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ARTICLE
PREVENTING AND OVERCOMING COMMON ILLNESSES
By Sue Becker
Today I want to share briefly about how to boost your immune system to help prevent infections but also share some powerful ways to help fight off a virus or other illness when sickness does come around.
We are in the midst of what is known as cold and flu season. The exact timing of this season can vary but, in the US, we usually begin to see increases in colds and flu in the fall, around the month of October, when temperatures start to become colder.
Contrary to popular belief, despite the fact that the cold and flu season runs from October to February, cold weather doesn’t necessarily cause us to come down with a cold. Being chilled for a long period of time can certainly put stress on the body, however, one contribution might be the low humidity in the cold air and in our heated homes that can dry our nasal passages making them more susceptible to cold viruses.
I find it interesting, though that according to the CDC, cold and flu activity seems to really peak between December and February. I have often wondered if this peak could be attributed at all to the holiday season of Thanksgiving and Christmas. While the weather has turned cooler and often less enjoyable to be outside, the holidays also bring lots of indoor gatherings with family and friends, and if we are honest an over indulgence in less than healthy food options, such as sweet treats and dietary splurges that we usually try to avoid throughout the year. Since nutrition is a key factor in supporting a healthy immune system, I don’t think this idea is at all far-fetched.
We all know that what we eat can affect our weight and energy levels throughout the day but what we may not realize or even think about is the effect that our diet has on our immune system. According to Dr. David Heber, professor of medicine at UCLA Health, 70% of the immune system is located in the gut due to the work of our good gut organisms. And our diet greatly affects the diversity of the organisms that live there.
Immune cells in the gut interact with these microorganisms to give us a strong immune system and to help prevent the overgrowth of pathogenic organisms such as viruses that cause the common cold and flu.
Dr. Jonathan Jacobs, also of UCLA School of Medicine, states that “the microbiome, that is our gut organisms, and the immune system are critically intertwined and that “what’s present in the gut determines what education the immune cells get.”
He further stresses that dietary diversity and microbial diversity go together. And that the typical Western diet, which is high in animal proteins, sugar, processed foods and saturated fats, results in less diverse gut organisms and promotes inflammation and chronic disorders.
These “gut bugs”, if you will, are the healthiest and support strong immunity when their host, that’s us, consume foods that are high in fiber along with an array of fermented foods.
Fermented foods, such as yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables, such as sauerkraut, or even fresh fruits and vegetables, can keep our guts healthy and inoculated with these organisms that support our immune system.
Since the food to nourish these good gut organisms is the complex carbohydrates and fiber that our own digestive system is unable to digest, fiber rich foods, support the growth and well being of these good gut organisms and in turn reduces an inflammatory response.
The fiber found in whole grains and beans and of course our real bread made from freshly milled flour, is the perfect food source for these critical organisms and therefor a key player in a strong immune system.
These foods are the perfect tools in our war chest to ward off, not only cold and flu viruses but also bacterial illnesses as well. Diet and good gut organisms go a long way in both preventing the frequency of illnesses as well as reducing the duration of an illness when we do get sick.
That is why Step #3 in my Healthy Eating Simplified program is to eat fermented foods. You can learn more about “Our Army Within” in episode #9 of my podcast, Sue’s Healthy Minutes. You might want to go back and have a listen.
But today, I want to share with you what we CAN do when we DO get sick.
Even the healthiest of us get run down from time to time and succumb to whatever bug that is going around. But most of us want to avoid conventional medical treatments as much as possible and especially avoid unnecessary trips to the doctor.
Interestingly enough the common cold leads to more trips to a healthcare provider and absences from school and work that any other illness each year. The flu perhaps next. The symptoms of the cold and flu are very similar as both are caused by a virus. With the flu, you usually experience a higher fever, more often a headache and more severe body aches than with a cold. But the runny nose, sore throat and cough are common symptoms with both.
Since both colds and flu are caused by a virus, neither will respond to anti-biotics. And while most over the counter medication, may reduce the discomfort that often accompanies a cold or flu they can actually increase the duration of the illness. Many cold and flu remedies contain aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) all of which may suppress your body’s ability to produce antibodies and fight the cold or flu. And flu medications often have greater risks than effectiveness.
And this is completely opposite of our goal to get better as quickly as possible!
So now you may be asking, “Well what can I do to help my body heal?”
First Get plenty of rest, drink lots of fluid and up your Vitamin C intake. In addition to these very practical steps, a very effective arsenal in our treatment tool chest, with absolutely no side effects is something called Grapefruit Seed Extract.
In the 1970s an immunologist, Dr Jacob Harich, searched for a natural, non-toxic alternative to antibiotics that would help the human body resist not only bacteria, but also parasites, fungi AND viruses. He discovered this alternative in the seeds and connecting tissue of the grapefruit.
Because of its ability to kill germs on contact, grapefruit seed extract was first adopted by the cosmetic industry, which used it as a preservative. The food transport industry soon found it as a useful alternative to chemicals and irradiation in the shipping of fish, grapes and poultry. Grapefruit seed extract is now used to preserve a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Holistic physicians soon began experimenting with Grapefruit Seed Extract and found it safe for both external as well as internal use and very effective in treating not only bacterial infections such as staph, strep, and salmonella but also amoeba and other parasites as well as. Grapefruit seed extract is also a very effective agent against yeasts, such as Candida albicans and viruses that cause the common cold and flu and fungi that cause such discomforts as athlete’s foot and nail fungus. Grapefruit Seed Extract has also been shown to be effective in fighting sore throats, ear infections, gum disease as well as traveler’s diarrhea. Its diversity of effectiveness makes it a powerful option for overcoming many common ailments.
According to a spokesperson for grapefruit seed extract manufactures, “Many prestigious universities and independent laboratories have tested grapefruit seed extract against more than 30 fungi, 20 bacteria, and a host of viruses and protozoa. In almost all of these cultures, Grapefruit Seed Extract exhibited significant antimicrobial activity at very low concentrations”. In fact, studies done at the University of Georgia found it to be a highly effective sanitizing agent with little or no risk of toxicity.
And the good news, Grapefruit Seed Extract is as effective taken internally as it is used externally, with no adverse side effect. While some recommend taking Grapefruit seed extract daily as a preventative, most health care providers, believe that long term daily use may disrupt the balance of our good gut organisms and therefor suggest its use only as needed and limiting treatment to 4-6 weeks at a time, which is completely adequate for seeing resolution to the infection being treated.
I am inclined to agree with this recommendation of using Grapefruit Seed Extract only as needed, but the needs and uses are abundant. And I’ll share just a few of the ways I use it. But first let me tell you its forms and how to use them.
At Bread Beckers we carry the Nutribiotic brand of Grapefruit Seed Extract better known simply as GSE.
Nutribiotics GSE comes in a concentrated liquid form in both a 2 oz and 4 oz size. It goes a long way and is very economical to use. GSE is very potent and very acidic with a pH of 2.75 so should always be diluted to use. The recommended dilution is 10 drops for adults and 3 drops for children in about 5 oz or more of water or juice. Its bitter, so juice can make it more palatable especially for kids. I don’t mind the taste but sometimes I will buy fresh oranges if possible and use the juice of one orange with the 10 drops of GSE. If am sick, whether with a cold, flu or intestinal upset, I take it usually 3-4 times a day, for a week or more.
This dilution is highly effective against Candida yeast infections. Whether vaginal, systemic, as thrush in the mouth, or presenting as an inflamed diaper rash on a baby’s bottom, it can be taken both internally and/or used externally. For a diaper rash, I have seen it clear in just one application. I diluted 20 drops in a jar with about 8-10 ounces of water. I kept the solution by the changing table and after each diaper change, I dampened a cotton ball or soft cloth with the solution and patted the inflamed area with it. It is almost miraculous.
Candidiasis, known commonly as a yeast infection is caused by the overgrowth of Candida albicans, a pathogenic strain of yeast. These chronic yeast infections are nearly epidemic in America, and most likely due to the over consumption of processed foods and simple sugars. Contrary to popular belief our yeast leavened bread made with freshly milled flour does not promote a yeast overgrowth. In fact, bread making yeast is a good yeast gut organism that helps keep pathogenic yeast in check. Many health professionals find GSE to be more effective against chronic yeast infections than traditionally prescribed medications.
In one treatment study, of the 20 women treated, 15 were cured after the first treatment course. Four of the patients needed a second treatment and the 1 resistant patient need a 3rd round but the husband was then also treated with complete resolution. Again, GSE can be a highly effective treatment option with no toxic side effects.
Since GSE is so highly effective as a disinfectant, I keep my bottle of GSE liquid concentrate right by my kitchen sink. Whenever I cut meat, especially chicken, after I wash my hands, cutting board and knife, I drop just a few drops of GSE on my wet hands and rub together to sanitize before rinsing. I then drop 1-2 drops on my cutting board and knife wipe with a damp cloth and rinse.
The effectiveness of GSE and its varied uses cannot be over stated. That is one reason Nutribiotics has developed a complete line of GSE based products.
I will include links below to some of my favorite Nutribiotic GSE products.
GSE Liquid Concentrate 2 oz
https://www.breadbeckers.com/store/pc/Nutribiotic-Grapefruit-Seed-Extract-Liquid-Concentrate-2oz-37p2283.htm
GSE Liquid Concentrate 4 oz
https://www.breadbeckers.com/store/pc/Nutribiotic-Grapefruit-Seed-Extract-Liquid-Concentrate-4oz-37p2284.htm
The GSE Throat Spray is a must to have on hand. At the first sign of a sore throat, I start spraying. Several times a day. And I never travel without it. It is more than just a numbing agent; it combines the healing power of GSE with zinc and other soothing herbs and menthol to support healthy conditions in the mouth and throat. It freshens breath as well.
https://www.breadbeckers.com/store/pc/Nutribiotic-First-Aid-Throat-Spray-with-Zinc-GSE-4oz-198p3016.htm
GSE Ear Drops contains both GSE and tea tree oil both known for their antibiotic properties. It is soothing as well as highly effective. My daughter used it recently on my grandson, and the doctor was quite impressed with its rapid effectiveness.
https://www.breadbeckers.com/store/pc/Nutribiotic-Ear-Drops-1-oz-198p3021.htm
For convenience, especially when traveling, Nutribiotics has several encapsulated GSE products that we carry as well.
Regular GSE Capsules contains 250 mg of GSE which is equivalent to 25 drops of the liquid GSE in each capsule.
https://www.breadbeckers.com/store/pc/Nutribiotic-Grapefruit-Seed-Extract-Capsules-250mg-60caps-37p3134.htm
The GSE Plus Capsules includes echinacea. And the Defense Plus Capsules contains other defense nutrients and herbs such as Echinacea, Astragalus, Vitamin C, Mushroom Extracts, Goldenseal, and Ginger Root
https://www.breadbeckers.com/store/pc/Nutribiotic-Grapefruit-Seed-Extract-CapsulesPlus-90-caps-37p2286.htm
Defense Plus 45
https://www.breadbeckers.com/store/pc/Nutribiotic-DefensePlus-45-tabs-198p3010.htm
Defense Plus 90
https://www.breadbeckers.com/store/pc/Nutribiotic-DefensePlus-90-tabs-198p3011.htm
We also carry the line of Nutribiotics personal care products using GSE as the base. The shower gel, deodorant and mouthwash are amazing. You can find the on our website as well.
The household and personal care uses of GSE are endless. Whether it be odor causing organisms or illness causing ones, Grapefruits seed extract can be a highly effective yet non-toxic choice for overcoming these invaders.
So, in this cold and flu season, a focus on a healthy diet of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables along with fermented foods and of course real bread to keep our gut organisms happy and healthy can go a long way to help protect us from these unwelcome viruses.
But if these unwelcomed guests do show up, we have a potent but non-toxic weapon against them in Grapefruit Seed Extract.
No home should be without GSE.
Sources:
GSE Report – Volume 1 Issue 1
Nature’s Antiseptics by CJ Puotinen
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