Zimmerman File

Have a cold? Chicken soup is a time honored remedy for reducing cold symptoms. Grandma knew this and she insisted the soup must be made from scratch with a whole chicken and lots of vegetables. Now scientists have found out why chicken soup is so healing. They tested individual soup ingredients as well as the whole soup for immune stimulating effects. It turns out “Grandma’s” chicken soup recipe, but not canned soups, was highly effective in reducing inflammation in irritated mucous membranes such as eyes, nose and throat.¹ With 70 percent of the immune cells in the body located in the intestine, soothing one’s stomach with chicken soup does in fact benefit the whole body and “soul.” ²

Acute Infections
The common cold, also referred to as acute viral nasopharyngitis, is a mild self-limiting disease that can be caused by more than 100 different viruses. Colds have been around for centuries and are described in Egyptian hieroglyphs and the writings of Hippocrates. The names cold and warm refer to the “climates” that ancient physicians associated with certain symptoms and the environmental conditions in which they are most likely to occur. Colds have long been associated with a cold season and the name has stuck even though they can occur at any time of the year.³

Colds are the most commonly occurring infection in adults (2-4 per year) and children (6-10 per year). They contribute significantly to lost work and school days. One-third of patients visiting a physician for cold-related symptoms leave with a prescription for antibiotics, even though they are not effective against viruses. Such over prescription of antibiotics has contributed to an alarming increase in strains of antibiotic resistant bacteria and rising medical costs to treat them.⁴  Fortunately, there are effective nutritional therapies that can boost the healing effects of chicken soup.

Vitamin C has been recommended for colds since the 1940’s. A significant body of research has shown that the vitamin in doses of 200 mg. or more per day does not prevent colds, but may reduce their duration and severity. Vitamin C has antihistamine effects and is a potent immunomodulator.^5,6 Its effects can be enhanced by polyphenols such as flavonoids, quercetin and procyanidins, which are anti-inflammatory.⁷

AlliBiotic CF™ is a combination of high powered infection fighting herbs including elderberry, olive leaf, garlic, oregano oil and a purified polysaccharide called arabinogalactans. The formula is antimicrobial and immune boosting, works quickly and offers the convenience of taking just one product instead of several.
 
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is a natural remedy with antiviral and antioxidant properties due to the presence of flavonoids and anthocyanins. The remedy, which dates back to Roman times, works by modulating immune activating complexes known as cytokines.⁸ It is particularly effective against several types of influenza.⁹

Olive Leaf (Olea europea) contains polyphenols called Oleuropein that have potent anti-microbial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity.¹⁰

Garlic (Allium sativa) Allisure© is a stabilized form of garlic that contains an antibacterial agent called allicin, which is effective against new strains of hospital “super-bugs.” These bacteria pose a significant threat because they are resistant to vancomycin and other antibiotics.¹¹ Garlic has long been used to treat the common cold and is included in Grandma’s chicken soup! The stabilized garlic extract may also prevent colds.¹²

Oregano Oil (Origanum vulgare) contains potent antibacterial agents the primary one being Carvacrol, which is concentrated in the standardized extract. Carvacrol is particularly effective against Listeria monocytogenes, a nasty food borne orgnism.

Arabinogalactans (Larix occidentalis) ImmunEnhancer™ AG stimulates the killing activity of natural killer cells (NK) a select group of immune cells that aggressively attack viruses.¹³

Chronic Infection
Incidence of infection may be reduced just by taking a daily multivitamin such as NOW’s Liquid Multi or Liquid Multi Gels. Patients given a multi were able to return to work faster and did not get as sick.¹⁴ Multi formulas contain immune stimulating antioxidants and minerals including zinc and selenium that are required for a good immune response. The liquid formulas are easy on the digestive system when you’re fighting an infection and supply the necessary tools to activate immunity.

AHCC stands for Active Hexose Correlated Compound and it is an extract of medicinal mushrooms that is a natural immune stimulant. Animal studies have shown that AHCC can prevent both bacterial and viral infections.^15,16

Pro- and Prebiotics The microorganisms that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract form an important biological component of the body and there are hundreds of different types – some friendly and others – not so friendly. Intestinal micro flora ferment dietary molecules and produce important metabolites. Some metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids boost energy levels in the body. Other metabolites, primarily the byproducts produced from the breakdown of undigested protein, are toxic to the body.^17,18 Chronic sinusitis is an annoying condition that can lead to more serious sinus infections. Regular intake of a good probiotic can reduce the numbers of opportunistic staph and strep bacteria in the upper respiratory tract.¹⁹

Probiotics are live microbial supplements of “friendly flora” which improve the balance of micro flora in the gut to produce more beneficial metabolites. Lactobacillus acidophilus and other beneficial species are found in probiotic supplements as well as “live” culture yogurts. Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that selectively stimulate or inhibit the growth of intestinal microorganisms. Lactulose, fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and Inulin are examples of prebiotics. Synbiotics are supplements that contain both pro-and prebiotics to help insure the survival and growth of friendly flora in the gut.

The October Zimmerman File will present the next step in boosting your immune response by addressing the health of your digestive system.

¹Rennard, B.O; et al; “Chicken Soup Inhibits Neutrophil Chemotaxis in Vitro” Chest 2006; 118:1150-57.

²Hanaway, P.; “Balance of Flors, Galt, and Mucosal Integrity” Alternative Therapies 2006;12:52-60.

³Roxas, M.; Jurenka, J.; “Colds and Influenza: A Review of Diagnosis and Conventional, Botanical, and Nutritional Considerations” Alternative Medicine Review 2007;12:25-48.

⁴Ibid.

⁵Johnson, CS; et al; “Antihistamine Effect of Supplemental Ascorbic Acid and Neutrophil Chemotaxis” J. Amer. Coll. Nutr. 1992;11:172-176.

⁶Vojdani, A.; Ghoneum, M.; “In Vivo Effect of Ascorbic Acid on Enhancement of Human Natural Killer Cell Activity” Nutrition Research 1993;13:753-764.

⁷Bravo, L.; “Polyphenols: Chemistry, Dietary Sources, Metabolism, and Nutritional Significance” Nutrition Reviews 1998;56:317-333.

⁸Sambucus nigra monograph Altern Med Rev 2005;10:51-55.

⁹Bergner, P.; “Elderberry (Sambucus nigra, canadensis) Med Herbalism 1996-97;8:11-12.

¹⁰Caturai, N.; et al; “Differential Effects of Oleuropein, a Biophenol from Olea europaea, on Anionic and Zwiterionic Phospholipid Model Membranes” Chem Phys Lipids 2005;137:2-17.

¹¹Cutler, R.R.; Wilson, P.; “Antibacterial Activity of a New, Stable, Aqueous Extract of Allicin Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus” Br. J. Biomed.Sci. 2004;61:71-4.

¹²Josling, P.; “Preventing the Common Cold with a Garlic Supplement: a Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Survey” Adv Ther 2001;18:189-93.

¹³Jauer, J; Anderer, F.A.; “Mechanism of Stimulation of Human Natural Killer Cytotoxicity by Arabinogalactan from Larix occidentalis” Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 1992;36:237-244.

¹⁴Barringer, T.A.; et al; “Effect of a Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement on Infection and Quality of Life” Annals Intern Med 2003;138:365-371.

¹⁵Ritz, B.W.; et al; “Supplementation with Active Hexose Correlated Compound increases the innate immune response of young mice to primary influenza infection” J Nutr 2006;136:2868-73.

¹⁶Aviles, H.; et al; “Active Hexose Correlated Compound Enhances Resistance to Klebsiella pneumoniae Infection in Mice in the Hindlimb-unloading Model of Spaceflight Conditions” J Appl Physiol 2003;95:491-496.

¹⁷Fuller, R.; Gibson, G.R.; “Modification of the Intestinal Microflora Using Probiotics and Prebiotics” Scand J Gastroenterol 1997;32 Suppl:28-31.

¹⁸Elmer, G.W.; “Probiotics: Living Drugs” Am J Health-Syst Pharm 2001;58:1101-1109.

¹⁹Gluck, U.; Gebbers, J.O.; “Ingested Probiotics Reduce Nasal Colonization with Pathogenic Bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Beta-hemolytic Streptococci” Am J Clin Nutr 2003;77:517-20.