Page 32 - LIN DEC WEB

How to Not Get Sick in the Winter

Practical Holistic Tips

by Svetlana Kogan, M.D.

s we are saying farewell to the year Keep your personal hygiene items clean
which brought us the Covid Airborne viruses and germs from your bathroom visitors can
A pandemic, here are some practical contaminate your own toothbrush. So, keep it covered and dip
“on the go” ways to keep yourself and your it into a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution or antiseptic mouthwash
loved ones healthy this winter: solution like Scope once/week.
Grate a little ginger on your meal Swish and spit
Ginger is packed with compounds which Swishing with salt water twice a day can cut your risk of viral
trigger a 30% increase in germ-killing T-cells, infections by 34%. Water flushes viruses before they can attach to
plus cuts two days off the length of colds, throat cells and salt kills the ones that do hang on. Mix ¼ tsp of
researchers say. Add ¼ teaspoon to rice, salt and 4 oz. of warm water. Gargle in your mouth and throat and
stir-fry, soup, or casserole recipes. spit.
Slice up some fruit Contrast showers
Eating two cups of fruit daily could cut your risk of infection While hot soaks are great in the evening, as they relax you and
by 85% by providing antioxidants to boost your immune cells. help you fall asleep, in the mornings I prefer contrast showers, also
Brightly colored fruits are the most effective. So, make sure your known as contrast hydrotherapy. Contrast showers improve your
shopping basket contents burst with colors. circulation, boost your immune system, stimulate brain function
Orange colored snacking and have a host of extra perks like helping with candidiasis and
USDA research found that dried apricots are packed with beta- depression. To do: shower in hot water for 3 minutes, then switch
carotene, a phytonutrient which spurs a 33% rise in blood levels of to cool/cold water for 1 minute only, repeat 3 times and make sure
virus fighting T-cells. Other great natural sources of beta-carotene to finish with cold water.
include pumpkin, sweet potatoes and carrots. And finally…..Stay positive and fight stress with gratitude
Plain is best People who think a lot of positive thoughts have the strongest
When buying yogurt – choose organic (no hormones or immune systems, thanks to their lower output of harmful stress
antibiotics), low fat or fat free (goodbye cholesterol) and plain. hormones. Mindfulness will also fire up your production of
Plain yogurt has more live probiotic bacteria than sweetened/ immunoglobulin A, one of the body’s first lines of defense against
flavored yogurt and probiotics are very important for a properly- the viruses – speeding your recovery time and cutting your risk of
functioning immune system. getting future infections by 13%. There are so many ways to be
Go for the garlic grateful: meditate, pray, volunteer and take care of someone weaker
Garlic is packed with more than 70 immunity-boosting than yourself.
compounds. Just one clove daily could strengthen your ability to Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2022!
fend off viruses by 40%. Lightly cook garlic to eliminate the odor
or try Kyolic odor-free garlic extract as a supplement.
Keep your supplements by the coffeemaker
Dr.Kogan is a Concierge Holistic Internal Medicine doctor in Naples.
This will remind you to take them daily, which will help you
Her website is CustomLongevity.com
avoid 17 sick days per year. In addition, most immune-boosting
supplements are best taken with food, so the juxtaposition with the
breakfast items makes sense.

32 Life in Naples | December 2021