Super Immunity

Vitamin D is unique: it is more like a hormone than a vitamin and is not readily found in our food supply. That’s why it is often called the sunshine vitamin

respected Cochrane meta-analysis) concluded that once a person had a cold or flu, zinc supplements significantly reduced the severity of cold symptoms as well as the length of illness.32 Among people taking zinc within twenty-four hours of the start of symptoms, the risk of still having symptoms at the seven-day mark was about half that of those not taking zinc. The review found that not only did zinc reduce the duration and severity of common cold symptoms, but regular zinc use also worked to prevent colds, leading to fewer school absences and less antibiotic use in children. In preventing colds, zinc supplements taken for at least five months reduced the risk of catching a cold to only two-thirds that of people not taking the supplements

There has been research on this popular plant extract with nonhuman subjects. Resveratrol has been shown to prolong life and reduce the rate of aging in worms, fruit flies, and yeast. In rodent studies it has been shown to have anticancer benefits.27 It has also been shown to have antiproliferative effects on human cancer cells, and in a human controlled trial it was shown to decrease inflammatory markers after a high-fat meal.

If you are immune-challenged or susceptible to infections, consider a resveratrol supplement on a regular basis.

healthy adults, even a dose of 4 grams daily (the equivalent, typically, of eight extrastrength tablets) can cause liver function abnormalities; and lower, more standard dosages can cause digestive tract problems. Acetaminophen has also been shown to increase the risk of major cardiovascular events: heart attacks, congestive heart failure, and strokes

can cause liver damage even if taken in the recommended dosages, though in most of the documented cases of liver failure and death it was given or taken in a mistakenly elevated dose

Acetaminophen is more toxic than ibuprofen and is effective for only four to five hours anyway

illness on to others, for a longer period.15 Most important, according to a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, the more we take these drugs, the worse we get and the longer we remain ill.16 The use of aspirin and acetaminophen was associated with suppression of neutralizing antibody response and increased nasal symptoms and signs.

Fever is a positive sign that the body is fighting the infection. When we suppress fevers with medication, we counter our body’s ability to fight the illness. In fact, in animal studies, as temperature goes up, viral “load” comes down. Treatment with antipyretics (fever reducers) also prolongs viral “shedding,” meaning that we are contagious, potentially passing

Repeated use of antibiotics over time can set the stage for recurrent infections and turn what might have started out as a minor illness into a more serious disease with a virulent bacteria at a later date. If you take antibiotics when they are not indicated, you increase the likelihood that you will develop an infection later on when they will be necessary