It's that time of the year again. The temperature is dropping, the wind is blowing, the media is talking about it; the flu season is upon us once more. While it is important to protect your health year-round, the colder weather brings with it an increased risk of contracting the flu, so it becomes even more important in the following months. To make matters worse, this year we have had the threat of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.

So, what can you do to protect yourself from the flu, bacteria and other viruses?
As Desiderius Erasmus famously said, "Prevention is the best cure", and the best prevention, in this case, is strengthening your immune system.

Good Nutrition & an Uptake in Protein

As we have learned from COVID-19, social distancing, living on a continent, quarantining, promoting hygiene, hoarding toilet paper and COVID-19 PCR swabbing seems to have halted Australia's most deadly pandemic. Hopefully we can learn to fight future outbreaks, because so far we have had bird flu, swine flu, sars, hendra virus, zika virus, ebola virus, measles and a new influenza that seems to happen from May to August (Winter) every year.

We have found through analysing body chemistry over 30 years that a person's immune system is greatly affected by their nutrition. We have recently provided our research on this matter for the Brisbane News April 1-7, 2020.

Proper nutrition is the cornerstone of health. All bodily systems require the requisite nutrients, minerals and vitamins to function correctly, but particularly the immune system. Nutrition supports the integrity of the cells, while adequate protein and vitamin C - 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 foods. Instead, we suggest opting for a nutrient dense diet that provides the body with the right tools to defend against infection. Consuming adequate protein during cold and flu season is of particular importance as protein aids in the production of white blood cells.

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).

An Uptake in Glutathione

Colds and flus can be driven by a virus - meaning they enter the body encased within a protein shell or 'capsid'. Before a virus can infect the body, it must first bind to a cell, activating their 'neuraminidase' enzyme, to inject their contents (virus) into the cell. The virus then multiplies within the cell - ultimately causing the cell to burst, after which the virus escapes the cell and then infects the body.

Your body's cells contain glutathione, which act as an antioxidant to preserve the integrity of cells. It does, therefore, play a critical role in ensuring the viral capsid does not bind to the cells before being escorted out of the body by your white blood cells. However, there is limit on how much Glutathione your body can make.
Glutathione is obtained through diet - specifically from 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, is an effective way to absorb into the body's lymphatics. L-Gluthatione is available on our online store for practitioner use only.

An Uptake in Vitamin C

White blood cells are the body's primary defence mechanism. They roam throughout the body looking for foreign microbes like viruses, bacteria and parasites. Should they detect such foreign microbes invading the system, they will launch an attack to rid them from the body. When white blood cells are in low supply, however, the body is more susceptible to attack and infection.

Enter vitamin C. The primary function of vitamin C is to promote the production of white blood cells. It is for this reason that low levels of vitamin C are commonly linked to low white blood cell counts, and ultimately, increased susceptibility to colds and flus. Our very own Bio Vitamin C also contains powerful antioxidants like lysine, proline and glycine to 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. Which makes it perfect for heavy metal detoxification. This mixture provides a unique formulation for its intended design. There are not many vitamin C products that may aim to detoxify, support and rebuild the immune system in this current market. 

Avoiding Sugar

While it is advisable to avoid sugar at all times, it is especially important during cold and flu season. Why? Because excess sugar hinders the ability of white blood cells - thereby suppressing the immune system. Evidence of this can be seen in those who have metabolic syndrome, wherein they have a lowered white blood cell count.

If you're eating foods that are high in sugar, you're typically doing so at the expense of healthy, nutrient-dense foods - resulting in nutrient and mineral deficiency. The body requires the right tools (in the form of nutrients and minerals) to combat colds and flus effectively - especially in the early stages before they set in. 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 colds and flus. 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 attacks in another region. It is also known that sugar or glucose consumption will allow bacteria and viruses to thrive.

Avoiding Alcohol

Like sugar, alcohol drives inflammation. On top of this, it behaves like a solvent - meaning it hinders the synthesis of proteins that are essential in building immune-strengthening cells like lymphocytes. A compromised protein status - as discussed above - renders the immune system weak and therefore more susceptible to contracting colds and flus.
It is still mind-boggling why the sale of alcohol was an essential service in this recent pandemic. Maybe the reason was political, rather than supporting our biochemistry?

Sufficient Sleep

Sufficient sleep is essential on a number of fronts. However, it is especially important during cold and flu season. Why? Because during sleep, the immune system releases a type of protein called cytokines. Cytokines play a critical role in cell signalling - essentially organising the body's immune response. Without them, the immune system is weakened and is less capable of mounting a defence against colds and flus.
Insuffcient or broken sleep will cause a rise in cortisol,  hindering the natural healing process. In other words, if you want to repair, get to bed early.

What To Do If You Develop Cold and Flu Symptoms

Where preventative measures fail, and you begin to develop the tell-tale signs of a cold or flu - a sore throat, temperature, fatigue or muscle aches - you must take action quickly within 3 days of symptoms and get on top of the virus before it takes a hold of you. A virus will only be as successful as its environment allows - if you can control its environment, you can control the virus.

Throat Gargle

Perform a throat gargle with The Brushing Solution (being careful not swallow). While The Brushing Solution is typically used as a toothpaste substitute, it doubles as an effective cold and flu remedy as it contains hydrogen peroxide and oil of cloves - both of which have antiviral and 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.

Nasal Spray

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.

This article is supportive of a healthy lifestyle and should not replace standard medical advice.