! The risk just isn’t worth the reward — especially considering there are hundreds of natural remedies to both prevent and treat cold or flu.
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Join the crowd.
Because some cold and flu viruses can be airborne, a contagious person can make you sick simply by breathing on you. Plus, someone can remain contagious for a whopping five to 10 days! So, during the winter months, limit your time spent in crowded, indoor settings like malls, movie theaters, airplanes, etc.
DO:
Watch your hands.
It happens all the time. Someone with a cold or the flu coughs or sneezes on a surface — such as a doorknob, countertop, ATM screen, etc. If you touch that contaminated surface, and then touch one of your mucus membranes, you can transfer the virus into your respiratory and/or GI tract.
So, especially during cold and flu season, keep your hands away from your nose, mouth, and eyes.
Wash up.
Of course, you can’t always avoid touching your face. So, add an extra layer of protection by washing your hands with soap and water every few hours. (Or more often if you’re in close contact with people who are sick.)
If you’re not near a sink, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can work in a pinch. You should also wash your face regularly and gargle to expel viruses from your mouth.
De-stress and get some shuteye.
Stressful situations and lack of sleep can compromise your immune system, making it more difficult to fight off colds and flu.
So, take time-out this winter with relaxing mind-body exercises. (This short quiz can help you figure out which approach will work best for you.)
And as I’ve always recommended, aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep each day. (Napping counts!)
Supplement at the first sign of illness.
You should already be taking 10,000 IU daily of vitamin D3 and 250 mg of vitamin C twice a day for general good health. And if not, you should start today.
And if you feel a cold or flu coming on, boost your vitamin C dosage to as high as 2,000 mg per day.
In addition, as I mentioned a moment ago, echinacea, elderberry, and goldenseal are three effective herbs to take the first moment you feel like you’re coming down with a cold or flu. Rather than trying to swallow more capsules, I prefer brewing these herbal remedies in hot teas or infusions — with the addition of cold-fighting honey, fresh lemon, and/or ginger.
One or two raw cloves of garlic, or 200 to 500 mg of dried garlic powder daily, can also be an effective cold and flu fighter. You can also add in 100 mg of zinc acetate lozenges, 400 mg of magnesium, and 100 mcg of selenium per day.
Of course, colds and flu aren’t the only source of wintertime misery…
WINTER JOINT PAIN
The cold winter months can also be difficult for anyone who suffers from joint pain. So, here are a few simple steps that can help…
DON’T:
Be fooled by osteoarthritis drugs and NSAIDs.
I’ve written before about how osteoarthritis drugs can actually make you more prone to cartilage erosion. And prescription and OTC pain relievers can be addictive and even toxic.
Buy the glucosamine and chondroitin hype.
These natural substances were once the darling of the joint pain industry, until it was discovered that the body can’t properly absorb them — making them useless for relieving joint inflammation or pain.
DO:
Get some exercise — but not too much.
Most people tend to be more sedentary during the cold, winter months, which can lead to painful, stiff joints. So, make a point to get out and get moving around…but don’t move too much. Research shows that excessive exercise can make your joint pain worse. Aim for 2.5 hours of moderate exercise total per week. A scenic winter walk or two, daily or a couple times per week, is all it takes.
Supplement with my ABCs.
To control joint pain during the winter months (and all year long), look for natural ingredients that reduce inflammation and support natural joint repair. My go-to supplement trio — or the “ABCs of joint pain relief,” as I like to the call them — includes ashwagandha, boswellia, and curcumin. I recommend taking 400 to 500 mg of each daily. (They work best when taken together.)
Follow the recommendations outlined in my Arthritis Relief and Reversal Protocol.
In my comprehensive, step-by-step online learning protocol geared toward pain relief, I discuss all of the simple, practical, and effective ways you can ease and eliminate aching joints and arthritis pain — without dangerous drugs. Click here to learn more, or enroll today.
Tune back in tomorrow for Part 2 of my “Winter Survival Guide,” where I’ll cover steps you can take to avoid winter heart troubles and respiratory issues.