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Colds and flus are not only inconvenient and uncomfortable, they can also be extremely dangerous — especially to the very young and the very old. Unfortunately, modern medicine has little to offer in the treatment of colds and flu.

Depressing your immune system is obviously not the objective you want, but it is helpful to understand how your dietary and lifestyle choices can have a dramatic impact on weakening your defenses – thus making your more susceptible to the flu and other illnesses!

Here a few ways in which your immune system can be weakened:

• Consuming Sugar and Refined Carbohydrates – studies have shown that just 1 tbsp of sugar can depress your immune system for up to 6 hours!
• General Poor Nutrition – a lack of nutrients will not allow your immune system to function properly because the building blocks necessary for creating immune cells are absent.
• Malabsorption and Poor Digestion – these are caused by digestive system problems (ie. leaky gut, low stomach acid, candidiasis, etc…) and poor digestion, specifically, can lead to large unwanted food particles seaping into the bloodsteam, which prompts the immune system to activate to destroy – this is how most food allergies develop. The first issue, malabsorption means that essential nutrients won’t be absorbed, and thus immune cells will be missing several key building blocks.
• Drugs – drugs like antibiotics, steroid drugs, etc… can negatively impact your digestive system (leading to the problems just mentioned), while others can directly depress the function of your immune system.
• Toxic or Improper Liver Function – the liver is your body’s most detoxification organ. If it is toxic (and thus not functioning properly) it won’t be able to detoxify your properly, leading to greater reabsorption of toxins, which will further depress your immune system. Since your liver also plays a massive role in the metabolism and production of fats, sugars, and proteins, these vital nutrients will also be affected!

These are just a few ways in which everyday people are weakening their immune systems.

But I know you’re not one of them, right?

Even if you are, I’m about to show a simple solution to build your immune system and your health so that you can stay healthy – all year round!

Fortunately, I have some suggestion to help. There is no need to suffer from colds and flu for days, or weeks at a time.

A good pathogen destroyer formula contains some of the most powerful anti-viral agents in nature.

Garlic

Garlic is one of the best infection fighters available for both bacterial and viral infections. One of its many ingredients, allicin, is a natural antibiotic that does not appear to create resistant bacteria strains. In addition, fresh garlic extract has been shown to be virucidal to many viruses.

Garlic possesses the ability to stimulate the immune system. It can stimulate the activity of the macrophages (white blood cells), which engulf foreign organisms, such as: viruses, bacteria, and yeast. Furthermore, garlic increases the activity of the T-helper cells (immune cells which are central to the activity of the entire immune system). Garlic may be particularly effective in treating upper respiratory viral infections due to its immune-enhancing properties and its ability to clear mucous from the lungs

The same component that gives garlic its strong odor is the one that destroys, or inhibits various bacteria and fungi. The component is allicin, and when crushed, combines with the enzyme allinase and results in antibacterial action equivalent to 1% penicillin.

Garlic is also effective against strep, staph, and even anthrax bacteria

Onion

Everything that’s been said about Garlic can be said about onion. Onions and garlic share many of the same powerful sulfur bearing compounds that work so effectively as anti-viral and anti-bacterial agents.

Ginger

Ginger has been traditionally used to treat colds and flu. Chinese studies have shown that ginger helps kill influenza viruses, and an Indian report shows that it increases the immune system’s ability to fight infection.

Olive Leaf Extract

Olive leaf extract has a long history of being used against illnesses in which microorganisms play a major role. In more recent years, a drug company discovered that in vitro (test tube) an extract from olive leaf (calcium elenolate) was effective in eliminating a very broad range of organisms, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and yeast/mold/fungus.

Habenero and Horseradish

These are stimulants that quicken and excite the body. They energize the body (helping it to marshal its defenses against invading viruses). In addition, they help to carry blood to all parts of the body.

They are also diaphoretics and thus help raise the temperature of the body, which increases the activity of the body’s immune system.

Horseradish, in partidcular, contains volatile oils that are similar to those found in mustard. These include glucosinolates (mustard oil glycosides), gluconasturtiin, and sinigrin, which yield allyl isothiocynate when broken down in the stomach. In test tubes, the volatile oils in horseradish have shown antibiotic properties, which may account for its effectiveness in treating throat and upper respiratory tract infections. At levels attainable in human urine after taking the volatile oil of horseradish, the oil has been shown to kill bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections, and one early trial found that horseradish extract may be a useful treatment for people with urinary tract infections.

Liquid Ionic Zinc

Like colloidal silver, liquid zinc is anti-bacterial and anti-viral, but without the potential toxicity issues found with silver. Zinc is found in all body fluids, including the moisture in the eyes, lungs, nose, urine, and saliva. Proper zinc levels offer a defense against the entrance of pathogens. In the 1800’s, surgeons used zinc as an antiseptic/antibiotic after surgery; they noted its amazing healing properties. Wounds would heal, at times, as quickly as 24 hours after an operation, without swelling, and scarring was barely noticeable after a short period of time.

Oil of Wild Mountain Oregano

Numerous studies have shown wild mountain oregano oil (not to be confused with the oregano found in your kitchen) to be a potent antimicrobial. It has been proven useful as an antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal agent rivaling even pharmaceutical antibiotics such as streptomycin, penicillin, vacnomycin, nystatin, and amphotericin in it’s ability to eliminate microbes. Remarkably it accomplishes this without promoting the development of drug resistant strains and other problems often attributed to the use of standard antibiotics. In addition to this already impressive list of abilities Oregano Oil is also a powerful parasitic expellant.

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grapefruit seed extract was originally developed as an antiparasitic, but studies quickly showed that it had the ability to inhibit the growth of not only parasites, but fungi, viruses, and bacteria as well. The active ingredients of grapefruit seed extract are non-toxic and are synthesized from the seed and pulp of certified organically grown grapefruit. The process converts the grapefruit bioflavonoids (polyphenolics) into an extremely potent compound that is being used to kill strep, staph, salmonella, E. Coli, candida, herpes, influenza, parasites, fungi, and more.

Apple-Cider Vinegar

ACV (Apple-Cider Vinegar) serves several functions in the garlic tonic formula:

• It’s the tincture medium for the formula, as opposed to alcohol (which is the tincture medium in an immune tonic).
• ACV is anathema to all kinds of germs that attack the throat. In effect, it acts like a sponge and draws out throat germs and toxins from the surrounding tissue.
• And finally, ACV stimulates a condition called acetolysis — in which toxic wastes that are harmful to the body are broken down and rendered harmless.

Using Garlic Tonic

At the first sign of a cold or flu, start taking your garlic tonic. Take 3-10 droppers-worth every hour in juice. Tomato juice works great. All of the garlic and onion and “hot” stuff in the tonic make it taste like a Snappy Tom. (For sore throats, make sure you let it wash down the throat.) Keep taking until you finish the bottle.

Take in conjunction with an immune tonic and look for the cold or flu to break in 24-hours!

Now that your read to the bottom: Here are some remedies that have help (if not healed) along the way.

• ACV Tea – warm water with 1-2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, juice of 1/2 lemon, and 1 tsp of honey
• Throat Soother Tea – warm water with 1 tbsp ACV, juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 tsp honey, 1 inch cube ginger (grated and juiced squeezed), and pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Gargling with warm salt water with pinch of cayenne pepper added – spicy but it’s an awesome antibacterial.
• Neti pot (using warm salt water) to clear out blocked sinuses.
• Drinking kombucha daily for it’s terrific probiotics. Kids also receive their infant probiotics.
• Increasing vitamin D3 intake (close to 10,000 IU/day)
• 2-3 tbsp fish oil daily
• Halls throat lozenges (just got these last night)
• ColdFX – I’ve never tried if before so I’m giving it a go.

All of these weapons are in addition to eating a healthy diet.

Feel free to hijack these remedies if you’re feeling a little under the weather. Each of them plays an important role in supporting your immune system, lowering inflammation, and killing off bacterial/viral infections.

The last week or so clients have been coming down with the sniffles, a slight sore throat, and some good old greenish boogers.

Typical signs that our bodies are fighting something.

But hey, it’s that time of year – at least that what the statistics tell us.

As you know, I attempt to remedy most everything naturally. I’ll tell you why that’s important a little later in this post (with some shocking images) but here’s a glimpse of some of the things I’ve been doing to prevent this “sickness” from getting worse…and hopefully nipping it in the butt:

• ACV Tea – warm water with 1-2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, juice of 1/2 lemon, and 1 tsp of honey
• Throat Soother Tea – warm water with 1 tbsp ACV, juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 tsp honey, 1 inch cube ginger (grated and juiced squeezed), and pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Gargling with warm salt water with pinch of cayenne pepper added – spicy but it’s an awesome antibacterial.
• Neti pot (using warm salt water) to clear out blocked sinuses.
• Drinking kombucha daily for it’s terrific probiotics. Kids also receive their infant probiotics.
• Increasing vitamin D3 intake (close to 10,000 IU/day)
• 2-3 tbsp fish oil daily
• Halls throat lozenges (just got these last night)
• ColdFX – I’ve never tried if before so I’m giving it a go.

All of these weapons are in addition to eating a healthy diet.

Feel free to hijack these remedies if you’re feeling a little under the weather. Each of them plays an important role in supporting your immune system, lowering inflammation, and killing off bacterial/viral infections.

Now, here’s why I’m so adamant about going about all this naturally…

Two nights ago, I spent close to 30 minutes at Rite Aid to find some suitable cold/flu/sore throat remedies.

To my dismay (but not surprisingly) 99% of the options were absolutely atrocious. Why?

Because they were loaded with either boat loads of acetaminophen (like Tylenol), which destroys your digestive tract, or unnecessary additives like aspartame and food dyes.

Here are some examples:

Buckley’s complete cold and cough. However, upon looking at the ingredient list I almost lost my dinner. 325mg of acetaminophen in just ONE teaspoon! That’s almost as much as is found in Tylenol extra strength. No thank you! I should mention that the acetaminophen is only found in their “flu” formulations.

Check out the product info from their website:

Notice the CAUTION – “…contains enough drug to seriously harm a child”. Not good.

Obviously, I passed on Buckley’s.

Now, let’s have a look at some of throat lozenges available to us. These were even worse.

First, I picked up a package of Ricola because I’ve seen their commercials over the years. I figured they might be good. The initial ingredients looked promising until they snuck in the aspartame and acesulfame-K. Might as well be drinking Coke Zero.

Again, my recommendation of NOT buying anything that see advertised on TV holds true.

When I was younger, I used to use Cepacol quite a bit. Apparently, I had a lot of throat infections when I was younger. Thank you antibiotics. Thankfully, I haven’t used Cepacol in more than a decade. This ingredient list will show you why…but you need to look all the way at the bottom where the plethora of toxic ingredients is found:

Can you count the number of toxic ingredients that proven to DAMAGE human health?

I count the following:

• acesulfame potassium
• FD &C blue #1
• FD & C red #40
• propylene glycol (more commonly used in de-icing liquids for cars and airplanes)
• sucrose

WOW!

Hopefully, this post serves as a friendly reminder that although many over the counterflu remedies (which are really drugs) put forth good intentions, they can really do more damage with prolonged use.

Stick to the recommendations I made at the beginning of this post and you should be ok. At the very minimum, they’ll help reduce the severity and duration of your cold or flu.

I want to share something with you that came up in a conversation with one of my clients…

The vast majority of good folks all around the world, perhaps just like you, are carrying a significant amount of excess weight around their mid-section.

Now, not only can this excess belly flab be demoralizing, carrying a devastating physical and emotional toll, but excess abdominal fat is even DEADLIER than you might imagine.  In fact, research has shown this type of fat to possess more potentially fatal health risks than any other type of fat¹–a reality that could very well steal decades of your life well before its time…

The fortunate news, however, is that in just a moment I’m going to show you exactly how you can begin to combat your belly fat issues with REAL science, but before I do, you first have to understand the 3 pitfalls directly responsible for CAUSING excess abdominal fat…

Cause #1? The typically recommended low-fat, high-grain diet. For decades, grains and other high carbohydrate foods formed the base of the food pyramid and the foundation for a “healthy diet”. All the while, fats were demonized.

Unfortunately, these recommendations couldn’t be further from the ideal path to a flat belly.  A diet high in wheat and other grain products inevitably leads to high blood sugar and poor sensitivity to the hormone insulin.^2,3,4 In turn, poor insulin sensitivity has been shown to be a major cause of abdominal fat accumulation.^5,6 Even worse, the more abdominal fat you gain, the worse your insulin sensitivity becomes… and thus the vicious cycle begins, often leading to out-of-control belly fat storage over time.^7,8,9

Fats, on the other hand, are instrumental in the regulation of your overall hormonal balance, including many fat-burning hormones. When you understand how to choose the right fats, replacing high-carb items in your diet such as bread, bagels, muffins, baked goods, and pasta with more of these fat-burning, healthful “fatty foods”, you’ll be well on your way to a flatter belly.

Here are 7 of my top “fatty foods” for a flat belly: Whole Eggs, Nuts (such as almonds, pecans, walnuts, and cashews), Seeds (such as sunflower seeds and flaxseeds), Avocado, Olive Oil, Fatty Fish (for example, mackerel, tuna, salmon, and trout), and Coconut Oil.

Still, none of these 7 fats qualify as my #1 fat for a flat belly, which stands head and shoulders above all of the previously mentioned fats in its ability to slim your waist and burn belly fat. You’ll want to make sure to consume plenty of this #1 belly-fat-burning fat daily, so be sure to keep reading as we’ll reveal exactly what it is and where you can find it in just a moment.

The second major cause of excess abdominal fat storage is increased levels of stress.  You see, when your body is under stress, it secretes a stress-coping hormone called cortisol. Unfortunately, increased cortisol levels have been directly linked to excess belly fat.^10,11 And it doesn’t take a whole lot to spike cortisol, either…simple subconscious worry and anxiety (which we all deal with to some degree), a busy schedule, and/or inadequate rest are enough to send cortisol levels soaring.

The third and final pitfall of increased belly fat stores is failing to consume effective levels of belly-fat-burning nutrients daily, particularly the #1 fat for a flat belly, conjugated linoleic acid. While you probably haven’t heard of conjugated linoleic acid, it’s been around since the beginning of time as this “super fat” is actually a healthy and naturally occurring fat found in beef and other dairy products such as yogurt, milk, butter, and cheese.

Beyond that, and of prime importance to today’s conversation, conjugated linoleic acid has been linked to an array of health benefits, most noteworthy being its unique ability to burn more belly fat than any other fat known to man.

Just how effective is conjugated linoleic acid at burning fat and slimming your waist?

1. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled human study (the gold standard of research design) published in the Journal of International Medical Research, 20 participants were either given conjugated linoleic acid or an imposter (in the form of vegetable oil) daily for 12 weeks. At the end of the study period, the conjugated linoleic acid group lost 20% of their body fat while the placebo group lost no fat at all.¹⁴
2. In another double-blind, placebo-controlled human study conducted by renowned Swedish researcher Dr. Annika Snedman, those receiving conjugated linoleic acid lost 400% more fat than the placebo group over the course of 12 weeks–and this was all done without any change in diet and without the implementation of a regular exercise program.¹⁵

Want more evidence? There’s no shortage when it comes to the belly-fat-blasting effects of conjugated linoleic acid…

1. A third study conducted at the University of Barcelona, Spain measuring the effects of conjugated linoleic acid intake in 60 healthy men and women age 35 to 65 found that subjects receiving conjugated linoleic acid lost significant body fat (78% of which was from the belly region) while the placebo group actually GAINED weight…¹⁶
2. A fourth double-blind, placebo-controlled human study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition with more than 175 total participants resulted in the conjugated linoleic acid group losing 8.7% of their total body fat while the placebo group once again GAINED weight. Subjects were asked not to change their diet or exercise routines during the study, further validating the intake of conjugated linoleic acid as the only explanation for the vast difference in results between the two test groups.¹⁷
3. And as if that wasn’t enough, yet another study performed by the leading research team at Upsalla University in Sweden and published in the prestigious International Journal of Obesity resulted in the conjugated linoleic acid group significantly reducing their abdominal girth in only 4 weeks, while the placebo group experienced no change in abdominal measurements whatsoever.¹⁸

Clearly, research shows conjugated linoleic acid to be the #1 fat for burning unwanted belly fat through its unique ability to naturally activate the full fat-burning potential of each fat cell, but here’s the problem: the scientifically effective amount of conjugated linoleic acid (i.e. the daily amount necessary to obtain its belly-fat-burning benefits) is upwards of 2 grams per day, an amount that makes obtaining this level a virtual impossibility through beef and dairy products alone.¹⁹

For example, in order to obtain the necessary 2+ grams per day of conjugated linoleic acid you’d have to consume:

• 12 pounds of beef
• 25 pounds of cheddar cheese
• 5 and ½ sticks of butter
• 7 and ½ gallons of milk…or…
• 79, 8-oz containers of yogurt…^20,21

…every single day of the week.

Of course, the calories contained in such large amounts of these foods would completely cancel out the fat-burning benefit of their conjugated linoleic acid content, not to mention the extraordinary expense and utter impracticality of consuming that volume of food, period.