Defenses against Colds and the Common Flu

   Colds and the flu are both viral attacks, though some say colds may tend to have more bacterial side effects (strep throat, etc.).  There are antibiotics, of course, for the bacterial side effects.  The common cold and flu, of course, have yet to be conquered by man with drugs.  However, clinical studies and experience has convinced us…

Nature has an answer for colds and the flu!

   However, there are two different classes of colds and the flu that we need to address separately.  This section will address the common cold and seasonal influenza (the ‘flu’) that comes around every year. 

   There are special, and more serious, flu strains developing in the world.  They are the swine flu that is already here and the much more deadly bird flu (H5N1) when it mutates to spread from humans to humans (as all researchers say will eventually happen).   We have a couple articles with a little more info in the “Swine and Bird Flu Defense” - and will add more if they happen. 

Defenses against Colds and the Common Flu

   There are some very effective natural defenses against colds and the flu.  Our approach to defending ourselves against colds and flu include:

1. General prevention:  (Nutrients to help our body resist a cold or flu in the first place.)

    Monolaurin and Lactoferrin - the #1 Prevention!

   There is an abundance of information about monolaurin in our  "A-Z Index" and elsewhere (and, in all humility, our monolaurin really is the best).  Its ability to kill all pathogen bacteria and all lipid envelope (skin) viruses (which includes most cold and flu viruses) is documented by many, many studies.  The FDA has even approved it for killing bacteria in foods and food equipment!

Our recommendation is to take at least:

General maintenance:         1 scoop (1 tsp.) every other day during the year. 

During flu season:               1 scoop every day. 

If exposed often:                 2 scoops a day, 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening.

At first hint of getting sick:    3 scoops a day, spread out.

   If followed closely, most reports we receive back are extremely positive!  People either don't get sick at all, or the duration is radically shortened.  This is not surprising because it is in line with the many clinical studies that have been done.

*(As we said, if swine flu is making the rounds again, or if (heaven forbid) bird flu makes its appearance, the recommended procedure changes!   If that is the situation, be sure to check the Swine Flu link above.)

    A Good Multi-vitamin / Nutrient 

   This helps give your body and immune system the nutrients it needs to be at optimum health.  (Of course, we recommend our Ultimate Foundation multivitamin, minerals and nutrients since it is the best available.)

    Vitamin D-3  

   Our Ultimate Foundation gives more vitamin D-3 than most multivitamins for general maintenance.  However, during flu season or when not getting much sun (winter, northern or no exposure, etc.), I add an extra 2,000-4,000 IU of D-3.  This may be the single biggest reason some people catch more colds and keep them longer than others.  Exciting new research has come from noticing that the amount of colds and flu people get is directly related to the amount of sunlight they receive.  Vitamin D-3 appears to be a huge support of body immunity! 

   Sunlight can cause your body to produce as much as 20,000 IU of D-3 in just 20 minutes.  Therefore, little sun, covered skin or dark skin = little vitamin D-3 production.  (Contrary to old thinking, sun exposure – without burning – turns out to be very healthy!  Sun tan places with high UVB, low UVA, such as Sperti lamps, are a possible winter choice.  (The low sun angle in the winter does not have D-3 producing rays).  The alternative is adding vitamin D-3, cholecalciferol (not D-2 – ergocalciferol) during this time.

2. If being exposed, but no symptoms yet:   (Monolaurin, of course, as per above, plus.)

       Xylitol Nasal Wash 

   The nose is the #1 way of viruses and bacteria to enter the body.  Xlear brand is the best, but any good xyitol nasal spray is good to have on hand.  Simply spraying the nostrils twice, 3 times a day, is the first line of defense to prevent anything from getting started.

Zinc throat lozenges

   This is a good, inexpensive way to protect the #2 germ access, “hands to the mouth”.  Only use zinc lozenges 1-2 times a day.  (Zinc can be overdone – I prefer lower amount lozenges, 10-15 mg, so I can take them twice a day).  If you take them more than 2 weeks, you may want to add 2 mg daily of copper because zinc decreases the body’s copper stores.

Vitamin C

   Our Ultimate Foundation has a lot of the vitamin C family.  However, in high exposure times, add 1,000 mg daily in addition to your multivitamin C (our recommended type is in “Additional Supplements”.)  Use time-release C to spread the absorption rate, usage and to ease stomach acidity.  Make sure they have bio-flavonoids in them.
 
Selenium 

   Again, our Ultimate Foundation has selenium.  However, if you use another multivitamin, add selenium if it does not have at least 175 mg.  Deficiencies of selenium are common.  Selenium boosts the production of glutathione peroxidase that helps stops flu viruses from making you sick.  Places that are deficient in selenium (such as China) slow outbreaks of viral diseases simply by giving selenium to the population.

3. Sambucus   (Nature's Way Sambucol) 

   Sambucus is a special elderberry extract that fights ALL viruses (even bird flu)!  There are multiple articles in our "A-Z Index".  It doesn't necessarily prevent you from getting the flu, but it does slow down the multiplication ability of the virus.  This gives your immune system more time to defeat the virus before it gets bad.  In clinical studies, it shortens a flu duration by about 2/3 and radically lowers the intensity of the flu.  In swine and bird flu, this helps prevent the critical fluid build-up in the lungs.  Sources are listed in the "Additional Supplements".