[ad_1]
During the cold and flu season, most of us simply want to snuggle under the blankets with Netflix, a box of tissue and enough flu medicine to build a small castle. If you like to take the path of supplements to improve your recovery, know that flu supplements can be helpful, but they can also have unexpected side effects. There are several types of flu and dozens of supplements that claim to cure all sniffles and sneezes. Some, however, are a bad idea. they will probably not do anything, or worse, they will be able to interact with other drugs. Other supplements can bring relief, but nothing proves that they do more. And it is important to remember that once you start to feel the flu symptoms and take supplements, you are already gone from the flu cycle to health again.
"Natural" flu remedies have been around for thousands of years, from raw onions to hot honey and ginger tea. The fact that something is presented as all-natural does not mean, however, that it will be effective against a viral infection that is already fighting your immune system. To fight the flu, nothing better than the flu shot, but if you have already received your flu and you are still infected with the virus, you should learn about supplements that can and can not make you feel better.
Zinc could interfere with drugs
The National Institute of Health warns that zinc, often touted as a natural supplement for people with cold and flu symptoms, could have the unintended consequence of interfering with other drugs. The Mayo Clinic notes that experiments have shown that zinc seemed a little help in relieving cold symptoms, but that they also interfered with antibiotics – a serious problem if your flu became a bacterial infection.
Vitamin C is fine, but will not work miracles
When it comes to supplements during the flu season, vitamin C is one of the best choices. Science has shown that it is at least partially effective in relieving the symptoms of the flu. A study conducted in 2017 showed that doses of this medication may reduce the duration of colds, a mild form of respiratory infection, but other studies, including one in 2013, revealed that it was difficult to determine whether Vitamin could help prevent or treat cancer. in a real way. If you take drugs containing amphetamine, vitamin C will also make it less effective.
Vitamin D could be useful for prevention
Several studies conducted in 2017 revealed that vitamin D supplements appeared to be very promising for preventing colds and flu. Vitamin D is thought to have a supporting effect on the immune system. A study in the United Kingdom recommended that people start taking vitamin D supplements early in the cold and flu season to boost their immune response to respiratory infections. It is not clear if this helps to shorten the treatment in general.
Echinacea could help, but be careful about allergies
Some probiotic supplements have minor effects
An emerging field of science when it comes to infections such as the flu is how the intestine affects the body's immune system. Early studies suggest that certain types of probiotics may help some people better treat the symptoms of the flu. A small study conducted in 2008, for example, found that yeast-based supplements might help some flu patients, while another study in China found that several probiotic yogurts appeared to relieve the symptoms of the flu. influenza in people whose immune system was weakened and who became very ill. The science on this subject is far from conclusive, however, and it is not widespread enough to be agreed upon.
But no supplement is worth as much as the influenza vaccine
If you want complete prevention, the only supplement to your health that you should focus on during the cold and flu season is that provided by the flu vaccine. It is updated annually to target the particular influenza strains that are thought to be the most common. It is effective and safe.
Vitamin C and echinacea can be soothing, but for effective action against the flu virus, it's the vaccine every time. If you are able to get the flu shot, it is important to help those who can not, whether because of pregnancy, young age, or other immunocompromised patients. In addition, good hygiene throughout the season (washing your hands and staying home when you feel unwell) can help prevent the spread of this disease.
Source link
