Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
We’re right in the middle of cold and flu season. Be sure you have the tool you need to protect your body and avoid getting sick this winter. Here’s what you need, according to Chief Scientific Officer and Pharmacist, Jerry Hickey, Ph.
In Episode 8, Jerry Hickey, Ph., discusses how to improve the odds of not getting the flu this winter and what you can do nutritionally for your immune system.
Written by Matthew Gines, MS, CNS
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Nutritional Consultant – Palisades Center • West Nyack, New York Matthew Gines holds a Master’s Degree in Human Nutrition from The University of Bridgeport. He has over 15 years’ experience working with clients on developing and implementing lifestyle protocols, including healthy eating, stress management and detoxification. He has also obtained a PN Level 1 Exercise and Nutrition Certification and has extensive knowledge on supplements and healthy lifestyle coaching, as well as behavior modification. Recently, Matthew has qualified as a Certified Nutrition Specialist. Through motivational and accountability techniques, as well as focusing on prevention of chronic disease, Matthew is confident he can help you achieve your health and wellness goals. Email Matthew: [email protected] |
During the winter months, it becomes harder to obtain the essential vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy. That being said, it would be wise to protect yourself and your family with safe and effective nutrients that have been studied to support your immune and respiratory system.
To keep yourself healthy during the cold, dry winter, you’ll want to focus on nutrients that support your respiratory system, as it is one of the key entry points for bacteria and viruses. When a person infected with a virus coughs or sneezes, the particles travel through the air and can enter into another person via the eyes, nose and throat. Once inside, the virus takes control of the protein-making compartments of our cells, creating its own viral proteins, and then attempts to replicate them to infect the other parts of the body. Let’s take a look at some important nutrients that can help you support your respiratory tract and keep your body running effectively.
There are many immune-boosting nutrients which are traditional plants that help to support the respiratory tract, as well as with overall wellness.
Black Seed, Nigella Sativa
Medicinal plants have been used for centuries all over the world. Nigella Sativa, more commonly known as Black Cumin Seed, is one of them. This herb belongs to the Ranunculacea family of herbs and holds many medicinal properties. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the most abundant property and is the main source to which the properties of this herb are attributed. A 2017 study published in The Journal of Pharmacopuncture using data from three different databases set out to identify therapeutic effects of this herb. Results showed that Black seed and its constituent TQ possess multiple benefits for ‘inflammatory and auto-immune disorders’. Other advantages noted in the study include antimicrobial properties – the killing or hindering growth of microorganisms like bacteria – as well as metabolic syndrome. The ability of Black seed to support respiratory tract health and overall wellness is why it is known as such a renowned herb.†
Rosemary
Rosemary is another powerhouse traditional plant that contains very beneficial antioxidants, especially the phenolic compounds which are what its’ main medicinal properties are attributed to. Phenolic compounds are plant-derived compounds and have long been associated with their many biochemical and medicinal properties, such as being anti-viral, an antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. Rosemary is from the Lamiaceae family (along with Thyme and Sage) and has been noted in several studies for its antioxidant properties; Rosemary has been shown to be a superior scavenger of free radicals, according to a study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.†
Cordyceps
You may think that fungus is something you’d want to steer clear of during the winter months, but Cordyceps is a superior fungus that contains some very unique and highly beneficial health properties, particularly for the support of the upper respiratory tract and overall immune system, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The study shows evidence that Cordyceps contains very potent properties that benefit the immune system, the liver, the kidneys and the heart, as well as the sexual organs.†
Mushrooms
One of my personal favorite recommendations for immune and respiratory support is mushrooms. The health benefits of mushrooms, especially for the immune system, have been well known for quite some time. This can be attributed to the relationship between glucan found in mushrooms and the body’s immune reactions. A review published in The International Journal of Molecular Sciences has demonstrated considerable immune defense benefits with the combination of Maitake and Shiitake mushrooms. These powerhouse immune-boosters strongly stimulate both the cellular and humoral parts of the immune reactions. Humoral immunity is the part of the immune system that is mediated by very small molecules found in the fluid outside of cells like secreted antibodies, proteins, and specific antimicrobials. Humoral immunity gets its’ name because it involves substances found in the humors, or body fluids.†
Immune reactions have been shown to greatly increase with the use of these mushrooms, thereby increasing the number of “killer cells” and phagocytosis, the process in which certain cells called phagocytes ingest other cells. One such example of a phagocyte is an amoeba or a white blood cell. This process may come in handy when fighting off viruses and bacteria. There is also some very impressive research on Reishi, Chaga and Lion’s Mane mushrooms, due to their activation of immune effector cells like lymphocytes, macrophages, and natural killer cells.†
It’s important to speak with a certified healthcare professional about the specific nutrients that can be most effective for your needs, especially during the winter season. One last suggestion? I would advise to begin taking a safe, reliably-made, high-quality multivitamin mineral formula on a daily basis to fill in for the nutritional deficiencies in your diet. When you provide the body with the necessary nutrients it needs, your body can work at optimal levels to keep you healthy.
For a full list of references, click here.
In Episode 3, Jerry Hickey, Ph. discusses which specific strains of probiotics have been proven to help protect you from winter time infections, helping you boost your immunity.
Winter can be harsh on your body and overall health. The cold, harsh weather can make your skin dull, your hair brittle, and can lead to sniffles and colds. Other than bundling up, it’s important to take some preventative measures to maintain optimal health. Winter …
As the weather starts to get colder and the days start to feel shorter, cold and flu season slowly begins to creep up on us. Here are some tips and information by Jerry Hickey, R. Ph.
Usually the flu virus is spread through droplet infection – sneezing and coughing. Breathing in droplets expelled into the air by an infected person’s cough is the most common route. These droplets can get inhaled through your nose or land in your face or eyes, where you are almost sure to spread the virus by touch. Consciously avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth during flu season because germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
Here’s why you should get the flu shot this cold and flu season!
If you shake hands with a person who is coughing or sneezing, it would be a good idea to wash your hands with antibacterial soap or hand sanitizer. You can also get the flu from saliva when sharing cups, glasses, or other household objects used by a person who has the flu.
Flu viruses can last long enough outside of the human body to contribute to spreading infection. Studies have shown that viruses generally can survive on surfaces (such as phones and doorknobs) between 2 to 8 hours depending on the environment. Washing your hands frequently with an antibacterial soap and water will help protect you from contracting the flu through touch. Alcohol wipes and hand santizers can help disinfect the hands and surfaces if there are infected people about.
Once the virus is introduced into your body from an infected person, the virus multiplies quietly in your body until you get symptoms of the disease which can be about two to five days later, referred to as the incubation period. When the symptoms are active at the peak of the infection, that is when you generally spread the flu because this is when you are actively sneezing and coughing.
Six flu-fighting foods you should be eating this cold and flu season!
Usually five to seven days for adults. Young children can be contagious for ten days to two weeks. Kids can also have diarrhea when they get the flu; something you usually don’t see in adults. According to the CDC, people with compromised (lowered) immune systems – such as people with AIDS or people taking drugs to prevent transplant rejection – can shed flu virus for weeks or months after infection.
Yes, research shows that the amino acid NAC, and consuming Green Tea may decrease the risk of developing upper respiratory tract infections including the flu (NAC and Green Tea) and cold viruses (Green Tea). Other nutrients like medicinal mushrooms, Astragalus herb, Nucleotides and Olive Leaf can help support immune system function and may improve resistance.
Read Jerry Hickey, R. Ph’s ‘Combating Cold and Flu Viruses with Green Tea and NAC’ by clicking here!
We are moving into the cold and flu season and the CDC is urging many of us to get this season’s flu vaccine. The reason for this is a higher mortality rate connected to cold weather and the flu. Yet most individuals do not realize that pneumonia is the big killer and that many deaths related to the flu actually occur because of a concomitant or secondary pneumonia infection.
Unfortunately in many recent seasons the best guess by experts has not always targeted the strains of influenza reaching our shores and spreading infection and although immunized, infection can still occur. The great news is that there is strong preventative action you can take to protect yourself from lung infection aka pneumonia – the real killer.
5 Ways Probiotics can support your overall immunity!
The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination (PPV) stimulates resistance to 23 out of 80 pneumococcal bacteria; the vast majority of pneumonia infections are caused by the 23 serotypes contained in the vaccine. The vaccine is injected into the body to stimulate the normal immune system to produce antibodies that are directed against pneumococcal bacteria. All adults over the age of 65 are candidates for the injection and it is usually given around September but it is not too late. Usually one dose of PPV is all that is needed. Yet in some circumstances a second shot is recommended for those over 65 who had their first dose when they were under 65, if five or more years have passed since the first dose.
For more information on PPV, contact the CDC at 1-800-CDC-INFO, 1-800-232-4636 or visit www.cdc.gov.