Natural Ways to Prevent and Treat Colds & Flu

August 31, 2015

Feature_Flu

There are about 1 billion colds in the US every year, with every child catching it 6-10 times a year, resulting in 22 million school days being lost every year!

When it comes to cold and flu season, prevention really is the first line of defense. To keep your body’s defense system–the immune system–in peak condition, follow our immunity-boosting tips to help your body fight off the bugs looking for a host. And, for times when you are feeling ill, the second set of tips can help ease your symptoms and support a quick recovery.

Cold & Flu Prevention Tips

Your immune system is at work 24/7! The best approach to supporting immune function is a healthy lifestyle that includes stress management, exercise, whole foods, nutritional supplementation, and the use of plant-based medicines. On a daily basis, you can take the following steps to help your immune system keep you healthy:

  • Wash your hands regularly to help prevent transfer of bacteria.
  • Stay clear of people sneezing or coughing. Avoid shaking hands or other close contact with anyone whom you know to be sick.
  • Make sure your home and work space are well-ventilated. Even on a cold day, open a window for a few minutes to clear out stale air.
  • Follow a consistent sleep/wake schedule so the immune system can repair and recover.
  • Drink plenty of water and eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of organic (when possible) fruits and veggies, which contain antioxidants that help the body neutralize cellular damage.
    Healing Tips
  • Rest. Sometimes the body’s only way of getting your attention is to force you to slow down by getting sick. Don’t push through fatigue. Honor your body and sleep/rest as needed to promote healing. Reduce activity at home and at work as much as possible.
  • Increase fluid intake to include water, diluted vegetable juices, soups, and herbal and green teas.
  • Eat light meals and eat more soup. Whether you choose a vegetarian broth or a heartier bone-broth, soups for healing should be loaded with a variety of herbs and veggies.
  • Manage stress. Even just 10 minutes of meditation a day has positive effects on the immune system and promotes a positive mindset.
  • Laugh–it truly is good medicine. Patch Adams was onto something when he brought humor to his patients’ bedsides. Read a funny book. Watch stand-up comedy. Share jokes with a friend or your kids. Laughter lowers the stress hormones and elevates your mood–both are good for healing.

Vitamin, Mineral, and Botanical Support for the Immune System

There’s no panacea, but a growing body of research has shown that certain vitamins, minerals, and plant-based supplements can help prevent/curtail the symptoms of colds and flu. Some that you may want to include are listed below.

These are best tailored to your specific needs and health status, with guidance from your doctor.

  • Multivitamin and mineral formula
  • Vitamin C
  • Bioflavonoids, 1000 mg/day
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin D, 2000 IU/day
  • Zinc, 30 mg/day
  • Echinacea, elderberry, and astragalus (tea, capsule, or liquid extract) help prevent common cold and viral infections. Physicians and scientists continue to study the immune-enhancing effects of these and other botanical remedies.

Food for Thought. . .
“He who cures a disease may be the skillfullest, but he that prevents it is the safest physician.”
– Thomas Fuller

In health,

Dr. Gina

Leave a Comment » | Childhood Nutrition, Diet and Disease, Ear Infections, Immune Support | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

Greens are Vital to Immune Health…More Data Confirms

July 16, 2013

iStock_leafdropbottleI often find myself sharing with patients that if they were to do just one thing daily to support health, for all family members, I recommend consuming organic greens.  We know that leafy greens, by virtue of the fact that they are green, are high in the chlorophyll pigment which facilitates detoxification, binding of toxins in the body to render them harmless, and helps oxygenate tissues.  Cruciferous leafy greens (e.g. broccoli sprouts and kale) also help to facilitate estrogen metabolism in a way that protects against hormone sensitive cancers.

Now, scientists are discovering that when you consume cruciferous leafy greens you help to turn on a disease-preventing gene that triggers the production of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). These cells help your body to protect itself against infections in the digestive tract and possibly elsewhere.

More reasons for the whole family to enjoy (organic, locally grown) greens daily!

As with most medicines found in nature, greens likely play an adaptogenic role, where they  help to boost ILCs in situations where they may not be active enough, such as infections or some cancers, and deplete them in situations where they are overactive, such as chronic inflammatory disease.

Dr Gabrielle Belz, Ms Lucie Rankin, Dr Joanna Groom and colleagues from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute’s Molecular Immunology division are responsible for discovering  the gene T-bet which is essential for producing ILCs in response to signals in the food we eat.

I researched and formulated Cellular Purification Complex (TM) to contain these critical greens, along with essential components for supporting digestive health and cellular detoxification. We have been using this product as part of our customized 21 Day Medical Purification Program in our practice for the past 8 years with excellent results in treating inflammatory disorders, digestive imbalance and weight issues.

In health,

Dr. Gina

 

Leave a Comment » | Diet and Disease, Immune Support, Latest Nutritional Research, Purification, Toxins and Detoxification | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

New Study Questions the Rationale Behind Vaccinations

March 28, 2012

A new groundbreaking study published this month in the journal Immunity contradicts the basis for the use of vaccinations. The current theory is that your body must produce antibodies to a virus in order to fight a viral infection. Hence the need for vaccinations that trigger a portion of your immune system,  the adaptive response, to produce necessary antibodies that will fight the virus if you are exposed.

Now we are learning that the innate immune response, that does not require antibodies to a particular virus to fight, is effective in fighting viral infections. This portion of the immune system uses macrophages and interferons to effectively prevent fatal viral infections.

Just prior to coming across this new research, I had listened to a continuing medical education seminar on Autism treatments where a pharmacist outright stated that we should simply stop conducting any research into the link between Autism and vaccines because there is none.  In light of this new information, that questions the very basis of vaccines, and begins the exploration into other means of preventing fatal viral infections, we should certainly be investigating the effects of vaccinations on our children and newborns, and whether the risks actually outweigh the benefit.

This is the most hope I have seen regarding the vaccine controversy.  We have other options for viral protection, involving stimulation and strengthening of the body’s innate immune response, rather then its adaptive response.  Breastfeeding, homeopathic preparations, and nutritional interventions all play a role in the innate response, that will likely gain more attention in the years to come.  That is good news for those physicians and parents concerned about the damaging effects of vaccines on our children.

In health,

-Dr. Gina

4 Comments | Autism, Autism and Mercury, Immune Support, Industry News | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

Breast Cancer Linked to Popular Antidepressant Medication

May 7, 2011

Bloomberg reported on a research study revealing a link between female cancers and antidepressant use.

Scientists should more closely examine whether antidepressant drugs increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancer, according to a researcher affiliated with Harvard University whose review of 61 studies suggested a link.

The risk of cancer increased 11 percent on average for patients taking the medicines, according to a report that analyzed previous data and was published in yesterday’s issue of the peer-reviewed journal PLoS ONE. Read the full article by clicking here.

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Preparing for a CME lecture (to air on PharmCon on June 9th, and categorized as live pharmacy hours for doctors) on  augmenting the side effects and risks associated with oral contraceptives and other synthetic hormones popular among women and teen-aged girls.  In addition to a significant increased risk in various cancers,  the synthetic hormones also decrease serotonin levels, further increasing the chance of a woman being prescribed anti-depressant medications which appear to further increase her risk of cancer!

A solution could be to take well researched immunomodulators like BRM4 if you take synthetic hormones, or to avoid these hormones if at all possible and turn to more natural options like Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy.

In health and healing,

-Dr. G

Leave a Comment » | Depression, Immune Support, Pharmaceuticals, Prevention, Sickness Syndrome, Women's Health | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

Sickness Syndrome Depression-The Link Between Seasonal Allergies, Inflammation and Depression

April 12, 2011

A recent article in the New York Times discusses several large studies that link seasonal allergies to  depression and anxiety. The cause is an increase in inflammatory cytokines that lower serotonin levels.  This is a classic example of Sickness Syndrome Depression, a condition identified years ago and finally gaining media attention.  We often see cases of wrongly diagnosed anxiety and depression at our practice where patients are prescribed antidepressant medications instead of being treated for Sickness Syndrome Depression. To learn more about the syndrome click here. One treatment that is not yet mentioned on the site but that we have recently been using successfully in practice to treat Sickness Syndrome Depression and other psychiatric illnesses with an inflammatory component is BRM4 by Daiwa Health Development– an immunomodulator that alters levels of inflammatory cytokines throughout the body. The effective dosage is 4 capsules three times per day for 4 weeks, and then 4 capsules per day thereafter.

In health and healing,

–Dr. G

2 Comments | Depression, Immune Support, Inflammation, Latest Nutritional Research, Sickness Syndrome | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

Thyroid Imbalance Epidemic

February 1, 2011

Sharing a post from Dr. Gary Gordon, emphasizing the importance of diagnosing and treating thyroid imbalances.  At our office, we have found  Thyroflex to be an excellent way to assess the functioning of the thyroid gland. We also test the blood for the active hormones and find that the results from our Thyroflex readings are more accurate and more valuable in terms of adequately treating thyroid imbalances.  The result is that our patients feel more energy, are able to maintain their desired weight, and experience a stronger immune system and a more positive attitude.

Here’s to supporting your body’s ability to heal itself, and regaining energy, vitality and a greater sense of well-being.

In health,

–Dr. G

Thyroid Support Epidemic

February 1, 2011 by Dr. Garry Gordon

There is an epidemic of patients who need thyroid support! The attached Pubmed report shows how thyroid can protect pregnancies from untoward outcomes.

Nonetheless, the current January 2011 Townsend Newsletter reports that the Oregon Medical Board is attacking a licensed MD there for prescribing thyroid, because the indicated T4 and TSH target levels were not present. They are ignoring all of the overwhelming clinical evidence that the patient needed, and benefited by, the thyroid prescription. As one nutritional therapist and patient of this doctor declares, the Oregon Medical Board should emulate the doctor – not pursue internal complaints.

This is very sad since subclinical hypothyroidism is EPIDEMIC in our toxic world. Just consider the levels of Fluoride and Bromide present today that induce iodine deficiency in our population, as one cause of suboptimal thyroid function. For many other causes please consider owning the new text on Nutritional Medicine by Dr. Alan Gaby with nearly 30,000 references behind it.

View the report below on levothyroxine and infertile women with hypothyroidism. How many miscarriages or other pregnancy problems would be eliminated if doctors were not living in fear of their medical licenses? Read Dr. Broda Barnes’ book on thyroid disease, ‘Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness’ (later reviewed by Dr. Stephen Langer), and then the book ‘Hypothyroidism Type 2: The Epidemic’ by Dr. Mark Starr.  These will bring the rationale for diagnosing borderline or subclinical hypothyroidism into clear focus.

We should err on the side of more thyroid support for patients since there are so many contributors to low thyroid function, instead of putting doctors (and their patients) in harm’s way for practicing real medicine.

Garry F. Gordon MD,DO,MD(H)
President, Gordon Research Institute
www.gordonresearch.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fertil Steril. 2010 Dec 28. [Epub ahead of print]

Effect of levothyroxine treatment on in vitro fertilization and pregnancy outcome in infertile women with subclinical hypothyroidism undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Kim CH, Ahn JW, Kang SP, Kim SH, Chae HD, Kang BM.
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether levothyroxine (LT4) treatment has beneficial effects on IVF results and pregnancy outcome in infertile patients with subclinical hypothyroidism undergoing IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

DESIGN: Prospective, randomized trial.

SETTING: University-affiliated infertility clinic.

PATIENT(S): A total of 64 infertile patients with subclinical hypothyroidism, defined as an elevated serum TSH level associated with a normal free T4 level and without frank symptoms of hypothyroidism.

INTERVENTION(S): Patients were randomized into an LT4 treatment group or control group. For the LT4 treatment group, 50 μg LT4 was administered from the first day of controlled ovarian stimulation for IVF/ICSI.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Results of IVF and pregnancy outcome.

RESULT(S): There were no differences in patient characteristics between the two groups. Total dose and days of recombinant human FSH used for controlled ovarian stimulation were also similar. The number of grade I or II embryos was significantly higher in the LT4 treatment group than in the control group. There was no significant difference in the clinical pregnancy rate per cycle between the two groups. However, the miscarriage rate was significantly lower in the LT4 treatment group than in the control group. Embryo implantation rate and live birth rate were significantly higher in the LT4 treatment group. In the control group, both thyroid peroxidase antibody and thyroglobulin antibody levels were significantly higher in the miscarried subgroup than in the delivered subgroup.

CONCLUSION(S): LT4 treatment can improve embryo quality and pregnancy outcome in subclinical hypothyroid women undergoing IVF/ICSI.

Copyright © 2011 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

PMID: 21193190 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]

db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_s=21193190

7 Comments | Hormone Replacement Therapy, Immune Support, Latest Nutritional Research, Naturopathic Medicine, Prevention, Thyroid Health, Weight loss, Women's Health | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

Proper Zinc Levels Cut Your Pneumonia Risk in Half!

September 24, 2010

A study of 600 nursing facility residents has found that those with adequate zinc levels were about fifty percent less likely to develop pneumonia than those with low body concentrations of zinc. Also, those with sufficient levels of zinc received fewer prescriptions for antibiotics, had shorter durations of pneumonia and had lower mortality rates. The researchers suggested that zinc supplementation for zinc-deficient elderly persons may result in a lower incidence of pneumonia and that further study is required to determine whether zinc supplements may be an effective and low-cost intervention to reduce pneumonia deaths among vulnerable populations who already have low zinc intakes. (An earlier analysis of the same data had shown that those who consumed 200 international units (IU) of vitamin E were less likely to get upper respiratory infections, such as colds.) The study was released August 10, 2010 and will be published in a future issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. In the meantime, it can be read online at by subscribers to the journal or those who pay the article access fee.

The evidence is mounting that proper nutrient levels keep us well.  In general licensed Naturopathic Medical Doctors will not, however, advise that everyone run out and buy a high potency vitamin and mineral supplement. We are all unique, and what we have discovered at our office is that one person may have toxic levels of zinc in their body, while another may have a deficiency.  That is why we are strong proponents for testing to discover what your unique nutrient, amino acid and fatty acid needs are. Armed with objective information on your body, we can then create a plan for you of what supplements to take, in what form, how often, and what dietary and lifestyle changes you can make to keep you healthy, well and safe!

–Dr. G

Leave a Comment » | Diet and Disease, Immune Support, Latest Nutritional Research, Naturopathic Medicine, Nutritional Supplements and Disease, Prevention | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

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