Coughs, Colds &
Flu Research
Diet & Lifestyle
Elderberrys
& Coughs, Colds & Flu
A disturbing fact about influenza is that is kills over
seventy thousand people in north america each year - which is more than the AIDS virus!
This is nothing new, as The Spanish flu between 1917-1919 killed twenty-two million people
globally, which was more than World War I’s final death-toll.
The first influenze virus was recognised in 1933, and three
strains (A, by far the most potent, responsible mostly for epidemics, B and C), and its
symptoms are generally well known: chills, aches, fever, runny nose, coughs, headaches
etc. In elderly and weaker patients the risk of pneumonia is a common problem.
Many remedies, not least of which is the flu vaccine, have
attempted to combat flu, but now researchers are looking into the use of Elderberrys to
prevent flu continuing to be a problem.
As viruses are unable to duplicate like bacteria, they have
to invade a healthy cell in order to do so. The virus has many protein spikes on its
surface which it uses to adhere itself to the cell where an enzyme helps break down the
cell wall, where it replicates. The active ingredient of elderberries binds itself to the
spikes and also helps prevent the enzyme’s action.
The main problem facing researchers is the constant
shifting of viral strains. The infamous swine flu is said to have evolved from a virus in
wild geese and a farmer, hosted in a farm pig. This new virus has no immunity, and
therefore an epidemic is likely in the future.
Many studies have recently been undertaken with elderberry
and seven other existing vaccines (which are only effective on known strains) and
elderberry was successful on all strains. Further tests are now being conducted on other
viruses such as chicken pox and AIDS.
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Vitamin C
& Coughs, Colds & Flu
Researchers are now providing conclusive evidence showing that if you want a natural
supplement to help prevent colds and coughs this winter, vitamin C may hold the answer. In
fact, the latest research has demonstrated that vitamin C can also help alleviate symptoms
and assist in the recovery of even the more serious respiratory infections, including
bronchitis and pneumonia!
A study earlier this year conducted at Addenbrooke's
Hospital, the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine (1), has demonstrated
that vitamin C can help protect against both for respiratory infections and cardiovascular
disease.
The researchers monitored 96 men and women aged 65-74 years
living in their own homes who consumed between 65mg and 90 mg of vitamin C every day. The
results showed that vitamin C levels were positively associated with a reduction in
respiratory infections - the people who consumed the most vitamin C experienced
significantly fewer chest complaints. The researchers also found that an additional 60mg
of vitamin C could reduce the risk of heart disease by ten per cent!
A further randomised double-blind trial conducted at
Huddersfield University (2) came to the same conclusions. Fifty-seven elderly patients
admitted to hospital with acute respiratory infections (bronchitis and bronchopneumonia)
were split into two groups - the first to receive a daily 200 mg tablet of vitamin C, and
the second group to receive a placebo tablet.
This relatively modest oral dose of vitamin C led to a
significant increase in plasma and white cell vitamin C concentration - even in those
patients suffering from acute respiratory infections! Needless to say, those patients who
received vitamin C supplements fared significantly better than those who just received the
placebo tablet.
(1) Khaw KT; Woodhouse P Interrelation of vitamin C,
infection, haemostatic factors, and cardiovascular disease. Clinical Gerontology Unit,
University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital.BMJ (ENGLAND)
Jun 17 1995, 310 (6994) p1559-63
(2) Hunt C; Chakravorty NK; Annan G; Habibzadeh N; Schorah CJ The clinical effects of
vitamin C supplementation in elderly hospitalised patients with acute respiratory
infections.Food & Nutrition Department, Huddersfield University. Int J Vitam Nutr Res
(SWITZERLAND) 1994, 64 (3) p212-9
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Vitamins C and E
& Coughs, Colds & Flu
A study conducted at the Department of Community and
Environmental Medicine, University of California, has revealed that vitamins C and E can
protect our lungs against environmental pollutants.
Observing the response of patients with and without
supplementation, the researchers found that the adverse effects to the lungs caused by
various airborne pollutants including cigarette smoke can be prevented by both vitamins C
and E.
Vitamin C was found to be more effective in preventing
damage caused by some gases and vitamin E seemed to fare better against others, both
together were found to help prevent lung diseases including bronchitis, asthma and
emphysema caused by limiting damage caused by exposure to gases and air pollutants.
Menzel DB. Antioxidant vitamins and prevention of lung
disease. Department of Community and Environmental Medicine, University of California,
Irvine 92717-1825. Ann N Y Acad Sci (UNITED STATES) Sep 30 1992, 669 p141-55
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Vitamin A
& Coughs, Colds & Flu
Researchers in Poland believe that vitamin A can be
particularly helpful for people who suffer from chronic bronchitis. In a recent controlled
study of sixteen patients, all suffering from chronic bronchitis, the researchers found
that blood counts associated with infection and inflammation of the chest and lungs
significantly improved when vitamin A supplements were taken. All patients showed improved
symptoms, especially those who were non-smokers.
Jankowska R; Passowicz-Muszynska E; Banas T; Marcinkowska
A; Medrala W
[The influence of vitamin A on production of oxygen free
radicals and activity of granulocyte catalase in patients with chronic bronchitis].
Katedry i Kliniki Chorob Wewnetrznych i Alergologii AM we WrocLawiu. Pneumonol Alergol Pol
(POLAND) 1994, 62 (11-12) p628-33
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Zinc
& Coughs, Colds & Flu
Zinc lozenges can significantly reduce cold symptoms
according to a large clinical study conducted at the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, USA. 100
employees of the Cleveland Clinic participated in the study, enrolling within 24 hours of
developing symptoms of the common cold. Half of the participants were given zinc lozenges
containing 13.3 mg of zinc (gluconate) while the other participants received placebo
lozenges.
Each participant consumed an average of 5 lozenges daily
and the results revealed that the average (median) recovery time in which all of the cold
symptoms had disappeared was 4.4 days whereas those in the placebo group took an average
of 7.6 days to recover.
The researchers believe that the zinc may help prevent cold
viruses replicate, especially in the nose and sinuses. However, the report warns against
longterm ingestion of large doses of zinc as it can lead to imbalances in other minerals
in the body.
Mossad, Sherrif B, et al. Zinc Gluconate Lozenges for
treating the common cold. Annals of Internal medicine. July 1996 :125 ; 2, 81-88.
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