Before you start gulping supplements, start your homework here
Natural remedies are everywhere these days. From vitamin C to zinc, everyone’s touting their version of a cure for what ails you. And when respiratory illness season occurs in the fall and winter, the conversation definitely heats up.
Here are some of the top questions surrounding natural remedies for respiratory illness.
How to schedule your flu shot
Current Novant Health patients: schedule your shot with your primary care provider here.
Don’t have a primary care provider? Visit one of our walk-in clinics.
They can. For example, there’s been a lot of discussion about elderberry extract recently, because, theoretically, it might contribute to what’s known as “cytokine storm,” which is an overzealous immune system response.
Cytokines are a type of protein that help launch our bodies’ inflammation and immune-system responses to injury or illness. When we get sick, symptoms like congestion, coughing and fever come less from the illness itself than from the body’s response to the infection or virus.
For example, during the 1918 Spanish Flu epidemic, most of the people who succumbed did so because their immune systems responded so vigorously to the infection that they “drowned” in the fluids that developed in their lungs.
There is evidence that elderberry products ease flu symptoms and support the immune system, but taking elderberry might lead to an overzealous immune system response, which could be harmful if you get COVID-19. Until it’s proven safe, it’s wise to steer clear of elderberry for COVID-19 symptoms.
Initial concerns about vitamin D potentially also promoting cytokine storm have been replaced with enthusiasm for ensuring adequate levels of vitamin D in the body. Research findings suggest that healthy vitamin D levels may actually help protect against infection and prevent cytokine storm from occurring.
Supplementing with vitamin D appears to be most important for those with low levels. We are waiting for further research in this regard. However, considering that almost 50% of us have low levels of vitamin D because we stay indoors so much, it is worthwhile to ask your doctor if supplementation is appropriate for you.
People should avoid reaching for colloidal silver, which is touted as a treatment for infections and illnesses from the common cold to Lyme disease. But, there’s absolutely no evidence to support these claims. Even worse, when people use it for a long time, their skin develops a blue tinge that does not go away.
It’s important to remember that “natural” is not synonymous with “safe.” Until we’re certain about safety, we shouldn’t go out willy-nilly, taking everything we can find at the health food store. And, even when natural agents like echinacea or melatonin do show promise for colds or flu, that doesn’t mean the same is true for COVID-19.
There’s some promising data about the effectiveness of vitamin C, and aside from some concerns about people with kidney stones, it’s generally safe. Evidence suggests a reasonable dose of 500-1000 milligrams a day during cold and flu season may have a protective effect.
Sick? You’ve got our 24-hour guarantee.
Find care now
It may sound old-fashioned, but the best way to stay well is still mom’s common-sense advice: eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep, stay hydrated and take steps to manage your stress. We also know for a fact that the general guidelines about social distancing, frequent hand-washing and wearing a face mask are very effective at preventing the spread of respiratory viruses.
Above all, it’s important to check with your doctor — an integrative medicine specialist if at all possible — before taking any natural remedies.
Please note: This site is not for personal medical questions. Those need to be answered by your medical provider.
Editor’s Note: Please limit your comments to the specific post. We reserve the right to omit any response that is not related to the article or that may be considered objectionable.
The best of Healthy Headlines delivered straight to your inbox.