Kick That Cold's Ass

I am sure you already know, the common cold cannot be cured, so I am going to give you (and myself) some helpful tips to fight getting one or if you've got one, to lose it faster. Right now my toddler and my fiance both have colds. I am trying really hard not to catch it.

Here are some things I am doing to keep it at bay:

Taking zinc. "Ionic zinc, based on its electrical charge, also has an affinity for ICAM-1 receptor sites and may exert an antiviral effect by attaching to the ICAM-1 receptors in the rhinovirus structure and nasal epithelial cells." (Hulisz, 2004) That's fancy word talk for, zinc (especially if you can find in a gel form and spread it around your nostril) is going to kick that cold's ass! If you are taking a multi vitamin you prob do not need a zinc supp. I take a 4 part multi vitamin which only has 1.5mg of zinc, so I take only half my multis and a zinc supplement (15mg is the Recommended Dietary Allowance which means anymore COULD have side effects). I am a vegetarian so toxicity of taking too much zinc is less likely than someone who eats meat. The zinc in meat has a better bio-availability than the zinc in plant based foods. If you regularly consume: spinach, beef, oyster, shrimp, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, mushrooms, kidney beans, lima beans, peanuts, cooked chickpeas and garlic then you are getting enough zinc in your diet. But beware, nuts and seeds contain high amounts of Arginine, bringing me into my next tip.

Avoid foods high in Arginine if you are sick with a cold or virus. This particular amino acid has been known to replicate the virus and make it stronger. People who have herpes or get cold sores should avoid eating too much food with Arginine as it can cause more frequent breakouts. Avoid nuts, seeds, chocolate, non-fermented soy (read my last post from yesterday on soy), caffeine, and oats as these are high in Arginine. If you can't avoid these foods, make sure you get foods with the amino acid Lysine to counter act; which leads me to my next tip!

Eat foods with Lysine. Lysine is an antiviral amino acid found in many protein products like fish, chicken, and turkey but also plant based proteins like lentils, quinoa, buckwheat, and Amaranth. Raw moose and the bearded seal from Alaska also are very high in Lysine but yeah, ok...I don't recommend that. Kefir is also a good choice if you consume dairy, but I very rarely do. Dairy (which also contains Arginine) can exacerbate the symptoms of a cold so drink Kefir as a prevention tactic.

Echinacea Purpurea, if you can get your hands on this you may reap many benefits. This wonder herb doesn't attack the virus, it strengthens your body's own cells to fight infections, bacteria, viruses and even cancer. Some studies have shown that it can replicate white blood cells which are the good guys that fight sicknesses. Some other studies and reviews have said that there is not enough significant evidence to suggest that it does anything to help treat a cold. I say take your chances. They make a supplement of Echinacea Purpurea but if you are skilled at extracting it from the actual plant then go for it.

Drink lots of fluids. Avoiding the sweet sugary caffeinated kind. Hot decaf teas have loads of antioxidants. Flush that virus out.

Avoid alcohol in excess amounts. When you are sick your body's fighting to get rid of the germs by building up your immunity; when you drink alcohol your body is working to rid itself of that toxin. Alcohol dehydrates the body and when you're sick you need to stay hydrated. So drinking while sick could make your cold stick around longer. A hot toddy could help alleviate symptoms but keep it at 1 oz of alcohol which is all your body can process an hour. Alcohol does

(Echinacea Purpurea)

kill germs but the amount you would need would kill you. And yes alcohol is fermented

but the negatives are outweighing the positives on this one.

Clean commonly used surfaces with non-toxic natural cleaners to avoid irritating you respiratory system. Hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, lemon juice and tea tree oil are all natural disinfectants. I use a spray bottle with a few drops of lemon essential oil, a drop or 2 of Castile soap and tiny bit of Borax diluted in warm water. Dilute the Borax first in the spray bottle alone.

Get a healthy amount of sleep.

Recap: IF YOU HAVE A COLD

Take a multi vitamin with zinc in it. Take a zinc supp. only if necessary (15mg a day max).

Eat your zinc: spinach, oyster, shrimp, mushrooms, kidney beans, lima beans, cooked chickpeas and garlic.

Avoid Arginine: nuts, seeds, chocolate, non-fermented soy (read my last post from yesterday on soy), caffeine, and oats.

Eat Lysine: fish, chicken, and turkey but also plant based proteins like lentils, quinoa, buckwheat, and Amaranth.

Drink lots of fluids, esp. water.

Avoid alcohol.

Drink Echinacea Purpurea tea or take a supp. of it.

Wipe your surfaces with non-irritating but disinfecting cleaning products.

Sleep or sit or lay down.

Good luck this season!

References

Hulisz, 2004. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association

Volume 44, Issue 5, September–October 2004, Pages 594-603