Beat the bug this winter season

Did you know that the average adult will experience between one and six colds each year with 10-15% of the population suffering a more serious bout of flu?

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By now, the sound of coughing, sniffling and sneezing will no doubt be a common occurrence in the office or home. With the sudden drop in temperature, lack of sunlight and general winter gloom, it’s inevitable that our immune systems give way to seasonal sickness. So how do you beat the bug, while staying physically and mentally active and alert?

Nutritionist and Supplement Godfather, Don Gauvreau, says there are a number of natural remedies we can take to avoid getting ill this winter:

What? Vitamin C

• Helps combat? Colds (helps treat and prevent)
• Proven? Yes. Research shows that it has powerful antioxidant properties and can boost the function of your immune system too.
• Tip? When you begin to feel the symptoms of a cold or flu coming on, make sure you increase your daily vitamin C intake to 3,000 mg or else you won’t reap its immune-boosting benefits. Vitamin C is absorbed much better when divided up and taken in multiple doses throughout the day. So it’s best to take 1,000 mg, three times throughout the day.

What? Echinacea

• Helps combat? Colds (helps reduce the length and severity)
• Proven? Yes. Research shows it can reduce the length and severity by 10 to 30 percent.
• Tip? There are different species of Echinacea, so you need to make sure you’re using the right type: Echinacea purpurea. Recent studies conducted show that it can stimulate the immune system and improve cold symptoms significantly when started within three days of the onset.

What? Ginseng

• Helps combat? Colds and flu (helps prevent and treat)
• Proven? Ginseng is more commonly used as a natural energy booster but research studies also show that it can boost the immune system. North American ginseng also has some solid scientific support and one well-studied form is marketed under the brand name Cold-Fx.
• Tip? There are many different types of ginseng but Panax Ginseng is the most effective form when it comes to preventing a cold and flu. Panax ginseng has also been shown to increase the protection offered by the flu vaccine.

What? Garlic

• Helps combat? Colds, flu, viruses
• Proven? Research shows that it can help lower the risk of catching a cold. Many experts recommend increasing garlic intake as the first line of defense at the onset of cold and flu symptoms.
• Tip? Garlic works best when consumed raw, either crushed, diced, or minced. Over cooking garlic can destroy important medicinal compounds and the enzymes necessary for it to be effective.

Don Gauvreau is the founder of SD Pharmaceuticals, science-based supplements made for anyone looking to improve health, combat aging and disease, lose fat, build muscle and improve performance and quality of life. Don is also a competitive bodybuilder, personal trainer, educator, author and go-to media expert within the industry. Don can elaborate on the above tips and give your viewers some key take-aways to beat the bug.