The key to staying healthy this coming Winter is prevention and preparation!
Why do we get more colds and flu in Winter? I have heard doctors/GPs saying that we get more because there are more bugs going around in Winter, or they are more active. That is nonsensical and goes against the laws of physics! Viruses (which cause colds and flu) and bacteria are all around us, on us and in us all the time! We only get ill when our immune systems are not functioning well to stop them replicating out of control to cause illness.
The real answer to why we get more infections in Winter is very simple, and can be answered with further questions. What is the difference between Summer and Winter? The temperature, caused by the sun being further away and a shorter amount of daily sunlight! What does this have to do with colds and flu? Well, in Summer there is more sunlight and we spend more time outside in the sun, the opposite of Winter. Your body makes vitamin D from direct sunlight exposure on your skin, and vitamin D is a MASSIVE immune system booster, antioxidant and hormone, all required for many health benefits!
In Winter, you generally spend less time outside because it's colder, and with less skin exposed to sunlight (needed to make vitamin D), and the majority of people in Winter are deficient in vitamin D. The further from the equator you are, the more difficult it is to get enough from vitamin D in Winter. Therefore your immune system will not be functioning optimally to prevent colds, flu, cancer and many other infections or health conditions. Further adding to a lowered immune system function are a poor diet, stress, lack of exercise, exposure to toxins and chemicals, poor sleep, lifestyle and other factors.
Much scientific research proves that a vitamin D deficiency is THE major cause of colds and flu in Winter, because of a reduced immune system function. In Winter you need to spend about 3 times as much time in the sun to get the same amount of vitamin D as in Summer.
In an American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study (2010), it was shown there was a 42% reduction in flu infections with vitamin D supplementation. Another study in the Virology Journal (2008) found that a vitamin D deficiency is the cause of flu epidemics.
To prevent colds and flu this Winter, you need to be prepared and do all you can to increase your immune system function by addressing all causes, and also preventing or replacing your deficiency in vitamin D with a nutritional supplement in a capsule, spray or oral drops form.
To prevent the incidence of colds and flu this Winter, OR to recover quicker remember this: "Vitamin D is the key!".
For the best vitamin D supplement for you, or other immune system boosting and preventative advice, please see me!