Can Detox Cleanses Help With a Cold?
Despite the name, a cold does not only occur during the colder months of the year. True, people tend to notice the aggravating symptoms of a cold in the winter months more than in the summer but unfortunately, colds are around all year long. As much as we love loyalty, I think we could all do without the incessant allergy and cold symptoms. The wonderful thing is you can use a detox to help relieve symptoms and shorten the illness's duration.
What Causes the Common Cold?
Somehow we never know how we’ve caught a cold until we’re buried under a pile of Kleenex, eyeing that bottle of NyQuil on the counter like it was liquid gold. The common cold has a variety of causes:1
- Droplets in the air when someone sneezes, coughs or talks. Or, one of the leading culprits, bodily fluid transmission introduced by someone else’s cold or flu.
- Being tired. When your body is tired, it doesn’t have the resources or energy to fight off the causes of colds, flu and other health issues.
- Weakened Immune System. If your immune system is compromised or you've been diagnosed with a condition that affects this system, your body will be more susceptible to viruses in the surrounding environment.
- Airborne pollution and germs. As with droplets transferred through the air, airborne pollutants and germs are constantly surrounding us and can take a toll on our overall health.
- Impure water. Dirty water is a well-known culprit when it comes to getting sick and having an upset stomach. Waterborne germs and pollutants can do just as much damage to your system and immunity as their airborne brethren.
- Toxins from skincare, soaps, shampoos. While the soap or shampoo you are using may not be the direct cause of your sickness, the heavy metals and chemicals used in these products likely aren’t helping your body fight off whatever has you under the weather.
- Hand-to-hand contact. We touch our mouths, scratch our noses, itch our eyes and use our hands all day for a variety of activities. If you aren’t washing your hands often and correctly, your hands may be carrying all of the germs you never wanted to learn about.2
- Shared utensils, towels, toys and phones. Your cell phone is dirty. Like, really dirty. Everyday items like your phone come into contact with countless surfaces all day. Whether it's touching the skin on your face while you talk, absorbing the oils from your fingers while texting or simply picking up crumbs and remnants when you set your phone down on the lunch table, your phone is one of the dirtiest items you use. Additionally, even reaching for an already used towel or cleaning up your child's playroom contributes to the communal “pool” of germs.
How Detoxifying Can Help
Understanding how detox products work addresses the question, what does a detox cleanse do to your body? Detoxes turbocharge your body’s cleansing systems, expediting and enhancing these efforts to rid your body of toxins and harmful viruses, germs and contaminants.
While multi-day cleanses can help promote a healthier system within five days, most people combatting the symptoms of a cold likely want same-day relief. Cleanses like Mighty Clean have restorative components that are rich in ingredients like Aloe Vera, known for soothing both internal and external discomfort. A same-day flush like those provided by products like Green Clean can expedite and enhance your body’s ability to get you healthier right then and there. No wait required! Many cleanses contain minerals, vitamins, and herbs, such as Uva Ursi, potassium, and magnesium, motivating the cleansing process.
What To Do in Addition To a Detox?
While a detox can speed up the recovery process from a cold, it is not the only thing you can do. For one thing, learning how to stay hydrated is one of the most important things you can do when you are sick. Can you flush out a cold by drinking water? No, but water does help flush mucus out of the system. You should consume more water than the standard 64 oz. to ensure you do not experience dehydration. Also, take supplements to ensure your body is getting all the nutritional support it needs.
What Food/Drinks Should You Avoid While Detoxing?
When performing a dietary detox, it is best to avoid overly processed foods and drinks. A sample of some foods to avoid would include:
- Soda
- Energy drinks
- Alcohol
- Coffee
- Canned meats
- Beef
- Deli meat
- Hot dogs
- Shellfish
- Sugar and sweeteners
- Wheat and gluten
- Dairy
Stick to food that will benefit your gut, such as those that are rich in probiotics! Some examples include:
- Greek yogurt
- Almond milk
- Cheeses
- Dark chocolate
- Miso Soup
The Super Cleanse Combo
If you really want to boost your body’s defenses, consider combining the Green Clean detox with a healthy dose of vitamin C. The combination is sure to give your system a little more pep. You can also help relieve some congestion by including some spicy foods.3 Anything with a kick should help clear out nasal congestion, improve blood flow and help support better breathing. To wrap up the super cleanse combo, you need to get plenty of rest. Your body is fighting when you are sick, and ignoring the sleep it needs can prolong the illness.
The common cold occurs anytime throughout the year. While there is no surefire cure for the cold, a detox can help to reduce the symptoms and encourage rapid recovery. If you’re tired of emptying Kleenex box after Kleenex box, try combining a cleanse with vitamin C and a little spicy food for some immediate relief.
RESOURCES:
1 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/symptoms-causes/syc-20351605
2 https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
3 https://www.rochesterregional.org/news/2020/02/spicy-food-health
