grandparichardshealth.com » Infections

Food fight over cold and flu

Richard — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 12:55:01 +0000

Despite a growing market for over-the-counter medications and supplements, the best defence to keeping colds and flu at bay may come from your fridge instead of the medicine cabinet. Many kitchen staples act as cold and flu fighters and are packed with multiple nutrients that help prevent disease.

Helene Charlebois, RD, an Ottawa-based Registered Dietitian/nutritionist advocates a return to simple, back-to-basics eating. “Foods from as close to the farm as possible will help you get the best nutrients out of your daily intake. A variety of foods is best for good health and a strong immune system,” says Charlebois. “Relying on vitamin and mineral supplements will ensure you are not deficient in certain nutrients but you may be missing out on critical nutrients that don’t come in pill form. To boost your Vitamin C intake choose a glass of 100 per cent orange juice like Tropicana Pure Premium. You’ll get a full day’s supply of Vitamin C and a healthy dose of folate, potassium and powerful antioxidants.”

Charlebois recommends these foods during cold and flu season:

100% orange juice and citrus fruits

Foods rich in Vitamin C and other antioxidants have long been believed to help guard against colds and flu by boosting your immune system. A glass of Tropicana Pure Premium 100 per cent orange juice with breakfast meets the recommended daily intake level.

Hot Tea

More than just a comfort, tea is high in antioxidants, which can help fight viruses and relieve inflammation. Add honey, lemon or a splash of orange juice for an extra boost of protective antioxidants including added Vitamin C.

Garlic and onions

Fresh garlic and onions are powerful antioxidants in the form of flavonoids. Garlic is believed to be a valuable antioxidant and decongestant.

Ginger

Fresh ginger root has been found to help treat coughing and fever and to settle an upset stomach. Make your own ginger tea by steeping freshly grated ginger in boiling water and add a sprig of fresh mint for added flavour.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Mom was right, this classic cold remedy helps to reduce inflammation and relieve congestion. Add extra spice to help thin mucous and clear sinuses.

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So, your concern is immunity

Richard — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:29:22 +0000

The immune system is the body’s first line of defense against disease and infection. A healthy immune system is important at every age. A strong immune system helps protect against infections from bacteria and viruses. It also helps protect against other health problems such as arthritis and certain types of cancer.

There are many ways you can keep your immunity boosted. Getting enough sleep, keeping stress levels in check, exercising every day and being at a healthy weight will go a long way to maximize your wellness. Good nutrition is also essential for maintaining the immune system in top shape. Including a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods in your diet gives your body the nutrition it needs to help protect against illness and lower the risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Fresh Mushrooms Can Help!

Boosting Immunity

. A 2006 study found that the beta-glucan, a polysaccharide that is part of the soluble fibre found in mushrooms, had potential anti-inflammatory activity, which may help protect the body against disease.

. Mushrooms extracts may also stimulate different cells of the immune system.

Vitamins and Minerals

. A 2000 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that elderly subjects who were deficient in vitamins and minerals, including selenium, zinc, vitamin B6 and folate, also had fewer and less effective natural killer cells.

. A 1/2 cup serving of uncooked, white button mushrooms is a good source of niacin, copper, pantothenic acid and riboflavin. You’ll also get some vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate and zinc.

Adding up the Antioxidants

. Ergothioneine is a naturally occurring antioxidant found in mushrooms that may also help protect the body’s cells. Ergothioneine is found in both raw and cooked mushrooms.

Mushrooms Make a Difference

. Mix in 1/2 cup chopped shiitake mushrooms into clear broth or consomm?Benefit: add 18 micrograms of selenium (26% of the Daily Value)

. Add 1/2 cup sliced fresh crimini mushrooms into egg dishes. Benefit: add 9 micrograms of selenium (13% of the Daily Value)

. Top pasta with 1/2 cup grilled Portabella mushrooms. Benefit: add 11 micrograms of selenium (15% of the Daily Value)

Recipe Suggestion:

Mushroom Tomato and Basil Ragout

For more mushroom nutrition information, great tips and delicious recipes visit http://www.mushrooms.ca.

Proper hand hygiene is an easy way to prevent infection

Richard — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:23:01 +0000

There’s an easy way to ward off the aches and pains of cold and flu season this year – clean your hands often with an alcohol gel sanitizer.

“Frequent fifteen-second rubs with alcohol gel is really what we want to encourage,” says Dr. Geoff Fernie, vice president of research at the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Canada’s largest provider of adult rehabilitation services. “While good old fashioned soap and water is still an effective way to get soiled hands clean, there are greater germ killing benefits to using an alcohol rub.”

Proper hand sanitizing can prevent the spread of colds, flu, food borne illnesses and some gastrointestinal disorders. Germs accumulate through everyday interaction and you could get infected by touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after touching a doorknob or shaking hands. While some people can get over an illness quickly, some infections can have catastrophic consequences for older adults and those with a weakened immune system.

Disinfecting your hands properly is such an important way to prevent infections that Dr. Fernie is researching ways for hospital staff and other health care providers to keep even cleaner by making sure their hands are sanitized properly during the course of their busy days.

But for the rest of us, Dr. Fernie suggests carrying multiple bottles of alcohol gel sanitizer and using it often.

“I keep a bottle of sanitizer in my car, one in my coat pocket, one on my desk, and one on my kitchen table at home,” adds Dr. Fernie.

Today, many alcohol gel sanitizers come with ingredients to prevent dry skin which makes it less irritating than even hand washing.

To get the most out of your sanitizer, Dr. Fernie recommends following these easy steps:

. Apply about half a teaspoon of the product to the palm of your hand.

. Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces of your hands until they’re dry.

When looking at the products, check the hand sanitizer label to make sure it’s alcohol-based. To effectively kill germs and stop the spread of infections, Dr. Fernie advises using a hand sanitizer that contains at least sixty percent of alcohol.

Tips for surviving cold and flu season

Richard — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:55:01 +0000

Millions of Canadians are affected by cough, cold and flu symptoms every year. These symptoms are easy to recognize, and often include congestion, sneezing, sore throat, fever and a general feeling of discomfort.

Cold and flu viruses spread easily, especially amongst children and, unfortunately, their family members! Even if we can’t cure the cold or flu, we can follow some basic guidelines to keep up with our daily activities:

. To prevent the spread of viruses, wash your hands each time you cough or blow your nose.

. When affected with a fever, it is essential to get plenty of bedrest.

. Drink a generous amount of liquids to combat dehydration cased by fevers and to encourage the flow of nasal secretions.

. Clear out the nasal passages by rinsing them with seawater. Products like hydraSense, a nasal wash exclusively made of 100% natural-source seawater, has been proven effective by a recent study. The product line has options for infants, babies and adults.

. And finally, children and adults should never hesitate to enjoy the great outdoors – even if they have a cold.

Health Tips: Five easy ways to boost your immunity

Richard — Thu, 31 May 2007 12:35:58 +0000

By Neil Schachter, MD

Your body has developed a wide range of activities to ward off disease, but while some things we do, like get enough rest, nutrients, and exercise can enhance our natural defences, other things depress the immune function. A healthy immune system means that the protective mechanisms in our blood chemistry and respiratory tract are working well. If, however, you develop infections easily, this indicates that the immune system may be under performing. You can do something about it.

The key to improving immunity lies in protecting and encouraging our natural defence resources. Regular hand washing, good nutrition, plus natural immune system boosters like Cold-fX are all effective, proactive measures. Here are five lifestyle choices that will also make a difference:

1. Quit Smoking

In addition to the many health risks smoking poses, it also paralyses the little germ-catching hair called cilia in the airways. Smoking alters mucus production and damages our cells’ ability to destroy, or eat up bacteria. As a result, mucus builds up in the airways and offers bugs a wonderful breeding ground to multiply. Respiratory infections for smokers tend to be more frequent, severe, and longer lasting.

2. Get Exercise

Moderate, regular exercise offers a long list of benefits, and now you can add improved immunity. Studies have shown that a regular exercise routine can improve antibody response to the flu vaccination, especially in older adults. Other research has shown that people who engage in moderate levels of exercise have improved T cell numbers as well as function – a good measure of how well a body can defend itself.

Tip: Too much exercise – more than 90 minutes a day – can actually have the opposite effect on immunity, so don’t overdo it.

3. Control Weight

Doctors have found that excess weight is also a factor affecting immunity. Clinically, we know that obese people have a higher incidence of bacterial infections and slower wound healing. Research studies have also found that people who meet the definition of obese have lowered levels of lymphocytes and natural killer cells. But there is good news: when obese individuals lose weight, their lymphocyte levels and function improves.

4. Drink In Moderation

Excess alcohol paralyzes the cilia and increases mucus production. In addition, too much alcohol dampens the senses and makes swallowing more difficult and inefficient, so that food and microbes can easily find their way into the respiratory system.

Tip: A little goes a long way. For example, a daily glass of wine, rich in antioxidants, can actually give your immune system a boost and it has been linked to improved resistance to infectious disease.

5. Stress Control

Studies have shown that stressful events such as marital discord, divorce, and job loss, can reduce immunity. But even routine daily stresses like deadlines, traffic jams, and long lines at our favourite coffee shop, can weaken our defence towards germs. Help your body to cope and regain immune system equilibrium by taking 30 minutes a day to do something specific that you enjoy.

Dr. Neil Schachter, author of “The Good Doctor’s Guide to Colds and Flu” is considered one of the leading authorities on respiratory disease in North America. He is the medical director of the Respiratory Care Department of the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City.

Credit: http://www.newscanada.com

Prevent a cold and flu like the pros

Richard — Sun, 27 May 2007 14:33:36 +0000

Imagine how the spread of a bad cold, or flu, could devastate an NHL team for weeks and weeks of the hockey season. Even at the best of times, all that vigorous training and hard-hitting play pushes the body of a professional athlete to the limit, including the ability of their immune system. No wonder, hockey greats like Mark Messier are ardently pro-active when it comes to fighting germs. In fact, Messier has such a passion for nutrition, fitness and natural medicine, to his teammates he was also “Dr. Mark”.

“Constant colds and flu can really hurt a club,” says Messier. “One player gets something and it goes through the whole team, affecting our play for weeks on end. Instead, the New York Rangers team worked really hard to apply the best preventative tips available.”

These for instance, really work. Take it from Dr. Mark:

. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, using warm water and soap all over the hands, fingers and under fingernails. Wash for at least 15 seconds.

. Avoid putting your hands near your eyes, nose or mouth. Most bacteria and germs are spread from a surface.

. Strengthen your immune system with balanced meals and enough sleep. Try Cold-fX, a natural immune booster that, because it has no side effects and no interaction with the flu shot, is currently the cold & flu remedy of the NHL. If you feel a cold or flu coming on, you can take a higher dosage as a preferable alternative to antibiotics and other drugs.

. Drink more water. You might not be thirsty, but it is easy to get dehydrated in the winter if you don’t make a point of drinking eight glasses of water a day.

. Exercise regularly. We NHL players don’t need to be reminded to get exercise, but I always make sure my family remembers how important it is for their health, and to strengthen their immune system. Consistency is key. Do a half-hour of vigorous exercise at least three or four times a week.

Credit: http://www.newscanada.com

Resisting resistance

Richard — Sat, 19 May 2007 14:30:45 +0000

If bugs, bacteria and viruses ruled the world, there’s no doubt they would run it like an exclusive club with the motto- resist at all cost. The clubhouse rules would include all sorts of strategies to make sure that members remained undisturbed.

But Dr. Marc Ouellette of Laval University, a specialist in infectious diseases, has made it his mission to decode and break these rules. He wants to guarantee that antibiotics remain effective and that bugs are kept in check.

“In many cases, we are at the last drug, we’re only one step ahead of these rapidly-mutating pathogens,” he notes with some concern.

Bugs and viruses, known as pathogens, have a huge set of tools they can use to thwart efforts to get rid of them.

For example, a pathogen like bacteria can mutate itself so that antibiotics can’t get inside its cells and kill it, sort of like changing the locks on the front door. Suppose the drug finds its way into the cell? No problem, the bug will find a way to spit it back out.

The club has other rules that apply when the drug gets in and the members can’t get it out – they create a special enzyme that can literally chop the drug molecules in half. And even if the drug cannot be spit out or chopped up, clever bugs have been known to simply multiply, ensuring that the drug can never fully eliminate the infection.

“Often it’s a combination of these different factors that help create resistance. We’ve been working to understand how all of this works so that we can combat these resistance mechanisms,” he says.

Dr. Ouellette has also been involved in work to test new infection fighting alternatives to antibiotics, research supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. He points out that, not only are pathogens really good at making themselves resistant, there are virtually no new antibiotics currently being developed. No company wants to spend money on a product that will become quickly obsolete. “We need to convince the private sector that it still makes sense for industry to be active here.”

Bugs, viruses and bacteria – it’s a never-ending game of deception and evasion. Dr. Ouellette is trying to keep humans ahead of the pathogens.

Credit: http://www.newscanada.com

Five Tips to Avoid Yeast Infections

Richard — Sat, 12 May 2007 23:58:11 +0000

At one time or another in her life, every woman has experienced one. What is it you ask? I’m talking about yeast infections. Any woman who’s had one knows what an ordeal it is to get rid of one. Here are five tips to avoid a yeast infection before it ever starts.

Tip One: Perfumed soaps are a no-no. They don’t lather well, but they make you skin smell great. After a week or so, you notice an itch down below that you can’t seem to get rid of. Itching turns to redness which becomes inflamed almost overnight. Perfumes may be okay for the rest of the body, but they irritate the vaginal area. Candida albicans, the fungus that causes yeast infections are allowed to grow out of control when the good bacteria of the vagina are decreased by the perfume in the soaps. Use a non-deodorant soap to clean this delicate area and rinse thoroughly.

Tip Two: Avoid antibiotics when possible. Antibiotics, when taken for the full ten day course, cause vaginal yeast infections. One infection is cured, but another that is just as painful crops up. What to do? Eat yogurt. The live bacterial cultures counteract the effects of the antibiotics. As soon as your doctor prescribes an antibiotic for you, load up on the Dannon! Actually any yogurt will do. One container a day should be enough.

Tip Three: Shed the wet clothing. Fungus and other kinds of bacteria love moist, wet places on the body. They are ideal spots for growth. After a day in the pool or a hard workout at the gym, change out of those damp clothes as soon as possible. You may not feel wet in the vaginal area after a workout, but if you are sweating heavily everywhere else, you are damp there, too.

Tip Four: Tighter is not better. Tight fitting underwear and pants increase the heat in the vaginal area. There is no way for air to circulate and keep the genitals cool and dry. Loosen up, literally. Choosing cotton underwear over nylon will absorb the wetness and keep it away from the body. Pants don’t have to be baggy, but they should have room to breathe.

Tip Five: Put away that vinegar and water. Many women feel the need to cleanse their vaginal area after their menstrual period. There are several kinds of douches and sprays on the market for that purpose. My gynecologist told me that there was no need to use anything but plain soap and water to clean the vaginal area. Using a cleansing product internally upsets the acidic environment of the vagina, wiping out the natural bacteria.

Vaginal yeast infections are not life threatening, but they can interrupt your daily life. Following a few simple tips will keep this pesky problem at bay.

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