By Nurse Mark

It seems there is nothing that can make folks feel more miserable than the common cold.

Most folks feel so awful when they have a cold that they become convinced that they are suffering from “the flu.”

This is so common that many people tend to use the terms interchangeably – to most folks, “cold” and “flu” are one and the same.

That’s too bad, because the differences are really very important – influenza (the flu) can be a life-threatening illness. A cold is not.

That is not to minimize the suffering that accompanies the common cold – it is a truly miserable experience – but it is called the “common cold” for a good reason – it affects people frequently and commonly – old and young, rich and poor, no one is spared.

How to know the difference between a “flu” and a “cold”? Here’s a chart that will help.

Here’s another look at colds and flu, and at whether or not an antibiotic is something that you really need: Hurry – Get An Antibiotic Before You Don’t Need It!

And for those of you who just want to know “What can I do about it?” here’s the short course:

1.) Eat an Immune-Boosting Diet. The two major dietary causes of immune suppression are sugar intake and food allergies.

• Sugar suppresses the activity of white blood cells for up to 5 hours. Avoiding sugar is the most important dietary step you can take to strengthen your immune system.
• Food allergies weaken the immune system. Check out the symptoms of food allergy to see if this might be a problem for you.

2.) Practice simple home and hygiene techniques.

• Wash your hands frequently. You don’t need expensive "hand sanitizers" – simple, pure soap is fine and silver gel like ASAP 365 – 24 ppm Silver Gel is a highly effective, safe, everyday, natural healing alternative to chemical-laced hand sanitizers.
• Cover your mouth and nose — preferably with a tissue — when you sneeze or cough.
• If you are sick take the day off!
• Keep your house humid.
• Get regular exercise – it stimulates the immune system.

3.) Strengthen your immune system with supplements.

• Take an optimal potency vitamin/mineral supplement every day.
  Here are the nutrients of particular immune-enhancing importance, and they should all be found in a good multiple nutrient formula:
  * vitamin C
  * vitamin E
  * beta carotene
  * vitamin A
  * vitamin D
  * zinc
  * selenium
  (Please Note: These nutrients and more are found in optimal amounts in Dr. Myatt’s Maxi Multi vitamins)
• Supplement with additional immune-boosting herbs including Echinacea, astragalus, medicinal mushrooms (Maitake, Shiitake, Reishi), Ligustrum, Goldenseal and Garlic. Learn more about Dr. Myatt’s Immune Support formula .

If you do catch something, start Dr. Myatt’s Acute Immune Protocol right away.

• B.A.M. (Broad Anti Microbial)
• Immune Boost
• Bromelain
• Vitamin C
• Whey protein
• selenium

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