Jan 08 2009
Fight Off Colds and Flu by Cutting Out Sugar
Refined sugar reduces the ability of our white blood cells to kill bacteria and viruses. It doesn’t take much sugar, either. A single piece of cheese cake can contain enough sugar to impair our white cell efficiency by 90 percent. And chocolate? Regardless of the touted ”benefits” of dark chocolate, there are a lot of empty calories there…simple carbohydrates.
White blood cells called neutrophils need Vitamin C to be inside the cell in to efficiently kill (phagocytize) the invaders–viruses, bacteria (and cancers too). Vitamin C and sugar are structurally very similar. If there is a lot of sugar around, it competes with Vitamin C. The more glucose (sugar) that enters the white blood cell, the less Vitamin C, so the phagocytic ability of the cell weakens. That is how sugar depresses our immune system.
If we think a little about the traditional “cold season” we quickly see that there are at least two contributing factors:
First of all, we are indoors most of the time, breathing the toxic air that carries so much particulate that we ought to wear masks while we sleep. Dry air. Pet dander. Mites and other nasty “thingys” that live in the carpeting, the floor vents and heating ducts. Ugh.
Secondly, the “cold season” often begins around Halloween and extends through Easter. Halloween treats, Thanksgiving baked goods, Christmas candy, New Year’s indulgences, Valentine’s Day sweets, and chocolate Easter bunnies. So which season of the year do we consume the most sugar? Cold season.
When you get a cold or the flu, you can improve the white cell efficiency by fasting. Just try it for a couple of days. By greatly reducing your food intake, the white cells can concentrate on the invading bacteria. Although we hear a lot about drinking fluids, I would not include fruit juices in those fluids. Stick to black coffee, black or green tea, hot water by itself, perhaps some vegetable bouillon (but watch out for sodium). It is okay to eat the entire orange, but avoid drinking orange juice by itself. Veggies are good when you break your fast. Carrots bring quick energy. Broccoli and caulifower, lettuce and celery will provide vitamins and fiber. Love that FIBER! We who are getting up in years really begin to understand the value of FIBER. (A diet that avoids meat is as good as fiber alone, I swear.)
Tomorrow: the SOURCE of most cold and flu virus.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS BLOG OFFERS THE OPINIONS OF THE AUTHOR ONLY AND DOES NOT PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL OR NUTRITIONAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK COMPETENT MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR ANY AFFLICTION.
So THAT’s the source of “starve a cold, feed a fever”! The wife and I cut out white carbs from our diet about two years ago (I can feel Idaho cringing), dropped significant weight and haven’t had a cold since. BTW, we also are fanatics about washing our hands.
My brother found this and passed it on to me after I told him how I raised my 3 girls and kept them off excess white sugar products like candy, chocolate bars, pop etc. and how this contributed in an almost fluless upbringing throughout their whole school years. And the few times they did catch a flew they never had it longer then 24hours as opposed to those in the same situation at school where mostly off for a good week. So this ended being a life lesson for me to pass on… So for those who want to listen: all they have to loose is a few pounds and gain an inch or two on a childs growth…