Personalized Cold Preventives

[talon]

Lots of people seek ways to reduce the number of colds and flus they get each year. There was a study recently conducted that polled the healthiest people and compiled their top 25 remedies.

As one of the healthiest people (I have never had a cold or flu or arthritis, although I have succumbed a couple of times to strep throat, pregnancy, rare allergies, and had numerous injuries), I'll share with you what I've observed to be the reason I never get Con Crud, Traveller's Flu, or any other contagious type of cold.

First, I believe I will not get sick. This is perhaps the strongest reason I don't get sick. I believe I am healthy, and therefore I am. Even when I am around sick people, I know I am healthy and their germs are weak and won't affect me. Never underestimate the power of belief.

I wash my hands and don't touch my eyes, nose, or mouth when I am around sick people or people who are in the process of getting sick or who have recently been sick. I also use Germ-X (but not often, as I believe healthy bacteria protect me against diseases) and lotions to keep my skin soft and supple instead of dry and cracked, where germs can hide and then enter when I do something like bite my fingernails and rub my nose or eyes.

Those two are the top tricks I use to stay healthy. They are pretty much the only ones I personally use.

Everything else I am about to share are tips and tricks other people use. They may or may not work. I haven't used any of them and I don't know if using them would make any difference for me, as I'm already so very healthy.

Protein Drink: mixing 2 pasteurized raw egg whites into 3 ounces vanilla flavored yogurt. This reportedly tastes kind of eggnoggy, and it does have the benefit of providing calcium and beneficial gut bacteria, which could mildly boost the immune system.

Eating less or no meat during flu season. Don't know why this works, but lots of people claim it does. I don't eat a lot of meat any time of the year and tend to get most of my protein from dairy and beans, so maybe I am benefitting from this and not aware of it because it just routinely adds to my belief in being healthy and washing my hands.

Taking lots of extra Vitamin C regularly, not just at the hint of a cold onset. I don't do this one at all. Too much Vitamin C (which I take in the form of food, not supplements - I don't do pills) makes my mouth skin raw and tender, which would probably make me susceptible to colds if I did this.

Chewing garlic. Lots and lots of people swear by chewing a fresh garlic clove at the hint of a cold. I cook routinely with garlic and feel I get the same benefit without the instant garlic breath, garlic belches, and exuding garlic scent from my skin pores that chewing raw garlic causes. I'd recommend using the descented garlic capsules if you're a pill-popper.

Brewer's yeast. I like brewer's yeast, especially on popcorn or eggs because it adds a nice cheesy, salty flavor. I don't use it every day. Those who swear by it do use it daily. If it works, I say go for it. Brewer's yeast is yummy.

Eating less. Some people swear that by eating half as much as they do the rest of the year, they prevent colds and flu. I eat the same amount, so I don't know if this works or not. Scientists claim eating less will extend our lives by a few months. I don't think it's worth the deprivation for a few more old age months. Too many people have sad, sickly old ages and I wouldn't want to live longer if I was suffering, so eat up, I say. Or not, if that's your thing.

Napping. Or getting more sleep. I think sleeping more would reduce the stress on your body, which could I turn make you more resistant to illness.

And that's it.