Colds are the most common infectious diseases shared by Americans and are triggered by hundreds of different viruses, rather than bacteria; colds are usually spread by hand-to-hand contact between people, or by touching objects that harbor the opportunistic pathogens, more than by coughing or sneezing.

Since colds are viral in nature, antibiotics are of absolutely no value and should be avoided unless your physician diagnoses a serious secondary bacterial infection; antibiotics overuse contributes to the problem of drug-resistant bacterial infections.

The key to preventing colds and recovering from them quickly is to maintain a strong immune system, which means getting enough sleep and exercise, optimizing your diet, avoiding sugar, managing your stress, practicing good hand washing technique, and maintaining an adequate vitamin D level.

Vitamin D is a potent antimicrobial agent, producing 200 to 300 different antimicrobial peptides in your body that kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Suboptimal vitamin D levels will significantly impair your immune response and make you far more susceptible to contracting colds, influenza, and other respiratory infections.

Besides vitamin D, a few other natural supplements may be helpful if you catch a cold; my favorites are outlined below:

Raw, grass-fed organic milk, and/or high-quality whey protein

Fermented foods such as raw kefir, kimchee, miso, pickles, sauerkraut, etc., which are rich in probiotics, or good bacteria. Scientific research shows that 80 percent of your immune system resides inside your digestive tract, so eating probiotic-rich foods or taking a high-quality probiotic will help support your immune health.

Raw, organic eggs from free-ranging, preferably local, chickens Grass-fed beef

Coconuts and coconut oil

Animal-based omega-3 fats, such as krill oil

Locally grown fruits and vegetables, appropriate for your nutritional type

Mushrooms, especially Reishi, Shiitake, and Maitake, which contain beta glucans (which have immune-enhancing properties)

Garlic, a potent antimicrobial that kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Ideally this should be in fresh form, eaten raw and crushed with a spoon just before eating.

Herbs and spices with high ORAC scores: Turmeric, oregano, cinnamon, and cloves.

Make sure you are drinking plenty of fresh, pure water. Water is essential for the optimal function of every system in your body, and will help with nose stuffiness and loosening secretions. You should drink enough water so that your urine is a light, pale yellow.

Chicken Soup. Yes, it does work! Chicken contains a natural amino acid called cysteine, which can thin the mucus in your lungs and make it less sticky so you can expel it more easily. Processed, canned soups won’t work as well as the homemade version, however. For best results, make up a fresh batch yourself (or ask a friend or family member to do so) and make the soup hot and spicy with plenty of pepper. The spices will trigger a sudden release of watery fluids in your mouth, throat, and lungs, which will help thin down the respiratory mucus so it’s easier to cough up and expel.

(Source: To Read Full Article Visit – Mercola )