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Fighting back the colds and flu

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The weather is changing and with the cold climate comes those dreadful colds and flu. You already hear your kids sniffling, sneezing and coughing and you are bracing for your turn. Those bugs seem to be no respecter of persons as they diligently make their rounds till everyone is whimpering at their mercy. Is it even possible to put up a fight against those nasty viruses? It most certainly is! Understanding your enemy and equipping your own defense system is one way to prepare for the impending battle. The battle which you hope to win.

Colds and flu are caused by viruses. These viruses thrive best in cold temperatures which is why the incidence of colds and flu are highest when the temperature falls. They enter the body usually by direct contact with your mucous membranes which are the lining of your nose, mouth and eyes. Once they break through that first line of defense they are confronted with white blood cells which are real mean warriors. They have no mercy and start attacking with serious ammunition to destroy the invader. The aim is to annihilate the virus, bind them up and put them out. Those white blood cells are key players in what is know as your immune system. The immune system is a well orchestrated army designed to fight any and every invader that seeks to do you harm. This includes viruses, bacteria, fungi and cancer cells. Yes, your immune system is important in fighting off cancer too.

Your body is built with many lines of defense to prevent the cold and flu virus from wreaking havoc. The first line of defense is incorporated right where the virus first attacks. The mucous membranes. When a virus makes a successful landing in your nose you begin to sneeze and have increased mucus production. That is the body trying to kill the problem right there. This is your cue to be on guard and to heighten your efforts to stop this invasion. One simple intervention is to dress warmly from your core to all four limbs. Don’t allow any part of your body to be unnecessarily chilled. This is not the time to be cute and show off those attractive pecs and biceps. This is not the time for the kids to wear their favorite sleeveless outfit with no jacket. I realize kids never feel cold. Mine are never cold either but they need to bundle up. The theory behind  keeping the entire body warm is based in physiology. We need good circulation of blood throughout the body to keep those soldiers (white blood cells)manning their forts. Keeping the body warm, allows a good circulation, especially to where the invasion is occurring. Exposure to cold causes vasoconstriction (blood vessels to narrow) and a decreased supply of blood to critical regions of the body. Decreased blood supply means decrease defense. Decrease defenses and the viruses are winning. So put on that warm hat and scarf. Make sure that chest is covered and don’t forget those arms and legs.

Another simple intervention is preempting the bugs by washing your hands after likely exposure. Likely exposure would be if you are touching surfaces that others are touching like door knobs, furniture, counters, money and shaking hands. Hand washing is an effective way to decrease the transmission of bugs from others to yourself as they often hitch a ride on your hands as you innocently pick your nose or rub your eyes.

The final showdown all depends on how fit your defense system is. Is your immune system ready and prepared for battle? Are those white cells in top fighting condition? There is no time like the present to take inventory and make sure your army is ready to win for you. A key element in preparing your immune system for battle is to not poison the front liners. A common poison that makes your white cells limp and practically useless is exposing them to processed sugar. I can literally see your eyes growing big as you try to make the connection here. Yes, processed sugar. One major suppressor of the immune system is sugar that is processed and refined.  Not the sugars found naturally in foods.  Processed sugar is your white sugar, high fructose corn syrup, turbinado, corn syrup, cane sugar. Sugar masquerades by a few other names so you have to be so keen to identify it.

We’ll have to give sugar its own spotlight and talk more about this sweet traitor. In the mean time make sure the family bundles up, wash hands often and slash the sugar big time.

The best of health to you and your family

Dr Kathy

References

Fast food fever: reviewing the impacts of the Western diet on immunity
Ian A Myles . 2014; 13: 61.

COVID Game-Changers

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“Most people who get sick with COVID-19 will have only mild illness and should recover at home. Care at home can help stop the spread of COVID-19 and help protect people who are at risk for getting seriously ill from COVID-19.” – Center for Disease Control

So now you have COVID-19 and your provider tells you to ride it out at home because your symptoms are not severe enough to require hospitalization.  Is there anything you can do to fight this virus while you’re stuck at home trying not to fret but definitely concerned about what’s going to happen next? Yes there is!  While we have no effective medication or vaccine against this virus we’ve got to use what we do have – our immune system. There are many proven ways to boost the immune system so it fights better for you. There are also many foods known to be antiviral in nature which can maximize your bodies efforts to fight COVID-19 or any other virus for that matter. So even though this game changer protocol has not been tested in research studies on COVID 19, it has proven effective with influenza and other upper respiratory viral infections and is therefore worth implementing while you self isolate, thinking and wondering.

Time is of the essence. It is important to begin fighting back the minute you feel any inclination of a viral infection. That would mean that first scratchy sensation in the nose or throat,  the instant you begin to wonder if you could possibly have a fever, or as soon a you get that tired feeling with a runny nose, whatever the early warning signs- don’t delay. Begin implementing the game changer protocol to fight back the virus.

1.Dress for success. In a previous blog, “Fighting back the colds and flu“, I explained the importance of avoiding chilled body parts when dealing with viruses. Keeping the entire body well covered leads to vessel vasodilation which increases blood circulation diffusely. Increased circulation equals increased defense as those white blood cells are able to travel throughout the body and fight.

2. Increase immune boosting foods. Eat more garlic, onion and ginger. These have been shown to have antiviral properties and boost immune system function to fight infection. In a recent blog called “Corona Recipes” you can see how to make your own immune boosting, lung decongestant tonic at home. Make it ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator. The minute I feel a viral type infection coming on I take 2 teaspoons. If dealing with an active viral infection I would take 2 teaspoons three times a day with lots of water.

3. Oil of Oregano to the rescue. Oil of oregano has excellent anti viral properties and has been used for many years in some industrialized chicken farms to fight infection. It can be a real help in fighting viral infections if started right away.  Add 2-3 drops of oil of oregano in an 8 ounce glass of water, drink twice a day for 5 days.  This could potentially decrease the intensity and length of symptoms. Oregano oil can thin the blood so if you are on a blood thinner be cautious.

4.Clean out the bowels. A backed up colon is a sure way to slow down your immune fighting potential. If waste is allowed to sit in the colon there will be toxic materials passing through the bowel walls making their way to the blood stream. These are foreign particles to the immune system and it will naturally begin to attack. When you are sick with COVID or any other viral infection you don’t want to be waging multiple wars in your body at the same time. So purge this war and allow your fighting cells to focus on the virus. A good bowel cleanse can often be obtained with any one of the following: senna, psyllium fiber (like metamucil), castor oil, magnesium citrate or Epsom salt (food grade) mixed in water. After you have cleaned out your bowels then stay on a regimen that will ensure you do “number two” everyday. A good regimen can be 8 oz of prune juice or 2 tablespoon of flax meal every day.  Always remember to keep your bowels clean while you are fighting any disease. This is very important.

5. Vitamin C. This powerful vitamin is a real key in helping the immune system function more efficiently. It is a super antioxidant which means it spends its time binding up free radicals, the bad guys which are busy damaging cells and tissues in our bodies. With less free radicals to deal with the immune fighting cells can focus on that pesky virus which is trying to bring you down. When fighting a viral infection it might help to use 3000 mg three times a day for 5 days. Thankfully Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin so it is not likely you will overdose on it. If your body has too much Vitamin C you might get diarrhea. If on high doses of Vitamin C for extended periods of time you can be prone to kidney stones. Lemons are a rich source of vitamin C and funny enough, so are white pine needles. You can add 2 – 3 lemons to a glass of water every morning or consider making pine needle tea from white pines.

We are all trying our best to avoid getting infected with this novel corona virus, but often times despite our best efforts the virus finds us and attacks. If and when we find ourselves with instructions to self isolate there are things we can do to fight back in this war against the invisible enemy.

Here’s to a defeated virus,

Dr. Kathy

Disclaimer:
None of the information in this blog or on this website is intended to replace the advice of your regular medical provider. Please consult your personal provider for all medically related questions.

References:

 1. Supplementation with aged garlic extract improves both NK and γδ-T cell function and reduces the severity of cold and flu symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled nutrition intervention. 2012 Jun;31(3):337-44. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2011.11.019. Epub 2012 Jan 24.
2. Antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral effects of three essential oil blends.  2017 Aug;6(4). doi: 10.1002/mbo3.459. Epub 2017 Mar 14.

What You Should Know About the Coronavirus

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China has been turned upside down by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This microscopic organism has spread rapidly from person to person leading to the illness of thousands and death for over 250 individuals. The first case was detected in Wuhan, China on December 31st 2019 and it has since become a global issue as the virus has spread to other countries and was confirmed in the USA on January 30, 2020. So far there are 7 confirmed cases in the US and anxieties are rising as it will likely continue to spread.

It is important to understand how these viruses work and what we are dealing with to better prepare ourselves. Much is still not known about how this particular virus is spread but based on what we know about the coronavirus family it is most likely close person to person contact (within a 6 feet distance). Person-to-person spread is when an infected person coughs or sneezes and the virus travels neatly wrapped up in saliva or mucus and lands on the person close by. This is similar to how influenza and other respiratory bugs spread. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. It’s currently unclear if a person can get 2019-nCoV by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

This is a virus which primarily affects the lungs. With most respiratory viruses, people are thought to be most contagious when they are the sickest. With 2019-nCoV, however, there have been reports of spread from an infected patient with no symptoms to a close contact.

Symptoms of 2019-nCoV infections, can range from no symptoms to people being severely ill and dying. Symptoms can include:fever, cough and shortness of breath.

The Center for Disease Control advises that :

the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

There is no pill or vaccine for the 2019-nCoV. It is important to remember that your immune system is going to be your primary line of defense if you get exposed to the virus. A strong and healthy immune system will quarantine the virus as it invades your body and should effectively destroy it. Most individuals who have done poorly with this infection were individuals with weak immune systems.

For more on how to prepare your immune system to fight for you read the prior blogs titled Fighting Back the Colds and Flu and Poisoning the Front Liner?

The best of health to you and yours

Dr Kathy

References

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/hcp/clinical-criteria.html

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Poisoning the front liner?

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In the last blog titled “fighting back the colds and flu” I pointed out some simple ways to help your immune system win for you. The immune system is key in winning the battle against those colds and flu this season. Those white blood cells are primed and eager to fight the viral invaders. As much as they want to defend us from viruses, bacteria, fungus and even cancer cells they can’t do a whole lot if they are been poisoned. The most common poison these guys have to battle on a continual basis is one that seems so innocent and sweet. Sweet with a capital S. Processed sugar is a potent and effective way to cripple our white blood cell fighting power. Studies have demonstrated that when white blood cells are exposed to elevated levels of sugar they become sluggish and move slowly. “By drinking 1 Liter bottle of soda or by eating 100 gram sugar (about two cans of soda), the reactivity of WBCs reduces 40%. This can make our immune system disable for 4 or 5 hours.” (1)

Processed and refined sugar innocently disguises itself in our foods and if we aren’t keen to look for it we won’t even know its there. What helps me identify hidden refined sugars is keeping in mind that if it is not in its natural state something was likely added to, are taken away from it. Reading labels also helps. Places refined sugars lurk are in commercial sauces, dressings and gravies. Something as basic to our every day diet as ketchup is loaded with sugar and we have to be careful to limit these significantly. Also keep in mind that sugar goes by many different names. Some names you’ll find for added sugar are high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, maltodextrin, barely malt, white sugar, evaporated cane sugar and more.

Sweet is a treat and so instead of totally avoiding yummy sweets I try to pick less refined forms to sweeten my foods. Dried fruit are a great option and liquid sweeteners like local honey and maple syrup are still sugars but a better alternative to the more refined crystallized forms. Those sugars found naturally in food don’t cause as much havoc as the added refined sugars (2).

Give those fighter cells a chance to win for you.

Here’s to a stronger immune system and less sniffles this season

Dr Kathy

References

1. Ullah H, Akhtar M, Hussain F. Effects of Sugar, Salt and Distilled Water on White Blood Cells and Platelet Cells. Journal of Tumor 2015; 4(1): 354-358
2. Intakes and sources of dietary sugars and their association with metabolic and inflammatory markers Laura O’Connor,a,b,∗ Fumiaki Imamura,
. 2018 Aug; 37(4): 1313–1322