CANADIAN PHYSIQUE ALLIANCE DECEMBER ISSUE | Page 55

Viruses are most successful at attacking and
causing impacts on our bodies when our
immune system is weakened. This can occur
when we are under high perceived stress;
viruses that have been lying dormant in the
body will take the opportunity while the
immune system is weakest.
As mentioned previously, the common cold is a
virus, so don’t go to your doctor requesting
antibiotics as these medications kill bacteria
(good and bad), not viruses. Over-the-counter
(OTC) drugs can offer temporary relief, but do
not help to resolve the root issue and can come
with unwanted side effects. It’s also important
to be aware of the purpose of the symptoms
experienced as a result of the common cold
virus.
Minor fever is one of the ways that our body
fights infection, so taking an over-the-counter
analgesic to reduce the fever may actually cover
up the sign that an infection is developing and
give it the ability to spread more aggressively.
While antihistamines can decrease sneezing
and runny nose, it may be more beneficial in the
long run to let the secretions that contain the
virus to flow out of the body instead of blocking
them.
The goal of using nutrients for the common cold
is to help strengthen the immune system to
allow the virus to run its course with as little
discomfort and disruption to daily life as
possible.
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