The first niggle of a new cold presents itself differently in everyone. For me, that "Oh no, I'm coming down with something!" moment is when my throat feels like sandpaper. For others, their nose let's them know, when it starts dripping like a leaky tap. Whether you’re the victim of a dreaded dry cough, a sudden symphony of sneezes, or if you're the wretched soul whose teeth start to ache (yes, sinusitis can cause toothache), there’s one sensation we all have in common: the sinking feeling at those first symptoms.  

Maybe you’ve got a huge deadline looming and there's no way you can skip a day of work, or you’ve finally synced up schedules with friends for that long-awaited catch-up - whatever the case, no-one has time to catch a cold. Here are our suggestions for speeding up the recovery process and getting you back on track.

REST

Yes, I know you’ve got a to-do list longer than the supermarket queue on a Saturday, but hear us out: your body is begging for some downtime. That tickly cough is your signal to climb back into bed because sleep is crucial for fighting illness. Sleep allows your body to divert its energy towards recovery, pumping out infection-fighting proteins known as cytokines that support your body’s immune and inflammation response (1). So don’t fight that tired feeling when you’re under the weather. Instead, think of sleep as the ultimate reset button - it’s like hitting Ctrl-Alt-Delete on that pesky cold.  

If you’re struggling to switch off, try taking one or two Leapfrog SNOOZE tablets an hour before bed. These delicious berry-flavoured tablets are packed with Lactium, an all-natural milk protein hydrolysate that lowers cortisol levels and increases the flow of the calming neurotransmitter GABA. This will help put a brake on your racing mind, enabling you to drift off into much-needed restorative sleep.

HYDRATE

Drink. Lots. Of. Fluids. Cold symptoms can be super dehydrating, so help top up the fluids you’ve lost. Plus, drinking lots of water can also help you avoid the dreaded mouth-breathing stage of a stuffy nose. By thinning your mucus, water can reduce congestion, making it easier to breathe.

While water does the job nicely, a hot mug of honey-lemon ginger tea helps too. This powerful trio has often been used as a natural remedy for colds and sinus infections. And its not just an old wives’ tale:  as well as offering soothing sweetness, honey boasts antibacterial properties and helps relieve a sore throat (2). Ginger adds a spicy warmth with its anti-inflammatory gingerols, and pairs perfectly with lemon, packed with vitamin C and antibacterial action (3). 

LEAPFROG IMMUNE

There’s no better way to leapfrog over a cold than by popping a Leapfrog IMMUNE at the very first sign of a sniffle. Leapfrog IMMUNE supplements have been specifically formulated to curb a cold, with premium grade Lactoferrin, Zinc and Vitamin C. While lemon, ginger, and honey have their place, this cold-crushing trio can supercharge your immune system to the next level.

Lactoferrin is the star of the show here, a natural anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory powerhouse of a protein that your body produces daily to support your immune system. This remarkable ingredient actively combats colds by preventing viruses and bacteria from invading healthy cells, and it deprives pathogens of the iron they need to survive and thrive (literally starving them into submission). That’s not all: Lactoferrin also activates the body’s immune response and stimulates white blood cells. In scientific circles, Lactoferrin is a big deal - "the Swiss Army Knife of the human defence system" no less. But don’t just take our word for it; check out what the experts have to say about this wonder ingredient on our Science page.

Each IMMUNE chewable tablet is packed with 250mg of Lactoferrin, 40 mg of vitamin C, and 5mg of zinc. Vitamin C, a key player in immune support, has been found to help reduce the duration and severity of colds (4). Pair that with Lactoferrin and zinc, a nutrient reported to shorten the length of a common cold by up to 33% (5), and you’ve got a citrus-flavoured chewable that’s a must-have in the medicine cabinet. 

STEAM

We know there’s nothing remotely steamy about a stuffy nose or a throbbing headache, but steam might actually help with your head cold. The higher temperature combined with the moisture minimises the viral load and weakens the virus by disrupting the viral capsid - the protein shell of a virus that encloses its genetic material. The moisture you breathe in when taking a warm shower or bath can help loosen your mucus, providing relief as well as help relax sore and achey muscles. Alternatively, purchasing a mist humidifier for your home can add some moisture to the air. Or you can go old-school and position your face over a bowl of hot (not boiling!) water with a towel over your head, letting yourself inhale the steam for a couple of minutes to clear those nasal passages.

This is the ultimate game plan to kick that cold to the curb. It’s not rocket science, just a little self-care and some of Mother Nature's clever ingredients. So grab your IMMUNE, glug some water, get into bed and conquer that cold.

Sources

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5768894/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16802698/
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16802698/
4. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD000980.pub4/full?cookiesEnabled
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28515951/

By Phoebe Lund Newlyn