Cold and Flu

Hello again, dear readers. Although conventional wisdom has always maintained that cold weather in winter will result in your catching a cold or worse, the flu, this is not at all the case. You can be assured that you won’t catch a cold just because you walk outside with a wet head—rather you will catch one because of your exposure to a virus; the same is also true of the flu. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, more than 200 viruses are known to promote colds, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that the viruses causing the flu can be picked up by simply touching a doorknob. In fact, some viruses can live as long as two hours or more on surfaces such as desks, computer keyboards, and cafeteria tables. Suffice it to say that it’s easy to pick up and spread viruses.

While it must be conceded that most people cannot avoid contact with all of these viruses, I think we should question why some people who are exposed to viruses don’t catch a cold or the flu. I believe that these people have somehow created and maintained a healthy immune system, and that that is the key that safeguards them from susceptibility.

So what can we do once we catch a cold or flu? Better yet, what will maintain a healthy immunity? Well, here is my New Year’s gift to you in hopes that it will put all of your immune systems on track to avoid those nasty cold and flu symptoms, not only this year but for life.

Let me begin by saying that all the supplements I recommend can help to maintain wellness and fight disease even if you persist in eating an unhealthy diet. However, to truly experience optimal health and immune strength, nothing can replace the foundation given to us by eating (and chewing well) an “organic” whole-foods diet with lots of fruits and vegetables, regular exercise (more than 45 minutes per day), sufficient sleep, and (from me) lots of laughter (I’ll speak more on laughter in our next issue).

In my basic program, the first item is kryolic aged garlic extract. Preclinical studies of aged garlic extract as an antiviral show that influenza virus infection is preventable—when aged garlic extract was added to the diet for 10 days before viral infection, it was as effective as a vaccine treatment, as reported by Dr. K. Nagai in the Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases, 1973. Aged garlic extract enhances macrophage (immune cells) and spleen cell activity of natural killer (NK) cells, which kill invading organisms and cancer cells, stimulates T lymphocyte proliferation, increases lymphocyte toxicity against viral cells, and boosts activity of phagocytic cells (another type of immune cell). In still another clinical study (there have been more than 200 placebo-controlled, double-blind studies on kryolic aged garlic extract), subjects ingesting 1,800 mg of aged garlic extract per day for three weeks showed a 155.5 percent increase in natural killer cell activity, while those receiving 35,000 mg of fresh garlic per day (about 10 cloves) had only a 139.9 percent increase, indicating the superior immune-enhancing benefits of aged garlic extract.

The next part of my basic program is a who’s who list of disease-fighting and immune-enhancing supplements. This list begins with the powerful antioxidants.

• A “natural” multicarotenoid supplement, including beta-, gamma-, and alphacarotenes lutein and lycopene.

• A “natural source” vitamin E: 400 IUs of mixed tocopherols with gamma tocopherol—(about the recent bad press on Vitamin E? Come on, folks, after 75 years of clinical trials and placebo-controlled tests involving tens of thousands of patients, don’t you think the science community would have seen a problem, if any, with Vitamin E before?).

• Zinc picolinate or zinc lozenges: 15–20 mg per day—both are shown to lessen the duration of a cold or the flu by nearly half. Usually take zinc with food in the stomach to avoid stomach upset.

• Selenomethionine form of selenium: 100–200 mg/day—this form of selenium is used in clinical trials to inhibit replication of cancer cells and the AIDS virus.

• Probiotics: these are friendly bacteria that populate the intestinal tract. When we consider that everything we eat passes through the intestines, it is not so surprising that 60 percent of the body’s immune cells are found there. Our bodies contain 4–5 pounds of probiotics, which function in an organlike manner, producing some B vitamins, helping with digestion, and producing natural antibiotic substances. In my department in S&S, I always have several on sale all year long. I like the “Kyo-Dophilus” capsules. My wife and I use them daily after meals.

Last, but certainly not least, I include two of my favorite immune herbs: one to build and tonify—Astragulas—and one to stimulate—Echinacea.

• Astragulas is a tonic that enhances immunity by targeting the body’s deepest levels of defenses. It is an immune-system builder that also supports detoxification by improving liver function, and as such is particularly useful when blood sugar abnormalities and chronic gastrointestinal dysfunction are an influence. Astragulus can safely be taken daily all through the cold and flu season so it detoxifies.

• Then there’s the famous Echinacea. In the context of this article I will discuss Echinacea augustifolia and Echinacea purpurea together. Simply put, Echinacea augustifolia has a much longer documented history of traditional use, while Echinacea purpurea has been the focus of more recent scientific research. Clinically, their actions are similar. It has been said that the Native Americans used Echinacea to treat more conditions than any other remedy. It is an immune stimulant, with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and wound-healing properties. Traditionally, Echinacea was used by the Native Americans to treat colds, coughs, sore throats, and snakebite. The Eclectic medical doctors, from the first half of the last century, also praised Echinacea for its benefits in various chronic catarrhal (congestive) conditions of the respiratory tract. Today, modern science is beginning to support much of its established traditional use by showing that extracts of Echinacea have the ability to increase antibody production, along with resistance to various infections. This simply means that Echinacea has the potential to nonspecifically activate your immune system, enhancing its ability to deal with an immune threat if and when one should arise.

So there you have it—a list of natural goodies to help prevent and treat any of those nasty viruses this season, and of course, there are so many more. Come see us at S&S for more information. In my department, collectively we have more than 100 years of experience in studies and research, and the products and lifestyle of abundant health are waiting for you.

Blessings in the New Year for all,
Donald Payne

Donald Payne is a nutrition specialist at S&S Produce in Chico CA. He has dedicated his life to alternative ways of dealing with allergies and staying healthy. He studied and practice Oriental Medicine in Chicago. He also studied acupuncture and alternative healing methods that led him into a long career in health foods.

This article was re-published using permission from the Lotus Guide Magazine and it is copyrighted. No reproduction of this article is allowed without the express consent of the Lotus Guide Magazine.

The Lotus Guide Magazine is produced and published out of Chico Ca.
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This article and all other articles found at Last Chance Fitness should never be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your physician before making any health decisions. Last Chance Fitness will not be held responsible for any actions you take based on the suggestions or opinions given freely in the above article. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of the staff of Last Chance Fitness.