Cold and flu prevention

[lookhigh]

Yes that time of year again, colds flues people sniffing and snottering around me drive me crazy.
My kids often get colds from school etc, But since i started vaping i never catch the cold from them. Good i say, but is this actually a prevention for cold and flu? Doctors will tell you there is no cure.

 

[smokum]

Colds, flu's, allergies.... I'm frequent even after decades of using da herb. I find keeping my hands clean more of a deterrent TBH.

 

[ichibaneye]

Prevention: Know the truth about vaccines, especially about the truth of the h1n1 vaccine that doubled everyone chances of actually getting the flu not to mention cutting your bodies defense by %50. Your body can fight and cure itself of anything, REALLY. It is all in your diet, you are what you eat. Eat as clean as you can, no pesticides, no GMO's and whenever possible raw juice everything you can. Keep your body in the alkaline pH scale not high in acid pH like all most all Americans have which promotes cancer, mold, fungi and many other problems for your body. and no matter what the season always wash your hands and drink lots of healthy fluids.

 

[biohacker]

So much more to it than diet......stress, sunshine, sleep, exercise, exposure, shift work, intermittent fasting....many, many factors. I also wouldn't say that your body can cure itself of anything.

Furthermore, eating clean is very much a matter of opinion. I eat a high fat, moderate protein, low carb diet, and many of you would think I am going to drop dead from all the saturated fat I eat. I don't think a vegetarian diet is healthy, but that's just my opinion, and I know it works for people.

Also the acidity of your blood has a very narrow margin, and that theory has been debunked...if it became acidic you would die. The pH of your stomach is also supposed to be very acidic....many people have low acid issues.

Pretty fascinating thread....I have gone years without a cold or flu, but then last year I got HAMMERED with flu, and several bouts of bronchitis. Too much vaping, not enough sleep, and way too much stress at work is what I THINK caused it, but I really have no clue.

What about the people who eat like crap and have horrible lifestyles, yet still never get sick?

IMHO, it's all about inflammation, the gut microbiome - where your immune system resides, hormones, and vitamin/mineral levels (soooo many people have deficiencies and don't know it) in addition to what I first stated. Don't underestimate the power of vitamin D3, k2, and sugar (and what it does to insulin) destroys health.

 

[ichibaneye]

So much more to it than diet......stress, sunshine, sleep, exercise, exposure, shift work, intermittent fasting....many, many factors. I also wouldn't say that your body can cure itself of anything.

Furthermore, eating clean is very much a matter of opinion. I eat a high fat, moderate protein, low carb diet, and many of you would think I am going to drop dead from all the saturated fat I eat. I don't think a vegetarian diet is healthy, but that's just my opinion, and I know it works for people.

Also the acidity of your blood has a very narrow margin, and that theory has been debunked...if it became acidic you would die. The pH of your stomach is also supposed to be very acidic....many people have low acid issues.

Pretty fascinating thread....I have gone years without a cold or flu, but then last year I got HAMMERED with flu, and several bouts of bronchitis. Too much vaping, not enough sleep, and way too much stress at work is what I THINK caused it, but I really have no clue.

What about the people who eat like crap and have horrible lifestyles, yet still never get sick?

IMHO, it's all about inflammation, the gut microbiome - where your immune system resides, hormones, and vitamin/mineral levels (soooo many people have deficiencies and don't know it) in addition to what I first stated. Don't underestimate the power of vitamin D3, k2, and sugar (and what it does to insulin) destroys health.

Say what you want. I have worked in this area for a long time and also studied diet extensively. Western medicine is not good at all. They treat symptoms they DO NOT treat or look into the cause. Sleep, exercise and lol.......getting sun go hand in hand with eating healthy, it is a no brainier. Name something that can't be cured with diet and I'll give you proof and cold hard facts. Truth is truth some choose not to see, acknowledged it or believe it. to each his own however and good luck with your health everyone. I am also posting from experience as I have had supposed incurable disease of bodily function and I studied, researched and talked to people on how to fix myself. I guess I'm just lucky...oh wait I do not believe in luck. Cheers.

 

[lookhigh]

The old saying Prevention is better than cure,
Strong believer of washing hand myself.

 

[biohacker]

I've been studying diet now for nearly 25 years now, it is my true passion. I absolutely agree with your statement on western medicine and treating only symptoms 100%. What I don't agree with is your sentiment that it's a no brainer that sleep, exercise, and sun go hand in hand with healthy eating. Do you know how many people are unaware of the importance of the sun? IMO far too many people are dying from not enough sunlight. Everyone is so scared of it because of cancer, but as you know there are far more variables involved here. Many people live a huge proportion of their lives indoors, with artificial lights. What about blue light? Is it a no brainer that we should not be illuminating our lives with artificial light after the sun goes down? No brainer to go to sleep by 10pm because every cell in our body is on a circadian rhythm?

Truth is truth? Everybody knows that what is in their hearts is right. I agree you are not lucky, i'm into biohacking big time, and I too believe that the power that creates the body heals the body (i'm an athiest though). Trust me, we're on the same side here, but it's just certain blanket statements like you made kinda make me wanna call you out on it.

Diet is a crucial, but a smaller percentage of the equation IMO.....sleep and stress management come first, again this is only my opinion, based on 25 years of ongoing research (including a degree). In terms of diet, absolutely gotta stay away from sugar, grains, starches, anything that causes huge spikes in blood sugar.

To answer your question, what can't be cured with diet? Amongst a million ailments, how about a nice brief dose of toluene carcinogen? You think you're diet is going to help you there? I understand that cancer is mostly a lifestyle disease, but once you are passed a certain point, i'm afraid that diet won't help you. Just my opinion.

The old saying Prevention is better than cure,
Strong believer of washing hand myself.

YES! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

Hand washing is important.....but is it really? There are bacteria, germs, bugs, etc. literally EVERYWHERE! You go pump gas, use the ABM, push shopping carts, share enviroments with coworkers that sneeze all over the place. Perhaps we are becoming too clean, and not exposing ourselves to what our body needs.....dirt? lol

 

[Philreal187]

I like to use colloidal silver to help boost my immune system once i feel a cold starting. I also agree that avoiding GMO's is huge.

 

[grokit]

From my personal socrates of nutrition (mercola is plato)

 

[biohacker]

I do value much of what Dr. Mercola says, but if you google "mercola" and "quack" you will get the other side. I think he uses scare tactics, and then advertises his supplements. I had to unsubscribe because I was starting to worry about every little thing he said.

 

[grokit]

I do value much of what Dr. Mercola says, but if you google "mercola" and "quack" you will get the other side. I think he uses scare tactics, and then advertises his supplements. I had to unsubscribe because I was starting to worry about every little thing he said.

I completely disagree, all of his articles are meticulously referenced. He is the #1 source of alternative health information, and he takes money away from those that provide more reactive care at a profit. He was referred to me by a highly-respected integrative physician and I take his assertions like gospel.

 

[biohacker]

All good man, like I said I do value much of what he preaches, but I never take any doctor's assertions as gospel, especially an extremist like Mercola. Everybody believes that what is in their heart is right. Just like people take Dr. Oz's advice as gospel.

Why can't mercola biohack is hair loss with his diet? Do you follow his diet like I do? High fat, ultra low carb? It's nice that you have even heard of Mercola! I remember what he was preaching over 15 years ago....he has changed his opinions on many matters, but I do respect that with newer research instead of being stubborn.

 

[grokit]

I'm not a big fan of dr. oz., nor do I consider dr. mercola an extremist. Then again I usually find mike adams makes a lot of sense even though I can see how he has earned that label, as he's very confrontational.

Interesting that you bring up diet. Mercola has been on a ketogenic diet lately, I have been leaning that way myself and am experiencing positive results. It was originally for epileptics but many others have tried it, I would say that it's recommended for anybody with metabolic issues. Worth a try for many others too.

 

[biohacker]

@grokit - been cyclical ketogenic for nearly a year now, with implementing John Kiefer's Carb Backloading and it's got me down to single digit body fat and i'm completely fat adapted now so I also implement alot of Intermittent Fasting (which Mercola also promotes). What do you think of Mercola's interviews with Ori Hofmekler? Have you read the Warrior Diet yet? Really cool stuff.

@steama - good luck with that. There is exposure EVERYWHERE as I mentioned before, it's ALL ABOUT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM ---> Gut micro biome health. This is why sometimes you DO NOT get sick when exposed to sick people.

Typically everyone in the household gets it? Not all the time.

Since i'm taking a cleanse from the herb now, i've had some pretty stupid insomnia. Last night I essentially didn't sleep AT ALL, and now I have a 10 hour shift ahead of me. My immune system is probably stuggling because it repairs and does all sorts of processes through the night.... i'm a great candidate for a cold and flu now! lol See what happens.....

Have an incredible healthy day folks!

 

[grokit]

I do the intermittent fasting for sure. Haven't read those interviews, will check them out.

As far as cold and flu prevention goes, I would be remiss if I didn't bring this up. In what seems another lifetime ago, I was on a flight from nairobi to amsterdam(!), and met up with a doctors without borders family. The father was tanzania's only western md at the time (and was one of the founders of doctors without borders), and the mother was a midwife. They told me that their occupations wouldn't allow them to get a cold or flu, so whenever they felt any symptoms of sickness coming on they would take five packets of emergen-c vitamin c powder and drink it in a single cup of water every hour until the symptoms subside.

Much more recently in life I found myself with copd and had a hell of a time getting rid of a cold. I would heal except in my lungs, which would reinfect me and demand serious attention to prevent pneumonia. Then I remembered this tip, and it has worked for me ever since. Usually takes about three doses (15,000 mg). I went from not being able to get rid of one on my own to literally not having a cold in well over five years.

I did get sick one time, I was doing a detox/chelation program that involved a lot of saunas, chelation and regular vitamin c supplementation. I think that because I was supplementing with a bunch of extra vitamin c already that the emergen-c powder wasn't able to provide its 'shock' effect in this instance.

I will also qualify this by saying that everybody is different and this may not work for everyone. I used to have horrible hay fever/environmental sensitivities. When I stopped drinking milk and putting it on cereal/coffee (I still eat plenty of cheese, ice cream and yogurt), it all went away. I had a horrible allergy to cats in particular, and now I can coexist with one that even sleeps on my bed. So I don't know if this method would have worked quite so well for me before I stopped drinking bovine mucous (cow milk).

 

[basement farmer]

Prevention: Know the truth about vaccines, especially about the truth of the h1n1 vaccine that doubled everyone chances of actually getting the flu not to mention cutting your bodies defense by %50. Your body can fight and cure itself of anything, REALLY. It is all in your diet, you are what you eat. Eat as clean as you can, no pesticides, no GMO's and whenever possible raw juice everything you can. Keep your body in the alkaline pH scale not high in acid pH like all most all Americans have which promotes cancer, mold, fungi and many other problems for your body. and no matter what the season always wash your hands and drink lots of healthy fluids.

Could you be so kind as to provide peer reviewed medical research (links would be fine) to back this statement up please? Thank you

Not challenging the prevention part since avoiding exposure provides 100% effecacy against infection. Minimizing exposure through hygeine is also a means that everyone can agree on to avoid a viral infection. But I've never heard that immunization can actually double your odds of contracting an infection.

 

[lwien]

The absolute BEST way to prevent colds and flu is to prevent yourself from being around kids.

/close thread

 

[biohacker]

@grokit - You do know that our man Joseph suggests raw bovine mucous as a health food yeah?

With respect to Emergen-C....lol.....

Other Ingredients: Fructose, cane sugar, citric acid, tangerine juice powder, natural tangerine flavor, tapioca maltodextrin, malic acid, silica, glycine, beta carotene, aspartic acid, tartaric acid, and cysteine hydrochloride.

Joseph would be cringing at the fructose and sugar, as would I.

15000mg of vitamin c is a great way to shit your pants or perhaps even crystalize and cause stones. Just my opinion, not stating facts.

EMF's are something to consider as well. I always unplug my wifi router every night.

 

[grokit]

@grokit - You do know that our man Joseph suggests raw bovine mucous as a health food yeah?

With respect to Emergen-C....lol.....

Other Ingredients: Fructose, cane sugar, citric acid, tangerine juice powder, natural tangerine flavor, tapioca maltodextrin, malic acid, silica, glycine, beta carotene, aspartic acid, tartaric acid, and cysteine hydrochloride.

Joseph would be cringing at the fructose and sugar, as would I.

15000mg of vitamin c is a great way to shit your pants or perhaps even crystalize and cause stones. Just my opinion, not stating facts.

Yes, I know. I also think he would agree with me that raw sheep and goat's milk are both more appropriate for humans than that from a cow, and none as good for us as human breast milk. Also we don't require any milk at all from a nutritional standpoint after we've been weaned, raw or not from what/whom ever.

Regarding emergen-c, I think he would actually be highly appreciative that they use sugar rather than hfcs which he is on a crusade against. And I highly doubt that this much vitamin c would do anything to you unless it was consumed on a repeated basis. What mercola may have a bigger problem with is the fact that alacer has been bought out by pfizer, who has not traditionally been in the business of prevention.

I think maybe you just like to argue, maybe you shouldn't knock stuff you haven't tried.

 

[biohacker]

Argue? Huh? HFCS, fructose, sugar...it's all the same....it burns up in the cell in the same way and causes inflammation and negative hormone responses....mercola recommends under what, 25gm fructose per day? And surely fructose and sugar have no place in a ketogenic diet.

Anyways, I think i'll stick to my diet forums instead of FC for this shit...cheers, I wish you didn't perceive as arguing. Also, if you haven't yet, check out Dr. Jack Kruse, a neurosurgeon, who states that diet is such a small percentage of the equation - the more important being structured water, as well as EMF's and light exposure.

How long can you live without food for? How long can you live without water for? So which is more important? It's incredible how much energy digestion takes up.

Peace out!

 

[grokit]

Argue? Huh? HFCS, fructose, sugar...it's all the same....it burns up in the cell in the same way and causes inflammation and negative hormone responses....mercola recommends under what, 25gm fructose per day? And surely fructose and sugar have no place in a ketogenic diet.

Anyways, I think i'll stick to my diet forums instead of FC for this shit...cheers, I wish you didn't perceive as arguing. Also, if you haven't yet, check out Dr. Jack Kruse, a neurosurgeon, who states that diet is such a small percentage of the equation - the more important being structured water, as well as EMF's and light exposure.

How long can you live without food for? How long can you live without water for? So which is more important? It's incredible how much energy digestion takes up.

Peace out!

For somebody that professes to read mercola, it must be quite selectively if you haven't read what he has to say about the extreme differences in the way your body reacts to hfcs, sugar and the artificial substitutes as he has quite a bit to say about the subject. He even comments about agave syrup, it's definitely not what it's cracked up to be! Of course he never says that sugar is good for you, although he acknowledges the beneficial nutrients in blackstrap molasses, maple syrup, raw honey etc. I will add that these still affect your glycemic index, which is the main concern although hfcs presents special issues for the liver. If you want to avoid this you have things like stevia, rice syrup, barley malt, coconut sugar it's a short list but growing.

You are being argumentative about something that you admittedly haven't tried. Your out of hand dismissal of the cold prevention remedy I shared is purely speculation so far, because all you've done is attack a straw man regarding non-active ingredients that have nothing to do with the remedy itself. If you are concerned about the additional ingredients in emergen-c, you could try pure ascorbic acid. Although I can't guarantee that would be as gentle on your system as the fizzy packets, as some of those ingredients may be buffers. All I can say is it was recommended to me by a medical doctor and that it has worked very well for me.

As for your question, survivalists and rescue workers usually go by the "rule of 3's": 3 minutes without air, 3 hours without heat, 3 days without water, and three weeks without food. Not perfect but handy

 

[JimmyCricket]

@biohacker, @grokit, and @ichibaneye:

As a fellow person very interested in health/diet stuff (I am going to college for it) I found it awesome to find people with similar views on FC! I really enjoyed reading this thread. What drew me to vaporizing so much was the elimination of the health effects smoking has, so I guess its natural other "heath nuts" are on here. I also believe prevention is the way to go and try my best to follow a paleo low carb diet, get enough sleep, exercise, get sunlight, and do intermittent fasting.

ANYWAYS if you guys know any good websites, tips, information, or forums concerning these types of things I would love to check them out. I am always trying to learn more in this realm. Biohacker you specifically mentioned some diet forums?

Feel free to drop me a PM or something. Thanks!

 

[biohacker]

@JimmyCricket - so refreshing to see the interest! You are much better off on other forums for this type of thing. I will definitely send you a comprehensive PM with a list of all the websites/forums, etc. and a decent start is checking out the Vaporist Athletes thread, or even the podcast thread where I listed a couple dozen awesome podcasts from the leaders in the industry (Sisson, Asprey, Greenfield, Kiefer, Kruse, Wolf, James, Rosic to name a few).

I cringe at the thought of what I was "taught" in university. I still remember debating how much of a joke the food pyramid was and just how ass backwards it is, not to mention "food combining" for complete proteins. With respect to Joseph Mercola, keep his advice with a grain of salt, just like ANYONE....he is just a tool, as are all the gurus, and there is much contradiction and differences of opinion. Regardless, I tend to take advice from those that I want to be like, and I definitely don't want to be a bald, skinny pencil neck, toothpick like Mercola.

If you take the advice from only one guru, this is a mistake in my opinion. If 20 of these gurus all advocate the same thing, like say a high fat, moderate protein, low carb diet....then I will heed that advice.

Feel free to PM me ANY questions you have, or if you just wanna chat and discuss. Diet/health/exercise/training/hypertrophy/lean body composition/biohacking is truely my life passion, and i've been at this game way before paleo was even popular (Neanderthing, Ray Audette). I have a chiropractor in my family so was exposed to alertnative medicine when I was a little kid, so into this game for about 29 years now, and experimented with many diets, veggie, etc. and i'm happy to have finally settled down to what works for me.

With respect to 15 GRAMS of vitamin C....OMG, please people don't just take that advice without doing some research! Mega dosing (yes that IS a MEGA DOSE) can cause serious issues such as:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Heartburn
• Abdominal bloating and cramps
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Kidney stones

Anyone who wants to PM me, feel free, otherwise see you all in the vaporizer forums. I just can't stand discussing things like goat and sheep milk are more appropriate than cow milk for human consumption.

 

[Havelock Vetenari]

I'll give the word to Penn & Teller concerning the vaccines,they state the case quite well IMAO...:

And i certainly do not believe 'dear' Dr. Mercola to be anything other than another selfserving snakeoil-salesman :
http://www.quackwatch.org/11Ind/mercola.html
Healthy diet is certainly important,but it won't stop virusses and bacteria giving your immunesystem a go.
How your body reacts is indeed dependent on a whole lot of factors and having some readymade antibodies in reserve will do me just fine.

 

[biohacker]

THANK YOU! Finally some balance. Never take ANYONE'S word as gospel. @grokit sounds like like he has all his eggs in one basket by believing everything Mercola says as gospel. I just couldn't be bothered anymore so i'm glad you brought up the quackwatch. With that being said, Dr. Barett is a quack himself IMO! lol

With respect to vaccines (I LOVE P&T BS!), I think there may be a place for some populations, but my 4 nephews/nieces are not vaccinated and vary in ages from 11 to 23 and all are completely healthy and never had any ear infections, sickness, etc other than common cold and perhaps flu, which serves to strengthen their god given immune systems. I personally have never had a flu shot, nor will I get one ever.