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Natural Treatment for Cold and Flu
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As the season is winter, cold and flu are on the menu for this column. The common cold is a self-limiting condition, but flu infections may be quite dangerous, in particular to the elderly, very young or otherwise immune compromised. Certain natural health products can help you either recover from these more quickly or, hopefully avoid them altogether.
Generally, a well functioning immune system will allow you to prevent either of these conditions before you get sick. A diet adequate in protein, vitamins and minerals is the cornerstone of a healthy immune system. A diet lacking in protein affects all aspects of immune function, and there is evidence that deficiency in vitamins can have an even more dramatic adverse effect on immunity than protein deficiency. Sugar intake also depresses immune function. 100 g of sugar may decrease immune function for up to 5 hours.
Supplements used in fighting an infection can also help in prevention, as they work to support the function of the immune system. Astragalus is one example of an herb that can be used to help prevent colds and flu or to speed recovery by increasing production of immune cells and activity of the immune system. Echinacea also increases the production and activity of immune cells, and has the added benefit of also blocking the action of an enzyme that some illness causing organisms use to break through the bodies physical barriers to disease and penetrate deeper into tissue. There is some controversy as to whether echinacea can be used to actually prevent an infection before it occurs, but research does support its effectiveness when used at the first sign of a cold. People with auto-immune illnesses (e.g., multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis) should not use immune-stimulating or modulating herbal medicines because theoretically they can cause a worsening of their illness.
Many supplements can be used to help you get over a cold or flu should your attempts at prevention fail. Studies have shown that zinc, vitamin C and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) can effectively shorten the duration and reduce the severity of cold symptoms. NAC was also shown to reduce the incidence of flu-like episodes in a 1997 study. Care must be taken when using NAC as it may cause nausea and chills among other side-effects and may interfere with cardiac drugs and a variety of laboratory tests.
Although the list of herbal and nutritional supplements that can be used in management of cold and flu is almost endless, the most important thing to remember when comes to wellness is that adequate rest, fluids and healthy food are essential for good health. As a wise person once said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.
About the Author
Jonah Lusis, ND Toronto-Centre Naturopathic Medicine Suite 103, 180 Dundas Street West Toronto, ON M5G 1Z8 www.tcnm.ca
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