Cold & Flu Tips

[Winding Vines]

Being in the health and wellness industry, obviously I am reading and hearing the brunt of recent concerns.


I could go on a 10 page rant about how this sort of "flu epidemic" has being boiling for years.

From the pasteurized milk, over processed foods and meat, too many chemicals, too many medications too little holism. But I will just leave it at that.

Anyway, I wanted to offer a few tips to keep our loved ones healthier this spring.

Eat organically, meaning consuming as little processed food as possible. Soy, corn, hydrogenated whatever, iodized salt, meat- everything.

Many of the things listed above, being in the over processed state they are, often irritate the digestive tract (whether you know it or not) and thins the mucus lining of the intestines. Obviously allowing food, bile and other digestive fluids to seep into the blood stream. The body then feels the need to concentrate it's efforts on defending and attacking (yes all at once) the digestion, when it should really be focusing on boosting the interfuronic activity of the innate immune response.

Keep your electrolytes up, not only take it easy (de-stressing) but find a really good trace mineral complex. It will make you feel more mentally clear, but also give your body vital minerals it does not otherwise attain from foods. A trace mineral complex will also aid your digestive pH which is necessary to aid your friendly flora to thrive.

Get plenty of sleep. At least 6 hours of undisturbed rest, otherwise you will be taxing your adrenals and detrimenting your HPA axis.

Probiotics - 70 + % of your immune system is located in your gut. YES! No joke! If you have sensitive digestion or a condition- avoid streptococcus thermophilus (too much lactic acid production). Find one that actually has to be refrigerated.

-Included in this, lactoferrin, colostrum powder (make sure it is non gmo happy cows please!!), proline.

I strongly recommend a product called Del-Immune V. Seriously. No. Joke.

Phytonutrients & Antioxidants - look it up! Superfoods like acai, mangosteen, noni, goji and the like are jam packed!

Adaptogenic Herbs - Maca, Rhodiola, Ginkgo, Cordyceps, and so many more are amazing! One of my most favorite areas of herbology, aids the body's resilience to stress, disease and much more. Trust me- even Olympic athletes use them.

Vitamin C, the most recent 40 clients I have evaluted - all had Vitamin C deficiencies. Insane right? My thoughts exactly, get yourself some Camu-Camu extract or a whole-food sourced vitamin c and take it daily. Your body needs it with numerous processes anyway, the great thing about Vitamin C is what ever your body doesn't need it will pee out anyway.

Vitamin D3 - so you think you get enough sunshine? Think again, just google "Vitamin D important" and you will soon find out why you do need to supplement (NO i am not talking about the vitamin d fortified milk - it has vitamin d2 which is a plant derived cheap alternative to d3 and fights the synapses) .

The second you start to feel ill, take the next 3 days off and pump yourself with tons of vitamins, minerals and herbs. The sooner you catch it, the sooner it will go away.

 

[Morninggloryseed]

good post!

 

[Mehm]

nice health post

my advice on "swine flu" is to treat it the same as all of the other "epidemics" of the past..with a hefty serving of rock salt.

 

[VerbalTruist]

Its not an epidemic, its not a pandemic.

Every year 36,000 people die from flu in the United States. That's just a regular ass flu bug.

This one doesn't have that many deaths total.

It's great that you're providing health tips, but you're also adding fuel to a growing fear fire. It doesn't help anyone to sensationalize things.

 

[Winding Vines]

euphoricnod, being healthy regardless of any "happens" is very true, however regardless of that I realize people are going to be wondering what they can do.

I wasn't adding any fuel no more so than a radio station or local news commercial. Any flu, any illness can have these tips as a reminder. Though, I will amend my title. Thanks.

 

[Cyc]

interfuronic ftw!

 

[Busty St Clare]

Wash your hands and try not to touch your face or mouth.

If you are sick, do the rest of society a favour and stay home. Don't take public transport and expose everyone else to your illness

 

[ShaolinBomber]

swine flu is just flu. They'll find a vaccine and everything will go back to normal. Funny how this all the sudden came up to take everyones attention off the economy.

 

[ILOVETORELAX]

great news and information. very helpful and greatly detailed.

 

[Mehm]

swine flu is just flu. They'll find a vaccine and everything will go back to normal. Funny how this all the sudden came up to take everyones attention off the economy.

Yep, I'm sure coverage of the largest US automaker in history going bankrupt is less important than a new flu strain....

 

[8ft-Sativa]

Number of people who died in the USA from swine flu, 1.

Number of people who died in the USA from slipping over in the shower the past month, 15.

Thanks for the health advice but please people don't be a fucking tool to this hysteria people.

 

[cocacrazy]

^ Tool psh whatever man. This could be the end of mankind, well at least that's what CNN says.

But seriously swine flu is not really worrisome to me. Birdflu on the other hand has got me losing sleep.

 

[Winding Vines]

So you know.. I've tried edited my title a number of times and for one reason or another HL page still displays the old title.

Not that you really care, considering you failed to read my post after EN, I appreciate your constructive nature to aiding in discussion.

 

[Jabberwocky]

So you know.. I've tried edited my title a number of times and for one reason or another HL page still displays the old title.

Mods have to change thread titles. You can PM Dtergent or mariacallas with the request or use the report function on your first post and suggest the title you'd like.

A question I have regarding flu is that H1N1 is believed to kill people with healthy immune systems by their immune systems overacting to the virus, so does anyone think that if you get flu symptoms and it could be H1N1 you should avoid immunomodulating herbs like echinacea or astragalus?

 

[mariacallas]

^Done! :D

 

[Winding Vines]

Enki-
Below is an email I sent to a client of mine. I will clarify later when I am not at work.

Bold writing is mine.

Natural Antivirals
Submitted by Health Gazette on Thu, 2006-05-11 08:55. Alternative Medicine

Regular readers know that I have no time for the nonsense relating to imagined bird-flu pandemics. However. I regarded the following item of sufficient novelty to be of some interest. You may judge its merits for yourself.


Research suggests certain natural foods may be as effective against virus H5N1 as commercial antivirals.


(PRWEB) May 10, 2006 -- A Biology teacher from Australia, named Stephen Jones, has done extensive research into the H5N1 virus and compiled a list of natural foods that are effective against it and listed others that are detrimental.


The list may come as a surprise to many people since foods such as spirulina and echinacea are listed as detrimental.

DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE DETRIMENTAL BUT STUDIES POINT OUT OF VIRTUALLY NO IMMUNE ACTIVITY.


This strange occurrence is largely due to the fact that the virus is immune to 2 cytokines that the body produces (TNF-a and IL-6).
Cytokines are compounds produced by the body’s immune system that attack and remove foreign bodies. The problem is that when a foreign body is immune to certain cytokines, the body sees that its immune response is not working and tries even harder, which can lead to what is called a cytokine storm, where the body becomes flooded with these compounds and they eventually destroy the body itself.

THE SUBSTANCES ARE VERY INFLAMMATORY AND IN LARGE QUANTITIES CAN PRODUCE THE "STORM" . RESEARCH SHOWS THAT STIMULATION OF IL-10 ACTS AS A PROTECTIVE BRAKE ON THIS RESPONSE.

Foods such as Echinacea actually stimulate the production of these specific cytokines; hence consuming it is not a good idea if one suspects they may have the virus. I REALLY NEED TO SEE THE BASIS FOR THIS STATEMENT.


During the 1918 Spanish Flu many healthy young people died from cytokine storms due to their immune systems overreacting. Consuming foods which suppress the production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6 and enhance the production of the ones that actually are effective against the virus will aid the patient greatly.


Other foods that create mucous in the respiratory tract, such as bananas, are also listed as detrimental due to the fact that the predominant breeding ground of the virus is the respiratory tract and another way in which a patient may suffer is due to the body's over production of mucous in this area.

Folk Medicines and Herbs to use and avoid with Bird Flu


Below is a list of foods that are said to contain substances that are natural antivirals, immune boosters or they decrease cytokines TNF-a and IL-6.


Alternative medications that are most likely to help us during a severe pandemic:


Garlic (allicin) - Very effective antiviral. Best if fresh (raw) and crushed. Must be consumed within 1 hour of crushing. Dosage is initially 2 to 3 cloves per day but later reduce until no body odour occurs. No toxic effects noted. (Pubmed PMID 9049657)


Vitamin C - Boosts the immune system and is an antiviral by blocking the enzyme neuraminadase. Viruses need neuraminadase to reproduce. There are anecdotal stories of people taking large amounts of Vi tamin C (children ½) surviving the Spanish Flu. Research shows that it may reduce the production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. A study on 470 people involved giving the test group 1000 mg hourly for 6 hours and then 1000 mg 3 times daily after reporting flu symptoms. Symptoms decreased by 85%. (Pubmed PMID 10543583, 634178, 16169205, 12876306)


Green Tea (possible Tamiflu/Relenza alternative)- Very effective antiviral. Also decreases the production of the cytokine (catechins) TNF-a. Inhibits neuraminidase. May have antiviral activity that is equal to other antivirals such as Tamiflu. (Pubmed PMID 16137775) CDC NOW REPORTS TAMIFLU ABOUT 10% EFFECTIVE.


St Johns Wort (Hypericum) - Very effective antiviral. Also decreases the production of the cytokine IL-6. Hypericum is an extract from St John’s Wort. There have been some very successful field trials in commercial flocks infected with H5N1 in Vietnam. (Pubmed PMID 7857513, 11518071, 11362353, 7857513, 11518071)


Vitamin E - Immune booster. Also decreases the production of the cytokine TNF-a. (Pubmed PMID 155882360, 10929076) Experiments involved using mice. Very suitable for immune compromised people, especially the elderly. Effects enhanced when taken with Vitamin C.


Apple Juice - Antiviral. Fresh apple juice including the pulp and skin has greater antiviral activity than heated commercial apple juice. More research is needed. Effectiveness on H5N1 is unknown. (Pubmed PMID 32832, 12452634)


Resveratrol - Antiviral. In addition to inhibiting20neuraminidase, Resveratrol also sends a message to cells to stop manufacturing viruses. This is a proven antiviral found naturally in red wine, peanuts, mulberries, Japanese Knotwood root (richest source), raisins and red grapes. Resveratrol supplements are relatively inexpensive, are more stable than wine and is available in liquid form for absorption in the mouth. No toxic effects noted. (Pubmed PMID 1583880, 12817628, 15985724)


Scuttellaria (Skullcap) - Antiviral. A herb used as a tea. It has no side effects and is also a mild tranquilliser. Research suggests neuraminidase, which is a substance needed by the H5N1 virus to reproduce, may be inhibited.


Cranberry Juice - Early research shows that it may be an antiviral, making viruses less able to invade or multiply. Effectiveness on H5N1 is unknown. (Pubmed PMID15781126)


Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) - Decreases the production of the cytokine TNF-a. Also boosts immune system. The number of white blood cells was significantly increased during treatment. No toxicity was noted. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=search&DB=pubmed) Active constituents can be found in the leaves, bark, vine, and roots. Water extraction from bark used. Children and pregnant women are to avoid. Has a potentially damaging effect on the DNA of proliferating cells. (cancers, foetuses, growing children)


Curcumin (Tumeric Spice) - Decreases the production of the cytokine TNF-a. This is the yellow compound in turmeric spice. Research shows that this may be very good for preventing a cytokine storm although this is not proven. Must be taken with food or gastritis or peptic ulcers may occur. Pregnant women and feeding mothers should avoid this. The medicinal properties of curcurnin cannot be utilised when used alone due to rapid metabolism in the liver and intestinal wall. When combined with Piperine found in black pepper the absorption is increased with no adverse effects. Obtainable from health stores in tablets, liquid, capsules already combined with piperine. Dosage is 500mg to 4000mg daily.


Astragalus root (Astragali Radix) - Boosts immune system. (Pubmed PMID15588652)


Tea tree Steam Inhalation - Reduces the cytokine TNF-a. Add 2 drops of tea tree oil in a bowl of steaming water. Cover head with a towel and inhale for 5 to 10 minutes. Relieves congestion and fights infection. Its effectiveness is unknown. (Pubmed PMID 11131302)


The following substances may be best to avoid during a H5N1 pandemic


Elderberry juice (Sambucal) - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. This substance is very effective against the common flu but may not be desirable for the H5N1 virus. Increases in these cytokines may trigger a lethal cytokine storm. (Isr Med Journal2002 Nov;4:944-6)


Micro Algae (Chlorella and Sp irulina) - AVOID - Increases production of cytokine TNF-a. (Pubmed PMID 11731916)


Honey - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. (Pubmed PMID12824009)


Chocolate - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. (Pubmed PMID 12885154, PMID 10917928)


Echinacea - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. Although it is often used for normal flu, research shows that it may increase the chance of cytokine storms for H5N1. (Pubmed PMID 15556647, 9568541)


Kimchi - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. (Pubmed PMID15630182)


Dairy products & Bananas - AVOID - These foods increase mucous production.

References:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/ (search using Pubmed ID number listed after each food)

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SOUNDS LIKE TNF ALPHA IS BAD STUFF...CERTAINLY NOT TRUE...ESSENTIAL FOR BOTH BACTERIAL DEFENSE AND TUMOR DEFENSE. IL 6 EQUALLY IMPORTANT...BOTTOM LINE...I REALLY AM NOT QUALIFIED TO COMMENT BEYOND WHAT HAS BEEN SAID..

 

[glitterbizkit]

Good post!

Whenever i feel a cold or flu coming on these days, I can usually nip it in the bud with a combination of garlic and ginger tea (not as bad as it sounds), rest, and EFT or some other modality that balances the energetic/emotional body - as I am a huge believer that most diseases have an emotional cause behind them - I only ever get a cold if i'm run down, stressed or depressed in some way.