[The Epoch Times, Rhagfyr 09, 2022]The financial burden of colds and flu is greater than we think. Estimated in terms of costs such as treatment, lost productivity due to illness, and lost work days, the common cold alone costs the US economy as much as $40 billion a year.against the flu
Basic ways to reduce the risk of both diseases are known to include washing your hands, not touching your face, and avoiding contact with people who are sick. Some people may choose to get a flu shot, but an important thing to understand is that it is not very effective. An independent analysis of the flu vaccine by the non-profit Cochrane Collaboration found that even under ideal conditions (where the vaccine is an exact match to the circulating flu virus), more than 1% will catch the flu, which is not much lower than the infection rate. (4%) among people who are not vaccinated. The authors of the study estimate that, under normal circumstances, 100 people would need to be vaccinated to avoid a certain set of flu symptoms; or you would have to be vaccinated every year for 100 years before you get a particular flu. Interestingly, the study showed that the flu vaccine did not significantly reduce hospital admissions or lost work time, nor did it prevent flu-related complications, or those rare deaths associated with have flu.
People who maintain a healthy diet need not worry about the dangers of the flu. Good nutrition can strengthen the resistance, and even if you do catch the flu, you won’t be sick for as long and the symptoms won’t be as severe. In order to maintain the normal functioning of the immune system, you need to take a lot of micronutrients, and the phytochemical components of various fruits and vegetables have additional anti-microbial and immune-boosting effects. Here are some foods or supplements to help you fight this flu season.
Mushroom food has a unique effect on stimulating the body’s natural immune defense system. Ganoderma lucidum and shiitake mushrooms can enhance the activity of natural killer cells. “Natural killer cells” are lymphocytes of the innate immune system, referred to as NK cells, which play an important role in preventing viral infection and stopping the progression of cancer. Shiitake mushrooms have been found to protect against influenza viruses in animal studies. Fortunately, not only the above special types of fungi are good for the immune system, eating white mushrooms every day can also strengthen the immune defenses of mucous membranes such as the mouth and respiratory tract. Dendritic cells are another immune cell that protects the respiratory tract, and the phytochemicals contained in the white mushroom can improve the activity of these cells.
Mushrooms should be eaten cooked. Many types of edible mushrooms contain a potentially harmful compound called agaritine, which is greatly reduced in cooked mushrooms.
Kale, collards, mustard greens, arugula, watercress, broccoli, broccoli rabe, cabbage), cauliflower (cauliflower), kohlrabi (kohlrabi), etc., all belong to the cruciferous family. These vegetables contain glucuronide, so the taste is either bitter or spicy. When you cut or chew these vegetables, glucuronides are converted into powerful cancer-fighting compounds called isothiocyanates (ITCs). In addition to their anticancer properties, isothiocyanates also support the immune system and have antibacterial properties.
The phytochemicals contained in cruciferous vegetables can enhance the activity of “interferon” which is an important part of the body’s antiviral response. In order to release isothiocyanates to the maximum, cut cruciferous vegetables finely, or eat them raw and chew them well; by destroying plant cells, you activate the enzyme that converts glucitol into isothiocyanates (called inosinase), which is inactivated by heating.
However, you can still get isothiocyanates from cooked cruciferous vegetables by chopping them up before cooking and adding some raw cruciferous vegetables to cooked dishes. For example, if you are eating cooked broccoli, stir in some shredded cabbage, which will provide the inosinase enzyme to release more isothiocyanates from the cooked broccoli. Gut bacteria contain the enzyme inosinase, so the small amount of isothiocyanate contained in cooked broccoli is also released in the digestive tract.
Berries are powerful cancer-fighting foods that also fight viruses. Berries are rich in antioxidants – flavonoids, which have antiviral effects. In fact, if you do catch the flu, drinking elderberry juice, which is rich in anthocyanins, can reduce the time you’re sick. Berries and grapes are also rich in resveratrol, another antioxidant phytochemical with powerful antiviral properties. Resveratrol has been shown to prevent the replication of influenza and other respiratory viruses. In addition, strawberries are rich in vitamin C, which can protect immune cells from oxidative damage.
The benefits of berries go beyond fighting colds and flu. The flavonoid antioxidants contained in berries are not ordinary antioxidants, flavonoids also contribute to intracellular signaling, leading to many beneficial effects: flavonoids activate natural detoxification enzymes in the body, inhibit the growth of cancer cells, anti-inflammatory, and aids in blood pressure regulation. Berries (and pomegranates) are also very rich in ellagic acid, another antioxidant compound that can inhibit the growth of cancer and tumor cells.
4. Onion and Garlic
There is no convincing evidence that garlic supplements reduce the symptoms of the common cold. However, eating garlic and onions every day has clear cancer protection benefits and can also help strengthen the immune defense system, including improving macrophage, T cell and NK cell activity. Additionally, several garlic phytochemicals have been shown to kill respiratory viruses.
As cruciferous vegetables, active compounds are produced when onion and garlic plant cells are destroyed. Therefore, it is best to eat onions and garlic raw, cut them and chew them well.
5. The right supplements
Vitamin D and zinc also play an important role in the immune system, so getting enough of the related micronutrients can help fight colds and flu too. Children who took vitamin D throughout the winter had less flu than a control group (children) who took an ineffective drug, and children who took zinc supplements regularly also had slightly less flu. Since vitamin D can be difficult to obtain from foods and zinc can be difficult to absorb from plant foods, a well-designed supplement is a good option.
Tips for dealing with a cold
If you catch a cold, treat it wisely. Many cold treatments are ineffective, and some may even prolong your illness. For example, large doses of vitamin C do not prevent colds or reduce symptoms, and fever-reducing medications actually block the body’s own attack on the symptoms of an infection. (I review some common cold and flu remedies in my book, Super Immunity.)
Don’t panic if cold symptoms last longer than expected. On average, patients report common cold symptoms that last a week and a half to two weeks. In children, ear symptoms usually last from less than a day to 9 days; sore throat lasts 2 to 7 days; cough lasting up to 25 days; and a common cold lasting 7 to 15 days. Eventually, the body will clear the virus on its own. Remember, over the counter medications only mask symptoms and can even interfere with (the body’s own) healing process. However, if your symptoms suddenly worsen, especially if you have difficulty breathing or if your temperature is above 100 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 3 days, call your doctor.
There’s no doubt that when you eat better, you’re less likely to get sick, and when you do, you get better much faster. To prevent catching a cold or the flu this year, try to get enough sleep, be careful not to put your hands near your nose or mouth, and eat a healthy diet. A nutrient-dense diet produces a variety of immune-boosting phytochemicals in your body that also help protect against heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
About the Author: Joel Fuhrman, MD, board certified family physician, 7-time New York Times bestselling author, is an internationally recognized expert in nutrition and natural healing. Fuhrman focuses on nutritional therapy to prevent and treat disease.
This article was originally published on www.drfuhrman.com, and has been authorized for translation and reprint in English by The Epoch Times. For the English report, see:During Cold and Flu Season, Protect Yourself by Eating Right.
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