Warding Off Winter Colds

Some of you will not be surprised and some of you will not want to hear how to ward off winter colds. This is based on research from Appalachian State University. They found that people who do moderate exercise on a regular basis are less likely to get colds and if they do the symptoms are usually mild and last for a shorter period of time.

There is a flooding of natural cells that help find and kill viruses about 3 hours after you workout. Now the workout does not have to be a heavy workout. If the exercise is too heavy, it may actually suppress the immune system function. A gently walk for 1 hour is great.

Prescription Medications - Questions To Ask #2

Next make sure you understand exactly what time of day you should take you medication. This is extremely important with medications used to treat diabetes. To have the maximum benefit, you should take some of these 30 minutes before you eat, not with the meal or after the meal.

Also ask how you should take the medicine and for how long you should take the medicine. Taking an antibiotic until you feel better is not the way to take it. On the other side of that coin is be sure that you actually need the antibiotic. Remember that almost all bacterial infections are cured by your immune system and all viral infections are cured by the immune system. If your immune system is compromised, then you may need medicines to help your immune system fight the infections. Most colds do NOT need to be treated with an antibiotic. You're not doing yourself any favors by requesting and getting an antibiotic for a cold. In fact many times an antibiotic will make the cold symptoms last longer.

Antibiotics - When Should You Take Them?

I was asked the other day about whether a person should take antibiotics for a cold. This has been a source on consternation for me for years. Colds are caused by viruses. Antibiotics only help with bacterial infections and the antibiotics cannot do it alone. Your immune system in fact has to do most of the work. So having a healthy immune system is by far the most important thing in keeping you well.

Usually when the immune system is compromised by stress, lack of sleep, or something else is when you become sick with a cold. You can be healthy, but stress will really knock your immune system down and open the door for a virus to take hold.

The other thing to be aware of is that viruses usually last 10-14 days. Most people get impatient and want to be better right now. That is not going to happen with antibiotics, so don't rush off to the doctor in search of a magic pill. Rather boost up your immune system so that it can handle the virus.

Caution Regarding Licorice Root

There is one caution you should be aware of with Licorice Root, and that is that it can increase blood pressure. So if you have high blood pressure to begin with and are on blood pressure medicines, use caution when taking cough remedies that contain licorice root as your blood pressure may increase. This is why many of the over the counter cough preparations caution you about taking it if you have high blood pressure.

Additionally, there is some evidence to support disruption of potassium levels. This is usually not a problem with the normal individual, but if you are on blood pressure medications or if you take a diuretic (water pill), this could have serious implications from a cardiac standpoint for you. Use caution when taking any remedy with licorice root in it.

Licorice Root

If you have taken a cough preparation over the counter, it likely contains licorice root. This herb helps to loosen secretions and increases your ability to cough them out of the lungs. In addition, licorice root can suppress a cough so that you sleep better at night. Many cough preparation contain glycyrrhizin which is responsible for the above.

We tend to think of it as being used to flavor cough preparations, but the real effect is how it works on bronchial secretions.

Building the Immune System

Following on yesterday's tip, there are other things you can do to help protet yourself from cold and flus. Make sure that you are taking a good multiple vitamin. Well how do you know that you are getting a good multiple vitamin?

Great question. The cheapest brand at the store or discount store is likely not going to be your best choice. I know for years as a practitioner I recommended a certain brand only because it was the only one I knew. The problem was that that particular brand was not good because it more often than not did not even breakdown in the gut, so there was no benefit from it.

I have done a great deal of research now into various brands and if you would like more information, respond to this post and I will provide some for you.

More importantly, be sure to eat foods - organic if possible - that have high levels of vitamins (antioxidants). Fruits and vegetables are the best food sources.

Build Your Immune System to Stay Healthy

Most of us would really not like to be sick during this holiday season, but how do we prevent it. The best way is to build your immune system up, because it is your line of defense against illness.

The easiest and best thing you can do for yourself to prevent getting sick with a cold or flu is to wash your hands. Hands spread cold and flu very quickly. If you area grandparent and you wonder why every time you get around your grandchildren you get sick think about it. You love these little ones and they love you, so they touch you on the face and bingo, you get the virus. The little one is likely not very sick, but you can get a nasty cold or flu. I'm not saying to not love your grandchildren, but teach them to wash their hands as well as you washing yours. Make a game of it for them and it will help protect you.

Truth or Wives Tale

Bundle up it's cold outside. Has your mother or grandmother ever said this to you? Usually the next line is "You'll catch your death of cold." Bottom line, she was right. In a recent study done with college students, those who were chilled with ice water were more likely to develop colds than those who were kept toasty warm.

You may ask why is that. You immune system is responsible for fending off cold viruses. If you have been exposed and have the virus in you when you are chilled, the virus gets the upper hand because your body is using it's energy to get warm and you get sick. On the other hand, if you have the virus in you and you stay warm, your immune system is able to do it's job and kill the virus, preventing you from getting sick.

Simple but true. Wear your coat when it is cold. Or as grandma used to say, "bundle up, it's cold outside."

Colds, Flu and MMS

As I mentioned yesterday, the wife of the guy with shingles had spoken with me at length about the Miracle Mineral Solution. We discussed some of the other uses and how it was discovered. Dr. John Gray actually introduced me to it at the time that the news media was raving about how bad the bird flu was going to be. John told me to have some on hand and if I started to get symptoms to immediately start the MMS.

I told this to the physical therapist and one night her kids were sniffling and stuffy and both coming down with colds. So she decided to test it out, giving each of them 2 drops of MMS before they went to bed. When they got up in the morning, all of their symptoms were gone. She is definitely a believer now!

Tip for Cold and Flu Season

As I flew home from LA, I realized that we are into flu and cold season. One of the things you can do for yourself and those in your family to help prevent spread and further infection, is to thoroughly clean your tooth brushes. You can actually put your tooth brush in the dishwasher and it will be sanitized. Now I would recommend that you check before you put the electric tooth brush in, but certainly standard tooth brushes can be put directly into the dishwasher.