WHAT ONE SUPPLEMENT PREVENTS COLDS OR FLU?

 The most common illness that occurs 2 or 3 times a year is the so called ‘common cold’. While it can make people feel ill enough to take time off work or not go to school, there is no treatment available that will cure any one of 200 cold viruses once they are established in your system. Most uncomplicated colds last between eight and nine days, but about 25 percent last two weeks, and 5-10 percent last three weeks. Your general state of health and your lifestyle usually determines how long your cold will last.

WHAT IF YOU COULD PREVENT A COLD FROM DEVELOPING?

There is a prevention that not only works but now has the research to back it up.

Recent reviews of studies (15 randomized control trials, consisting of 1360 participants of all age groups, to study the effects of zinc versus a placebo) by the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews show that ZINC supplements when taken on first sign of infection can reduce the severity of a cold’s symptoms and the length of time they last. Research also indicates zinc may have antiviral properties that prevent the cold virus from replicating or attaching to nasal membranes.

The review found that not only did zinc reduce the duration and severity of common cold symptoms, but regular zinc use also worked to prevent colds.

BUT YOU MUST TAKE ZINC ON THE FIRST SIGN OF INFECTION

For years I have been reasonably successful in preventing cold or flu infections as long as I start to treat it as soon as I get symptoms. I am ‘lucky’ in that my throat acts as an early warning system. Often within half an hour of being in contact with somebody with a cold or getting off a flight I begin to feel my throat become sore and scratchy. That’s when I move into action and take some ZINC tablets.
 
However I only take Zinc when I start to feel any symptoms rather than on a regular basis.

HOW MUCH ZINC DO I NEED?

Zinc is an important mineral, especially when you are trying to naturally manage a cold. But you don't need massive doses. There seems to be a 4 to 6 hour window of treatment option before the virus overwhelms the system.

I find that up to 4 Zinech lozenges (includes 25mg Zinc with Vit C, Echinacea and Propolis) taken initially and then followed up with decreasing amounts if the throat still feels sore, stops the infection. After 24 hours I have either stopped the virus in its tracks or on a very rare occasion if I started taking it too long after the first sign of symptoms, I have fallen victim!

A WORD OF WARNING

As Zinc can cause nausea if taken on an empty stomach, take with food especially for more than 1 tablet.

Also taking too much zinc on a regular basis can interfere with your body's ability to absorb other minerals, including and especially iron, magnesium and copper.

WHAT ARE NATURAL SOURCES OF ZINC?

Good dietary sources of zinc include protein rich foods such as meat and fish, raw milk, raw cheese, beans, and yogurt or kefir made from raw milk.

OTHER COLD PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Warm water, lemon juice and honey is a traditional method that still works. Honey has a strong antiviral effect while the lemon juice alkalises the body and makes it a less receptive environment.

Hydrogen peroxide 3% in each ear has had remarkable results in curing colds and flu within 12 to 14 hours. Put some drops into one ear, wait until the bubbling and possible stinging subside (usually 5 to 10 minutes), then drain onto a tissue and repeat with the other ear. It is easier to lie down for this. A bottle of hydrogen peroxide in 3 percent solution is available at any health store or pharmacy for a couple of dollars or less. It is simply amazing how many people respond to this simple, inexpensive treatment.

Chicken soup. Many swear by the effects of a good freshly made (from chicken bones) chicken soup. Chicken, when cooked, has an amino acid in it called cysteine. This amino acid works as a natural anti-inflammatory agent. This is why chicken soup helps when you have a bad cold---the cysteine helps to lower the inflammation of the sinuses and bronchial tubes.

REMEMBER

If you are healthy and you eat a well-balanced diet, you will rarely need supplements to complete your body's zinc needs. And then again you likely won't ever catch a cold in the first place and require supplemental zinc. But if everyone else around you is falling sick, keep Zinc tablets in the cupboard for that quick emergency use.



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