Aside from cold weather and winter festivities, the inevitable flu season has begun – and it’s only going to get worse.
The dreaded ‘Aussie flu’ is expected to wreak havoc on an already over-stretched NHS after blighting Australia during the country’s winter.
But it’s not all doom and gloom, according to various medical experts, ranging from nutritionists to A&E doctors and dermatologists.
Here, in a piece for Healthista, they have explained which cold and flu remedies they swear by and what they do to avoid catching a bug.
And their answers range from a plant extract, dubbed ‘better than anything a doctor could prescribe’, to simply drinking more water.
1. Dr David Jack – anti-ageing doctor
Which cold and flu remedies do you swear by?
Good old vitamin C has to be my number one. In the winter I make sure I’m getting surplus vitamin C from citrus fruits and supplements.
I really don’t think you can get enough of it. If I feel a cold or sniffle coming on – I add two Berocca tablets to my shake, which seems to really stop anything nasty in its tracks.
In the wintertime I up my game a little.
I am a big fan of antioxidants to help the immune system boost itself – particularly glutathione and vitamins C and E so I’ve added these to my supplement range.
Berocca has been helping me for years and I really swear by it, particularly when I was working in the NHS and was exposed to all sorts of viruses on a daily basis.
I think eating a good range of fruit and vegetables every day is also essential – particularly strongly coloured fruits such as raspberries, blueberries and Concord grapes.
I eat these on a daily basis, particularly in wintertime when the risk of infections is higher.
As a rule I try to avoid antibiotics wherever possible and treat things with supportive measures instead.
2. Sarah Flower – nutritionist
Which cold and flu remedies do you swear by?
I swear by adding a good quality probiotic daily. This not only ensures your bowel is in good health but also boosts your immune system dramatically.
I also highly recommend vitamin D, daily throughout the year for those who don’t spend much time outside.
But everyone should take it during the winter months as we do not get vitamin D from the sun in this country during the winter months.
The third is a very good quality fish oil.
Do you take an precautions to avoid getting sick?
Hydrate. Keeping yourself well hydrated is absolutely vital to help ‘flush’ out the cold, break down congestion and keep your throat lubricated.
Try to avoid sugary or milky drinks especially if you have a lot of mucus as this can often make it worse.
I would opt for water (sparkling water with lemon can be very refreshing), you can also try soothing warm herbal and fruit teas.
Herbal teas such as sage, ginger, lemon, chamomile, liquorice root, slippery elm and green tea can help ease a sore throat.
Fresh turmeric (not powder) tea is really light and is perfect as an anti-inflammatory.
Make a broth. Broth would have traditionally been made using bones and whatever spare vegetables were around.
Bone stock is packed full of nutrients, including gelatine, collagen and a whole host of vitamin and minerals to help heal and get you back on your feet.
Add some garlic, as it is a powerful anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-catarrhal. Don’t fear adding chilli, this acts as a natural decongestant.
I would also add some turmeric and cinnamon, as well as a dash of fresh ginger to speed up your metabolism too!
Take it easy! We all think we are invincible and push forward no matter what but there is nothing wrong with taking some time out, turn off the wifi, grab the duvet and relax and de-stress.
This not only feels good but it also boosts your immune system. The perfect excuse for a lazy day!
A breath of fresh air. Our ancestors used to take patients outdoors for at least an hour every day, no matter how sick they were.
There is a good reason behind this and the reason is vitamin D, which helps to prevent the flu and can also regulate our immune response.
We are now aware that a large number of Brits are lacking the recommended levels of vitamin D, especially throughout the winter months.
To gain adequate exposure to the sun’s UVB rays, you need to be in the sun for at least 15 minutes per day.
For those unable to do so, a great alternative is opting for vitamin D3 supplements.
Taking one daily not only boosts the immune system and fights infection but can also help with depression, bone and joint and heart health.
3. May Simpkin – nutritionist
Which cold and flu remedies do you swear by?
As soon as I get the feelings at the back of my throat that I may be coming down with a cold, I start taking vitamin C, twice a day.
1000mg in the morning and 1000mg in the evening.
As a power antioxidant vitamin C can help to boost you immune system and ward off a cold, if you can start it before it takes hold.
I also keep my fluids up with plenty of warming herbal teas like ginger or green tea which is rich in antioxidants and make sure I get plenty of vegetables to boost my nutrient intake to help my body fight off any bugs.
Do you take an precautions to avoid getting sick?
I eat well every day and aim to ensure at least seven portions of vegetables and fruit each day.
This provides a good level of varied nutrients which will support a healthy immune system.
My sleep routine is paramount and I try to ensure I go to bed at the same time every night.
Sleep is essential for the body to rest and repair so you are prepared for the day ahead.
4. Dr Rachel Carlton Abrams
Which cold and flu remedies do you swear by?
Elderberry and echinacea are as effective as Tamiflu in reducing length and severity of flu symptoms.
How do you get rid of a cold fast?
Vitamin C 1000 mg three times daily.
Fresh garlic chopped and mixed in honey applied to the back of the throat every several hours throughout the first day or two of illness.
Do you take any precautions to avoid getting sick?
Lots of nutrient rich colored fruits and veggies of the season: winter squash, sweet potatoes, all citrus, kiwi’s, pineapple guavas, astragalus daily when feeling vulnerable, lots of sleep.
5. Dr Daniel Glass, dermatologist
Which cold and flu remedies do you swear by?
There is evidence suggesting that vitamin C can be beneficial when it comes to fighting off colds and flus because of the way in which it supports our immune system, so I try to incorporate this into my diet whenever I can.
During the colder months in addition to eating a diet rich in vitamin c through vegetables and fruits, I also will take a vitamin C supplement to help ward off colds and infections.
How do you get rid of a cold fast?
When it comes to getting rid of a cold, I usually turn away from the standard over the counter cold treatments and opt for natural remedies as I feel these are a much healthier way to fight a cold and get your body back to normal.
For example, I find it incredibly beneficial to sweat out a cold in a sauna, or eat a bowl of chicken soup as the vegetables included have good nutritional benefits.
For example, the carrots contain beta-carotene and the celery contains vitamin C, both of which support the immune system and fight off infections.
In addition, the onions in chicken soup provide antioxidants which help to reduce inflammation and act as an anti-histamine.
Do you take any precautions to avoid getting sick?
I do not do anything too drastic to avoid getting sick, but as a general rule I do take vitamin C all year round and vitamin D during the winter months because of increasing evidence which shows that we have lower levels at this time of year.
These are both essential vitamins which will help nourish our bodies, boost our immunity and stop us from feeling run down.
In addition, I also ensure that I have a flu jab annually to protect myself from the virus.
