Your very own immune system.

There is no other cure for the common cold. There is NOTHING that is empirically shown to SHORTEN the common cold.

Studies cited by over the counter cold remedy manufacturers*, which I will NOT be linking here, showed that Zinc *may* shorten a cold by two to three days. Unfortunately even in the study’s OWN abstract, this effect cannot be statistically or in any other way assumed to be caused by the Zinc. In other words, statistically, the study participants whose colds were shorter than others could just as easily been caused by chance, better immune systems, or other outside factors having nothing to do with the Zinc.

Vitamin C has no effect, nor does E, or any of the Bs, on the common cold.

But your very own immune system does. If you are immunocompromised, these things also don’t help. They do not hurt, as all but E are water soluble so unless you’re taking mega doses over a period of time, you aren’t likely to overdose. 

“Overdose?” you ask, “On vitamins?” 

To which I reply, “All things in moderation. You can overdose on water. You can overdose on air.” 

As for the common cold, according to the Mayo Clinic, it typically lasts 7-10 days. But there are certain things your immune system needs to do its work.

1. Rest: it takes energy to heal. If you’re off galivanting you’re using energy your immune system needs to fight that cold.

2. Fuel: Again, energy. Where do you think you get it? The immune system uses a lot of protein, and requires a lot of carbohydrates (yes, sugar, as well as other forms of carbs. Yes, “simple” carbs like white bread are okay as it’s getting used quickly.)

3. Water: hydration is key! (where have you heard that before?) As always, drink to thirst. Or, until your pee is straw colored. You can google “straw colored pee” to see what that color looks like. Or, you can drink til your pee looks clear then drink less than that. If your pee is dark or smells strongly, you may not be drinking enough.

4. Did I mention rest, food, and fluids? Because that’s a thing.

In our culture we push, and we work through the pain. And we say we can’t afford to be sick. But the fact is, if you push your body all the time, you can suffer down the line. Maybe not tomorrow or next week, but maybe you will shave days, months, or years off the end of your life. There are times to push. And we’ll talk about that. But for now, baby yourself. Let your body do what it was designed to do and fight off those invaders.

*This is the true “Big Pharma” that you should be worried about. We will talk about vetting over-the-counter health products.