Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
RSV-Respiratory Syncytial Virus Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND Cold and flu season may be a common topic of conversation however there is another virus that is a hot topic at this time of year. That is RSV. What even is RSV? Why is it important to …
Cold and Flu Season is Here Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND If you have noticed that it seems like everyone around you, you are coughing or sneezing it’s not just your imagination! Cold and flu season has arrived. What can you do to boost your immunity? …
Summer Colds
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Most people have had a cold in the summertime at least once during their lifetime. But why do summer colds even happen? And while yes, I know you know the symptoms of a cold I will still do a quick refresher on those! Lastly, which nutrients are the best to help fight off the summer sniffles? It is a lot to cover so let us get into it, shall we?
Why do summer colds happen? Well as we know, colds are caused by a virus. Some of these viruses are more prevent in winter and thus spread in the colder winter season. Other viruses thrive in warmer weather and thus transmit from person to person more easily in the summer months. During the summer there tends to be many large gatherings with people close together. For example, amusement parks, cruise ships and even traveling to summer vacation spots on airplanes are all situations that are conducive to spreading a virus. In addition to spending time close to other people in the summer people often spend long hours in air conditioning. Viruses spread very easily in the cool and dry air that the AC creates. (1) In my clinical experience, in addition to the cool and dry air AC is a risk because going in and out of the cold AC frequently can be difficult for the body to adjust to. I have also found that AC can dry out mucus membranes. Both can affect our overall immunity, and this can leave us vulnerable to an upper respiratory infection such as a cold. Another risk factor for summer colds is an inability to access handwashing facilities. Remember the best way to reduce the transmission of a virus is to wash your hands! However, in places like the park this may not be possible. (1)
Since summer colds tend to be caused by a different virus than the typical winter cold virus, they may have different symptoms than you would expect. Common respiratory symptoms include runny nose, cough, sore throat, headaches, fever and even body aches. In addition to these respiratory symptoms, a summer cold can also cause digestive symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, and an upset stomach. (2) Other symptoms can include feeling pressure in the sinuses or your head. You may notice a decrease in energy. Some viruses can also cause mouth blisters, hand/feet blisters and even pink eye!
What are the most common risk factors for catching a summer cold? Spending time around children (studies find that they typically do not wash their hands). Spending time in an enclosed public space. Going in and out of AC frequently is a risk. Being incredibly young or old can increase your risk of a cold. Not practicing good hygiene (for example not washing your hands, touching your face etc.). Lastly, having a weak immune system for any reason such as stress or lack of sleep. (3)
So, what can you do to prevent a summer cold or to reduce the symptoms?
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Sinus Infections or Sinusitis Part 2 Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND In my last blog on sinusitis I started with a description of what the sinuses are, where they are and even what they do. I then talked about what the symptoms of sinusitis are. (1,2,3) …
Understanding Vitamin C Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND In my experience everyone has heard that Vitamin C is good for our health. In fact, it’s everywhere you look these days! But while you may have heard that using vitamin C is “good for the health of …
Hepatox Hx
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Invite Health has quite a selection of nutrients that are good for both our liver and kidneys. One such item is called Hepatox. It has a funny name I know but this particular supplement is a combination of things that have been found in studies to help our liver and kidney health. These nutrients include Phyllanthus amarus, Dandelion root and Milk Thistle. Let’s review these nutrients one at time, shall we?
Phyllanthus amarus sounds like a funny name for a supplement however it’s got a ton of benefits for our health. So what do studies have to say about it? Well studies have found that is a powerful antioxidant. Those same studies have found that it is hepatoprotective. (1) Studies have also found that it can help with diabetes and kidney stones. These same studies have also found that it can help with chronic inflammation. (2) Other studies have found that it is also antiviral and this is important because it also helps fight against hepatitis B. It has also been found to be hepatoprotective, good for overall inflammation and cytotoxic. (3) So just what does all this actually mean? Basically it means that studies find that it helps with our liver and kidneys in several different ways.
The next item in Hepatox is our old friend Dandelion root! Dandelion root, as I said in my blog on Daily Detox powder has quite a few benefits for our overall health. Now I’m not going to over this in too much detail because as I said I wrote a large detailed explanation of just what dandelion does in my blog on Daily Detox powder. So let’s just do a quick review on just what dandelion does for us. Dandelion has been found to help those with gallstones. This is important because gallstones can affect our liver health and even our ability to fully digest fats and any fat soluble vitamins. (4) As you know fat soluble vitamins include Omega 3’s and even Vitamin D among other things that are important for our overall health. Dandelion is also one of the nutrients that studies have found to help with our kidney health. (5) Studies have also found that dandelion is a strong natural diuretic that can help with bloating and fluid buildup in the body. (6) Other studies have found that when combined with certain antimicrobials it may help with our urinary health. (7)
Milk Thistle is the last item in Hepatox. Once again I’ll just be doing a quick summary since I wrote about this powerful nutrient in my blog on Daily Detox powder. As I talked about in both my blog on NAFLD and my latter blog on cirrhosis having NAFLD is a huge risk factor for damaging our liver. Studies have found that milk thistle has many benefits for NAFLD including reducing markers normally elevated in NAFLD such as triglycerides and GGT levels. (8) Milk thistle has also been found to be helpful in reducing kidney disease especially in diabetics. (9)
As you can see Hepatox sure has plenty of benefits for our liver and kidneys. Many people like to do a yearly detox as the seasons change and in my clinical experience Hepatox can be a great addition to these protocols. It can also be used every day for those who would like to support their kidneys and liver. As always feel free to reach out to one of Invite’s qualified nutritionists to determine if Hepatox is the right supplement to help reach your goals.
Our next topic will be Hepatitis.
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