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Dr. Menen’s Traditional Chinese Medicine Corner
When the immune system is challenged by seasonal changes or viruses/bacteria in our environment, Chinese Medicine believes that the Lung Channel needs to be strengthened to fight these challenges to our system. Interestingly, diet, lifestyle and emotions play an equally important role in maintaining the health of any Channel. For the Lung, sweets and bananas will challenge the immune system nutritionally; lying down will challenge this Channel from a lifestyle perspective; and sadness/grief weaken the Channel emotionally. This is a vicious cycle—so the person eating sweets will often feel like lying down and will often experience sadness. Or the grief-stricken person will feel like eating sweets (often comfort foods) and feel like lying down.
To build and strengthen the Lung Channel, one can use herbs (my favorite is Astragalus – which, unlike Echinacea, can be used in the early or late stage of a cold). The nutrition can be changed from a Chinese Medical approach to eliminate bananas and sweets (which often cause phlegm, and definitely decrease the strength of the immune system). Peppermint and Ginger tea can be used to move the blood and energy in the Lung Channel and the actual Lung Organ. Swimming as an exercise is also very helpful in building up the Lung Channel and should be incorporated into a person’s lifestyle if possible. And my favorite approach to strengthening the Lung Channel – acupuncture!! Acupuncture can strengthen any Channel/Organ in the body; however, it is only lifestyle and nutrition that will keep the individual strong independently – I believe that one should never become dependent on acupuncture to treat what might be possible to do with diet and lifestyle, as this indicates an individual’s inability or unwillingness to become autonomous in their own health care.
Dr. Appelmann’s Nutrition Corner
Well, summer has come to a close and the fall season is upon us. Here are a few suggestions on how to boost the protective ability of your immune system.
Nutrition: Maintain a diet with foods high in vitamins and minerals (your fruits and vegetables). Your protein intake is also very important. Proteins are the building blocks for all of our cells including those of our immune system. Chicken, turkey, cold water fish such as salmon, protein shakes or bars (whey, soy or rice), tofu, etc. are all healthy protein choices. Avoiding sugars and sweets is key. Simple sugars tend to depress immune function. Next, take some extra vitamin C and zinc. Both are essential to immune function. A buffered, non-time-released form of vitamin C is best. Zinc should always be taken with food in order to avoid stomach upset. Too much zinc, however, can actually depress the immune system so always check with your naturopathic doctor or nutritionist as to how much is right for you.
Herbs: Echinacea and goldenseal can be very effective in helping to fight off a cold and reduce symptom intensity and duration. Starting these herbs at the first sign of a cold or flu is the most effective. These herbs should not be taken on a regular basis, as again, they can act to depress the immune system if taken over an extended period of time. Prolonged use can even lead to sensitivity reactions, similar to allergic reactions, to these herbs.
Exercise: This helps to increase your metabolism as well as put your body into a healthy “frame of mind”. This increases your energy level and helps your body’s natural defences to work at their best. When suffering from a cold or flu, however, it is a good idea to reduce the intensity of your workouts or postpone them so that your body’s energy can be directed at helping your cold rather than helping you run that extra mile or push that extra weight.
Finally, hand washing. Don’t become paranoid of “germs” every time you step out the door but if you think of it when returning from a public place, washing your hands can go a long way, especially if there’s a cold “going around”.
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