From: eepee@polaris.utu.fi (Esa-Pekka P{lvim{ki)
Subject: Re: Colds, Flu, & Infections (was Re: Vitamin C)
Organization: University of Turku, Finland
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 92 13:52:50 GMT

In article <1992Dec19.144211.25643@mlb.semi.harris.com> jim@egret.ess.harris.com writes:
>The following is copied without permission from Neil Kelly's "The Art of
>Self-Healing Through Naturopathic Programs."  

>  "Many of us seem to separate colds and flues (sic) from infections thinking 
>that infections are much stronger in their attack on the body.  The truth of
>the matter is that colds and flues (sic) ARE infections.  

I feel sic.

>The three of them 
>all start from the same source:  a germ, virus, or other form of bacteria.

Virus is not a form of bacteria.

>  "The major difference is that colds and flus 
					   ----
sic?


>This is easily verified by the type of doctor who is willing to let you know
>that the drugs are not the healing agents but are only given to lessen the
>attack.  In some instances they are only effective for reducing the symptoms
>while your body does the healing.

No - infections are treated with antibiotics and antivirals which _are_ the
healing agents; they kill the bacteria. With antivirals, however, the success
rate is lower. Symptomatic treatment includes aspirin and other anti-
inflammatory drugs. These are not the cure, they're there to ease the pain and
fever.

>  "So then, what exactly is needed by the body to eliminate a cold, flu or 
>infection?  The answer begins with the immune system, specifically the thymus
>gland.  The thymus is considered the power seat of the immune system.  

By whom? Thymus, in the infant, is the home of the T-cells (a form of white
blood cell). If someone is born without it, (s)he will suffer from immune
deficiency (IIDS). The function of thymus in the adult remains uncertain; 
T-cells, or any other blood cells, do not develop in the thymus in the adult 
human. Thymus can be removed without significant (if any) subsequent suppress-
ion of the immune system.

>in addition to nourishing the thymus we must also work on the adrenal at the
>very same time because the adrenal glands affect the immune system.
>  "When the body is getting sick, or already sick, it is under stress and 
>stress taxes the immune system.
>  "Here is how that program works in the body:  IT STRENGTHENS THE IMMUNE 
>SYSTEM and ADRENAL GLANDS, INCREASES ANTI-BODY PRODUCTION AND KILLS BACTERIA
>ON CONTACT.

The cortex of the adrenal gland is indeed involved in stress - it secretes
the "stress hormone" cortisol, a glucocorticoid, essential for life. You
might be interested to know, however, that glucocorticoids have a suppressing
effect on immune reactions. The more cortisole you've got circulating in your
vessels, the less aggressive your immune system is.

The fight against disease is a complex interplay of different immune responses
(humoral, cell-mediated, RES etc) and stress management.

>   VITAMIN A:  Nourishes, stimulates and increases the size and effectiveness
>   of the Thymus gland, the power center of the immune system.

Does it? I'm no expert on nutrition, but this is news to me. "Power center"?
Hardly.

>   VITAMIN C:  A natural cold fighter because it helps to increase the number
>   of white blood cells.

How?

>   GARLIC:  Most used herb as a natural antibiotic.

Yup. Eat enough garlic, and germs, insects, other people, etc.. will avoid 
you. Well, I still like the taste (smell) of it.

>   ZINC:  Strengthens the immune system.  

How?

>         SPECIAL DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS
>   ELIMINATE all solid foods if fever is present.
>   INCREASE intake of vitamin C, A, B6, garlic, bioflavonoids, honey, rose hip
>   fresh juices and some raw seeds, nuts and sprouted seeds and grains.  Inclu
>   hot epsom salt baths, plenty of rest, mild exercises, and walking in fresh 
>   DRINK when fever is present only drink fresh fruit and vegetable juices,
>   diluted with water plus herb teas.  Other juices are lemon, black currant,
>   orange, pineapple, elderberries (particularly for bronchial catarrh), carr
>   beet, tomato, green pepper, watercress, plus onion and garlic juice in smal
>   amounts added to vegetable juices."

Geez! I'd rather suffer the cold thank you very much.

>attention to his recommeded dosage - I've not taken more than three, or maybe
>four, tablets in a single day, yet.  

How much of each ingredient is there in one pill?

/ep
Newsgroups: sci.med.nutrition