Practice prevention
The old adage that prevention is better than a cure is true when it comes to handling seasonal viral threats.
While it’s important to prioritize a healthy diet, exercise, get outside for fresh air, and reduce or manage stress, it’s important to encourage these lifestyles without enforcing them like a drill sergeant.
Get informed
Select a wide range of health sources to ensure you’re getting all the information you need. While your preferred newspaper and television reporters may be well-meaning, they may not access sources that report research and news about natural health products, which may account for the paucity of news stories on their effectiveness.
Stock your at-home natural medicine cabinet
Having a medicine cabinet stocked with natural products that work to prevent colds, flu, and other viral threats may help keep you and your family members strong against whatever virus is going around.
Know when you need assistance
While it’s great to be empowered and self-sufficient about your health, any good CMO knows when to turn to other experts. Watch for signs that suggest you should see a doctor:
- a high fever
- a fever that lasts for more than a day
- difficulty breathing
- unusual symptoms
- symptoms that are taking longer than normal to resolve
- aggravations of any other health conditions
While a one-size-fits-all approach to health doesn’t work, taking measures and becoming more conscientious of our health—and that of our family—can help us better navigate the future.
Best antiviral supplements
Whether you’re looking to halt a virus as soon as you feel it coming on or reduce the duration of your suffering after you’ve caught whatever nasty virus has been going around, there are many natural antiviral supplements to consider.
|
supplement |
benefits |
|
cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) |
has demonstrated antiviral activity against multiple viruses |
|
curcumin (a compound found in turmeric) |
has been shown to reduce the ability of viruses to enter the cells |
|
echinacea |
supplementation may decrease the duration and severity of acute respiratory tract infections |
|
elderberry |
demonstrates effectiveness against the flu |
|
epigallocatechin gallate (a compound found in green tea) |
interferes with the viral replication process, resulting in antiviral effects |
|
garlic |
enhances immune response and blocks the ability of viruses to enter the cells |
|
oregano oil |
demonstrates antiviral activity against multiple strains of influenza |
|
probiotics |
have demonstrated beneficial effects in prevention and treatment of many viral infections |
|
Quercetin (found in apples, berries, green tea, and onions) |
inhibits the ability of a wide range of flu viruses to enter the cells |
|
vitamin C |
supports and directly stimulates cellular functions of the immune system |
|
vitamin D3 |
works against viruses in multiple ways, including lowering viral replication rates and reducing inflammatory cytokines |