We are in an age where healing is done through “quick fixes” of pharmaceutical drugs or micro-surgery. Such modern healing procedures usually succeed in treating an ailment, but sometimes at the very high price of triggering another or weakening the body’s natural responses. For example, antibiotics — the paragon of all drugs — fight infections while killing useful intestinal bacteria, or microflora, that prevent viral, bacterial and yeast infections in the body.
This microflora is our innate defense mechanism that sweeps away harmful invasive microorganisms in the digestive tract to protect the body. Drugs fight and destroy infections, but they also damage our immunity that attacks or fends off such invaders as viruses that develop into bacterial or fungal infections.
To foster a strong immune system, we need immune boosting nutrients all the time. They keep our defenses ready to fight microorganisms that invade the body. A healthy immune system fights infections and disease by converting cells into free-radical cells to destroy invaders. To reconvert free-radicals to normal healthy cells, the immune system needs immune-boosting nutrients. These nutrients are the antioxidants that everyone has been talking about in the recent years. They range from vitamins to phytonutrients and minerals in plants. For example, vitamin C is effective against viruses, while the plant oliban-boswellia (luban thakar in Arabic) produces antibiotic-like effects on the body. Antioxidants work to keep the body in balance and the defense mechanism responsive to invasive germs. This does not mean one never falls sick when taking antioxidants, but the healing period is usually shortened with their use. They prevent viruses from developing into bacteria or chronic diseases.
With a virus or an infection, we should act aggressively and fast to prevent complications and restore health, because infections and viruses come with toxic products as a means of attack. These toxins produce headache, sore throat, stuffy nose, or fatigue. The way to minimize these bad effects is to rest, sleep, take hot herbal infusions and vitamins and keep warm. The immune system responds by raising the body temperature to fight a virus or bacteria; elevated body temperature kills invading microorganisms. Rest and sleep boost immunity and cell defenses, while sleep deprivation exhausts the body’s fighting ability and energy. Other immune and energy drainers are alcohol, smoking, secondhand smoke, bright sunlight, excessive eating, and emotional, mental and physical stress as well as frequent sex and repeated antibiotic intake. Reducing energy consumers can help you recover much faster. During such periods you are advised to increase your intake of nutrients, especially antioxidants. Small light meals of high nutritional value and fresh raw and lightly cooked foods are very helpful during an infection. Big and heavy meals tend to burden the digestion, distracting vital energy away from fighting infections and viruses. It is important to drink lots of water and warm herbal teas during this period to eliminate toxins and decrease the build-up of mucus. Reducing salt intake and avoiding fatty foods like meat, eggs, fries and dairy products (milk and it products tend to promote the formation of mucus) speed the healing process.
Our immunity is amazingly resilient. With antioxidants, cells that are gone awry like free radicals are disarmed. Antioxidants also convert free radical cells back to normal cells; detoxify the body from viruses and their toxins; and keep the cells healthy to prevent invading microorganisms from poisoning healthy ones. Different antioxidants have different functions.
Vitamin C is known to fight cold viruses as well as reduce the severity of their symptoms. The action of the vitamin is very effective at the onset of the virus. When cells are healthily saturated with vitamin C, the cold virus is unable to penetrate them and multiply infected cells. It requires very high amounts of vitamin C to make cells effectively responsive to block viruses and disarm their spikes before they pierce the cell wall. Even though vitamin C is not toxic in high quantities, it is advised not to exceed 2 to 5 grams unless prescribed by a doctor. A plant called elderberry is effective against cold viruses. The extract of this plant, interferon, is also used for the treatment of certain cancers and hepatitis B and C, stops the flu virus from puncturing the cell membrane and speeds recovery by reducing symptoms of the virus.
Vitamin C has other important functions. It has antioxidant, detoxifying, immune-boosting, antiviral and antibacterial effects. It also protects against stress, cancer and heart disease (by the way, the condiment garlic, too, provides similar effects). Deficiency in the vitamin can lead to recurrent colds, lack of energy, frequent infections, nose and gum bleeding, easy bruising, skin problems and retarded wound healing. The richest sources of the vitamin are the cabbage and pepper families, lemon and citrus fruits, watercress, tomato, kiwi fruit, strawberries, melon and peas.
Vitamin A and its precursor beta-carotene give antioxidant and antiviral protection and immune boosting effects. Both are needed for tissue and skin health. They defend the body against infections and some types of cancer (lung) and improve night vision. Deficiency can lead to repeated colds, infections, mouth ulcers, skin problems and diarrhea. Vitamin A is found in beef and veal liver; while beta carotene is abundant in carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, water-cress and leafy greens, mango, melon, cabbage, apricot, papaya, pumpkin, broccoli, tomato, tangerine and orange, and asparagus.
Zinc is another antioxidant. It is important for physical growth, sexual maturity, hormones and nervous system and controls stress. It helps the brain development of a fetus and in the formation of bones and teeth. Symptoms of zinc deficiency can lead to repeated infections, hair loss, nails (white spots), and skin problems, stretch marks, low fertility, poor appetite and depression. Dietary supplements can come from oysters, gingerroot, lamb, pecan, Brazil nuts, green and dry split peas, egg yolk, whole wheat, rye, oats, almonds, haddock, shrimp and turnip.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant as well as an immune enhancer. Vitamin E safeguards cells from damage and cancer. It increases oxygen supply to the body; stops blood clotting and vascular damage; promotes healing and fertility; and improves skin texture. It is found in unrefined oils of corn, sunflower, black sesame and other seeds, wheat germ, peanuts, beans, tuna, sweet potatoes, sardines and salmon.
The B vitamins speed physical and mental healing and boost immunity. They are available in many foods like leafy greens and other colored vegetables, legumes, sprouts, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, whole grains, fruit, nuts, seeds, all types of fish and seafood, eggs, dairy products, birds, lamb and other meat.
Selenium, an important antioxidant against free radicals and cancer, decreases inflammation, protects against infections, improves heart health, increases male fertility, and enhances immunity and metabolism. It is found in oysters, herrings, molasses, mushrooms, cod, beef liver, Brazil nuts, chicken, cottage, zucchini and cabbage.
Iron plays an important role in transporting oxygen to cells and eliminating carbon dioxide. It increases energy. Signs of iron deficiency would be anemia, fatigue, poor appetite, and nausea. Rich sources of iron are pumpkin seeds, parsley and leafy greens, almonds, prunes, cashew, pecan, Brazil nuts, walnuts, raisins, dates, beans and sesame seeds.
There are other antioxidants that are very effective in boosting immunity and fighting viruses and bacteria. They range from vitamins and minerals (manganese, copper) to phytonutrients (polyphenol, bioflavonoid, glutathione), mushrooms, lysine, aloe vera, garlic, herbs (Echinacea, green tea), bee pollen, and others. These and more have different detoxifying effects and antioxidant benefits on the body, which achieve healing, sound health, energy, wellness, and longevity in a natural way, reducing dependence on antibiotics and even doctors.
— (Mariam Alireza is a holistic science specialist. Send comments to [email protected].)
