Nutrients that stop colds, flu, and shingles
INFOMEDICA’S BOTTOM LINE:
Shingles, respiratory infections, and seasonal flu viruses are difficult to treat conventionally, and share a common characteristic—a compromised immune system.
Powerful, natural ingredients that can bolster your defenses, and help prevent or reverse these viral conditions will:
- Reduce the severity of shingles and rebuild immune defenses
- Stop flu viruses and respiratory infections from taking hold
- Help prevent the recurrence of shingles
- Help you feel better faster—without side effects
The pain of shingles, the harsh cough and sore throat of respiratory infections, and the body aches and runny noses of seasonal viruses all have one thing in common: a compromised immune system. They are also difficult to treat conventionally, and can take a long time to release their grip.
The good news is there are powerful, natural ingredients that can help avoid these troublesome problems. Best yet, at higher dosages for a limited duration—about 1 or 2 days—they can actually reverse viral illnesses and put your patients on the path to natural healing.
A combination of daily nutrients can help keep the immune system strong throughout the year, and—in higher dosages—give the immune system an additional boost when they need it.
Nature’s Immune Booster—Elderberry:
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is one of the best, most clinically studied herbs for fighting colds and the flu.
Elderberry (and other antiviral nutrients) disrupts viruses and restores the body’s ability to fight them off without the side effects or drug resistance that occur with prescription medications. It has been found effective against 13 different pathogens, including Streptococcus pyogenes and Escherichia coli. Elderberry extract has been shown to be especially effective when combined with vitamin C and zinc.
Vitamin A is critical to the ability to fight off infections. In one study, patients who were treated with vitamin A following surgery saw an increase in lymphocytes, helping boost the very white blood cells most needed when people are vulnerable to infection. Even for those not deficient in vitamin A, supplementing with this vitamin provides an immune system boost. Retinyl acetate is a form of vitamin A that provides a consistent level of the nutrient.
Vitamin C is probably one of the best known immune boosters. Taken as a preventative nutrient, it may reduce the incidence of colds by as much as 50 percent. Beyond colds and flus, vitamin C appears to have a natural antihistamine effect and alleviates allergy and other respiratory symptoms.
Vitamin D is a must for the immune system. Anyone in a northern climate, may easily be vitamin D deficient. Even if your patients spend time outdoors in the summer, when the body’s chances of synthesizing vitamin D from sun exposure are the greatest, they may still have low D levels. Because vitamin D is responsible for so many health factors, those deficient in this nutrient are more likely to have colds, flus, and respiratory ailments. In fact, a long-term British study found that increased vitamin D3 corresponded with a reduced risk of infection.
While vitamin E is a common ingredient in most multivitamin formulations, the full value of vitamin E is as d-alpha mixed tocopherols—alpha, beta, delta, and gamma — the way the vitamin is found in food. It is commonly thought of as a “strong antioxidant” for fighting colds, but vitamin E also has cell-protecting abilities that may extend to keeping nerve cells healthy—an especially important factor for anyone suffering from shingles.
Minerals Make a Difference
Minerals are often in short supply in our diets. Because much of our soil has been drained of mineral value, it is critical to the immune system—and every system—that we get minerals that absorb well and work well together. In fact, without minerals, vitamins can’t work properly so they are a crucial component to fighting viruses and bacteria.
Magnesium helps keep the bronchial system running smoothly—an important consideration for anyone suffering from acute respiratory viruses.
Calcium lactate, along with magnesium, helps cells stay strong to resist viruses and suppresses viral growth. The two minerals also fight other virus-caused irritations, including fever blisters.
Zinc is an important mineral for keeping the immune system running smoothly. In one study, zinc reduced cold symptom duration by 42 percent when taken on the first day of symptoms. Zinc is a required nutrient for T-lymphocyte (white blood cell) activity. It helps our body’s natural “guards” keep out potentially dangerous invaders, including bacterial and viral infections.
Selenium, another mineral that our immune system needs in greater amounts when it is in distress, has been shown to be an excellent “partner nutrient” with zinc.
Reversing Shingles Quickly
Shingles are notoriously difficult to treat. Although they are caused by a “flaring up” of the same virus that causes chicken pox, shingles generally appears several decades after the original bout of chicken pox. It may take weeks—even months—before your patients notice that patches begin to clear. In the meantime, their affected skin itches and burns, and other flu-like symptoms are common, too.
Keep Your Immune System Finely Tuned
In any viral attack, a heavy initial dosage under your direction, for the first two days can quickly get the immune system back into balance. Then, patients may work back to a lower dosage as they feel healthier again. This combination can be used every day, as well.
To help fight viruses, shingles, and respiratory infections:
300 mg of elderberry (Sambucus nigra), along with bioflavonoids, vitamins (A, C, and D3), and minerals (calcium, magnesium, and zinc) on a daily basis.
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