Do You Like Having a Cold or Flu?
- Seriously, do you like being all stuffed up so that you can’t breathe, smell or taste?
- Do you like blowing your nose so much that you get a rash and/or sores under your nose?
- Do like feeling so lousy that you have to stay in bed or feel so tired you might as well be in bed?
- Do you like the feeling of razor blades in your throat?
Of course you don’t, but if you don’t know how to stop a cold or flu, that is exactly what you can expect.
There are very specific ways you can significantly strengthen your immune system to avoid a cold or a flu. And should you still unfortunately get one, there are definite steps to take to DRAMATICALLY speed up your recovery time!
COLD VS FLU
The term flu is often used loosely and can refer to two very different conditions. The first, which isn’t really even really the “flu”, is gastroenteritis, more commonly labeled as the “stomach flu” and includes vomiting and/or diarrhea. The second is true influenza, which is an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract. It is highly contagious and easily spread by sneezing and coughing.
Although the symptoms can be similar to a cold, influenza is much worse. A cold may drag you down a bit, but influenza will make you shudder at the very thought of getting out of bed. Symptoms of the flu are sudden chills, high fever, sore throat, headache, abdominal pain, hoarseness, cough, enlarged lymph nodes, aching of the back and limbs, and possibly vomiting and diarrhea (but not always). Oh, so pleasant.
ANTIBIOTICS CAN MAKE THINGS WORSE, NOT BETTER
Over 100 types of cold viruses are known, and new strains of influenza evolve every few years. Since both diseases are viral, antibiotics do nothing to conquer either (as antibiotics kill bacteria only, not viruses) – and as a matter of fact, antibiotics can actually be harmful. For example by taking an antibiotic you may get a Candida overgrowth.
FLU SHOTS ARE NOT THE ANSWER
Should you get a flu shot instead? Absolutely not!
If you are considering a flu shot then you are responding to “marketing”. It would have you believe that
- You need the miracle of science to stay well.
- Your own body is incapable of fending off a virus.
- The choices you make have nothing to do with the strength of your immune system.
- Your government has only your best interest at heart.
Well, let’s take a look at the facts and then you can decide for yourself.
Who Really Benefits From Flu Vaccines?
The only persons benefiting from flu vaccines are those people who own stock in the drug companies. It is big money. How big?
Manufacturers routinely report seasonal revenues upward of $500 million. Now that’s a lot of jing especially when you consider flu vaccines are unnecessary, unsafe, and rarely work. To read the full article GO HERE
ANTI-BACTERIAL SOAP IS NOT THE ANSWER
The chemical anti-bacterial agent not only kills bacteria but also kills human cells. Plus, colds and flus are viruses and not bacteria. So all you succeed in doing is “over-using bacteria agents”. This has the same effect as over using antibiotics … your immune system gets weakened and strains of resistant bacteria, or “superbugs” evolve.
TOP 7 RULES FOR AVOIDING A COLD OR FLU
RULE NUMBER ONE: GIVE YOURSELF SUGAR FREE DAYS
Eat healthy wholesome foods. This is the fuel we need for our bodies to function. Too many processed foods are hard for our bodies to deal with; this takes energy away from keeping the immune system strong. And refined sugar is the most depleting of all.
Can sugar deplete your immune system? Oh yes it can!
Your immune system gets suppressed within one to two hours after eating sugar and remains that way for up to five hours.
Excerpt from Wiki Answers
“…in adults, cell mediated immunity is significantly depressed after sugar ingestion (75 grams). Maximum immune suppression occurs one to two hours after ingestion and remains suppressed for up to five hours after feeding.
In other words, drinking a Coke or eating a candy bar can partially knock out your immune system for up to 5 hours.”
For more information on creating sugar free days view live video clip “Simple But Powerful” on my video page or GO HERE.
RULE NUMBER TWO: DRINK PLENTY OF FILTERED WATER
Healthy moist membranes are harder to infect than dry tissues. In the winter months we are in hot, dry air, which dries the nose and throat tissues which helps create a perfect environment for a viral infection.
Don’t wait until you are thirsty or have a headache! Both of these are signs of dehydration. You need to drink ½ ounce of filtered water per pound of body weight daily. So if you weigh 160 pounds you need to drink 80 ounces of water a day.
RULE NUMBER THREE: GET LOTS OF SLEEP
Balance. We all have busy hectic lives, but take some down time to relax and rejuvenate. This will help deal with the daily stress (which also affects the immune system).
You can’t build a healthy immune system if you don’t give your body enough time to rest and repair. Everyone is different. If you need 8 hours sleep or 10 hours sleep, that is the amount of sleep that you require, make sure you get it.
RULE NUMBER FOUR: AVOID CONTACT WITH INFECTED PEOPLE
I know this one can be very challenging. But give wide berth to people who are coughing or sneezing.
If you are invited to someone’s home or are inviting guests to yours, check in with them the day before as you may want to reschedule. The rule of thumb is:
A person with a cold is contagious for the first three days that they have symptoms. (Did you know that you can even catch a cold back from yourself?)
A person with the flu is contagious from a day before they feel sick until their symptoms have resolved. The flu virus is very contagious as it easily spreads through the air. Avoid sleeping in a room with someone who has the flu.
RULE NUMBER FIVE: WASH YOUR HANDS PROPERLY AND REGULARLY
Use warm water, and lather up with soap for a good 10-15 seconds, covering all the spots on the front and back of your hands, then rinse. And, keep your hands away from your eyes and nose. Regular soap (as opposed to antibacterial soap) can kill viruses!
RULE NUMBER SIX: APPLY SILVER BIOTICS ASAP GEL TWICE DAILY
Carry a tube of Silver Biotics ASAP Gel (available in our online store). Apply it to your hands twice a day. It is better than a hand sanitizer because it doesn’t eliminate the good bacteria and it actually defends against viruses and bacteria for up to 4 hours.
You can also put it on after washing or use it if there is no wash basin and soap available.
For more information on Silver Biotics Liquid and Gel GO HERE.
RULE NUMBER SEVEN: TAKE YOUR IMMUNE BUILDING NUTRIENTS DAILY
Even when eating right, it’s hard to make sure we get all the nutrients and vitamins that we need. Supplementing will provide the necessary nutrients your body needs to maintain a healthy immune system.
The Seven Key Nutrients for Avoiding Colds and Flu
#1. Vitamin A
Vitamin A is necessary to maintain the mucous membranes of the respiratory passages that are barriers to circulating viruses. Take 5,000 to 50,000 IU daily.
**There is 5,000 IU of vitamin A in each Total Health Pack
#2. B Complex Vitamins (include all 11 of the B family)
B vitamins are CRITICAL to restoring and maintaining optimal adrenal function. The adrenal glands should produce cortisol which regulates your immune responses. Tired adrenal glands = lowered immune response. That is why so many people get sick after a period of stress.
**There is the complete B complex in each Total Health Pack.
#3. Vitamin C (the only one I recommend is the buffered form called Calcium Ascorbate preferably with bioflavanoids – please do not use Ascorbic Acid)
Vitamin C stimulates the production of interferon (a virus killer).Take 1,000 mg once or twice a day. Vitamin C stimulates the production of interferon a virus killer). If you are prone to colds and flu, I would absolutely consider taking more calcium ascorbate.
**There is 900 mg of calcium ascorbate and 180 mg of bioflavanoids in each Total Health Pack
#4. Vitamin D
Although everyone is under the impression that vitamin D offers massive protection against colds and flu, I wouldn’t personally wouldn’t put all my eggs in one basket. There is only one study to date that shows less influenza in school age children that have been given vitamin D3 supplements as opposed to those that did not receive it.
So, yes, I do believe that vitamin D is PART of the healthy immune picture, but vitamin D alone will not protect you from colds and flu.
The best source of vitamin D is still the sun but when you slather on sunscreen 99% of your vitamin D production is impaired. (For more details on what you should do to prevent cancer and still get the nourishment from the sun GO HERE).
When you can’t get a 20 minute dose of sunshine on your skin, you should absolutely be taking vitamin D. How much? The jury is still out on that. The amount recommended varies from 1,000 IU to 10,000 IU’s.
Take whatever feels comfortable to you, but remember this is only one piece of the immune puzzle.
**There is 500 IU of Vitamin D3 in each Total Health Pack.
#5. Vitamin E (d’alpha tocopherol not the synthetic dl-alpha tocopherol)
The nutrition almanac reports that Vitamin E helps promote body defenses against viral infections and in some cases may be utilized as a flu vaccine. High doses may build both the serum and the cellular levels of the body to high levels of immunity against flu.
It is recommended to take 400 IU to 800 IU per day.
**There is 400 IU (d’alpha tocophero) of vitamin E in each Total Health Pack.
#6. Zinc (citrate)
Zinc will aid in antibody production and also in the circulation of the “fighter” T-cells that are part of the immune system. Take 5 to 50 mg of zinc citrate daily.
**There is 5 mg of zinc citrate in each Total Health Pack.
#7 Green Tea Extract
The consumption of green tea extracts including catechins has been studied and the findings are that it enhances systemic immunity and helps prevent the occurrence of upper respiratory tract infection and influenza symptoms in healthy adults.
**There is Green Tea Extract (cathechin polyphenols) 400 mg in each Total Health Pack.
TOTAL HEALTH
The information above clearly demonstrates that the “Total Health Packs” (available in our online store) are designed for “Total Health” and that includes preventing colds and flu.
All the above nutrients are contained in each convenient Total Health Pack. Each Total Health Pack (Daily Essential Nutrients) contains 60 individually sealed packs of essential daily supplements providing nutrients that are correctly combined, highly absorbable and at therapeutic levels to deliver … RESULTS!
“Cold season is upon us in Calgary, snow already! But when I take my vitamin packs, I don’t get sick. When I get lazy and forget, boom, there’s a cold! Thanks for keeping me healthy!” Catherine, Calgary
WHAT TO DO AT THE FIRST SIGN OF A COLD OR FLU
It is possible to “knock it out” before it takes hold, but immediate action is required. If you are unable to stop it in its tracks, you can still shorten the duration and severity. For details GO HERE.
ACTION IS REQUIRED
It is one thing to read about what you need to do and it is quite another to take the action that is recommended.
If you want to build a strong immune system, to not only fight colds and flu, but any disease that comes your way, take action today!
The information made available in this article is provided for educational or reference purposes only. Nutritional Therapy and/or Coaching is not intended as a diagnosis, treatment, prescription, or cure for any disease, mental or physical, and is not intended as a substitute for regular medical care.
Copyright Brenda Eastwood and Megan Bocsik 2014 – Article Top 7 Rules For Avoiding A Cold Or Flu
MaximumResults@shaw.ca www.BrendaEastwood.com www.TotalHealthPack.com
Would you like to use this article in your E-zine or website? You may, as long as you include this complete write-up with it: Brenda Eastwood is a holistic health expert who specializes in Women’s Health Issues. Her expertise stems from over 30 years’ experience as a Registered Nutritional Consulting Practitioner. This includes ongoing research, 17 years running a successful private practice, presenting hundreds of seminars and workshops, as well as coaching clients through her unique online Inner Circle program. Today she is able to reach out to even more women through her regular article contributions to HANS (Health Action Magazine) and her book “Get off the PMS and Perimenopausal Roller Coaster, Learn 9 Natural Fast Track Solutions to Balanced Hormones”. For more information on Brenda Eastwood please visit www.BrendaEastwood.com or for information on her Total Health Packs visit www.TotalHealthPack.com
