Originally published Sunday, February 11, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Natural ways to keep colds at bay
Q: I'm a competitive skier, and this is a big year for me. I am nervous about catching a cold, which sometimes knocks me down for weeks...
Special to The Seattle Times
Q: I'm a competitive skier, and this is a big year for me. I am nervous about catching a cold, which sometimes knocks me down for weeks. Is there anything natural I can take to prevent getting one?
A: The most important step you can take to prevent a cold is to wash your hands, especially after contact with someone who is sick. Ideally, wash hands for at least 20 seconds with plain soap. Because colds are caused by viruses, not bacteria, antibacterial soap is not necessary. Alcohol-based hand rubs also work if you don't have access to a sink.
There is much less research on preventing colds with natural remedies than on treating colds with them. (We will discuss the treatment of colds with natural remedies next week.)
Here are some of the more-common supplements people use to prevent colds, with varying degrees of success:
• Garlic. One study found that people who took a garlic supplement with allicin reduced their number of colds by more than 50 percent.
Allicin is one of the active ingredients in garlic, which is synthesized when you cut or crush a clove. Most supplements have very little allicin in them; the product used in the study, Allimax, patented a process to obtain higher levels of allicin. The caveat is that several participants noticed a garlic odor, which some people may not like.
• Echinacea. Four studies have shown that echinacea extracts do not work to prevent colds, though the data on treatment are more controversial.
• Goldenseal. There is no research to support using goldenseal for colds. In addition, this little woodland plant is endangered, and hard to grow. Overharvesting contributes to the loss of ecological diversity on our planet; it also means that goldenseal is much more likely to be adulterated in supplements.
• Lactobacillus GG. This is a beneficial bacteria, otherwise known as a "probiotic," which is naturally found in the colon. One peer-reviewed study found that children in day care who received milk with Lactobacillus GG had fewer, less-severe colds than those who didn't.
Lactobacillus GG is a patented strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which is found only in the product "Culturelle." Other types of Lactobacillus, like acidophillus or reuteri, have health benefits, but we don't know whether they specifically help prevent colds.
Dr. Pujari is a Seattle M.D. with an additional degree as a medical herbalist; she practices at the Pujari Center and teaches as part of the residency programs at Virginia Mason and Swedish Providence hospitals. Her column is a weekly feature in Sunday Northwest Life. Send questions to apujari@seattletimes.com for possible use in future columns.
Copyright © The Seattle Times Company
Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
Trying last-ditch lung bypass for worst swine flu
Comatose for 23 years, Belgian feels reborn
Vaccine to kill nicotine buzz now in late tests by small drug firm
Cutting through breast-cancer confusion

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Coming in this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine: Pastor Braxton's mission is to preach a message that appeals to everyone.
nwautos
Local riders say they've seen a surge in scooter interest in recent years, mostly from people wanting another commuting option. Seattle now ranks as o...
Post a comment
nwjobs
Post a comment
Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
Do you suffer from "sitting disease"?
Post a comment
- Two men in Everett shoot each other early today
- Steve Kelley | Next Seahawks GM should be Mike Holmgren
- Mariners Blog | Jose Lopez appears to be on his way out
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Amazon, Wal-Mart escalate Web price war
- As glam as he wants to be: Adam Lambert's real debut
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Bellevue Blog | Bellevue residents blast new bikini espresso stand
- Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
- Husky Men's Basketball Blog | An interview with Enes Kanter's coach
- Bellevue residents blast new bikini espresso stand
250 - Jose Lopez appears to be on his way out
236 - Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
205 - Next Seahawks GM should be Mike Holmgren
151 - Washington State coach Paul Wulff says he's excited about Cougars' future
138 - Hate crimes against gays, religious groups up, FBI says
88 - Some fans at Fort Bragg see themselves in Sarah Palin
82 - Man shoots self at Westlake Center
76 - Teen pimp found guilty of human trafficking
58 - Portland cafe's specialty: medical-marijuana tokes
48
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Architects, chefs find 'kid' within to build Gingerbread Village
- Nicole Brodeur | Homeless woman bent on giving
- Portland cafe's specialty: medical-marijuana tokes
- Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
- Hutch gets $10M from Bezos family for immunotherapy research
- Rediscovering Moab, 'the most beautiful place on Earth'





