Diabetics Are At Higher Risk Of Infections

Diabetics are more prone to catching infections and find it more difficult to fight them. If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, it is critical to give your body the nutrients it needs for protection against infections.

Research has shown that vitamin C deficiency is quite common in diabetics and can significantly delay the healing of wounds, particularly leg ulcers. Wounds that fail to heal can cause significant complications for older type 2 diabetics, such as amputations. Diabetics are also at higher risk of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) infection, the flu and colds. Lung infections can become more serious in diabetics and their white blood cells typically do not fight viruses as well because they have elevated blood sugar.

Diabetics most likely to be deficient in the vitamins and minerals necessary for fighting infections are those on a low income, older age, smokers, alcoholics and those with kidney disease. Millions of people come down with the flu and similar infections each year and several thousand actually die from them. They are mostly elderly people, hospitalised people, children and pregnant women. Every year a new flu vaccine is formulated, but because the virus changes (mutates) so quickly, effectiveness is often severely limited. A lot of people are opposed to receiving the flu vaccine, either because of its ineffectiveness or concern about its safety, particularly for anyone with autoimmune disease or allergies.

Tips to strengthen your immune system if you’re a diabetic

• Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your mouth with your hands. The flu virus can survive on surfaces for eight hours. That makes it very easy to pick up unless you never leave your house.
• Rest is the most important factor in helping your body to overcome an infection. Ideally you would go to bed and try to get some sleep. Taking cold and flu drugs and continuing to work just prolongs the illness and makes you more susceptible to catching another bug soon afterwards. Cold-Eze capsules contain herbs and nutrients to strengthen the immune system, and provide symptomatic relief of infections.
• NAC (n-acetyl cysteine) helps to break up mucus in the respiratory system. In this way it helps to ease the symptoms of chest infections. NAC replenishes your body’s production of glutathione, which acts as an antioxidant and detoxifier. It reduces inflammation in the lungs and bronchial tubes.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Try to sip water all day. It will help to manage a high fever, give you some more energy, help a cough and help you overcome the infection faster. Warm water with lemon and ginger is soothing to the throat and high in vitamin C.
• Eat lightly. If you’re really not hungry you can skip a meal and get some sleep instead. Salads, vegetable juice, steamed vegetables and smoothies are all suitable meals. It’s also important to get some protein and healthy fats in your diet, such as seafood, poultry (chicken soup), olive oil and avocados.
• Many herbs and spices have antiviral properties. Include as many of these as possible in your diet. Some of these include garlic, onion, basil, thyme, ginger and oregano.
• Avoid dairy products because they increase mucus production. They can make you more congested, especially at night and worsen a cough.
• Avoid sugar, as it suppresses your immune system. If you’re feeling feverish and exhausted, sometimes the only thing you want to eat is an ice block, but the sugar won’t do you any favors. A raw vegetable juice is just as refreshing and will provide nutrients your immune system desperately needs to fight the infection. Selenium and vitamin D are two critically important nutrients for supporting a healthy immune system.

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.