Fit and lively through the cold season

Viruses are everywhere

Whether cold or flu: viruses are always the culprits. In total, there are more than 200 different pathogens, usually adenoviruses or rhino viruses, that can cause a cold. Unfortunately, since they lurk virtually everywhere in our environment, it’s hard to escape them. They are usually transmitted from person to person by so-called droplet infection, i.e. by coughing and sneezing. However, because cold viruses can survive for several hours on both the surface of the skin and on objects, smear infection is another route of transmission. The pathogens normally enter the body via the patient’s own hands. Because whether on stair railings, telephone receivers, computer keyboards, grab handles on buses and trains, they are everywhere. To protect yourself from colds and flu, frequent hand washing is therefore immensely important.

Flu or flu-like infection

The typical symptoms of an influenza infection include a cold with initially watery-clear secretions that gradually become thick, swollen nasal mucous membranes, a stuffy nose, hoarseness, cough and fatigue. Increased temperature, headache, limb pain as well as toothache may be added.

In contrast to the flu infection, with its comparatively mild course, the real flu is a highly contagious and much more severe disease. The most common pathogen is the influenza A virus. Since it is highly mutable, it regularly causes new waves of influenza – caused by small genetic changes. Like the cold viruses, the influenza virus is usually transmitted by droplet infection.

The symptoms are similar to those of a cold, but much more severe and aggressive. In addition, the disease usually occurs abruptly with high fever, severe feeling of illness, chills, sweating, sore throat, aching limbs and headache, as well as dry cough and hoarseness. Especially in infants and small children as well as older people from about 60 years, the real flu can even take a life-threatening course.

Increased risk

Pregnant women, people with pre-existing conditions – especially of the respiratory tract, kidneys or heart – and immunocompromised people are also at higher risk. In Germany alone, an estimated five to 20 percent of the population is affected by true influenza each year, according to the Robert Koch Institute.

Attention complications

As a result of the real flu, but also in the case of colds, the so-called bacterial secondary infections – also called superinfections – can also occur. This is because the mucous membranes damaged by the viruses are an ideal gateway and a good breeding ground for bacteria. Especially with the flu, sinus and middle ear infections, purulent bronchitis and also pneumonia can occur.

A powerful immune system is the best protection

With our immune system, our organism has a highly intelligent and powerful “protective police force”. In use around the clock, it can normally cope with most pathogens. The stronger our defenses are, the sooner we can also prevent flu-like infections and the better we can cope with them. And once the real influenza flu has caught us, it helps us to get well again quickly.

Healthy lifestyle and medicinal mushrooms – a powerful duo for our defenses

You can do a lot for a strong immune system even with simple means. A healthy lifestyle is the basic requirement. This includes plenty of exercise in the fresh air, regular walks and, if possible, endurance sports such as swimming, walking or cycling. Likewise, of course, a balanced diet rich in vital substances with plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as adequate sleep and little stress. Especially in the cold season, our immune system is grateful for additional support. For example, for the power of vital mushrooms.

Vital or medicinal mushrooms are among the most effective means that nature has given us to strengthen, regulate and stabilize our defenses. Both as a precautionary measure and as a support for a wide range of medical conditions. In addition to the positive experiences from naturopathy, especially Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the results of a large number of scientific studies prove this.

Their wealth of valuable minerals, vitamins, trace elements, essential amino acids, enzymes and fiber alone makes vital mushrooms powerful helpers of our immune system. In addition, they contain other specific active ingredients that have a particularly stabilizing effect on our defenses. However, it should be noted that these highly active ingredients are optimally present only in the mushroom powder from the whole mushroom.

Vital mushroom Coriolus

The vital mushroom that most effectively supports our immune system in the fight against the pathogens of colds and flu is Coriolus versicolor. Its pharmacologically active ingredients activate our cellular defenses, increasing the production of killer cells in the organism to fight viruses and destroy bacteria. This medicinal mushroom has therefore been very useful both for prevention and for faster recovery from colds and flu.

Due to its antibacterial effect, it also helps with any secondary bacterial infections that like to “sit on top” of the viral infection. Compared to pharmaceutical flu drugs for acute treatment, the advantage of Coriolus is its preventive effect. Due to its antiviral properties, it strengthens the immune system in a completely natural way and, taken in the long term, is an interesting, effective alternative to the usual flu vaccination.

For an individual recommendation, please use our free telephone consultation: +49 40 334686-300.