Speeding recovery from illness?

[chris hansen]

Hello,

Is there anything that will strengthen the immune system and help you recover faster? I've had a cold or sinus infection or something for about a month now and I'm getting tired of it. I finally went to the doctor yesterday and he gave me antibiotics and some stronger decongestants but I don't know for sure if it's something antibiotics will help.

Someone at work suggested ginger tea, what do you think? I thought I'd try it and see if it helps.

Thanks.

[Vbrown]

Hi Chris,

it's sorta hard to say over the web. Too many variables etc. Ginger Tea is, however a great suggestion especially during the winter.

I would recommend taking probiotics (acidofilous etc.) at the tail end of the course of antibiotics and keep taking them after. Just to get a "running start" at repopulating the gut.

Hope it helps,

Vince

[Arluk]

This concoction seems to help me: in 1 liter of water, 1 bag lemon or red zinger tea, 1 bag ginger tea, 1 tbsp raw organic apple cider vinegar, fresh squeezed lemon juice of 1 whole lemon, 20-30 drops of liquid stevia or molasses or honey to taste. Hot or cold it tastes pretty good. I hear that adding some cayanne pepper is also good but I haven't experimented with that.

I also agree with the probiotics, yogurt or kefir are also good choices for replentishing healthy intestinal bacteria.

[Coach Gostnell]

RE: Cayenne pepper: About 5 years ago, my spouse was plagued with nosebleeds - gushers, literally. With one, he lost a quart of blood while I was driving him the half hour to the hospital. He endured a couple cauterizations, which the docs told him would actually make him more susceptible to future nosebleeds.

With research, he went off dairy and on a couple grams of Vitamin C per day. Didn't help much but what did the trick was when he began taking two capsules of 100,000 (whatever the units are called, I forget) of cayenne per day. No more nosebleeds, and after a year or so he noticed, NO MORE COLDS. He's been sick twice in five years, both times after cross-country plane trips. (But that's another subject.)

Since I work in one of the unhealthiest offices in the planet - people coming to work sick all the time, NO fresh air, a venilation system that hasn't been cleaned since the Stone Age, etc.) I started taking just one cap of cayenne a day. (Also incorporated "natural" yogurt in my diet which I'd heard is beneficial for preventing colds, similar to kefir maybe?) I also get sick less frequently and usually there's a contributing factor such as being 'way over-tired. Occasionally, I will feel whatever plague is coursing through the office coming on - tired, achy, ears and/or throat itchy, etc.

I start dosing with echinacea and go home and REST. (News flash: Rest seems essential to both prevention and quicker recovery :!: ) Usually works by the next day, or the day after, while everyone else is still hacking and coughing.

My other major theory is that regular massage stimulates the immune system, if you can stand it..... :wink:

[Brett]

Chris,

What is causing the illness to linger?
Stress level?
Diet?
Elimination?
Digestion?
Nutrition?
Therapies?
No Rest?
Too much exercise?
hydration status?

These are some of the variables that you have control over. Without addressing these, long-term health will be quite a challenge.

Brett Jacques, ND

[Jerry_D]

can you get Cayenne pepper? At a gmc? or online?

thx

[Coach Gostnell]

We have a locally-owned vitamin store that's good w/ reasonable prices. Any health food store should carry it. Cayenne caps should be inexpensive, a few dollars for a supply to last a month or more.

[Mike Nash]

How are you getting on with the suggestions so far.

Let me tell you, I've met 100s of people who've had problems like this.

I'd love to see a food diary of yours because I'm convinced that in a few short weeks if you were diligent with your food selection you could find yourself feeling better than ever.

It's a big claim to make, but I've been there! Blocked sinuses, constant blowing of the nose, feeling like sh*t.

Boosting your immune system is possible by adding as well as subtracting, so don't get caught in the trap of trying to find a new super pill or herbal remedy without looking at both sides of the equation.

If you eliminate the waste (sugar, alcohol, dairy, refined flour) you may notice some remarkable changes. If you shift your thinking and do both, ie elimate the cause and then fill the void with foods that create balance and harmony you'll stand a much better chance of regaining health and KEEPING IT.

What I do now if I get any signs of a cold/flu is spend a couple of days drinking vegetable juice (celery, greens, a chilli pepper, cucumber and a lemon) or something to that effect. 3 or 4 of these a day (3/4 litre) along with some enzyme supplements and I'm back on track in no time.

I only know this works for me through self experimentation, and I've developed the ability to drink juices you may think taste like swamp water.

Let me know if you want more info because I've got a tonne of it.

Mike Nash
www.rawathlete.com

[Mike Nash]

How are you getting on with the suggestions so far.

Let me tell you, I've met 100s of people who've had problems like this.

I'd love to see a food diary of yours because I'm convinced that in a few short weeks if you were diligent with your food selection you could find yourself feeling better than ever.

It's a big claim to make, but I've been there! Blocked sinuses, constant blowing of the nose, feeling like sh*t.

Boosting your immune system is possible by adding as well as subtracting, so don't get caught in the trap of trying to find a new super pill or herbal remedy without looking at both sides of the equation.

If you eliminate the waste (sugar, alcohol, dairy, refined flour) you may notice some remarkable changes. If you shift your thinking and do both, ie elimate the cause and then fill the void with foods that create balance and harmony you'll stand a much better chance of regaining health and KEEPING IT.

What I do now if I get any signs of a cold/flu is spend a couple of days drinking vegetable juice (celery, greens, a chilli pepper, cucumber and a lemon) or something to that effect. 3 or 4 of these a day (3/4 litre) along with some enzyme supplements and I'm back on track in no time.

I only know this works for me through self experimentation, and I've developed the ability to drink juices you may think taste like swamp water.

Let me know if you want more info because I've got a tonne of it.

Mike Nash
www.rawathlete.com

[JasonE]

Here's a little anecdote from my own experience:

Many years ago I was reading Darrel Max Craig's book Japan's Ultimate Martial Art: Jiu-Jutsu Prior to 1882, a great little book with some interesting info on traditional samurai medicine (such as it was). It mentioned that the samurai kind of saw the body as a toilet that constantly needed to be flushed of impurities. :)

Apparently a sick samurai would stop eating altogether and just drink 2-3 gallons of water each day until they were well.

About that time I became very sick with a tremendous cold, so I gave it a try. In 2 days, I had completely knocked out that cold, and I felt great as I went back to eating. :D

Last week, I came down with the worst "cold" I have had in years. The first day, I drank about 1-1/2 gallons of water before I realized that what I actually had was the flu and a nasty temperature. The headache that nearly kept me home from work was unusual too. I abandoned the water-only approach and had some chicken noodle soup that night. The next morning I woke up in a major sweat, but feeling much relieved. Every day since then I got better, though I am still congested in the chest now.

I am wondering if anyone else has had success with this water-flushing approach and whether you feel I should have stuck with it or made the right decision. I am in doubt and looking for alternate perspectives.

[HereBeADragon]

there is a lot of valuable information in this topic. Fasting is a very good healing method. When you are well I would consider trying cold water tempering as this has a lot of ability to strengthen the immune system. Also your ailment I do not consider a sickness but an imbalance. Congestion is often a by product of diet and or environment. Look at your diet, try to get as much processed foods out of your diet and stay away from dairy and chocolate for a while, if this does not make any imporvements consider fasting. Also if you try this approach stop taking the medicines during this time. Best of luck

[JasonE]

try to get as much processed foods out of your diet and stay away from dairy and chocolate for a while

:lol: Seems to be a recurring theme in my life! Easier said than done, but I'm working on it. :)

[HereBeADragon]

recurring theme in my life too. Its always easier to give advice than it is to use it isnt it :)

[JasonE]

:lol:

Here's a little story that demonstrates the extreme yins and yangs of my eating habits, all in one meal:

I love eating healthy... stuff like sushi, fresh veggies, spring water, etc. :)

I also love my junk food. :oops:

A couple years ago, I had a craving for clean protein. Without the cash for a sushi joint, I ran to the local grocery store and picked up a few items for lunch. That lunch consisted of: 1/2 lb. raw salmon, a container of low-fat cottage cheese, a large dark chocolate bar, and a bottle of Coca-Cola. :P

It was delicious! :lol:

[Coach Gostnell]

Jason, you are SO weird! :lol:

[Ryan Murdock]

I haven't had a cold, despite being in close contact with others who were sick, since I started regular work with the Dykhanie breathing exercises from the Zdorovye series. It's been about 3 years now.

I worked up to 3 min sustained Sobachyeye Dykhaniye ('dog's breathing') in each level (upper, middle and lower) over the course of about 3 months. Now I maintain it 2 or 3 times a week. My training partner noticed the same effect and he was doing much less breathing work than I was. He also used to suffer from miserable colds a couple times every winter.

We also both noticed that if we hadn't done the lower level diaphragmatic breathing in a while we'd cough up lots of stuff for a couple hours afterwards. It seems to clear out the lungs right down to the lower reaches and help loosen up accumulated crud (or something...).

Not sure about the why's of all this, but it seems to work for me. One of those effects you never notice until you realize you haven't had a cold in several years....

[chris hansen]

That sounds real interesting about the breathing exercises. I haven't checked this topic for a while and I am just getting over a sinus infection that came on when I increased my running volume. What really caught my eye was the part about coughing up a lot of stuff. The left side of my diaphragm is paralyzed, I think they cut a nerve during a surgery. I wonder if I should check out that Dykhanie tape? In fact, I'd be interested in any advice people have for someone with 1/2 a functional diaphragm.

Thanks.

[Scott Sonnon]

Chris,

That level of severity should be consulted with a respitory specialist. Due to the unknown medical nature of the condition, no suggestions can be made. When your doc tells you specific recommendations then it may be possible.

[chris hansen]

Chris,

That level of severity should be consulted with a respitory specialist. Due to the unknown medical nature of the condition, no suggestions can be made. When your doc tells you specific recommendations then it may be possible.

I talked to the doctor about it years ago and he didn't have much to say. He said they could try surgery to re-connect the nerve but the risk probably wasn't worth the benefits. Since it didn't seem to affect me much, he didn't seem too concerned about it and I don't think I would get much more from him if I tried to pursue it. Truthfully, I don't think it has affected my life much but I wonder if I have some gunk sitting in the bottom of my lungs and if that could contribute to frequent illness?

[Scott Sonnon]

If I were in your shoes, which I am not, then I would consider exploring Be Breathed very incrementally, progressing only when I could maintain a rate of perceived discomfort of 3 or lower giving each session a 48 hour period to observe for any lag results.

[champagne]

There has been a tremendous amount of research into enhancing the immune system. One of the pioneers in this area is Dr. Gustavo Bounous. He discovered a whey protein isolate with the same composition as the portion of mother's milk which passes on immunity to the new born. What you are trying to improve is the amount of Glutathione your system can produce. Glutathione is basically the limiting factor in your immune response. How quickly and to what volume your immune system responds is dependent on the amount of glutathione it has available to it. It is the food that your immune system runs on. Glutathione is has been referred to as the Master Antioxidant as it "recycles" the ones we are familiar with such as C and E. The third major function is as the body's detoxifier. It is the molecule which is attached to toxins making them water soluble so they can be flushed out. Two books which you should read are - Your Body's Most Powerful Protector GLUTATHIONE , by Jimmy Gutman MD, FACEP , and Breakthrough in Cell Defense by Alan Summersal PHD,MD and Gustavo Bounous, MD, FRCS(C). Both books make this subject very understandable. I believe they are available on Amazon, if not let me know I have some copies and have access to more. I have used their recommended supplement for years. An interesting note for anyone who works out hard then finds themselves getting sick. There is a competition between the immune system and the muscular system for glutathione as it's antioxidant properties aids recovery from over work in the muscular system which can leave the immune system with out enough glutathione if you don't have enough of the precursors to go around. If you have any questions let me know. I am not a medical doctor but I have been interested in this area for some time and have accumulated a fair bit of data and used the supplements recommended by Dr. Bounous.

One more thought, your first impulse may be to go to the health food store and by a Gluthathione supplement. Studies have shown that oral glutathione supplementation proved little value in raising your systemic glutathione levels. What is necessary is for the precursors to be available so each individual cell can produce it's own. Gluthatione itself doesn't survive the gut well little is absorbed and that which is is not really useful as each cell produces it's own internally. So save your money on the Glutathione tablets at the health food strore.

[chris hansen]

If I were in your shoes, which I am not, then I would consider exploring Be Breathed™ very incrementally, progressing only when I could maintain a rate of perceived discomfort of 3 or lower giving each session a 48 hour period to observe for any lag results.

I have the Be Breathed dvd but haven't really been pursuing it. Maybe this would be the time to start, as soon as my back feels better.

In an earlier post you talked about the mind-back pain connection which was painfully illustrated to me about a week ago. I have been deadlifting pain free (thanks to the advice you gave) until last week. I was really bummed out about some family stuff and didn't really have the energy but I wanted to stay on schedule and deadlifted anyway. By the third rep I knew I made a mistake and I've been in pain since. It's getting better though and I feel I learned a valuable lesson.

[chris hansen]

Thanks for the references. I found one of the books on Amazon and ordered it. I look forward to reading it.


There has been a tremendous amount of research into enhancing the immune system. One of the pioneers in this area is Dr. Gustavo Bounous. He discovered a whey protein isolate with the same composition as the portion of mother's milk which passes on immunity to the new born. What you are trying to improve is the amount of Glutathione your system can produce. Glutathione is basically the limiting factor in your immune response. How quickly and to what volume your immune system responds is dependent on the amount of glutathione it has available to it. It is the food that your immune system runs on. Glutathione is has been referred to as the Master Antioxidant as it "recycles" the ones we are familiar with such as C and E. The third major function is as the body's detoxifier. It is the molecule which is attached to toxins making them water soluble so they can be flushed out. Two books which you should read are - Your Body's Most Powerful Protector GLUTATHIONE , by Jimmy Gutman MD, FACEP , and Breakthrough in Cell Defense by Alan Summersal PHD,MD and Gustavo Bounous, MD, FRCS(C). Both books make this subject very understandable. I believe they are available on Amazon, if not let me know I have some copies and have access to more. I have used their recommended supplement for years. An interesting note for anyone who works out hard then finds themselves getting sick. There is a competition between the immune system and the muscular system for glutathione as it's antioxidant properties aids recovery from over work in the muscular system which can leave the immune system with out enough glutathione if you don't have enough of the precursors to go around. If you have any questions let me know. I am not a medical doctor but I have been interested in this area for some time and have accumulated a fair bit of data and used the supplements recommended by Dr. Bounous.

One more thought, your first impulse may be to go to the health food store and by a Gluthathione supplement. Studies have shown that oral glutathione supplementation proved little value in raising your systemic glutathione levels. What is necessary is for the precursors to be available so each individual cell can produce it's own. Gluthatione itself doesn't survive the gut well little is absorbed and that which is is not really useful as each cell produces it's own internally. So save your money on the Glutathione tablets at the health food strore.

[champagne]

Chris,
Enjoy the book and let me know if you any questions.