- Language
In winter, the temperature starts to drop so there is a greater tendency to stay indoors where it is warm, be less active and eat comfort foods. These habits can bring increased risks of illness, so here are some tips for you to stay healthy, prevent diseases for yourself and your family in this winter. (1)
In winter, colds, flu and gastroenteritis can cause disruption to your home, social and work life. Many of these common infectious diseases are spread by germs on our hands. You can reduce the risk of getting sick or passing infections on to others by washing your hands, covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and wiping down frequently touched surfaces such as door knob, tables and chairs…
Maitain personal and Household Hygiene
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious infection that is more serious than the common cold. Annual vaccination against seasonal flu can reduce your chances of getting the flu and can also reduce the severity of flu symptoms if you do catch the flu.
Being active for 30 minutes every day can help you feel more energetic, healthier and can even make your world look better and brighter. Remember to choose exercises that are suitable for your age and health problems.
A good night’s sleep is essential for your health and wellbeing. Lack of sleep can have a serious effect on your immune system, making you more vulnerable to catching colds.
Regular health checks and screening tests can help you to stay healthy by finding health problems at an early stage and help to prevent and detect serious illness.
The cold weather in winter can worsen pre-existing chronic illnesses such as asthma, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Patients with these diseases should be assessed for their health control on a regular basis.
Get regular health check
Ensure you drink plenty of water to keep hydrated in winter. It is also very important to eat nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables which can help keep your immune system strong.
Cordyceps sinensis is also a healthy food that should be used to strengthen the immune system in winter. The genus Cordyceps has about 750 identified species which are distributed in many regions of the world, but mainly found in South Asia, Europe and North America. Cordyceps sinensis was identified as the most frequently used and most explored member of the Cordyceps genus. Nucleosides (Adenosin, cordycepin…), cyclodepsipeptides and polysaccharides were identified as the most studied class of compounds from the genus and they show immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antitumor, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anti allergic, antidiabetic, analgesic, anti-HIV, antibacterial, antimalarial and antifungal activities.(2)
Traditionally, practitioners recommend the regular use of Cordyceps to strengthen the body’s resistance to infections, such as colds and flus. Cordyceps has most often been used to ease a range of respi-ratory ailments: cough and phlegm, shortness of breath, bronchial discomfort, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma (3). Modern scientific research aslo found that cordyceps is a bidirectional modulator with both potentiating and suppressive effects on the immune system.
With these tips which can help protect your health, follow them to keep you and your family well at home in the winter!
1.https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/healthy+living/top+tips+for+healthy+living/keeping+healthy+this+winter
2.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29775778/
The genus Cordyceps: An extensive review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology, Olatunji OJ et al, Fitoterapia. 2018 Sep;129:293-316.
3.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/247854986_Medicinal_Value_of_the_Caterpillar_Fungi_Species_of_the_Genus_Cordyceps_Fr_Link_Ascomycetes_A_Review
John Holliday , Medicinal Value of the Caterpillar Fungi Species of the Genus Cordyceps (Fr.) Link (Ascomycetes), International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, January 2008.