At one time the flu season was a time of year when everyone was concerned about catching a cold. More man-hours are lost annually because of this condition than any other medical disorder. It drains hundreds of millions of dollars from the national purse, yet hardly any strategies are promoted for its prevention.
The common cold is caused by a wide variety of viruses that infect the upper respiratory tract, the nasal passages, the sinuses and the throat. Influenza is caused by another large family of viruses which often produce more severe and widespread symptoms than a simple cold. Both these conditions create tremendous suffering, loss of productivity and may sometimes lead to life-threatening complications.
The pharmaceutical and the medical industries earn tremendous revenues from treating the symptoms of these conditions that can be treated naturally and are often preventable. Visit any pharmacy and you will be overwhelmed with the amazing variety of products offering to treat colds and the flu.
Vaccines to protect us from colds and flu are now in vogue, but the scientific basis for their use is very questionable. There are literally hundreds of different strains of viruses that cause the flu. These viruses mutate frequently to produce more and more varieties that would each require a specific vaccine. Each year the manufacturers guess to decide which three or four of the many viruses they should choose to protect you from, with their current vaccine.
Millions of people in North America (and a growing number in Jamaica) line up each year to have their flu shots. It is a big guessing game in which the consumer's ignorance is exploited. I think that the approach outlined below makes much better sense.
THE FOUR-STEP PREVENTION PLAN
1) Keep your body clean - detoxify: Today's environment is polluted and our bodies bear a heavy burden of toxins and poisons. A regular detox programme to assist the body to naturally cleanse itself is an important step in preventing these infections. This can include the use of herbal cleansers, colon hydrotherapy, sauna or steam treatments and periodic fasting. Avoid fumes, chemical pollutants, smoke and dust.
Outer hygiene is also essential. Research shows that regular hand-washing significantly reduces your risk of catching a cold.
2) Eat right: Some popular foods irritate the immune system, stimulate mucus production and trigger allergies. This creates the ideal situation for infections to set in. Avoid dairy products and minimise your use of processed foods that contain excess refined sugar, refined flour, salt, food additives, preservatives and food colouring.
Focus on lots of fresh vegetables and fruits - Seven to nine servings every day are ideal. I strongly recommend a balanced plan of nutritional supplements called the cellular nutrition programme that I have personally used daily for over 14 years. Regularly drink eight or more glasses of clean water each day along with natural juices.
3) Balance the immune system:
Vitamins
Vitamin C in the right dosage will destroy a wide variety of viruses and powerfully strengthen the immune system. In my opinion, everyone would benefit from one to three grams of vitamin C daily (1g is 10,000g). If a cold or flu threatens increase your dosage from three up to 10 grams per day. Using vitamin C in powder form makes taking these higher dosages easier without having to take a large number of pills.
A serious or complicated cold or flu can be stopped in its tracks by even larger dosages of vitamin C administered by a doctor in an intravenous drip. The other major anti-oxidants, vitamins A and E, and selenium, will provide additional benefits to the immune system. The mineral zinc used as a lozenge has been shown to also inhibit viruses that cause the common cold.
It is unfortunate that although medical authorities strongly discourage the front-line use of antibiotics to treat colds and flu, millions of prescriptions for antibiotics are written each year for this purpose.
Herbs
Several herbs enhance immune function. I often use schizandra, a Chinese herb available in tablet form, along with a potent rosemary extract in a tablet called Rosox. Other useful antiviral herbs include ginger, garlic, onion, aloe vera, olive leaf, grapefruit seed extract, oil of oregano, and cayenne pepper.
4) Rest and destress: Stress weakens the immune system and is well known to make us vulnerable to colds and flu. Make sure to have enough rest and relaxation. Listen to your body and learn how to manage stress in a healthy way; it is a vital part of any disease prevention programme.
Email Dr. Tony Vendryes at vendryes@mac.com, visit the website www.anounceofprevention.org, or listen to An Ounce of Prevention' on Power 106FM on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.
