A Chinese doctor in Shanghai told me once that the average person in America gets 3 to 5 colds a year – and for children its double that! Not to mention nagging coughs, wheezing lungs, runny noses and high temperatures.
“Funny isn’t it,” he said, “in China barely anyone gets the cold or flu, no matter whether they are very young or very old.”
So what’s their secret?
Despite the billions upon billions spent on high tech pharmaceutical drugs, no drug company has been able to figure out a cure for the common cold! Every year the health police come out forcing people to get a useless (and dangerous in my opinion) flu vaccine shot.
I’ve said it countless times – there is no “Magic Bullet” to beat any disease – cancer, diabetes or the common cold. It takes a total “PROGRAM” to beat the problem.
Just two years ago, in 2009, we had the Swine Flu pandemic and the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control spent hundreds of millions with the drug companies to hurry and make a vaccine. It is estimated that between 11-21% of the world population came down with the H1N1 virus anyway, over 18,000 people died from it and the vaccine didn’t even work – and most likely further compromised everyone’s immune system that took it. (Source: Wikipedia)
We take pride in the fact that for customers who followed our Swine Flu Protection Program, we did not get one single report of Swine Flu. This year we’ve upgraded the program to a Total Winter Wellness Program. 12-Steps to follow, now and forever. This is pure Gold in it’s value. Print it out, follow it and you can kiss the common cold and dreaded Flu virus goodbye, most likely forever.
Dr. G’s Twelve-Step Winter Wellness Program
- Drink more water. Our body composition is 74% water. Fluid and electrolyte balance is a major function of homeostasis (balance), which is our body’s ability to maintain its internal environment as it adjusts to challenges and stress. Do you have any of these signs of dehyration?
- Thirst, dry mouth, cramping, headaches, weakness, foggy thinking, fatigue, bloating, dark yellow urine, significant weight loss or decreased sweat during exercise
- Cook more meals at home. Winter weather is the perfect time for heavier soups and stews with root vegetables and garlic.
- Increase whole grains.
- Increase sweet vegetables. Red and yellow peppers are deliciously sweet raw or stir-fried and an excellent source of Vitamin C. Carrots and beets are sweet and rich in carotenoids, potent phyto-nutrients that fight free radicals and support immunity. Use these along with other root vegetables to create your comfort food the winter nights.
- Increase leafy green vegetables. Especially Kale, which is one the most nutrient dense foods available.
Experiment with protein. For the Vegetarians and Vegans who get cold easily, experiment with adding homemade beef both or small amounts of grass-fed or wild-caught fish to your diet once or twice weekly during the winter. Studies show this may enhance regulation of body temperature. For more on this topic, read the article To Meat or Not to Meat by Vanessa Johansson in this month’s Catalyst Magazine and also the 3 Season Diet by John Douillard.- Consume less dairy, sugar, coffee and alcohol. I don’t really need to mention to mention to eliminate highly-processed, chemically-infused, artificial junk foods and sodas, do I?
- Nurture yourself more often. Spend more time with friends and deeper relationships that support you. Make an appointment for a massage. You will be amazed in the results!
- Add more fermented foods with “healthy bacteria” (called Probiotics) to your diet.
- Find a physical activity you enjoy and do it regularly. Daily exercise is vitally important to your health and well being.
- Find work you love or a way to love the work you have.
- Develop a spiritual practice. Studies have shown this can enhance of your health and life.
Probiotics reduce the incidence and duration of cold symptoms
Our immune system, when healthy, is enormously helped by the presence of an army of trillions of “friendly” or good bacteria called probiotics which line the mucus layer of healthy intestines. It is said that 80% of our immune system is in the intestine. Good bacteria provide immunity we don’t have to work for – they work for us. We just need to provide them with the right environment to keep them nourished.
Probiotics or “good bacteria” are found in fermented foods like Kimchi and yogurt. Kimchi is a traditional Korean fermented dish made from vegetables. You can make your own or purchase from Kimchi at your local grocery. Dairy-free yogurt alternatives are available with soy, coconut or almond milks.
Our Pro-Biotic Max formula is a convenient way to rapidly boost friendly bacteria in your intestines. Take 1 capsule on an empty stomach with 8oz of water and nothing else for 30 minutes. Each serving contains 10 different strains with 25 Billion live organisms, blended with herbs specifically for aiding digesting and elimination of toxins.
Vitamin D – especially during the Winter season
In April 2005, a virulent strain of Influenza hit a maximum-security forensic psychiatric hospital in California. In an attempt to limit the outbreak, one infected ward after another was quarantined to limit the outbreak. But one ward was unaffected, even though the patients were heavily exposed to the virus. John J. Cannell, MD, wondered if it was by mere chance that his patients dodged the sickness?
A few months later, Cannell ran across a possible answer in the scientific literature and his colleagues reported that vitamin D boosts production in white blood cells of one of the antimicrobial compounds that defends the body against germs. Immediately, Cannell says, the proverbial light bulb went on in his head: could it have been the high doses of vitamin D he had been administering the vitamin D to his patients.
John J. Cannell is now the Founder and Executive Director of the Vitamin D Council, the definitive authority on Vitamin D deficiency and its related causal effects on health and wellness. Visit his website if you are not familiar with the work particularly with autism and children. Make a donation if you are as moved as I am.
We’ve written countless articles on vitamin D. One of my all-time favorites is CRACKED: The Vitamin D-Vinci Code detailing how vitamin D is responsible for T-cell communication and enabling the mobilization of these “front-line” defenders of our immune system.
Get a bottle of our Ultra D3 formula. It is without a doubt the most powerful vitamin D formulation in the world, containing 5000 iu’s of D-3 in every serving – that’s massive compared to what you’ll find in stores. Plus we added vitamin K2, the forgotten super vitamin/hormone that works in tandem with vitamin D, and critical co-factors Magnesium, Zinc, Boron, Beta Carotene that boost the potency and antioxidant vitamins C & E to mop up free radicals.
A “Mack Truck” for your Immune System
When I lived in Florida years ago, I had the good fortune to meet Rose Kalajean, a master herbalist, animal rights advocate and natural therapies healer. She has a seven acre organic herb farm and is highly skilled in the knowledge and uses of herbal medicine. Visit her website at www.imherbalist.com and sign up for her newsletters – they are a wealth of information.
Rose has a wonderful, natural antibiotic syrup made from lemon, garlic and honey that works wonders. I always recommend it for people with suppressed immune system conditions, as well as for general immunity, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Kid’s can take it too, but I recommend for children to mix in hot water and sip. Click here to print a copy of her recipe from our website.
We recently updated our Immune Support formula. If you missed the newsletter announcing this, click here to read it. It’s like having the famed Mayo Clinic in a bottle – We truly believe it is “that” good.
Deep Breathing – Winter Wellness for the Lungs
If you have not had the good fortune of spending time in a steam room, I strongly recommend finding a local health club or recreation center and make it a weekly habit this winter. As all mothers know, inhaling warm, moist air aids mucus secretions in the respiratory system, helping congested babies to breathe easier. Steam rooms provide temporary relief from inflammation and congestion of the upper respiratory membranes by loosening secretions and acting as a natural expectorant, stimulating the discharge of mucous from the throat and lungs.
We recently updated our Respiratory Lung Health formula that naturally enhances oxygenation in the lungs and promotes clearer, easier breathing. Designed as a dual-function formula, Respiratory is useful for anyone who suffers from allergens, lives or works in areas with poor air quality, smokes or has congestion from colds or flu by restoring normal metabolic activity, normalize mucus levels, repair tissue and cool inflammation while keeping the airways open.
Respiratory Lung Health is also designed for athletes and weekend warriors who live an active lifestyle and want to improve lung capacity and physical endurance for fitness or competition.
| Winter Wellness Salad Serves 4 1 large pink grapefruit 1 small red onion peeled and sliced thinly 1 medium shallot finely chopped 2 cups (6 to 8 oz.) of greens (Romaine, argula, spinach and kale) washed and dry Salad Dressing: Mixed well and drizzle over the salad mixture and serve immediately. |
| Millet Mash Go beyond whole wheat – try quinoa, brown rice, buckwheat, or polenta for variety. Here’s a tasty millet recipe to try that can substitute for mashed potatoes. Cooking Time: 30 minutes Ingredients: Directions: |
| Winter Wellness Smoothie 2 cups of fresh or frozen unsweeten strawberries, guave or kiwi 2 cups of Almond or Hemp beverage 1 tbsp of honey (Manuka or locally harvested is best) 1 scoop of Protein Plus Super Food Blend until smooth (about 1 minute). To supercharge this smoothie, add 1oz of Emperors Chi. |
As always, here’s to your Contagious Health!
Dr. Wayne Garland, PhD/TCM
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