7 Tips to Fight the Flu and Feel Better Fast

Here at the Conscious Cleanse, we do our best to ward off many of the nasty bugs that float around this time of year by drinking lots of green smoothies and eating lots of nutrient-dense whole foods. Yet even while taking these precautions, we’ve still battled colds, sore throats, and even the flu this year.

Especially if you have little ones, it’s near impossible to avoid getting sick at least a few times each year. But while sickness can’t be completely avoided, it can be made slightly less miserable.

That’s why we’re sharing some of our secrets to bouncing back quickly from a flu or cold (they can even cut the duration of an illness in half!). And with this being one of the worst cold and flu seasons we’ve seen in years, this is the perfect time to put these tips into practice.

Do you ever have a sickness that really sticks around? You know, like those pesky head colds that leave you with a scratchy throat or stuffy nose long after you’ve recovered.

Well, we’ve got some good news for you: our super simple tips can also reduce those “clingy” symptoms.

Give the tips below a try and let us know what you think in the comments!

Have you been sick this season? What are your tried and true tips for fighting nasty colds and flu bugs?

With bug fighting power,

The Conscious Cleanse Team

7 Tips to Fight the Flu and Feel Better Fast

1. Rest, rest, rest! You’ve probably heard this a million times, but it’s for good reason. Rest is truly THE most important thing you can do when you first get sick. If you don’t take the time to slow down, you’ll end up paying the price with lingering cold or flu symptoms. Clear your calendar and rest. Everything else in your life can wait.
2. Cut out the white stuff. Sugar seriously suppresses your immune system. Just 75-100 grams of sugar per day (i.e. just two cans of soda) can cause a 50% drop in your white blood cells’ ability to kill off those nasty little bugs. So while you’re sick, be especially diligent to remove all sugars — even unrefined sugars like honey, agave syrup, beet sugar, coconut sugar, and maple syrup.
3. Give your immunity a boost with vitamin D. In the winter you’re more vulnerable to colds and flus because you aren’t getting your usual hit of vitamin D from the sun. In a recent study, influenza was reduced by over 42% when participants were taking 1,200 IU of Vitamin D3 a day. So when you’re feeling under the weather, increase your daily dose of vitamin D3 to help you get back to feeling your best fast. Our favorite is Quicksilver’s liquid D3/K2. A supplement including K2 is important because vitamin D isn’t absorbed well without it.
4. Make friends with Zinc. Zinc is super important for immune and metabolic function. If you feel a cold or flu coming on, supplementing with zinc can help give your body the edge it needs to fight those viruses off. Aim for about 15 mg 2 times per day until you start to feel better.
5. Load up on vitamin C. In a recent study, participants who took mega doses of vitamin C during the first 6 hours of feeling sick reported fewer cold and flu symptoms. Adding more vitamin C into your day (especially through food) is a great way to help your body recover. Oranges, papayas, broccoli, pineapple and Brussels sprouts are some fruits and veggies which are rich in vitamin C. When you’re under the weather, make sure to supplement with at least 2,000- 3,000 mg of extra vitamin C per day. Jo swears by this remedy and takes up to 5,000 mg when she feels rundown. Our favorite whole foods-based vitamin C supplement is MegaFood Ultra C-400 or Quicksilver’s Liposomal vitamin C.
6. Eat like an Italian — minus the pasta, bread, and dairy, that is. Be liberal with garlic in your meals. Garlic is a great antimicrobial and antiviral. Oregano oil is another potent antimicrobial agent that will kick those bugs to the curb. The best way to use oregano oil when you have a cold or flu is by doing a steam with oregano essential oil. To do this, add boiling water to your sink (plug the drain first!) with 1-2 drops of oregano oil. Then lean over the sink and place a towel over your head to seal in the steam. Inhale deeply over the sink for 5 minutes to bring the air into your lungs. If you choose to take oregano oil orally (in capsule form is best), make sure you do so for a short period of time.
7. Add elderberry into your routine. This potent cold and flu remedy is popular in Europe, and has been shown to improve influenza symptoms within 2 days. Stock your medicine cabinet with elderberry capsules like the Organic Black Elderberry caps from Gaia Herbs. Then when you start to feel sick, take 2 capsules 3 times per day. This is one of our must haves!

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