Keeping the Cold and Flu Away

Tis the season, the sniffles, runny nose, and colds and flu tend to come back this time of year. Make sure everyone has the nutrition they need to boost their immune system.

Many people are deficient in zinc, selenium, iron, the B vitamins (including folic acid), vitamins C and D, and beta-carotene, and people who lack any of these tend to have weakened immunity to colds, the flu, and other diseases. Multivitamins and antioxidant formulas are the best way to prevent colds and the flu before they start. Supplementing with these types of products provides the nutrients that our immune systems need to effectively support health and wellness. Several studies have found that getting enough of the proper nutrients can restore normal immune function and reduce the risk of infection as well. For example: in a Canadian study, a multivitamin/mineral supplement taken daily for one year strengthened the body’s defenses and reduced the risk and duration of infection.

If you do come down sick, taking an herbal supplement containing Echinacea (commonly known as “purple coneflower,”) at the first symptoms of a cold or flu can speed the recovery time. The herb helps boost the body’s production of a virus-fighting substance called interferon. If you've already got the aches, congestion, or fever common to colds or flu, echinacea can cause these symptoms to be less severe and to subside sooner.

Instead of taking just one dose of echinacea per day while ill, recent studies suggest the best results came from taking several doses of echinacea within 24 hours of the first symptoms of a cold or flu, and then continuing to take several doses of the herb each day for 14 days. In most cases, echinacea will help the cold and flu clear up 1-4 days earlier than normal.

Goldenseal is an herb that is often combined with Echinacea. It has been used for centuries to treat a variety of problems. When taken internally along with echinacea, goldenseal tea is believed to boost immunity and reduce the risk of minor wounds becoming infected. Goldenseal's properties as both an anti-infective and mucous membrane anti-inflammatory may be helpful in easing the sinus problems that come with being sick and speeding up the healing process.

A relative of licorice and the pea plant, Astragalus can give a powerful boost to the immune system, and has a reputation for improving overall health by working to stimulate the body’s production of antibodies. This helps the body to fight off the viral and bacterial infections that are responsible for causing colds, the flu, bronchitis, and sinus infections.

- Physician’s Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines. Second Edition. “Echinacea,” “Goldenseal,” and “Astragalus.”
- Whole Health MD Supplement Library. “Echinacea,” “Goldenseal,” and “Astragalus.”
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/
- Council for Responsible Nutrition. ”Benefits of Nutritional Supplements."
http://www.crnusa.org/00benefits_toc.html

BIOMETICS’ complete line of advanced liquid nutritional supplements provide vital nutrients in a highly absorbable form. BIO FUEL contains 100% of the US Daily Values of many essential vitamins and minerals, to support complete nutrition and antioxidant protection. BIO IMMUNE contains the herbs Echinacea, Goldenseal, Astragalus, plus Vitamin C and Zinc to support natural immune function.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

http://www.mybiolink.com/biofuelenergy # 87324