Tag Archives: probiotics

Preventing and Treating Colds and Flu for the Fall-Winter Season

The fall-winter season is here, and the cold/flu product ads have begun to appear on TV. This should be a signal to begin your own seasonal prevention program. Let’s start with trying to get 7-8 hours of quality sleep. Sleep helps to “recharge” your body and maintain strong immunity. Paying close attention to your diet can help, too. Consuming just one serving of a sugary treat can lower your immune system for about 5 hours.

Starting with Halloween, and continuing with the Thanksgiving thru Christmas holiday seasons, an awful lot of sugar is consumed in the name of traditional holiday treats such as candy, various types of cookies, cakes, pies, and alcohol. Combine this with shorter, colder days, and the stress that is associated with the holiday season, and I can understand why so many people get sick.

Supplementing your diet with some key nutritionals can also help keep you well. Start with a whole-food multi-vitamin, which will contain vitamin A for mucus membranes as well as vitamins C, D, and Zinc for overall immunity. Speaking of vitamins, Vitamin D has really established itself as the true immune vitamin (along with vitamin C). Adults should get 5000 i.u. per day and students should aim for at least 2000 i.u. If you’re adding extra vitamin C to your diet, take 500 mg. with breakfast and 500 mg. with your evening meal.

Ever heard of PROBIOTICS? Well, you should have, because they are the “talk of the town” in the nutrition world. 70% of your immune cells are found in the gastrointestinal tract. Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that help maintain gut integrity and boost immunity. There are over 200 different cold (Rhinovirus) viruses, and they are always around just waiting to strike. If one should strike, then try this trick: Put 8-10 drops of Hydrogen Peroxide (using a dropper) in each ear. Laying on your side, put the drops in each ear, and let them “fester” for about 7 or 8 minutes. Repeat in 24 hours if necessary. This should be tried within 12 hours of noticing symptoms. I did this three different times, and it worked twice (two out of three ain’t bad). This is safe to do, so you have nothing to lose. In the event that it doesn’t, here are some of the best “tried and true” products that you will find anywhere:

OIL OF OREGANO… I’m not talking about the kitchen spice . I’m referring to the stuff grown in countries in the Mediterranean region that contains a minimum of 70% Carvacrol (the active ingredient, along with Phenol). It’s available in softgels, capsules, or liquid tincture. It can kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Speaking of killing viruses, COLOSTRUM is the thick, yellow pre-milk fluid produced by all female mammals just after giving birth. Supplements are dried to a powder (they are derived from bovine) and put in capsules, or taken as a powder. Colostrum contains every known immune factor, and a PUB-MED study states that it is three times more affective against the flu than the vaccine. It is very well researched, and to date there are reportedly over 5000 scientific papers published on Colostrum. It’s a personal favorite of mine, and I take it every day of the year.

Standardized OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT has a long history as an effective anti-bacterial, dating back to the Romans and Greeks. Later studies are validating its effectiveness against viruses and fungus. Oleuropein is considered the active ingredient, so look for a product that mentions this on the label.

SILVER HYDROSOL is the preferred form of Colloidal Silver. Size does matter, and the particles are extremely small (nano size), allowing better penetration into the body. This means the product can be effective using only 10 parts per million of silver, making it extremely safe. Silver Hydrosol can kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Take orally by the teaspoon, swishing it around in your mouth for at least 30 seconds before swallowing. Do not eat or drink for at least 30 minutes.

UMCKA is a very effective cold and flu remedy with a funny sounding name. The main ingredient is Pelargonium Sidoides, a medicinal plant that grows in South Africa. It has undergone extensive testing and has consistently shown to reduce the severity of all cold (respiratory) symptoms, and shorten the duration of the infection. I tried it several times, and it delivered as promised. It reduced my symptoms, and shortened the duration of the cold to about 3 days (instead of the typical 7-10 days).

Keep some of these products at home in your medicine cabinet, so you don’t have to run out and buy them when you’re feeling sick. Jumping on a cold when you first notice symptoms is key in defeating the illness and returning to health. Try several of these recommendations and be illness-free this winter.


 (This blog is written by Mike Warther, a health amike-warther01nd nutrition consultant at Dover Healthy Alternatives)