The Winter Ick: The Rest of the Story

Illness seems to become rampant with the onset of cooler temperatures.  Most people think this is due to the colder temperatures and others think that it is because we are stuck inside and in more contact with other people.

While cooler temperatures may stress the body some as well as the immune system and staying indoors with deprive many of the benefits of vitamin D I believe that one of the major problems is not either of these.

I have noticed that over the last 7 years in practice people don’t seem to do as well overall after fall arrives.  It is particularly bad about the first week in November.  I believe that much of the illnesses in winter actually are rooted in sugar consumption.  Sugar actually decreases your immune system response by 50% for around 4 to 5 hours!

The sugar influx begins with Halloween on October 31 with all the candy—and it’s not just the kids!  This is one holiday where eating lots of sugar seems to be encouraged.  When the candy is finally all consumed from Halloween it is just in time for Thanksgiving pies!  Following Thanksgiving are all the Christmas parties and family get-togethers that also invariably have holiday sweets galore!  Following on its heels is New Years.  Winter is rounded out by Valentine’s Day and Easter baskets.

While I’m not saying you can’t enjoy any of the sweet treats you’ve come to love, be aware of what you are eating and eat wisely.  If you know that you want to be able to eat something later, don’t do a bunch of mindless munching as you will be compromising your immune system.  Continual suppression of your immune system will leave you susceptible to lots of bugs out there!

Some of your favorite treats can be made without refined sugars and can contain less sugar.  Look around for recipes.  You can also look in our collection of recipes in the office to see if we’ve already found one!

Again, make wiser choices this winter and help protect your body against the winter ick!