Energized Eating’s Blog

Serious health warning: Incorporating these suggestions into your
life may allow you to remain fit, healthy and sniffle-free all winter
long.

With the brisk chill of the colder months descending upon us,
thoughts of winter sniffles can have many of us reaching for a box of
tissues before you can even say “aaaaachooo…!!!” Although common as a
cold, respiratory infections are nothing to sneeze at. With increasing
numbers of deaths from antibiotic resistant pneumonia, bacterial
diseases and worldwide infectious epidemics, perhaps it is time to
evaluate our current treatment of contagious diseases, while rethinking
the current paradigm of our relationship with pathogens. Although the
thought of a cold being “caught” has been prevalent in our culture
since Louis Pasteur promulgated the germ theory of infection,
instigating the scientific struggle to win the war with microbes, more
advanced understandings of the interplay between toxin and terrain are
emerging. Pasteur, who recanted this theory on his deathbed declaring,
“the toxin is nothing, the terrain is everything!” may have found this
emerging wholistic approach empowering.

Do you ever wonder why some people are easily affected by colds and
flu, while others are not? The human body has been designed to
eliminate toxins, bacteria, viruses and fungi. Given proper
nourishment, and a supportive environment, the body can and will heal
itself. Infections only arise when the body’s capacity to eliminate
toxins is exceeded. Symptoms experienced during a cold or flu are
actually the body’s attempts at “housecleaning” its internal
environment. The more efficiently the channels of elimination are
functioning, the less cold and flu symptoms individuals will
experience. However modern lifestyles can contribute to channels of
elimination that are so obstructed that mother nature’s safety valve is
not functioning. Instances of individuals who suddenly develop
degenerative diseases or life threatening conditions without “ever
being sick a day in their lives” are becoming increasingly common.
Although these people rarely experience colds or flu, their toxins are
stored deep down. They can experience renewed vitality by addressing
this imbalance with lifestyle changes and herbal detoxification.

Over the counter cold and flu medications act in opposition to the
body’s elimination response, allowing pathogens to stay in the body
longer and produce lingering symptoms. The usual course of a cold or
flu with no suppressive medication is 2-7 days. Medication can increase
this period by up to eight days.

Fortify your immune system
The best way to beat colds and flu is to avoid them to begin with! This
is not as difficult as one might think. Build a strong immune system
and avoid anything that undermines its effectiveness.

Catch some zzzzzz’s
Potent immune enhancing compounds are released during sleep and many
immune system functions are immensely enhanced by an adequate night’s
rest. Scientific studies have confirmed what you mother told you all
those years ago - consistent sleep deprivation severely impairs immune
function. Requiring an alarm clock or other external stimulus to rouse
you from slumber is an indication that you require more sleep to
optimize natural defences.

Sweet nothings
Ingesting even small amounts of sugar decreases immune activity for up
to five hours. Replace refined sugar with stevia, the no calorie herbal
extract, which unlike its artificial, sugar-replacing counterparts, is
not only safe, but actually has many beneficial properties.

False promises
There is growing concern over the safety and effectiveness of vaccines,
including flu shots. A certain percentage of individuals who receive
vaccines contract the dis-ease they are being inoculated against. Many
people are unaware that getting a flu shot can actually trigger flu
symptoms. Flu vaccines can be a gamble since they rely on the
manufacturer predicting - more than a year in advance - which flu
strains will be most prevalent. Several long term studies have revealed
that vaccines, particularly those for the flu, contribute to long term
immune under-functioning.

Call for reinforcements - of the herbal kind!

Shiitake (lentinula edodes)
This highly prized medicinal mushroom contains polysaccharides that
stimulate the immune system to build resistance to viruses and other
pathogens. It has been observed to revive depressed immune function,
counter formation of prostaglandins that trigger inflammation and
bolster production of immune factors that patrol the body for renegade
cells.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)
Often called “the best flu shot you never needed,” this quintessential
immune tonic deeply nourishes a flagging immune system. Suited to those
who repeatedly succumb to infections, it has a strong preventative
action since it increases the body’s production of interferon, which
helps prevent viruses invading cells, and assists immune macrophage
cells increase their virus killing efficacy. It can also be used to
assist in recovery, particularly from debilitating infections and
stubborn cases such as glandular fever. According to Chinese tradition,
deep immune tonics such as astragalus help build natural resistance to
illness but should not be used during an acute infection when surface
immune stimulators are more suitable. Chinese medicine describes wei
chi - the immune system’s equivalent of a protective suit of armour.
Astragalus reinforces this barrier, shielding the body from invasion.

Aaaaacccchhooooooo…!!!
If you are unlucky enough to be reading these words between sneezes,
and a pathogen has already infiltrated your defences, introducing
immune fortifiers can be counterproductive. This is the time to call in
the symptom relieving arsenal. Simultaneously avoid dairy products,
which contain a component that suppresses mucus thinning secretions,
immune depressing sugar and artificial sweetener laden soft drinks,
dehydrating alcohol and coffee. The immune system requires pure fluids
and adequate nourishment to function efficiently - even more so when it
is already besieged.

Think Zinc
This trace element is crucial for the optimal function of the immune
system. Once symptoms have arrived, zinc gluconate lozenges have shown
to be most effective delivery medium. Dissolved in the mouth and
allowed to trickle down the back of the throat, they can halt a cold in
its tracks in many cases and at least shorten duration of symptoms in
other instances.

C Results
The three fold antibacterial, antiviral and immune system stimulating
action of ascorbate in doses of one to three gram per day, lessens
symptom severity while rallying innate healing mechanisms. Reports of
ingesting one gram of vitamin C during every waking hour at the first
glimpse of infection can have dramatic effects in reducing symptom
severity and duration.

Olive Leaf (Olea europa)
The leaves of the green olive tree contain a phenolic compound, the
bitter glucoside oleuropein, which arrests infection by inactivating
viruses through preventing virus budding (assembly) by interfering with
viruses’ critical amino acid production. It has the ability to
penetrate infected cells where it stops viral replication. Effective
against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other micro-toxins that
contribute to immune dysfunction syndromes, it also targets a host of
conditions including retroviruses, protozoa, anthrax, chicken pox, cold
sores, conjunctivitis, croup, Epstein-Barr Virus, food poisoning,
mumps, pneumonia, shingles, thrush, strep throat and whooping cough.

Golden Seal (Hydrastis canadensis)
Especially effective in bacterial and fungal conditions, with its best
known active constituent berberine possessing strong activity against a
wide variety of pathogens, while soothing inflamed mucus membranes.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Strongly antiseptic with special affinity for addressing respiratory
and digestive infections. It encourages phlegm expectoration while
quelling bronchial spasm.

Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis)
Containing chemicals that inhibit several pneumonia causing agents, ear
infections and penicillin-resistant staphylococcus infections, it does
not stimulate the immune system directly but acts against the pathogen
itself by shutting down the replication process in viruses. It is
particularly suited for those whose immune system is disorganized, such
as in auto-immune conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and
multiple sclerosis, or when it is unable to be rallied by other immune
bolstering measures. It can arrest vomiting, fevers, colds, pneumonia
and shingles.

Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia; Echinacea purpurea)
This native American herb has been widely studied, thoroughly
researched and enthusiastically embraced. Over 300 research findings
and countless handkerchief- discarding individuals attest to its
effectiveness in relieving symptoms of colds, flu, laryngitis and
tonsillitis. Its anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory
actions encourage the immune system to fight infections. The root of
the plant is the most potent, containing high levels of the medicinal
components. Studies show optimal results with doses of 300-600 mg three
times a day from symptom onset for a period of 10-14 days.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
This expectorant can alleviate coughs, catarrh and bronchitis with its
soothing anti-inflammatory action. It contains saponins that encourage
the multiplication of macrophages - the immune cells that engulf and
digest infections and bacteria. Laboratory studies show its has direct
anti-viral action, including battling the viral family causing measles
and herpes.

Target your individual collection of symptoms with customised herbal
help. Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) can counter head colds, while
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) targets sinusitis, upper respiratory tract,
ear, nose and throat congestions. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
alleviates inflammation, raised temperature and intense headaches. Red
Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) can counter a sore throat while Willow bark
(Salix alba), with its natural aspirin- like action, reduces pain and
fever and Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) soothes inflamed mucous membranes.

Other measures include yogic breathing to strengthen lung function and
increase immune system viability. Massage, acupressure aromatherapy and
moderate exercise can also restore vital immunity.

Copyright © 2006 Ilanit Tof. All rights reserved.

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