Echinacea, Zinc & Vitamin C - Ounce of Prevention Nutrition Shoppe

Welcome to Ounce of Prevention's Words On Wellness. Discussion in this issue will focus on antibiotics and how they work. We will also discuss several products that are readily available without a prescription that can help you live a happier and healthier drug-free life.

Antibiotics: Do They Work?
The word antibiotic literally means "against life." Antibiotics are extremely valuable drugs when used appropriately; however, current research shows that antibiotics are dangerously over-utilized.
Antibiotics work against bacterial infections; they do not work against viral infections. Unless a complete laboratory analysis, i.e., throat culture, blood test, etc., is performed and the causative bacterium responsible for producing your infection is found, it is impossible to arrive at the correct antibiotic. What usually occurs is that "broad-spectrum" antibiotics are prescribed. This type of antibiotic will eliminate a wide range of bacteria. When prescribed, it is usually not known what type of bacterium is causing your infection, or even if it is a bacterium (remember, antibiotics do not eliminate viruses). Instead, one is speculating about what's causing your infection and hoping that a broad spectrum antibiotic will take care of it.
Since broad spectrum antibiotics work against many different types of bacteria, they can eliminate "friendly bacteria" which are organisms living inside you normally and contribute to your good health. Without friendly bacteria, local and systemic secondary infections and diseases, improper nutrient absorption, food allergies, suppression of your immune system and more may occur, causing you to take another antibiotic to fight off an infection that resulted from your taking the previous antibiotic!
Another problem that has developed because of overuse of antibiotics is that bacteria reproduce and mutate so rapidly that they develop immunity to antibiotics. This results in antibiotics being useless against some bacteria. The real danger with this scenario is that if a person overuses antibiotics, that person actually becomes a breeding machine for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These resistant bacteria may then infect a non-abuser of antibiotics and though this person does not routinely use antibiotics, he or she has the same difficulty fighting the infection with antibiotics because the bacteria are already resistant! This isn't a good, or for that matter a fair, scenario, and has extreme potential to cause everyone difficult times in the not-so-far future.
So, the next time you get the sniffles, you may be wise to think twice before you take that antibiotic. If your sniffle is caused by the common cold, think twice again because the common cold is caused by a virus and as you now know, antibiotics do not work against viruses!

Echinacea: A Natural Alternative to Antibiotics
Colds, flu and inflammations of one kind or another are problems that we all suffer from occasionally. Fortunately, there are many common herbs that are available that can help fight these problems by strengthening the immune system. One of the most outstanding herbs is Echinacea. Echinacea, also known by its common names of purple cone flower, cone flower and black sampson, grows mainly in the western United States from Illinois to Nebraska and southward through Missouri to Texas. Echinacea does not offer a quick cure, or for that matter a cure at all. The benefits of Echinacea are obtained from the components found in the herb that stimulate the immune system which results in your body being able to put up a better fight against bacterial and viral infections, inflammation and illness. This is in contrast to drug antibiotics that allow your immune system to not work at all. This results in the typical "use it or lose it" syndrome. If you don't use your body's natural abilities to fight infections and illness, these natural abilities will deteriorate to a point where you may never gain use of them again. This is extremely detrimental to good health. Since Echinacea stimulates your body's natural defenses to infection, illness and disease, your natural defenses will become stronger and better able to fight off potential health problems.
Echinacea is used as an extract, in tea and in capsule form. The extract is easy to use and effective. For acute conditions, such as the beginnings of a cold or other viral and bacterial infections, 15-20 drops of liquid extract may be taken every waking hour for two to three days or if you prefer, encapsulated dry extract may be taken according to the "rule of threes:" Three capsules taken three times a day for three days. If symptoms persist, repeat for another three days and if necessary, another three days. For strengthening your immune system, 10-20 drops of liquid extract may be taken twice a day for two to three months or, if using capsules, one capsule a day for three to four months works well. Also, Echinacea extract may be applied topically to areas of localized inflammation, abrasions and open wounds. Not only will Echinacea stimulate healing of the problem area, it also works as an analgesic, providing pain relief to the area where applied. Please note that although Echinacea is safe and you cannot overdose on it, if taken every day you will run the risk of developing an immunity to its beneficial effects. For this reason, it is advisable to not take Echinacea every day indefinitely. If you do wish to take an immune-enhancing herb along with your everyday supplements, an herb called neem will work well. Neem is similar to Echinacea but may be taken every day indefinitely. (Neem is available at Ounce of Prevention.)

The Mineral Zinc
Recently, tremendous attention has focused on the use of a common mineral for combating the symptoms and reducing the duration of the common cold. This mineral is zinc. Although the idea of using zinc for battling the common cold has been around a long time, it has just recently caught the attention of researchers. Although it is not claimed that zinc will prevent a cold, multiple studies indicate that zinc dissolved slowly in the mouth may decrease the duration of the common cold by as much as 50 percent!

Vitamin C
In addition to the products mentioned above, consider taking plenty of vitamin C. As is the case with zinc, vitamin C may not prevent or cure the common cold, but studies have shown that it may decrease the severity and/or duration of colds by increasing the body’s resistance to infection. Most adults can tolerate 500 to 1000 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C taken three times a day with no undesirable side effects. If you have an acid stomach, esterified vitamin C is readily available.

All statements made have not been evaluated by the FDA. All statements are based on studies and/or research, are for informational purposes only and are not intended to diagnosis, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The nutritional supplement discussed in this newsletter is not a drug and should not be used as a drug or in lieu of drugs prescribed by your physician. Always consult with your physician before taking any pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements.