Scott Luper, N.D. is a naturopathic physician with a general practice in Canby, Oregon. He is employed with Tyler Encapsulations in Gresham, Oregon. He is currently doing research on the role of glutathione and glutathione precursors in HIV disease. He graduated from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1994. And recently published in the Textbook of Natural Medicine, Bastyr University Publications.

Taking good care of one's self and keeping healthy can be a fairly straight-forward process for most people. For many people the basic formula for good health is as simple as eating a balanced diet including plenty of fruits and vegetables, exercise, do good work and be happy. But for some groups of people, special care must be taken to stay healthy. The respiratory system in particular is at increased risk for life threatening infection in some populations. People with weakened immune systems need to take special care in maintaining good respiratory health. 

The average Joe or Jane takes a medication that stops sniffling, sneezing, stuffy head, aching, etc., of a cold or flu. And by and large the medications perform as advertised. Aspirin and acetaminophen decrease achiness and fever, the cold medicines dry up mucus membranes and the antibiotics kill bacteria. Unfortunately (or not if you're a drug manufacturer), the medications do nothing to prevent the cold, flu or sore throat from returning.

As a naturopathic physician I have been taught some principles and practical approaches to the prevention and treatment of illness that have served me and my patients well. These principles form the foundation of an effective approach to the treatment and prevention of respiratory illness, especially for at-risk populations. They are as follows:

1. Rely on the healing power of nature: The best we can do in the treatment of illness is to work with and not against the healing process. Our best chance to restore and maintain good health is to work with the healing process and further the innate drive to restore homeostasis. The object in most cases is to identify and remove the obstacles that block the healing process.

A cold or flu, in its beginning stages, is actually a detoxification reaction by the body. The body is ridding itself of the virus, bacteria and cellular debris associated with the infection. Inhibiting this process with a cold or flu medication is actually working against the body's best attempt to rid itself of the disease (and in many cases may actually prolong the illness). Taking medications to stop the symptoms of a cold or flu may make you feel better but it is inhibiting your body's best attempt at restoring your good health.

Taking a decongestant for a cold will usually clear up a stuffy nose. Unfortunately it will also stop the body's attempt to clean the nasal passages. A logical and effective alternative to taking an over the counter decongestant is to drink ginger tea which actually stimulates and thins the mucus discharge, allowing it to drain more freely and eventually restoring the ability to breathe through your nose by accentuating the body's healing response.

2. Prevention is better than cure: The old adage is true. Proactive is better than reactive. Strengthening the immune system is much more than bringing up white blood cell counts, it includes maintaining mucus membrane integrity, supporting adequate circulation and nutrition, and being happy. Studies have demonstrated that one's sense of joy and happiness has a profound effect on immune function.

3. Know thyself: Self-consciousness proceeds in two directions, inwardly with an awareness of the body's processes and outwardly with an awareness of one's place in the big picture. Cultivating both is vital to maintaining optimum health. This principle cannot be over-rated and supersedes the previous two.

How to decrease colds, flu, & infections

1. Support digestive function: The foundation of good health is good digestion, or to put it in other words, good health is impossible without good digestion. Unfortunately, poor health decreases the capacity to maintain good digestion and so a vicious cycle often occurs in persons with chronic illness. The sicker one becomes, the poorer becomes the digestion and the sicker one becomes. 

The naturopathic strategy for breaking this vicious cycle is fairly straight-forward. It consists of two parts, first identify and avoid irritants to the digestive system. For example, food allergies and food sensitivities, most drugs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories such as aspirin and Tylenol and antibiotics are some of the worst), alcohol and parasites. Secondly, support digestion and gastrointestinal repair by supplementing substances that have been shown to heal and protect the digestive tract.

Fortunately much is understood about how to support the digestive process and to heal the digestive tract. For example, L-glutamine has been found to be necessary for maintaining the health of mucosal cells that line the digestive tract. L-glutamine supplementation (from 1 to 20 grams/day) increases the number and integrity of the cells that line the digestive tract. L-glutamine is used to supplement patients following intestinal surgery or intestinal radiation. Tyler Encapsulations recommends the following protocol for optimizing digestive function.

	Tyler Encapsulations Permeability Protocol:
	Similase 0/00, 2-3 capsules with meals, digestive enzyme supplementation.
	Permeability Factors 0/00, 2 capsules three times daily between meals, mucosal support.
	Oxyperm, 1-2 caps three times daily with meals, protection against gastrointestinal inflammation and toxemia.
	Enterogenic Concentrate, 1 tsp with 8 oz. water three times daily, beneficial bacteria supplementation.
	Fiber Formula, 1 tbs with 12 oz. water 2-4 times daily, Insure adequate fiber intake.

2. Support immune function: Persons with damaged immune systems need to support immune function to optimize their protection against respiratory illness. The object is to optimize immune cell function and longevity. Lymphocytes from HIV infected individuals have an increased tendency to commit cellular suicide (apoptosis). This is thought to be due in part to depleted intracellular glutathione levels. Glutathione is a molecule that possesses many beneficial characteristics including detoxification, antioxidation, DNA repair and redox regulation of protein function. Glutathione or glutathione precursors may be orally supplemented and have been shown to improve long term survival in HIV+ adults. HIV+ adults should also consider receiving a single dose of 23-valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine (BIII). This will provide some protection against drug-resistant S. pneumoniae infection.

	Immune support supplements:
	General high quality vitamin mineral supplement
	Vitamin C, 1000 mg/day or more
	N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) or glutathione, 300 mg/day in three divided doses. I recommend Tyler Encapsulations' Recancostat as a source for glutathione, 1-2 capsules three times daily between meals.
	Thymus gland, 1-2 capsules between meals daily.

What to do if you get sick anyway

1. Eat lightly: It is common for appetite to be diminished with illness. The body seems to be diverting energy away from digestion toward fighting the infective organism. Follow the wisdom of your body by eating lightly or not at all in the early stages of the illness.

Avoid foods which lead to an increase in mucus viscosity or over-production of mucus. Milk and dairy products commonly increase mucus production and should be avoided during the infection (if not avoided altogether). Sweets, such as pastries and candies, slow down white blood cells function and should also be avoided.

2. Rest: This advice is difficult to follow for many people. They ignore the early signs of the illness and continue to work until they "drop". Assist the body's healing response by resting with the first signs of illness and give your body the chance to focus its energy on fighting the illness.

3. Drink plenty of fluids: This standard advice works. The process of detoxification can be supported with large amounts of filtered water and herb teas. New studies have shown that the old remedy of chicken soup aids in expelling mucus and quickening recovery.

4. Take immune-boosting supplements and homeopathics: All the following recommendations are adult dosages. Consult your physician regarding dosages for infants and children. Vitamin C: Take 500 mg every 3-4 hours with a small amount of food. Cut back on dosage if stools become loose. Vitamin A: Take 10,000 IU 3 times a day. Women who are pregnant should not take high doses of vitamin A as the fetus can be affected. Zinc: Take 30 mg once daily with a small amount of food. High doses (greater than 45 mg/day) should be avoided in HIV+ individuals. Oscillococcinum: Homeopathic remedy. Take 3-6 pellets half an hour before or after food every 6 hours at the first onset of flu or cold symptoms.

5. Take immune-enhancing herbs: Echinacea (Purple Cone Flower); Hydrastis (Golden seal); Commiphora Myrrh (Myrrh); Trifolium (Red Clover); Ligusticum (Osha); Astragalus (Chinese radish); These herbs can be taken as teas (3-5 cups/day), tinctures (3- drops 4x/day), or in freeze-dried capsules (2 caps 4x/day). Garlic has proven to be very effective against viruses and bacteria. Raw garlic works better than encapsulated garlic as less is needed. Use 1 to 3 cloves per day, chopped and swallowed with a little water or in soup.

6. Hydrotherapy: Applications of alternating hot and cold water have been shown to have a remarkable effect on increasing circulation and improving immune function. In my experience, few treatments are as effective in assisting the body to fight respiratory infections. Throat or chest compress: Warm the throat or chest with a warm washcloth or hot shower. Dry the skin thoroughly and apply a thin cotton wrap (to throat) or thin cotton T-shirt (to chest) that has been soaked in cold water and wrung out so that it is not dripping wet. Cover this with a wool scarf (for throat) or wool sweater (for chest). Go to bed this way. By morning the wrap or T-shirt will be dry. This treatment increases circulation and increases the white blood cell activity. Hot foot bath: Soak feet in hot water while wrapped in a warm wool blanket. Put a cold cloth on your head and relax while you sit in a comfortable position for 10-15 minutes. Take care to avoid getting chilled after this treatment.

Specific treatments for sore throats & sinusitis

Sinusitis: Steam inhalation. Breathe over a pot of steaming hot water (not boiling water!), and drape a towel over your head to prevent steam loss. A quarter teaspoon of Eucalyptus or Bitter Orange oil can be added to increase effectiveness. If you are not using a commercial steam inhaler, be very careful not be burn yourself.

Local water therapy: Place a hot, moist towel over sinus area for five minutes. Then place a cold, moist towel over the sinuses for one minute. Repeat this cycle 3 times. This can be done three to four times a day. Remember to always start with hot and end with cold.

Herbs for sinusitis: Hydrastis (golden seal) is the most effective herb for acute bacterial sinus infections. It comes in several forms. I find it is most effective as a tea. Use dried root; simmer 1 to 2 teaspoons per cup of boiling water for 5 minutes or steep 15 minutes. Drink 1 cup, 4 times daily. Caution: Pregnant women should not take Golden Seal. Echinacea may be used in the same dosage as Golden Seal. They may be taken together. Maintaining respiratory health demands great care and attention for people with damaged or weakened immune systems. Following the above guidelines can maximize good health and minimize vulnerability to respiratory infections.