Disease Begets Disease
Disease begets disease. Illnesses are linked. We're conditioned to think that brain cancer, diabetes and leukaemia are different diseases, but we have seen all three...
Owen Davis | 9 Aug '21
Contracting colds and flu is never enjoyable. The muscle aches and pains, the lethargy, the sore throat, the constant runny nose, the
sneezing, the coughing - it's miserable. The good news is that we're here to tell you what you can do to give your immune system the boost
it needs to defend against colds and flu.
The keys to boosting the immune system and staying well during cold and flu season are:
White blood cells are the body's primary defence mechanism against colds and flu. Their function is to roam throughout the body and look
for foreign microbes like viruses, bacteria and parasites. Should they detect any such foreign microbes, they will launch an attack to rid
the body of them. However, when white blood cells are in low supply, the body is more susceptible to attack and infection.
Herein lies the function of vitamin C. The primary function of vitamin C is to promote the production of white blood cells. For this
reason, low levels of vitamin C are commonly linked to low white blood cell counts and functionality and ultimately increased
susceptibility to colds and flu. Thus, an uptake in vitamin C is critical in ensuring optimal immunity and resistance to colds and flu.
Regular over-the-counter vitamin C products contain 500mg of vitamin C per dose. However, our very own Bio Vitamin C powder delivers 2000mg
per dose. It also contains powerful antioxidants like lysine, proline and glycine that provide additional antiviral support. The green tea
extract and citrus bioflavonoids give the added benefits to increase the uptake of vitamin C and offer extra antioxidant protection. This
unique combination of ingredients makes Bio Vitamin C a high strength vitamin C powder that benefits the immune system
(protecting from colds and flu) and supports detoxification of particular heavy metals like mercury and several other bodily
functions. To learn more about the benefits of Bio Vitamin C, click
here.
Proper nutrition is the cornerstone of health. All body systems require the requisite nutrients, minerals and vitamins to function
correctly, but this is especially true of the immune system. Nutrition supports the integrity of the cells, while adequate protein and
vitamin C (both of which are derived through nutrition) aid in the production of white blood cells (which is your immune systems primary
defence against viruses and bacteria). At this time of year, many of us fall victim to the temptation of carbohydrate-rich comfort foods.
This is especially the case for those of us in lockdown. The issue with a carbohydrate-rich diet is two-fold. It lacks nutrient density, and
two, carbohydrates are converted to glucose (or sugar).
Consumption of fats and adequate protein also helps absorb minerals and fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, and K2 - all of which
are essential to good immune health. Ensuring adequate vitamin A and D during cold and flu season will bolster your immunity and help
prevent colds and flu. There is a synergy between vitamins K2, A and D, whereby their benefits are unlocked by one another. For these
reasons, we recommend taking our Bio Omega 3-6-9 cod liver oil (rich in vitamin A) and Synergy K2 (rich in vitamins K2 and D) during cold
and flu season. For more information on our cod liver oil, click
here.
For more information on Synergy K2, click
here.
We suggest incorporating chicken, beef or lamb bone broth into your winter diet. Not only do they deliver warmth, much-needed respite from
the cold, but also nutrients to fight against viruses. The bone and the marrow contain essential amino acids like proline, lysine, glycine
and cystine - all of which aid in the defence against colds and flu. Glycine and cystine are of particular importance as they serve a
double purpose - also aiding in the synthesis of glutathione (whose benefits are discussed in greater detail below).
Colds and flu are both viruses - meaning they enter the body encased within a protein shell known as a 'capsid'. Before a virus can infect
the body, it must first bind to a cell and activate its 'neuraminidase' enzyme, injecting the contents (virus) into the cell. The virus
then multiplies within the cell - ultimately causing the cell to burst, at which point the virus escapes the cell and then infects the
body. It is usually only after the cell bursts that people will experience symptoms of cold and flu. However, if the capsid does not bind
to a cell, it can be naturally escorted out of the body by white blood cells. When this occurs, there is no viral infection and no cold or
flu symptoms.
The body's cells contain glutathione, which is an antioxidant designed to preserve the integrity of the cells. Thus, glutathione plays a
critical role in ensuring the viral capsid does not bind to cells and inject the virus. Glutathione is obtained through diet - specifically
from foods like lamb, veal, eggs, asparagus and avocado - however, often only in small amounts. Because of this, it is degraded by protease
enzymes. When taken in more concentrated doses in the form of a Glutathione supplement, it is not degraded and has a more significant
effect. Administering L-Glutathione sublingually allows it to be absorbed by the body's lymphatics and is more effective and potent than
glutathione derived from the diet.
L-Glutathione is available on our online
store for
practitioner use only.
While it is advisable to avoid sugar at all times, it is imperative during cold and flu season. Why? Because excess sugar limits the
effectiveness of white blood cells - ultimately suppressing the immune system. This is particularly evident in those who suffer from
metabolic syndrome, who invariably have a low white blood cell count. It is also known that sugar or glucose consumption will allow bacteria
and viruses to thrive.
What's more, if you're eating foods that are high in sugar, you're typically doing so at the expense of healthy, nutrient-dense foods. This often results in nutrient and mineral deficiency. To defend against colds and flu, the body requires sufficient nutrients and minerals - most of which we derive from the diet. Ultimately, a high sugar diet compromises the body's natural ability to defend itself.
Sugar is also a leading driver of inflammation. The role of inflammation is to shut down infection, and it is the body's natural response
when fighting against colds and flu. Inflammation as a result of excess sugar consumption will hinder the body's ability to fight
infection. Perhaps the best way to understand this is through a military analogy. If an army has deployed all of its troops to one region,
it is unable to defend against attacks in another region.
Like sugar, alcohol causes inflammation. It also behaves like a solvent, thus hindering the synthesis of proteins essential to building
immune-strengthening cells like lymphocytes. As we mentioned earlier, a low protein status weakens the immune system, thus making it more
susceptible to contracting colds and flu.
Sufficient sleep is essential on several health fronts. However, it is especially important during cold and flu season due to the role
sleep plays in the immune system. During sleep, the immune system releases a type of protein called 'cytokines'. Cytokines play a critical
role in cell signalling - working to organise and coordinate the body's immune response. Without them, the immune system is weakened and is
less capable of mounting a defence against colds and flu. Insufficient or broken sleep will also cause a rise in cortisol which further
hinders the natural healing process. Getting to bed early is one of the best ways to bolster immunity during cold and flu season.
If you begin to develop the telltale symptoms of a cold or flu, you must act quickly to mitigate the effects of the virus as best you can.
It is important to note that a virus will only be as successful as its environment allows for. If you can control the environment (your
body and immune system), you can better control the virus.
Perform a throat gargle with The Brushing Solution (being careful not to swallow). The Brushing Solution is typically used as a toothpaste
and mouthwash substitute; however, it doubles as an effective cold and flu remedy. This is because it contains hydrogen peroxide and oil of
cloves, which have antiviral, antibacterial properties. Killing viruses and bacteria in the throat during the early stages may reduce the
severity of the infection and lessen symptoms moving forward into the lungs. For more information on The Brushing Solution, click
here.
In nasal congestion, the nose is filled with pathogens. The role of nasal spray is to clear the nose of such pathogens - thus reducing the
risk of infection into the respiratory system (the lungs). Nasal spray may also relieve symptoms of congestion and provide comfort during a
cold or flu.
We recommend combining our PerioMix powder with 1 L Glutathione capsule and 80mls of filtered water to make an effective nasal spray. To
learn more about PerioMix, click here.
Owen Davis is the eldest son of Dr Eric Davis and Sue Davis, and is the co-manager at Nutrition Diagnostics. Owen studied food science and nutrition in 2003 at the University of Queensland, and later graduated with a bachelor of Health Science and Nutrition from Endeavour College. Owen has travelled to the USA on numerous occasions to attend courses and seminars run by Dr Hal Huggins and conferences run by Sam Queen.
Owen has been health coaching and consulting for over a decade now, and throughout this time, has worked with hundreds of patients to balance their body chemistry and restore their health.
Disease begets disease. Illnesses are linked. We're conditioned to think that brain cancer, diabetes and leukaemia are different diseases, but we have seen all three...
When change is challenging - as it is with a diet, detox, immune or health programs - people tend to become victims of...
With all the fun and frivolity of the season, come disruptions to our diet and lifestyle. Ultimately, this comes at the expense of...
The reality is, that low cholesterol does not equal good health. Too many health professionals and people are hellbent on lowering cholesterol without paying...
When you consider how harmful soy is to health, soy free protein powder becomes an obvious choice. Aside from the risks associated with soy, there are other...
There's a misconception that fat is the leading catalyst for disease. The reality is, though, that sugar is the leading cause of disease. The sugar issue is two-fold...