With the winter approaching it always seems like it’s the doorman for colds and flu.  Colds are caused by thousands of different viruses whereas the flu, or influenza, is caused by a strain of virus.  This is why there is no known treatment to cure the cold, nor the flu.  In the case of the flu shots a virus strain is being guessed at and introduced at a low level to build immunity that is to stop it before it takes hold, instead of trying to treat it after infection.  If it's a different strain the shot will make no difference.

Many times physicians will prescribe antibiotics for ‘curing’ a cold virus when it has no effect at all on a virus.  Typically bacterial secondary infections happen, such as upper respiratory infection which can be treated with antibiotics but it’s not treating the virus, just the bacteria.   Usually the one-two punch of both can seriously sicken or kill a human so it’s nothing to ignore.  That’s where rest is critical for survival vs. taking a pill to quicken the relief.

The best way to treat a cold or the flu is not to get it in the first place.  Building a strong immune system is key. This is where building up and maintaining one’s immunity is the step to less sickness.  This is not just a matter of taking a handful of supplements and skipping rest, exercise and eating right:  It’s a complete life change.

One of the most effective immune boosters and preventer of colds is raw garlic  (Josling P. Preventing the common cold with a garlic supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey. Adv Ther. 2001;18:189-93) and not because it makes everyone stay away from you.

This time of year seems to always give pause to reflection on the past year and plans for the next year.  Why not think about taking the next big step in your life?    For those of you that have help someone you know, not be criticizing but encouraging a healthier lifestyle.  If you nag someone they will think that’s what happens when you’re healthy.  ;)

Chlorella is a single celled fresh water green algae that is eatable. It contains high levels of protein and essential amino acids. Chlorella has been used for centuries in Asia but it was not really until post World War II that research began on the nutritional qualities of Chlorella in the West. It was looked at as a possible food source for humans in a rapidly expanding world.

LUBITZ, J. A. (1963), The Protein Quality, Digestibility, and Composition of Algae, Chlorella 71105. Journal of Food Science, 28: 229–232. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2621.1963.tb00189.x

Freeze-dried Chlorella 71105 was found to contain 55.5% crude protein; 7.5% crude fat; 8.25% ash; 7.0% moisture; 17.8% total carbohydrate; 3.1% crude fiber; 2.68% chlorophyll; and .08% urea.

To be sure a high protein content is not enough to guarantee a healthy meal.

Chlorella pyrenoisdosa also contains high levels of Carotene, Thiamin, Ribflavin, Niacin, Pyridoxine, Pantothenic acid, Choline, biotin, vitamin B12 and Lipoic acid

Curtis and Tompkins, San Francisco. Data from Stanford Research Institute, Development of Chlorella culture process. Final Report on SRI Project No. 191, prepared for Research Corporation (Mar.1950) (a) pp. 19, 20 (b) Appendix H

Research is also showing some exciting results in treating Fibromyalgia, a paper in Alternative Therapies in Health Medicine. Virginia Commonwealth University, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, VA 2001 May-Jun;7(3):79-91, A review of recent clinical trials of the nutritional supplement Chlorella pyrenoidosa in the treatment of fibromyalgia, hypertension, and ulcerative colitis.

A double blind trial was performed with the results that "daily dietary supplementation with chlorella may reduce high blood pressure, lower serum cholesterol levels, accelerate wound healing, and enhance immune functions."

Some other extensive information can be found on Chlorella detoxification from this study,

Effect of Chlorella vulgaris intake on cadmium detoxification in rats fed cadmium

You Jin Kim, Sanghee Kwon and Mi Kyung Kim

Department of Nutritional Science and Food Management, Ewha Womans University, 11-1 Daehyeon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-750, Korea.

This study aim  was to investigate if dietary Chlorella vulgaris (chlorella) intake would be effective on cadmium (Cd) detoxification in rats fed dietary Cd.  Many of the references in the study are very useful when researching Chlorella and green algae.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2788181/?tool=pubmed

Industrial societies suffer from continuous exposure to toxins in everyday life. The air we breath is assaulted on a daily basis with pollutants and depending on where you live in the world it can be as bad as the 19th century London where coal was burned exclusively and the air was thick with 'London Fog". In many post industrial nations the environmental toxins are more hidden with some leftover from the industrial boom. Heavy metals in fish, drinking water contaminated from energy exploration, powerful electro-magnetic fields and radiation from nuclear power plants. Coal is still around and heavily used to generate electricity although much better filtered than in the past it contributes to CO2 formation affecting the earth's temperature. With all the health challenges faced by modern people it's no wonder why many are left wondering how they will not only survive but prosper.

Many of these toxins build up in our bodies in small amounts that later help weaken the body's immune system. Chronic conditions may be encouraged to settle into our bodies if some action is not taken. Action can be drugs that hide the symptoms but do nothing for the cause, or, specifically detoxification of the body based on Biological medicine processes.

Biological Medicine has three steps to reversing this buildup of toxins:

1. Proper diagnosis and evaluation

2. Identify and remove barriers that hold back the healing process in chronic illness

3. Detoxification and organ drainage therapy

Biological Medicine offers a wide variety of alternative therapies including herbology, homeopathy, nutrition, chelation, oxygen and many others. These are all known for their ability to support and restore the body's structure and internal organs, with a balance between body, mind, and spirit.