The Best Things for a Common Cold

02/22/2016

3 John 1:2

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

For anyone first reading the Health and Nutrition Update, please read this first: Your Health.

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Always remember that you are in charge of your health and not the doctors. Do not put your life in their hands without first seeking God and His health system.

Commentary

The goal of this blog now is to build up your health and especially the immune system to withstand the coming pestilences that are now rampant in America and the world. God gave the knowledge to prepare for pestilences, so take advantage of this information.

The focus is posting articles with great information that can immediately help your health and quality of life.

God bless you.

Articles

Health and Nutrition

Zinc: Next Best Thing to a Cure for Common Cold 

“As the cold and flu season gets into full swing, seniors are more vulnerable to infections than younger people because their immune systems weaken with age. But a new study found that zinc supplements can boost blood levels of zinc in older people and strengthen their immune systems.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved nursing home residents 65 years and older who were moderately to severely deficient in zinc. Participants were given a daily multivitamin containing 5 milligrams of zinc as well as a 30 milligram zinc supplement, or only the multivitamin for three months.

The study…found that the concentration of zinc in blood serum rose 16 percent in those taking zinc supplements, while levels in the control group only rose 0.7 percent. In addition, zinc supplementation also improved the numbers and function of T-cells, a type of white blood cell that’s a key component of the immune system. “Our previous work showed that 30 percent of nursing home residents have low serum zinc levels and those with low serum zinc levels had a significantly higher incidence of pneumonia and morbidity from it.”

Echinacea: Nature’s Cold and Flu Fighter  This article contains a primer on echinacea: what it is, how it works, are all products the same, etc.

“Echinacea has been the Rocky Balboa of natural cold and flu remedies since the 1990s — called a champion for your health one year, only to be knocked down by health experts the next. But the most recent research suggests that Echinacea is ready to reclaim its crown.

“There seems to be some benefit from taking it throughout the cold season,” says Dr. Tod Cooperman, president of ConsumerLab.com.

How a big a benefit? A 25-50 percent reduced risk of catching a cold, Dr. Cooperman tells Health Radar. That’s on part with other prevention strategies designed to boost the immune system — such as getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and managing stress levels.”

Documentary Sheds Light on the Benefits of Vitamins  

“That Vitamin Movie,” created by award-winning producer and director Michael Beattie,1 features a long list of vitamin experts and health professionals in the complementary medicine field…discussing the healing potential of vitamins. Beattie was inspired to make this film after Trevor, a close friend of three decades, told him he’d turned his life around; finally getting a handle on the depression that had plagued him. Removing sugar from his diet was the first step. Taking niacin (vitamin B3), was the second.

This tip was something Trevor had gleaned from watching the film, “Food Matters,” in which Andrew Saul, Ph.D. talks about the usefulness of niacin in the treatment of depression. His curiosity peaked, Beattie then heard about cases of people being brought back from the brink of death with the use of high-dose vitamin C, and how many chronic diseases appear to be outgrowths of various nutrient deficiencies.

But if vitamins are so effective for treating disease, including mental disorders like depression, why aren’t doctors prescribing them instead of drugs? Together with Trevor, Beattie set out to investigate the truth of the matter.”

The filmmakers for That Vitamin Movie have allowed for a full stream of their movie through 2/26/16. It can be viewed until then at the link above, or purchased there after that date. Below is the trailer for the film.

Green Tea Could Fight Rheumatoid Arthritis  

“A compound in green tea, known to have potent anti-inflammatory properties, has been found to be an effective potential treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. In a new study published in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatology, researchers…revealed the compound — called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) — reduced ankle swelling in mice with a rodent form of RA, Medical News Today reports.

RA affects the joints of the body — most commonly the joints of the hands, feet, wrists, elbows knees, and ankles — when the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovial tissues surrounding the joints, causing inflammation, swelling and pain.

About 1.5 million Americans have RA, and conventional treatments — such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), corticosteroids and JAK inhibitors — all carry significant side effects and can leave patients vulnerable to life-threatening infections.”

Fukushima’s Radiation Release  

“The Japanese College of Intravenous Therapy has released a series of four videos that you can watch here.  They make a powerful case for protecting ourselves from radiation by using Vitamin C and other supplements.

What they don’t mention is that another powerful supplement to protect from radiation is Organic Sulfur.  Sulfur reacts with radioactive mineral isotopes, turning them into harmless sulfates.  This reaction occurs naturally because of the electrons that are available in sulfur’s atomic structure.

Sulfur also facilitates the movement of oxygen in and out of our cells to assist in the repair of damaged or dying cells.  Sulfur-containing amino acids are needed to repair protein that has been damaged and to build new cells.  Those amino acids can’t be formed as well without adequate sulfur.”

Coffee Protects Liver From Alcohol Damage  

“Drinking more coffee might help reduce the kind of liver damage that’s associated with overindulging in food and alcohol, a review of existing studies suggests.

Researchers analyzed data from nine previously published studies with a total of more than 430,000 participants and found that drinking two additional cups of coffee a day was linked to a 44 percent lower risk of developing liver cirrhosis.

“Cirrhosis is potentially fatal and there is no cure as such,” said lead study author Dr. Oliver Kennedy. “Therefore, it is significant that the risk of developing cirrhosis may be reduced by consumption of coffee, a cheap, ubiquitous and well-tolerated beverage.” Cirrhosis kills more than one million people every year worldwide. It can be caused by hepatitis infections, excessive alcohol consumption, immune disorders, and fatty liver disease, which is tied to obesity and diabetes.”

Babylonian Health System

Here’s your Obamacare: Hospitals now demanding patients pay up front before receiving treatment 

“Deductibles are soaring under Obamacare, and many U.S. hospitals are now attempting to collect medical payments before services are even rendered, according to new reports. The financial burden of medical care has increased so much as a result of Obamacare — just as predicted — that hospitals can now clearly see the writing on the wall: Many more people than ever before will be unwilling or unable to pay their medical bills.

For those who didn’t previously have healthcare coverage but now have Obamacare, the deductible sticker shock is even more substantial. Many lower-level enrollees, according to CNN Money, including those who signed up for “bronze” and “silver” plans, pay deductibles ranging anywhere from about $2,000 to upwards of $5,000…The irony of Obamacare is that it has turned out to be anything but affordable. Deductible payments are so high, in some instances, that enrollees are actually having to take out loans to pay for medical treatments.”

Prescription Drugs

Anxiety Drug Overdoses in U.S. Hit Record Levels  

“The number has quadrupled over the past two decades. More Americans than ever are overdosing on anxiety drugs, researchers reported Thursday — and it’s not clear why. The new study finds not only that more Americans are taking the drugs, which include brand names such as Valium and Xanax, but that they’re taking more of them.

But while the quantity of prescriptions filled tripled between 1996 and 2013, the number of overdoses quadrupled during the same period, the team reported in the American Journal of Public Health.

“We found that the death rate from overdoses involving benzodiazepines, also known as ‘benzos,’ has increased more than four-fold since 1996….”

Vitamin D

Closer look: Low sunlight associated with higher risk of leukemia  

“A research team from the University of California San Diego discovered that low sun exposure was associated with increased incidence rates of leukemia. Leukemia is cancer of the blood forming tissues that often results in high numbers of abnormal white blood cells. In 2014, the U.S. had more than 50,000 new cases and 24,000 deaths from leukemia.

Multiple studies have suggested that vitamin D plays a role in leukemia. One study found that low vitamin D status was linked to lower rates of relapse-free survival. A case-control study reported that all patients with acute leukemia were vitamin D deficient, which was defined by levels less than 20 ng/ml (50 nmol/l).

Researchers recently conducted a study to test their hypothesis that “leukemia is due mainly to vitamin D deficiency, which is due mainly to low solar ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiance.”

Closer look: low vitamin D status linked with irritable bowel syndrome  

“A randomized controlled trial (RCT)…found that patients with irritable bowel syndrome who supplement with vitamin D may experience an improved quality of life. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a relapsing condition characterized by chronic abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating and spells of diarrhea or constipation. This is a common disorder, affecting at least 3 million individuals in the United States annually.

Although the etiology is unknown, individuals are more likely to develop IBS as a result of infection, dietary habits or a stressful life event. Researchers theorize that those who experience IBS likely have an altered gut flora. This overpopulation of pathogenic bacteria in the intestine may ultimately lead to inflammation and disturbed bowel function.

Past research suggests vitamin D helps regulate the immune system by reducing the levels of inflammatory proteins when they are overproduced. Vitamin D receptors are also found in the gut, leading researchers to theorize that vitamin D may act locally to normalize intestinal function, prevent pathogenic bacterial invasion and maintain cell integrity.”

Does vitamin D help treat PMS symptoms?  

“A recent randomized controlled trial discovered that vitamin D supplementation significantly reduced anxiety, irritability and sadness in young women with concomitant mood disorders linked to PMS.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) begins during adolescence and presents itself with a wide variety of symptoms, including mood swings, abdominal bloating, anxiety, irritability, depression and fatigue. Normally, these symptoms are of mild intensity. However, in up to 20% of women, the symptoms become severe enough to interfere with every day activities and relationships.

Researchers found that calcium and vitamin D levels fluctuate during the menstrual cycle. In addition, studies have shown vitamin D levels are related to anxiety and depression. Based on these observations, researchers conducted a study to assess whether vitamin D supplementation reduces the severity of mood disorders associated with PMS in young women.”

This Simple Trick Boosts Vitamin D in Diabetics  

“A simple change in diet could boost vitamin D levels in Type 2 diabetics, according to new research from Iowa State University. The findings…are significant because diabetics have trouble retaining vitamin D, which is important for bone health and protecting against cancer and other diseases.

The Iowa State researchers found diabetic rats fed an egg-based diet had higher concentrations of the form of vitamin D known as 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3, as well as improved blood glucose levels. They also gained less weight over the course of the study than those who did not eat the egg-based diet.

“Eggs are the richest source of 25-hydroxyvitamin D-3 in the diet, and there isn’t any conversion required to make it into the blood. If you take it in a supplement or food fortified with vitamin D, it has to be converted to that form.” Blood glucose levels dropped nearly 50 percent for diabetic rats on an egg-based diet, compared to those fed a standard diet. Concentrations of the vitamin were 148 percent higher for the egg-fed group and plasma triglyceride concentrations — a risk factor for cardiovascular disease — dropped 52 percent.”

Pet Health

  Audie always waits for at least an hour before and after playing to eat

Bloat In Dogs: What Are The Risks?  Although this article refers to labs, they are not the only dogs at risk for this life-threatening condition. All dogs can suffer from bloat, but larger, middle-aged dogs are most susceptible. Know the symptoms, but more importantly, know how to prevent it from occurring because usually it is fatal. The next article thoroughly covers prevention.

“Bloat in Labs occurs when the stomach of the dog becomes dangerously distended and even rotated. It is potentially fatal, however there are things that you can do to help prevent it happening to your Labrador. In this article we are going to look at what Labrador bloat is, the causes of canine bloat, possible ways to treat canine bloat, how to tell is your dog might be affected and which canine bloat preventative measures are actually effective.

Canine bloat is a term used to describe gastric distension in dogs. This refers to a condition where the stomach swells in an abnormal way. When gastric distention is accompanied by the twisting or rotating of the stomach itself [t]his is known as ‘torsion’ or ‘volvulus’, and it’s a serious matter…referred to as GDV. When GDV is present the dog’s swollen stomach rotates within the body, causing a twisting at either end.

Now the dog may no longer be able to vomit and the twisting, plus the pressure of the large stomach on other internal organs, sets in motion a chain of events which will end in the death of the dog if prompt veterinary treatment is not initiated. Once blood supply and therefore oxygen has been cut off to your dogs stomach, cells begin to die. There is no coming back from this stage, so every minute counts when it comes to seeking medical attention.”

Preventing Bloat  Although this is an older article, it still contains very good information that every dog owner should know.

“Studies have looked at how to prevent it, and there is really only one thing that has been shown to significantly increase the risk–exercise after filling the stomach with food or water. So take a dog of the right size and breed, fill their stomach with food or water, then let them run around a lot. That’s a formula for bloat.

Here are precautions to take to help prevent this deadly condition:
* Wait at least one hour after eating or drinking before allowing exercise. This is the main factor shown to prevent bloat.
* Don’t encourage your dog to roll over. Though a low risk, the twisting action has been shown to lead to bloat. In fact, some veterinarians do not rotate a dog over their back while anesthetized due to this risk.
* Feed 2-3 meals during the day rather than one large meal. However, be sure that you’re taking the measured amount of daily food and dividing it into the meals rather than giving the once daily amount two or three times.
* Don’t allow excessive water drinking immediately before or after a meal. Abnormal amounts of water have the potential to delay breakdown of food and lead to gas production.
* DO NOT raise the food bowl. While this was at one time thought to prevent bloat, a study in 2000 showed that this can actually increase the risk.”

Conclusion