It’s that time of year. You can run. You can hide. You can do your damnedest. But despite your best efforts, some asshat is going to show up at the office with a cold or flu and cough all over the coffee machine, and you are going to get sick.
It’s also the time you start hearing and reading about nutrients, herbs and superfoods that are supposed to boost your immunity.
Garlic is one that never goes out of style. And the other day I saw something about selenium, an antioxidant that’s supposed to work some sort of magic.
What else should we be doing?
One thing people should get through their heads: if you’re sick, stay home. If your bosses are jerks about it, make them understand that it’s in everyone’s best interest if you stay away. If they don’t get it, make sure you cough on their stuff first.
What the experts say
“We’re vitamin D-deficient. Should you get a cold or flu, you need antioxidants to defend yourself against free radicals and protect healthy tissues. Eat a colourful diet of fruits and vegetables, as well as vitamins A, C and E. Zinc is very helpful. As soon as you’ve got symptoms of a cold, crush three or four cloves of garlic, make a paste with a tiny amount of honey, put about an eighth of a teaspoon on the back of your tongue, wash it down with one whole glass of water, and the symptoms will ease within 10 minutes. Take it again when those symptoms return. You’ll be taking it at longer and longer intervals until finally you’re better. Garlic has potent antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. A lot of people are selenium-deficient, but if you take a multivitamin you get enough.”
AILEEN BURFORD-MASON
immunologist, nutritionist, Toronto
“Because your immune system is composed of cells – and cells have metabolic requirements in order to make energy and get rid of waste – a certain level of vitamins is needed. But does your immune system get an additional benefit from levels of these compounds that are above that basal function? I haven’t seen a lot of persuasive evidence to support that idea. Get a flu shot. There is evidence that the influenza vaccine provides protective immunity to influenza infection with a very low side-effect rate.”
MARC JENKINS
McKnight University professor, department of microbiology,
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
“I make a flu tonic, an immune booster drink: one lemon, four cloves of garlic, 2 teaspoons of ginger, a little bit of cayenne pepper, some powdered turmeric and apple cider vinegar. My patients drink that throughout the day. I make sure all of my patients are taking probiotics. Naturopathic doctors consider Boiron’s Oscillococcinum nature’s number-one flu remedy. We commonly prescribe it when the early signs of flu symptoms come on. Sugar weakens the immune system almost immediately after consumption, and the effect lasts for a few hours. Fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C are excellent, but stay away from processed and packaged simple sugars.”
SARA CELIK
naturopath, Toronto
“Get plenty of rest. Being overtired weakens your immune system. Eat a proper balanced diet. Frequent hand-washing is a way to prevent infection. Try to avoid stressful situations. Get lots of exercise. There’s a cold and flu season, in part, because in northern climates we get less vitamin D. Expose yourself to the sun as much as possible. There’s some scientific evidence that taking vitamin D supplements helps boost your immune system, but I don’t see a lot of evidence of a direct correlation between garlic and boosted immunity. One reason garlic could help is that if you eat a lot of it, people are less inclined to get close to you. Get the flu shot. We’re getting a bit of a spike in flu, especially H1N1.”
GREG ARMSTRONG
professor of medical microbiology, University of Calgary
“Three TCM methods [can boost immunity]: acupressure, herbs and exercise. For the acupressure, I suggest two points: Li 4, a point between the thumb and the index finger. Massage it using the opposite hand. You can find the exact location of St 36, a point below the kneecap, on the internet. Using a circular motion, massage each point for two minutes once or twice a day. Research indicates that both of these points improve immune function. For herbs, try ginseng and astragalus. The exercises I suggest are tai chi and/or qigong, suitable for all ages. Both are meditative exercises combining deep breathing, visualization techniques and slow motion.”
ADAM CHEN
doctor of Chinese medicine, director,
acupuncture clinic, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto
