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HEALTH Glebe Report March 10, 2017 31

Cold cures from onions, raw honey, virgin coconut oil, bW
apple cider vinegar, elderberry and
the kitchen echinacea possess innate antimicrob-
ial properties. While I would never
cabinet go so far as to suggest that these are
potent enough to be able to replace a
prescription antibiotic, they can serve
by kristin Shropshire as a first line of defense when it comes
to prevention.
The 2016 – 2017 cold and flu season
has been a nasty one. I am acquainted PrObIOTICS
with numerous people who have More and more research is sug-
reported having colds or flus that have gesting that probiotics found in such
lingered for upwards of a month. A traditional foods as yogurt, kefir,
few have even lamented that they have miso, kombucha, sauerkraut and kim-
been sick with very little reprieve chi boost immune function, making
since well before Christmas. While just because our hands don’t bear vis- five hours. Tip: Read the labels of any them a must-have during cold and flu
I would like to say that the worst is ible signs of dirt doesn’t mean that cough drops, syrups, etc. that you are season. We likely require a minimum
behind us, in the absence of a crys- they haven’t picked up some infectious taking to bolster your immune system of 2 billion CFUs (colony forming
tal ball it is hard to know for certain. germ by shaking hands, sharing a hug and address unwanted symptoms. You units – a measure of good bacteria
Flu activity habitually peaks between or touching communal objects such might be surprised to discover that and yeasts in probiotics) to be effect-
December and March but can make as door handles, stair rails, grocery many contain refined sugar. ive and we need to consume them for
its unwelcome presence felt until as carts, etc. For another thing, many at least two weeks before they kick in,
late as May. people aren’t as thorough in their hand hyDrATE according to Katherine Black, PhD, of
No one has yet to discover a cure washing as they could be. We need to To quote a common medical adage, the Department of Human Nutrition at
for the common cold in spite of all lather all surfaces of our hands with it is important to “push fluids” when the University of Otago, New Zealand.
of modern medicine’s impressive soap for at least 15 seconds, inter- fighting a cold or flu, as our mucous
scientific advancements and centur- twining our fingers, rubbing between membranes are more efficient at trap- rELEASE ThE ExTErIOr
ies of traditional medicinal wisdom. them, rubbing the back of each hand ping and disposing of the viruses that In Traditional Chinese Medicine we
If someone were ever to do so, they and paying special attention to the have invaded our nasal cavities when often say that when someone catches
would be lauded with as much praise knuckles and nails. It is advisable to they are well hydrated. “By drinking a cold or flu, they have been struck
as the medical community is capable use a clean paper towel, as wasteful fluids, you’re also flushing out the toxins by a wind-cold or wind-heat invasion.
of heaping upon their well-deserving as it sounds, to dry our hands once we and bad stuff that’s invading your body,” We want to “release the exterior” dur-
shoulders. That said, there are abso- have thoroughly rinsed our soaped up according to Dr. Taneja-Uppal, an infec- ing the initial stages of infection. Try
lutely things that we can do to help hands, turn off the tap and open the tious disease specialist in New York. ginger tea if chills predominate and
prevent or minimize the severity of door. This last step helps prevent us peppermint tea if heat is the more
colds and flus. from re-contaminating ourselves with rEST dominant force.
the germs that we just washed off. The need for rest cannot be over- Eat well, sleep well, engage in good
WASh yOUr hANDS stated. When we take time to relax self-care and seek professional support
It might sound simple and painfully ELIMINATE SUGAr and sleep, our body can focus on fight- when needed.
obvious but one of the best things that Studies have shown that refined ing off any microbes trying to invade
we can do to help prevent the spread of sugar can cause a 50 per cent decrease our system. Kristin Jillian Shropshire, MS, ROHP,
colds and flus is to engage in frequent in the ability of white blood cells to R.Ac. is a faculty member of the Insti-
thorough hand washing. Many of us engulf bacteria. This immune-sup- hIT UP ThE ANTIMICrObIALS tute of Holistic Nutrition and works at
are led into a false sense of security pression begins less than 30 minutes Many people are surprised to dis- Glebe Health House as a Registered
because our hands look clean. Sadly, after ingestion and can last for up to cover than some foods, such as garlic, Nutritionist & Acupuncturist.

Ottawa Symphony Orchestra presents

A Thousand and One Nights – A Musical Journey

Shéhérazade, op. 35 Monday,
Nikolay Andreyevich
March
Rimsky-Korsakov
Antonin Dvorak 13, 2017
Oskar Morawetz
National

Arts Centre,

Southam
Concert Tickets
start at $36.00
further savings Hall, 8pm
for students,
seniors and
Canadian Joined by Richard Season Sponsors Raffle Sponsors
Forces Hoenich, guest
members. C
conductor and
bassoonist, Ben
Glossop

NAC Box Office

Ticketmaster.ca

1-888-991-2787 Ottawa License #M757610