cold

How to Stop Colds FAST!

Here it comes. You can feel it.

That achy feeling, sore throat, headache.

A cold is on its way.

As usual, colds pick the worst time to show up.

They always strike right before the holidays, or before an event like a wedding, or when you are scrambling to get something done.

Fortunately, there are some easy ways to shave days off your cold, so you can feel better fast.

Here are some of my favorites. 

Here is how you kick a cold:

Eating Before You Are Sick: Add more protein to your diet to get the extra amino acids to boost your immune system. As always, kick sugar out of your diet: it ruins your immune system. Both Chinese and Indian cultures place high emphasis on "tonifing" soups. These, like your grandmother's chicken soup recipe for a cold, act to increase the body's ability to fight disease.

Choose fresh vegetables, with emphasis on garlic and onion, chicken, or fish to boost protein content. Add plenty of spices: turmeric, thyme, and basil, all have antimicrobial properties and help to support the body's own healing mechanism.

Eating While You Are Sick: When you are sick, I recommend that people don’t eat when they are not hungry. This is part of trusting your body and what it is telling you. Fasting is a time-honored way to get rid of a cold fast, but it is not for everyone. If you feel like eating, then choose simple foods like soups and broths.

Slow Down: Being busy and stressed weakens your immune system. That makes you more susceptible to colds – and it allows colds to linger for longer. Especially in winter, try to slow down and cut your stress levels where you can.  

Sweat: As the weather turns cold, take advantage of any opportunity to enjoy a steam-room or sauna. Not only does this help with detoxification and shortening colds, it also allows you a chance to relax and take time off.

Sleep: With more nighttime and less daytime it would make sense we sleep longer in the winter. Sleep impacts health in so many ways. Getting the right amount of sleep for you is essential to your health and your body's ability to fight disease.

Herbs and Vitamins: There are many herbs such as echinacea, turmeric, olive leaf and others that promote healing and make colds shorter and less painful. 

Health and Happiness,

Scott Olson

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More Free Articles

Mailbag: You CAN Avoid Diabetes Medications (Here’s How...)

“I’ve recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. My doctor mentioned that I might need to start taking medication. Is there anything else I can do to manage my sugars before taking drugs?” – Nick Hi Nick, I’ve got good news! Type 2 diabetes is highly preventable and reversible with some extra effort on your...

Read This

“Osteoporosis Proof” Your Bones with a Breakfast Staple

Everything from ad campaigns to our doctors’ praise has given milk an unbeatable bone-building halo. For years, it’s been drummed into us. Milk is the ultimate key to strong bones. But IS dairy as good as it gets when it comes to protecting our bones? Don’t get me wrong—I AM a fat of full-fat dairy....

Read This

Delicious Drink SLASHES Bowel Cancer Risk

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of beating cancer. You’re on top of the world. After all, you’ve literally escaped death, and you have the endorphins surging through your body to prove it. But after that initial high, worry can start to sneak in because remission comes with a new risk—recurrence. With bowel cancer, the...

Read This

The Tiny Green Secret to a SHARPER Brain

We all want to keep our brains functioning at their absolute best for as long as possible. In fact, I bet you’re already doing some of the usual brain-supporting things like taking supplements, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and trying to keep stress levels in check. However, you can add one more thing to your...

Read This

Is Your Bathroom Hiding a Dirty Secret?

Let’s talk about your bathroom. You probably spend a good chunk of your day there, from your morning routine to your evening wind-down. But how clean do you really keep it? Maybe you’re a neat freak, scrubbing every surface until it sparkles. Or perhaps you’re more of a “clean enough” type, giving things a quick...

Read This

Key Facts to Consider BEFORE Trying Marijuana

Lately, I’ve had a lot of people ask me if marijuana is safe, and my answer always is, “It depends…” You may have lived through the wild days of the 60s and 70s and even experimented with a little weed back then. But the marijuana of today is NOT the same mellow grass you remember....

Read This

MAILBAG: Decoding Chest Pain and Breathlessness During Activity

“I’ve been having chest pain and shortness of breath when I’m active. Could this be a sign of a heart problem? What tests should I undergo to determine if there’s an issue?” -Paul Hi Paul, Regardless of past heart history, I always advise folks to seek medical help immediately if they experience concerning symptoms, including...

Read This

The Surprising Key to SURVIVING a Stroke

Imagine you’re going about your day when, suddenly, your world turns upside down. Your vision blurs, your speech slurs, and you feel a weakness in your arm. You’re having a stroke. It’s a terrifying experience that far too many of us have faced. And if you’re lucky enough to survive, the fear of another stroke...

Read This

The Deadly Truth About Sleep Apnea REVEALED

Where do you put sleep on your priorities list? It should rank pretty high for everyone, but if you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it’s time to make it one of your TOP priorities. After all, the alarming results of the latest OSA research make it clear that quality sleep is truly a matter of...

Read This

Mistakes that Make Seasonal Allergies WORSE

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you know how miserable they can make you feel. Common irritants, such as mold spores, dust mites, pet dander, air pollution, and strong odors, can make your symptoms go from bad to worse. You can avoid some of these triggers, and you have no control over others. Either way,...

Read This