How do zinc and vitamin C help to lower the risk of a cold?

Our immune system is constantly busy, keeping away intruders like viruses, bacteria and other germs. In the cold months of the year, when everybody is closer together and more likely to stay inside, our immune system is especially challenged. The dry heated air dries up our mucous membranes and if a sneeze does not land on the handkerchief, the cold viruses have an easy living. In this case, the immune system needs our full support. Find out how zinc and vitamin C help to support the normal function of the immune system (especially during the flu season)!

How to reduce the chances of getting a cold in time

Every year in Germany, the average adult must expect to endure the flu from two to four times, and children even up to twelve times. Therefore a certain risk level is always present. Through smear- and droplet-infections, rhinoviruses spread quickly from one host to another. Within just 24 hours, they reproduce quickly in the nose and throat that cold symptoms (e.g. sore throat, coughing, runny nose) set in and spread to people nearby. The average cold is over after 7.4 days, but sometimes it takes up to 14 days. Since there are numerous cold viruses that reproduce very quickly and mutate, there are often veritable flu seasons responsible for many sick notices and missed days at work and in schools. Especially in already weakened or more susceptible persons, the flu can lead to more serious secondary diseases such as middle ear infections or sinusitis. In this case, quick action or better preventive measures should be taken to strengthen the immune system and to resist the flu every time it strikes!

Lowering the risks of catching a cold with zinc and vitamin C

To lower the risk of catching a cold, it is advisable to pay attention to the vitamin C and zinc balance, and not only during the flu season. The German Nutrition Society recommends healthy adults a daily intake of at least 7 to 10 mg of zinc and 95 to 110 mg of vitamin C, depending on gender, to satisfy the normal need. If there is no illness or another acute deficiency situation, this can be accomplished simply by a balanced diet. Zinc is found, for example, in cheese, peanuts, and oatmeal, whereas vitamin C is found in products like citrus, onions or bell peppers, as well as in various berries. Together with other biofactors, zinc and vitamin C help us to have a healthy immune system and to reduce the risk of disease. Find out here, how we can strengthen our immune defense with biofactors.

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