[The Epoch Times, December 09, 2022]coldandinfluenzaThe resulting economic burden is greater than we imagined. Estimated in terms of costs such as treatment, lost productivity due to illness, and lost workdays, the common cold alone costs the U.S. economy as much as $40 billion a year.against the flu
Basic ways to reduce the risk of both diseases are known to include washing your hands, not touching your face, and avoiding contact with people who are sick.Some people may choose to playinfluenzaVaccines, but an important thing to understand is that this method is not very effective. An independent analysis of the flu vaccine by the nonprofit Cochrane Collaboration found that even under ideal conditions (in which the vaccine matches the circulating flu virus exactly), there are more 1% will catch the flu, which is not much lower than the infection rate (4%) among people who are not vaccinated. The authors of the study estimate that, under typical circumstances, 100 people would need to be vaccinated to avoid a certain set of flu symptoms; or you would have to be vaccinated every year for 100 years before you get a certain flu. Interestingly, the study showed that the flu vaccine did not significantly reduce hospitalizations or lost work time, nor did it prevent flu-related complications, or those rare flu-related deaths.
People who maintain a healthy diet need not worry about the dangers of the flu. Good nutrition can strengthen the resistance, and even if you catch the flu, you will not be sick for so long and the symptoms will not be so severe. To maintain the normal functioning of the immune system, you need to take in a lot of micronutrients, and the phytochemical components from various fruits and vegetables have additional anti-microbial and immune-boosting effects. Here are some foods or supplements to help you fight this flu season.
fungusFood has a unique role in stimulating the body’s natural immune defense system. Ganoderma lucidum and shiitake mushrooms can enhance the activity of natural killer cells. “Natural killer cells” are lymphocytes of the innate immune system, referred to as NK cells, which play an important role in preventing viral infection and inhibiting cancer progression. Shiitake mushrooms have been found to protect against influenza viruses in animal studies. Fortunately, not only the above-mentioned special types of fungi are good for the immune system, daily consumption of white mushrooms can also strengthen the immune defenses of mucous membranes such as the mouth and respiratory tract. Dendritic cells are another immune cell that protects the respiratory tract, and the phytochemicals contained in the white mushroom can enhance the activity of these cells.
Mushrooms should be eaten cooked. Many types of edible mushrooms contain a potentially harmful compound called agaritine, which is greatly reduced in cooked mushrooms.
Kale, collards, mustard greens, arugula, watercress, broccoli, broccoli rabe, cabbage ), cauliflower, kohlrabi, etc., are allCruciferae. These vegetables contain glucuronide, so the taste is either bitter or spicy. When you cut or chew these vegetables, glucuronides are converted into powerful cancer-fighting compounds called isothiocyanates (ITCs). In addition to their anticancer properties, isothiocyanates also support the immune system and have antibacterial properties.
The phytochemicals contained in cruciferous vegetables may enhance the activity of “interferon” which is an important part of the body’s antiviral response. To maximize the release of isothiocyanates, cut cruciferous vegetables finely, or eat them raw and chew them well; by destroying plant cells, you activate the enzyme that converts glucitol into isothiocyanates (called inosinase), which is inactivated by heating.
However, you can still get isothiocyanates from cooked cruciferous vegetables by chopping them up before cooking and adding some raw cruciferous vegetables to cooked dishes. For example, if you are eating cooked broccoli, stir in some shredded cabbage, which will provide the enzyme inosinase to release more isothiocyanates from the cooked broccoli. Gut bacteria contain the enzyme inosinase, so the small amount of isothiocyanate contained in cooked broccoli is also released in the digestive tract.
berryIt is a powerful anti-cancer food and can also fight viruses. Berries are rich in antioxidants – flavonoids, which have antiviral effects. In fact, if you do catch the flu, drinking elderberry juice, which is rich in anthocyanins, can shorten the time you’re sick. Berries and grapes are also rich in resveratrol, another antioxidant phytochemical with powerful antiviral properties. Resveratrol has been shown to prevent the replication of influenza and other respiratory viruses. In addition, strawberries are rich in vitamin C, which can protect immune cells from oxidative damage.
The benefits of berries go beyond preventioncoldand flu. The flavonoid antioxidants contained in berries are no ordinary antioxidants, flavonoids also contribute to intracellular signaling, resulting in many beneficial effects: flavonoids activate natural detoxification enzymes in the body, stop cancer cells Growth, anti-inflammatory, and aids in blood pressure regulation. Berries (and pomegranates) are also very rich in ellagic acid, another antioxidant compound that may stop cancer cell and tumor growth.
4. Onion and Garlic
There is no convincing evidence that garlic supplements reduce common cold symptoms. However, eating garlic and onions every day has clear benefits in terms of cancer defense and may also help strengthen the immune defense system, including enhancing macrophage, T cell and NK cell activity. In addition, several garlic phytochemicals have been shown to kill respiratory viruses.
Like cruciferous vegetables, active compounds are produced when the plant cells of onions and garlic are destroyed. Therefore, it is best to eat onions and garlic raw, chop them up and chew them well.
5. The right supplements
Vitamin D and zinc also play important roles in the immune system, so getting enough of the related micronutrients can also help fight off colds and flu. Children who took vitamin D throughout the winter had fewer flus than a control group (children) who took an ineffective drug, and children who regularly took supplemental zinc also had slightly fewer flus. Since vitamin D can be difficult to obtain from foods and zinc can be difficult to absorb from plant foods, a well-designed supplement is a good option.
Tips for dealing with a cold
If you do catch a cold, treat wisely. Many cold treatments are ineffective, and some may even prolong your illness. For example, large doses of vitamin C do not prevent colds or reduce symptoms, and fever-reducing medicines actually hinder the body’s own attack on infection symptoms. (I am in “Super Immunity” (Super Immunity) evaluates some common cold and flu remedies. )
Don’t panic if cold symptoms last longer than you expected. On average, patients report symptoms of the common cold that last one and a half to two weeks. In children, earache symptoms usually last from less than a day to 9 days; sore throat lasts 2 to 7 days; cough lasts up to 25 days; and common cold lasts 7 to 15 days. Eventually, the body will clear the virus on its own. Remember, over-the-counter medications only mask symptoms and may even disrupt (the body’s own) healing process. However, if your symptoms suddenly worsen, especially if you experience difficulty breathing or if your temperature exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 3 days, call your doctor.
There is no doubt that when you eat better, you are less likely to get sick, and when you do, you heal much faster. To prevent catching a cold or the flu this year, get enough sleep, be careful not to put your hands near your nose or mouth, and eat a healthy diet. A nutrient-dense diet produces an array of immune-boosting phytochemicals in your body that also help protect against heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
About the Author: Joel Fuhrman, MD, board-certified family physician, 7-time New York Times bestselling author, is an internationally recognized expert in nutrition and natural healing. Fuhrman focuses on nutritional therapy to prevent and treat disease.
This article was originally published on www.drfuhrman.com, and is authorized to be translated and reprinted by The Epoch Times in English. For the English report, please see:During Cold & Flu Season, Protect Yourself By Eating Right。
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