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How to Catch a Cold
By Linda | January 17, 2009
You are three times more likely to catch a cold if you sleep less than 7 hours a night, according to a new Carnegie Mellon University study. Researchers studied 153 volunteers locked in a hotel room with a cold virus. Those who failed to get at least 7 hours sleep had more sore throats, runny noses and congested heads than those more rested. Things got progressively worse with less time asleep.
If you’re worried about catching a cold or flu, there are a few things you can do for protection:
* Get eight hours of sleep. This also reduces obesity and diabetes risk.
* Cut out the sugar. A dose of sugar, even orange juice, reduces white blood cells’ ability to engulf germs by half
* Don’t get a flu shot. Vaccinations reduce immunity for all the other germs not vaccinated against.
* Load up on zinc and vitamin A rich foods, which boot immunity: grass fed meat and dairy, eggs, liver, oysters, and nuts.
* Get sunlight. Vitamin D from sunshine on skin also helps fight infections (as well as heart attacks, cancer and obesity).
* Take vitamin C several times a day. C keeps immunity strong.
* Use energy medicine to cope with immune suppressing emotions such as depression and fatigue.
What are your cold-fighting strategies??
Topics: Immunity, Uncategorized |
January 17th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Here are a couple of my favorite cold and flu remedies:
NATURAL ESSENTIAL OIL ANTIBIOTIC FORMULA
(PUT IN CAPSULES)
4 drops of Frankincense
5 drops of Oregano
4 drops of Thieves or
Immupower or
Thyme
Take 4-5 times daily
Take with food, something light to eat prior.
Some people have had indigestion when the oils
began to break down.
ESSENTIAL OIL ANTIBIOTIC FORMULA #2
10 drops lemon
8 drops mountain savory
3 drops oregano
Put in “00″ capsule
- Take up to 3 times a day
ESSENTIAL OIL ANTIBIOTIC FORMULA #3
12 drops Thieves
6 drops Oregano
2 drops Frankincense
Put into a “00″ gel capsule
- Take up to 3x/day
ESSENTIAL OIL IMMUNE BOOSTER FORMULA
8 Clove
5 Thyme
5 Oregano
put into a “00″ gel capsule
- Take up to 3x/day
All capsules must be taken quickly
as the oils dissolve the capsule.
LEARN MORE ABOUT OTHER REMEDIES:
http://www.webdeb.com/oils/symptom.htm
LEARN MORE About therapeutic essential oils:
http://www.yleo-oils.com/
———————
Kindest Regards,
Debbie Allen, CNHP
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Young Living Essential Oils
Member Since 1997
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
E-mail: deb@webdeb.com
Toll FREE: 800-769-7923
Local: 303-782-4842
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Essential oils are one of the most powerful
weapons we have in natural health today,
don’t abuse them or overuse them.”
Learn More about Oils:
YLEO-Oils.com
NingxiaJuice.com
RaindropKit.com
Thieves-Secret.com
webdeb.com/oils
January 17th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Thanks Linda, but too late! I’ve had this thing since Tuesday. Haven’t had the flu in a very long time and feel awful…any remedies for fighting the flu?? Lisa
January 17th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Ah yes, the flu. Not pleasant. Once it is full-blown, do everything you can to give your immunity a boost. GET OFF ALL SUGAR. Sugar makes it harder for your body to fight off infection. Relax. Take hot baths. Sip/eat long slow cooked soups made with meat or poultry and bones. Take a high dose of vitamin A (150,000IU) for up to 3 days. This sometime knocks it right out. DO NOT DO THIS IF PREGNANT. Although there are no side effects with this high dose therapy, it can impact a fetus. You might also try Yin Qiao (Yin Chow), a Chinese herb remedy for the flu. Also take some extra zinc. And, as always keep up the vitamin C — every few hours.
January 18th, 2009 at 1:21 am
hi linda: thanks for your reminders to fight off colds and the flu. just got over both and it consumed me for 3-4 week!
proboost and mycelized vitamin A helps. in noticed you recommended yin chao, but i believe it depends if there is fever or signs oh inner heat. if not, and it is a cold cold, then yin chao is not recommended. let me know if you agree.
in terms of vitamin C, i have ca-oxalate kidney stones and so i have been warned NOT to use much vit. c because it can create more crystals in the urine. what do you know about that and is there trustworthy research on the subject?
cheers,
gary
January 18th, 2009 at 1:24 am
linda: i forgot to ask you what you recommend when there is an upper respiratory infection? what do you recommend for food and herbs to clear lung heat and phlegm? what do you recommend once the cough becomes dry and w/o mucous?
gary
January 18th, 2009 at 11:06 am
Hi Gary, all great questions here. My experience with vitamin A is with the fat-soluble form, not water soluble (micelized). My observation is that the fat-soluble form is key for getting it into certain membranes. Vitamin A is fat-soluble in nature.
I do not have direct experience with proboost, but do know it contains corn syrup solids, not a great “food” but if you see results, then stay with it. Being sick for 4 weeks makes me think this was not working.
As for CA oxalate kidney stones, the vitamin C issue is largely a myth. Very few people develop stones with use of high dose vitamin C. There is a test to see if you are one of those who react and I urge you to take it if it makes you feel more comfortable taking this universally healing vitamin. Even if you are reactive to C, you can take up to 1 gram with no problem. By the way, two Harvard researchers found a 300 mg dose of magnesium oxide and 10 mg dose of vitamin B6 taken daily reduces stone development by 92.3%, a veritable miracle for thoe who form stones.
Yin Chiao does work best at the onset of cold or flu symptoms with “heat signs” (fever, sore throat, coughing), which is most common. Dr. Shen’s (the Yin Chiao company) makes another product, Zong Gan Ling, which is more effective after the onset of symptoms.
As for the upper respiratory infection, I would try the A, and drink slow-cooked bone broths. Chinese herbs are quite specific for the individual and symptoms, and I recommend an OMD or herbalist for this. I could list the herbs that clear damp heat in the lungs but these need to be in a special balance with herbs that do the opposite, based on your situation.
As for foods for respiratory issues, again NO sugar, which is heating and damp. Also avoid orange juice or other citrus, and commercial dairy (promotes mucous). Also taking a high quality cod liver oil, with high amounts of vitamins A and D should help with this dry pattern.
I would also do a lot of tapping or rubbing of the lung acupressure points on the chest.
January 18th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
I have been super successful - for 30+ years in warding off flu + colds by taking - at the first sign of a cold or flu - C, A + pantothenic acid every hour for up to 3 days + it works! I am not sure that Echinacea Liquid does much, but I use a few drops on occasion…. I use the powdered C + A, not beta-carotene.
January 18th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Hi Linda,
I should be getting colds as I’m on cyclosporine an immune-suppressant, but have only had one small one three years ago when I moved from NY to LA and was under major stress. When I feel I might be coming down with something, I take colloidal silver and elderberry. Sometimes a couple thou mg of C. On a daily basis I only take two supplements these days: 1) MaxGXL (which has some c, glutamine, NAC, Alpha Lipoic Acid, cordyceps, etc) and which is a Glutathione booster 2)Xocai, a healthy, delicious raw chocolate — one ounce has an ORAC score of 5270! I’ve never felt better! And, I still make all your bone soups!!!
January 18th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
HI Linda,
Well, these bone soups sound amazing and healing! Can they be made with chicken bones? I don’t care to eat meat.
What works for me? 1 tsp of Vit C everyday to ward off colds. It really gives me a boost of energy. One odd thing….when I do feel as though I am coming down with something, I crave sugar. Linda, do you know why that is?
What works for me two young children? I truly believe that keeping them off sugar and giving them the rest they need keeps them healthy. They rarely do get sick (knock on wood). I am appalled at some of the horrible ingredients (including parabens) in children’s medicine.
January 19th, 2009 at 12:50 am
Hi Linda: Just catching up here. Your response was so informative but begs a few additional questions:
1) Vit. A; Do you recommend ongoing usage year round? If so, what dosages of water soluble A and what brand do you recommend? Wondering what you think of the Pure brand?
2) Vit. A: Sounds like you recommend this as soon as you notice signs of cold and flu. You recommend 150,000 IU for 3 days. How many capsules is that? I am used to thinking in terms of mg and not IUs.
3) Proboost A: I looked at the box and it simply says thymic protein A. I don’t see anything about corn syrup. Let me know if I have that wrong.
4) The Mg I have been taking is Mg Glycinate. Are you urging me to discontinue its use and switch to Mg oxide for the kidney stones?
5) Cordecyps: I notice that one other poster also mentions these. Do you feel these are good for building immunity from colds and flus? If one is using these I assume there is no need to then also use other mushroom derived immune boosters (such as host defense, etc.). Is too much immune boosting agents a bad thing?
6) What does OMD stand for?
7) How many mg of Vit C at first onset of a cold? Do you agree that you should use as much until you get to “bowel tolerance?”
Do you think that a daily vitamin is a good all around ins. policy or a waste of money?
Your blog is so informative and it’s interesting to hear what is working for others. I am a fan of the bone chicken soups. For just a few dollars you can save up on neck and backs from a grocery store and keep them in the freezer. Then just bring to a boil and simmer over night at a low heat. I add a bit of Japanese fish flakes called dashi and sometimes a bit of miso and shitake. Makes a nourishing soup. (I call it Chicken-Miso Soup).
January 19th, 2009 at 1:28 am
Hi Linda: Just caught something else in what you wrote…
“Also taking a high quality cod liver oil, with high amounts of vitamins A and D should help with this dry pattern.”
What quantities of A and D are you talking about?
Also, if someone is already taking flax seed oil, and fish oil capsules, are you still recommending daily use of cod liver oil on top of that? Isn’t that overkill?
January 19th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Debra, Nancy and Andria - your immunity suggestions area all fantastic. These are all great products that have a history of working.
And Gary wow, a lot of good questions. Good. This is a lot of what happens in my email support with clients so I will hit some of this but some will vary for your situation, and require more information.
Daily vitamin A need depends a bit on the person - those of northern European ancestry can need more (as well as more fat), but 10,000-15,000IU is a good range (for females in reproductive years, keep it to 10,000IU). The high dose to fight cold or flu is for up to 3 days only. Fat soluble forms of A are usually given in IU’s and will vary among brands so you need to do the math. You can check consumer labs for product quality.
Vitamin D intake depends on sun exposure, constitution, and ethnicity. In winter taking 5000IU is prudent, although looking at D deficiency signs and disease is important.
OMD stands for Oriental Medical Doctor, a doctor trained in Chinese acupuncture.
You can overdo some immune boosters, such as echinacea, but mushrooms are really a food so not so likely here.
The right daily vitamin is helpful, but you need to be careful: some companies use cheap forms of nutrients that can be harmful (synthetic vitamin E for example).
Your magnesium form is good - just add in the 10 mg of B6 for the kidney stones.
I suggest you determine the exact kind of kidney stones and that will tell you if vitamin C is an issue. You doctor can tell you. Then use of C to bowel tolerance is helpful.
Look at detail in Proboost web site for corn syrup info.
As for oils I would have to review the specific supplements you are taking and look at the symptoms and issues you are still having. You may not be getting enough, or absorbing enough certain fats.
Keep on with the bone broth everybody!
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Your first line really got my attention, Linda. I have had 4 colds in the past 4 months. Usually I might get one or two in a year. I figured it was from work and being around more people than in the past. That did not really make sense, though as I work outside and for the previous 12 years have spent most of my time around kids, who are know for passing things around. The one thing that has changed is that since last September I have been getting 6 to 7 hours of sleep 5 nights a week. Before that I always got 7-1/2 to 8-1/2. I wonder if that is the cause?
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January 23rd, 2009 at 9:14 am
Will - 4 colds in 4 months is TOO many. We are always exposed to bacteria and viruses in our environment. A healthy immune system keeps us from catching everything we are exposed to. It sounds like your change in sleep patterns could have something to do with it. Are you eating any more sugar these days? Are donuts or candy out at work all the time? Are you eating less meat/lamb/eggs? Vitamin A and zinc from animal products are big keys to immunity. I know a variety of wild mushrooms grow in your area; these are wonderful immune boosters. I suggest finding and preparing different wild mushrooms at every opportunity:in soups and stews, sauteed…. You can also buy tinctures of immune-boosting mushrooms. New Chapter makes a great blend. Also consider a good multi vitamin (without iron).
January 27th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
I don’t think I am eating any more sugar. I don’t eat the junk at work and bring my own lunch every day. I am eating more overall, though. The early routine of work combined with lunch break at 11 am prompts me to eat both my granola or trail mix at 9am and then my lunch at 11am. Then of course I am very hungry after work by 5 or 5:30pm. I have gained almost 10 pounds since September! Actually I gained it all by December 1st and have stayed the same since. I know it it is partly just from eating more, but also many fewer 10 or 15 mile hikes like I used to do at least once a week.
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January 28th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Granola, aside from a being a great weight-gain food, usually contains some kind of sugar and it may contain omega-6-rich vegetable oil, which you don’t want either. That reminds me, taking cod liver oil for omega-3’s will help your immunity. Get a brand with both vitamin A and D (these vitamins are needed in balance and both boost immunity). The other possible issue is potential mold in your house.
January 29th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Cod liver oil is so great and I thank you for turning me on to it! Is it okay to take while pregnant? Also, my 3 and 1 year old like to take it. Can they take the Carlson’s brand for adults or should they take the children’s Carlsons?
Thank you!
January 30th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Cod liver is great for kids - in fact a huge help to their skin, hair and brains! General rule of thumb is 1 tsp for every 50 lbs. The regular is best. Kids love it! And great for pregnant moms- makes for smarter baby.
January 30th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Thanks Linda! My 19 month old can only stand a drop or two of the Carlson’s regular oil. I bought the Barleans Omega Swirl for her and she loves it (of course, it tastes like lemon sherbert!). It is not as pure as the pure oil but is it still okay to give her?
Thanks sooo very much!
May 25th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
I agree something as simple as sleep can help greatly when fighting of a cold or flu. I’m also a big fan of combining essential minerals and vitamins with a healthy diet as a way to stay healthy.
May 3rd, 2010 at 8:11 am
What I found really works for me is an old-time cold and flu recipe. Take equal parts of these:
Garlic
Onion
Fresh Ginger
Fresh Horseradish Root (cut this small or the blender might have trouble with it)
Hot Peppers (as hot as you can take, but don’t be crazy about it - leave the seeds in if you want it really hot)
Chop, put in a blender, and just cover with raw apple cider vinegar. Blend to a soupy mush, put in a jar (use a plastic lid, the stuff will eat through a metal one). Shake once a day for a week, and every so often afterwards. Some people strain it after a couple of weeks, but I don’t.
Take a teaspoon in juice or water - or right out of the spoon if you really like the hot stuff. It is very strange in orange juice, but pretty nice in tomato - sort of like a wierd virgin mary. If you bolt it down straight rinse your mouth afterwards, the vinegar eats tooth enamel)
This can really shift stuff in the nose and chest, and I haven’t found anything that will run off the last stubborn ends of a chest cold as well as this will.