By Susan Brownfield
Winter can be an anxiety-producing time for many singers. Trying to stay healthy to be able to sing in engagements can induce stress, which can also, ironically, make you more prone to illness. You can always spot the singer because he or she is always scarfed up and avoiding anyone sick like the plague! It is possible, however, to feel more confident in your immune system and feel stronger through the winter by just making a few adjustments to boost your body’s own ability to fight off colds and the flu.
Increase Vitamin D Intake
Have you noticed that most people don’t get colds in the summer? This is said to be because of increased vitamin D exposure from the sun. Dr. John Cannell, M.D. published a study in 2006 in regards to vitamin D and influenza. He found that vitamin D (which is actually a hormone) was responsible for turning on these vital antimicrobial peptides within the body, which fight off bacteria, fungi and viruses, including the influenza virus.
It was found that people with higher levels of vitamin D were less susceptible to colds and the flu. Optimal levels should be around 50-70 ng/ml (nanograms per milliliter). Most Americans average at around 15-18 ng/ml in the winter. It may be a good idea to go to a primary care physician to have vitamin D levels checked to see if there is a deficiency.
Many healthcare providers recommend vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) as it is more bioavailable and raises vitamin D levels more efficiently.
How to Clear a Cold Quickly
If you find that your body has already succumbed to the dreaded cold or flu, there is one thing very important that you can do in order to clear the sickness from your body as fast as possible. Stop all intake of sugar! This should be done at least until your cold or flu is completely gone. Sugar is an immunosuppressant and inhibits the ability of immune cells to function optimally. In fact, just having a soft drink loaded with sugar will keep your immune system suppressed for several hours.
If you have a sweet tooth, consider curbing all sugary foods and drinks until you are sure that your cold has passed.
Natural Remedy to Kick a Cold
It is all too common that people pick up a cold or two in the winter. If you find yourself coughing and wheezing but want to avoid a trip to the pharmacy, there a time-tested folk medicine cure that has been used for many decades.
It was dubbed “honegar” by D.C. Jarvis M.D. who was a doctor living and practicing in Vermont up until the mid 1960s. He found that the concoction of raw apple cider vinegar and honey was a helpful cure for many ailments including colds. Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial properties and can also reduce blood sugar levels. Honey is a natural cough suppressant and also has antibacterial properties.
I add a little extra to give this remedy even more punch: turmeric. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory and can soothe the gut.
Cold Kicker Remedy
½ – 1 tbs of raw apple cider vinegar
1 tbs of raw honey
¼ tsp of turmeric
6 oz. of warm water
Mix thoroughly and enjoy!
Sources:
www.whale.to/a/cannell.html
articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/12/13/flu-vaccine.aspx
www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/10-immune-system-busters-boosters
Susan is a classically trained singer currently living in Switzerland with her family. She has performed and taught for many years. In addition to music, Susan is passionate about all things related to health and wellness. An avid home cook, Susan loves to experiment with dishes from all over the world. She’s a homesteader in the making who finds herself in the city at the moment, but dreams of having a plot of land someday where she can put her hands in the soil and plant to her heart’s content. Learn more at www.thenaturalsinger.com.
