By Bob Livingston
“The immune system.” Boy, how often do we hear this term? Contrary to what is commonly believed, our immune system becomes stronger the more we are exposed to sickness. American Indians died like flies when they were first exposed to common European diseases. They had no resistance or immunity.
If we are healthy, it matters not how many sick people we go around. If it did, all doctors would be dead in the first “flu season.”
If there were any such thing as a truly contagious disease, everyone on earth would have been dead centuries ago. Theoretically, a so-called contagious disease should kill everyone, but we know that this does not happen.
People get sick and die with the flu and pneumonia not because they “caught the germ” but because they “develop” sickness due to the buildup or accumulation of toxins over time. Lack of movement, lack of deep breathing, and lack of sunshine aggravates this. “Flu shots” help toxemia as much as witchcraft does. Protection of life can never come from injecting death.
Yet every year as the sneezy-wheezy-sniffle season approaches, the media suffuses the airwaves with advice to “get a flu shot” and synthetic drugs that purport to relieve the “common cold.” Yet viruses won’t be able to invade your system if it’s supercharged by the right diet and plenty of exercise. If you do get a cold, stay far away from those over-the-counter cold remedies. None of them can cure a cold, and they can have side effects that just add to your misery. Go natural — better for your body and no side effects.
A general principle to follow when ailing with a cold or flu is drink up. Fluids help thin mucus and break up congestion. They also fight dehydration that causes headaches and fatigue. Sip a hot beverage like non-caffeinated tea, lemon water or warm broth. Not only is it comforting to your spirits, it soothes a sore throat, loosens congestion and fights fatigue.
However, not all fluids are good for you when you’re sick with a cold or flu. Here are some drinks to avoid:
- Alcohol — Causes dehydration and worsens symptoms like headache and nausea… also lowers resistance to infection.
- Coffee or other caffeinated drinks — Coffee, sodas, and caffeinated tea contribute to dehydration.
- Ginger ale — Natural ginger has some benefits, but the sugary carbonated version doesn’t help… put some ginger in a mug of hot tea instead.
- Sports/energy drinks — Stay away from the sugar-filled ones, and avoid caffeinated ones. If you can find one with taurine and vitamin B-12, then you’re in the clear.
While you may not have much appetite when sick, your body needs fuel for strength to fight off the ailment and recover. Foods that go easy on the stomach and are easy to swallow provide needed nourishment and can help relieve some of the discomfort. Here are some comfort foods that help:
- Chicken soup — Grandma was right. Evidence shows that chicken soup actually does work wonders on a cold. It speeds loosening mucus, helps prevent dehydration, and provides protein to restore and strengthen your immune system. Store-bought chicken broth is not as effective as homemade chicken soup.
- Honey — Add it to your tea to suppress coughing and soothe a sore throat.
- Ginger — Helps fight inflammation, curb nausea and relieve stomach aches.
- Garlic — Loosens congestion.
- Oatmeal — Easy on the tummy and strengthens your body’s immune system.
- Bananas — Go down easy even with an upset stomach.
- Applesauce — Easy-to-swallow treat rich with flavonoids and anti-inflammatory agents, especially if the skin is left in.
- Oranges — Full of vitamin C and flavonoids (rich in antioxidants)
- Sweet potatoes — Microwaved or roasted, sweet potatoes are a great source of beta carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A to strengthen your immune system.
Food is indeed going to be your best medicine. Patent “medicines” from the drugstore are one of the greatest deceptions of our time. They are products of advertising — very sophisticated and expensive advertising.
What do patent medicines do for their buyers? They are palliatives that suppress symptoms. They do nothing to “cure” or in any way enhance the immune system. Nor do they make any claims as such, but the public misses this vital point.
Foods and plants can enhance your immune power, and there are some foods that are better than others for putting muscle in your immunity and help shield you from colds and flu. Try these herbs and foods to boost immunity:
- Cat’s claw: It grows in Asia and the Peruvian rain forests. It contains alkaloids with anti-cancer activity, and it helps keep your DNA young, but more importantly, the alkaloids also stimulate the immune system.
- Fish — Rich in omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce harmful inflammation in the body.
- Oysters — Contain more zinc per serving than any other food. Zinc has a proven record of fighting the common cold. Zinc in a pill can cause side effects like headaches and nausea. Get zinc naturally from oysters.
- Garlic — Packs the biggest antioxidant punch when eaten raw, but works well when used to flavor foods.
- Anise seeds — Anti-bacterial properties of these licorice-flavored seeds ease coughing, help clear congestion from the upper respiratory tract.
- Citrus fruits — Packed with vitamin C to ward off colds.
- Yogurt — Contain good bacteria your body needs for digestive health and to prevent stomach ailments and upper respiratory inflammation.
- Golden Oil — The oil of the black cumin seed has more benefits to the immune system and total body health than you may have realized. Throughout history, Golden Oil has been an immunity life saver — and an effective remedy for many health problems.
- Red peppers — Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and high in vitamin C. One red pepper has twice as much vitamin C as an orange.
- Mushrooms — Contain immune-boosting antioxidants, along with potassium, B vitamins and fiber. And mushrooms are the only vegetable with vitamin D.
- Carrots and sweet potatoes — Rich in beta carotene, a source of vitamin A to build strong immunity.
- Dark chocolate — Not the sugary-sweet candy kind, but 70 percent or higher cocoa content. Pure cocoa contains more disease-fighting polyphenols per ounce than most berries, and it’s loaded with zinc.
Further, raising pH — increasing alkalinity — in the body tissues increases the immune system’s ability to kill pathogens (this was concluded by a study conducted at The Royal Free Hospital and School of Medicine in London). Viruses that cause flu and colds thrive in an acidic environment. To fight a respiratory infection and dampen symptoms such as a runny nose and sore throat, take an alkalizing drink.
