Cold and flu season is not a misnomer. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said most colds are caught during the autumn and winter. Amazingly, statistics show Americans catch between two to six colds per year, per person, resulting in a massive economic impact in the United States. This alone generates 27 million visits to the doctor and more time lost from work and school compared to all other ailments combined. In addition, Americans spend over $2 billion each year on cough and cold products making the common cold the single most expensive illness in the United States.
     For most of us, colds and flu are an annoyance that we will recover from in a matter of days. However, every year approximately 20,000 people will die from these infections, with the elderly particularly at risk. In addition, effective treatment for the common cold has been difficult to develop because so many different types of virus are responsible for its cause. One can quickly see why prevention is our most feasible and best approach.
     Thankfully there are a number of ways to prevent, or when necessary, treat cold and flu infections available in natural products. Each year an increasing number of people are turning to natural therapies to avoid synthetic over-the-counter drugs. Echinacea is still a favorite, followed by zinc and garlic, with new attention being given to vitamin E.
     Echinacea has enjoyed great popularity as a preventative and leads the list of alternative products used to prevent the common cold. In fact, it is the most widely used herbal product in the United States. Echinacea and garlic have both been well studied for their antibacterial and antiviral properties. Perhaps one of the most noteworthy facts concerning Echinacea is that it is cited for its preventative effects, not just as a treatment after the fact.
     Zinc has been studied as a possible supplement for alleviating symptoms of the common cold. Zinc throat lozenges have been widely used and in several studies shown to decrease the overall length of cold symptoms. A word of warning: Don’t expect zinc lozenges to taste like cherry flavored cough drops…but they do work!
     A newcomer to the arsenal used to wage war on colds and flu is the almighty vitamin E (is there no end to its potential?). Recent studies at Tuft University suggest vitamin E may play an important role in the battle against colds and flu.
     Should you fall victim to one of these annoying cold or flu viruses, get plenty of rest, grab a glass of orange juice to swallow some of One life’s Advanced Anti- Oxidants in a base of Echinacea and garlic and then suck on a zinc lozenge. You will be feeling better and back on your feet in no time!