Cultivate Good Health from the Inside Out

Stop Colds and Flu in Their Tracks with a Healthy Internal Environment

In the 19th century germs were discovered, and for the first time in human history, we began to understand disease as an infection by these pathogens. Until this point, nearly every traditional healing system in the world looked at disease as an imbalance in the patient's body. The new 'Germ Theory' became the predominant theory in disease, and our focus evolved to one of destroying the germs that cause illness. So if germs cause illnesses, why do some people exposed to them not get sick? We are all constantly exposed to potentially disease-causing bacteria and viruses every single day. It is not the mere exposure to them that causes illness, but the health of our internal environment that either encourages or discourages their proliferation. Bacteria and viruses can only thrive in what some refer to as a 'fertile field.' Why not, then, avoid providing them with a fertile field? This cold and flu season, consider tending to your internal environment before you get sick.

So what exactly is a 'fertile field' for germs? It is a body that is run down from sleep deprivation, stress, and a diet full of refined foods that rob it of the basic nutrients. This environment has weakened natural defenses and provides a very comfortable place for pathogenic bacteria and/or viruses to set up shop. The good bacteria that should reside in our intestines, creating an environment that is unwelcoming to invading bacteria, are often woefully deficient, due to our excessive use of antibiotics, both as prescriptions and in our food supply, along with a diet full of processed foods. To top it all off, Americans consume way too much sugar—somewhere around 1/3 pound each day—which turns down the immune system's fighting power. Together these deficiencies create a perfectly 'fertile field' for the germs we are exposed to every day.

If germs thrive in a certain type of environment, then it would make sense to cultivate an environment that was uninhabitable to these germs, a sort of anti-fertile field. To do this we have to make a conscious effort every day to support our immune system and our internal environment through lifestyle and dietary habits. Much research has revolved around vitamins A and C, zinc, and selenium, and while these are important, we also want to make sure we get an adequate amount of antioxidants and the omega-3 essential fatty acids. We also need to maintain the terrain of our intestines with regular consumption of probiotic-rich foods. The list sounds overwhelming, but it is rather simple to obtain these nutrients through a basic supplementation program and a diet made up of natural foods. A natural-foods diet includes lots of fresh organic fruits and vegetables, organic meats, raw nuts and seeds, cold-water fatty fish, unrefined oils, organic cultured dairy, whole grains, and legumes. While a diet of natural foods is the foundation for good health, there are a few foods and nutrients of special interest in supporting our immune system and keeping the bugs at bay.

Coconut in all its many forms contains a significant amount of the fatty acid, lauric acid. This fat is converted in the body to a compound called monolaurin, which has been shown to be antibacterial and antiviral.

Astragalus Root, which has been used since ancient times in China, works as a deep immune activator. The polysaccharides in astragalus are known to enhance the activity of the white blood cells responsible for removing unwanted bacteria and foreign debris from the body, encourage the formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow, and stimulate the body's production of interferon, a type of molecule released by cells to stimulate the production of proteins that inhibit the replication of viruses. Traditional Chinese Medicine recommends adding pieces of root, available in bulk, to simmering soups and stews. Be sure to remove the root prior to eating the soup.

Garlic is used all over the world and has a long history of use for supporting the immune system and fighting infections. Sometimes referred to as "Russian penicillin" due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, garlic also appears to promote the activity of white blood cells to fight infections.

The polysaccharides in mushrooms stimulate the activity of our immune cells. While much research has focused on shiitake, maitake, and reishi, it appears that all edible mushrooms have at least some immune enhancing benefits.

The use of chicken soup as medicine dates back to the 12th century and has been recommended by grandmothers everywhere since then. According to Chinese medicine, chicken is an energy tonic which improves the condition of the bone marrow, where certain immune cells are produced and mature. Modern research has confirmed chicken soup to be anti-inflammatory, which may explain its beneficial effect on upper respiratory tract infections.

Vitamin D deserves extra attention in regards to enhancing immune activity. Recent research has lead some to associate the lack of UVB rays, which are necessary for our bodies to produce vitamin D, during the winter months with a rise in the incidence of colds and flus during that time. Vitamin D plays many important roles in immunity, including stimulating anti-microbial peptides in our immune cells, which help protect us from infection.

Recipes:

• Kickin Coconut Chicken Soup
  
  

• Fortifying Chicken Stock
  
  

• Pan Seared Salmon with Yogurt Sauce and Walnuts