Sinuses, Sore Throats & Vitamins
It may not have much to do with clear skin, but lately I’ve been waking up with a horrible sore throat thanks to a sinus infection. Those of you who’ve experienced post nasal drip probably know how annoying it can be, but I wasn’t aware of just how much mucus the glands in your nose and throat actually produce. These glands typically pump out as much as 2 quarts of mucus a day. That’s a gallon of mucus every 2 days! There’s something interesting to bring up during a dinner conversation…
Anyways, there are a few vitamins and minerals that have been shown to help in combating sinus infections, with the most recognized being vitamin C and zinc. Using vitamin C as a cold remedy is probably not news to anyone, although there is debate about how much it helps once a cold has already set in (its primary strength lies in prevention). Vitamin C is a strong and versatile antioxidant, but by most reports you’ll need at least 3 grams daily to help shorten or alleviate sinus symptoms. Zinc also plays an important role in bolstering the immune system, with a recommended daily dosage of 30 mg for use against sinus infections.
A less common natural sinus treatment is L-Lysine. Lysine is an amino acid often used to treat cold sores, but seldom connected to sinus treatment. It’s mainly grown in popularity due to word-of-mouth among users, including a friend of mine who’s had success with it in the past. Lysine’s strong anti-viral properties are likely to thank for it’s aid in diminishing sinus symptoms. Recommended dosage is 500 mg per day (only while symptoms persist).
