By: Chris Edwards, D.C.

With symptoms ranging from mildly annoying to downright debilitating, the common cold and flu are anything but common these days. With more resilient bacteria and viruses coming forth each year, mainstream medicine struggles to keep people healthy with vaccinations and antibiotics with little success. The good news is, you already have the ability to keep those pesky microorganisms at bay inside you!

The immune system in your body is your best defense in battling these baddies off. A healthy immune system can handle most cold and flu outbreaks if given the proper tools. Now, this does not mean you will be invincible, but with a little time your body will do the job! Let’s take a look at a few key weapons you can use to keep yourself from becoming a victim.

Get Plenty of Rest – Sleep deprivation is a huge no-no and has a negative impact on the immune system. You need restful
sleep for your body to repair and heal. Without it, you will become more susceptible to many health problems, but colds
and flu, in particular, will hit with a vengeance.

Food – While we promote eating healthy all the time, keeping the sugar and simple carbs (food easily converted into sugar)
to a minimum while you are sick, will help support immune function. Also, simple sugars are very inflammatory and will
make you ache more, will aggravate bronchitis, and will slow down your recovery.

Water – Stay hydrated! Even the simple act of breathing the dry air into your lungs will pull water out of your body to ‘humidify’ the air in your lungs. Staying properly hydrated is critical to many functions in your body, especially your immune system. So make sure you are drinking at least half your body weight in ounces each day to stay healthy!

Get Adjusted – Keeping your nervous system working properly, whether an infant or adult, is key to the brain being able to communicate the proper response to an attack on your body. Studies show that those who receive regular chiropractic
adjustments are less susceptible to colds and flu; and if you do get ill, the duration is shortened. If you find yourself coming
down with something, make an appointment to see your Stucky chiropractor for an immune boosting adjustment. We
are here for you in sickness and health!

Those are a few things you can do to ensure you stay healthy this season. Another personal favorite preventative tip the tea
recipe below. It is a good way to boost your immune system, help reduce runny sinuses and lung congestion, and has some
anti-inflammatory properties also.

RECIPE: 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, 1 pinch of ground cinnamon, and one pinch of ground cloves. Put all three ingredients in a coffee filter, tie it off with a twist tie, and use that as your tea bag. Let it steep for 2 minutes, depending on how spicy you want it. It can be reused for 2 or 3 cups. Add some local honey or stevia to sweeten if needed.

For more tips to help out with colds and flu, ask your Stucky chiropractor when you come in to get adjusted.