Cold & Histamine: Helpful Tips
Colds or viral respiratory infections are usually harmless and generally clear up quickly. Nevertheless, cold symptoms such as a sore throat and cough can be very bothersome. But is medication always necessary for a cold, or can home remedies also help? Find out more in our blog article below.
What you should know about a cold
How long does a cold last? Which symptoms are to be expected? And what is the connection between colds and histamine?
Colds and histamine
Histamine is a so-called inflammatory mediator and a major factor in inflammatory processes in our body. If there is too much histamine in our body for various reasons, a low-histamine diet is recommended.
A balance between micronutrients and macronutrients is important in a balanced, low-histamine diet. Your body also releases increased amounts of histamine during infections to activate the immune system. An existing histamine issue can intensify in this process.
Furthermore, cold symptoms are very similar to histamine-related symptoms and worsen as a result of a histamine backlog. Conversely, tolerance to histamine-containing foods decreases.
Cold symptoms
A cold develops over the course of several days. It is usually accompanied by some of the following symptoms, which vary in severity depending on the person:
- Runny nose
- Congested or stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Mild fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Body aches
The flu (influenza) usually causes more severe symptoms than a cold and begins quite suddenly with symptoms such as chills, body and muscle aches, or high fever.
Causes of colds
Colds are triggered by various viruses that cause inflammation of the mucous membranes in the throat and nose. Unlike these harmless viruses, flu viruses can lead to severe respiratory infections, such as pneumonia.
Cold: Duration and progression
Initially, a cold announces itself with a scratchy or sore throat; shortly thereafter, the nose begins to run and become congested. As a rule, your body needs about a week to recover from a cold. Symptoms such as a runny nose or sore throat may have subsided after just a few days, while a cough can unfortunately last up to 3 weeks.
Preventing colds: How to support your immune system
Unlike the flu, there is no vaccine for colds. Therefore, having survived a cold is no guarantee of protection. To protect yourself from catching another cold, it is important to strengthen your immune system. In addition to hygiene measures, these tips will help you prevent colds:
- Get enough sleep: 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night ensure that your body can recover.
- Healthy diet: Eating a varied, nutrient-rich, and balanced diet supports your immune system.
- Drink plenty of fluids: By drinking at least 1.5 to 2 liters of low-sulfate water a day, you ensure that your mucous membranes are kept maximally hydrated.
- Exercise: Physical activity, ideally in the fresh air, counteracts the risk of catching a cold.
- Air out rooms daily: Especially in winter, fresh air in your home is important, as dry heating air irritates our mucous membranes.
- Avoid harmful substances: (Too much) alcohol and nicotine are harmful to your health and are also not suitable for a low-histamine diet. Ideally, refrain from consuming them.
- Strengthen your mindset: If our mental state is not good, we are often more susceptible to physical ailments. Be mindful of yourself and your body. Breathing or meditation exercises can help with this.
Cold home remedies: What helps with a cold?
Have you been struck down and are stuck in bed with a cold? There is quite a bit you can do to get well as quickly as possible. Antibiotics for a cold are rather counterproductive because they only work against bacteria. Colds, on the other hand, are usually triggered by various viruses. The following home remedies can support your healing process:
- Strengthen gut flora & intestinal lining: About 80% of all cells responsible for producing antibodies are located in the intestinal lining. Intact gut flora forms the foundation for their function, for example in protecting against pathogens. Prebiotic and probiotic foods are essential.
- Essential oils: Take thyme oil, oregano oil, and chew sage leaves. These herbs are often also available as capsules or in the form of herbal teas. For external use, apply the carrier oil undiluted to the skin (Caution: do not apply to mucous membranes). Be careful if you have mast cell sensitivity!
- Vitamin C: contributes to the normal function of the immune system.
- Quercetin: This bioflavonoid and polyphenol can be taken as a dietary supplement but is also found in many foods, for example in onions, apples, blueberries, or kale.
- Cistus tea: The tea contains antioxidants and polyphenols. These contribute to strengthening the immune system and have an antibacterial effect.
An adequate supply of important nutrients is also part of a balanced diet. Our Bio 1mmunFit combines natural Vitamin C from acerola with selected plant-based ingredients such as moringa, black cumin, ashwagandha, cranberry, turmeric, and reishi. Vitamin C contributes to the normal function of the immune system and to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Bio 1mmunFit is organic, lab-tested, and free of unnecessary additives – furthermore, it is vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free, as well as suitable for a low-histamine and low-fructose diet.
Colds and exercise
Extreme exercise is not recommended when you have a cold, as it poses a risk of heart strain and you may drag out the cold. This leads to delayed healing and further weakens your immune system. Light exercise, however, is beneficial. Instead, go for a slow walk in the fresh air or perform gentle yoga exercises.
