What Vitamins Should I Take For The Flu?

1. 66

   PhoenixVposted 12 years ago

   What Vitamins Should I Take For The Flu?
   
   What Vitamins Should I Take For The Flu?

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2. 87

   Everyday Miraclesposted 12 years ago

   Zinc may help to shorten it, but Vitamin C will boost your immune system to help prevent further illness. You can always try sleeping with a cut onion near your bed too.

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3. 69

   Dr Pran Ranganposted 12 years ago

   Vitamins C and A are quite effective in flu. They both boost up the immunity of the person having flu. Zinc is also useful in cases of flu. There is a common saying that untreated flu takes a week to go and treated one takes seven days to go. The supportive management of flu only lessens the severity of its signs and symptoms.

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4. 73

   Mazzy Boleroposted 12 years ago

   It is claimed that eating coconut cream or using the oil helps, especially during the early stage when you are "sickening" for the disease.
   
   This is because coconut oil contains lauric acid, which is turned to monolaurin in the body, and this is said to dissolve the cell walls of lipid-coated viruses.  The 'flu virus is lipid-coated, as are the measles virus and HIV.  In fact, before effective drugs were developed, many people with HIV would use a porridge made from coconut to keep down the viral load.
   
   Monolaurin, however, cannot cross your own cell walls, and so is only effective in the inter-cellular spaces. What this means is that it does not eliminate the virus from the body completely but is effective in limiting its ability to multiply.  Since it takes the body 3-4 days to produce antibodies to any new antigen, the virus tends to run wild during that period.  Taking substances like monolaurin during that period therefore reduces this and makes the job of fighting the disease more manageable for the immune system. It can still help to take it later, but at that early stage it can be the most effective.
   
   If you find yourself with those first signs, it might be a good idea to make yourself some coconut ice-cream, shake or smoothie, or even make a pina colada, or a Thai curry, if you can't eat coconut cream straight.  If you really hate it, you can buy monolaurin in supplement form. Don't buy the reduced fat kind of coconut cream, as the lauric acid is in the fat.
   
   Apart from its effect on lipid-coated viruses, it is said to have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-protozoan effects, and to be useful against helicobacter pylori, listeria and giardia.  If you're interested in the scientific explanations, Doctor Mary Enig has written a lot about the benefits of coconut oil and Dr Harry Preus has published his research on them.
   
   Another hint I have been given is that if your first sign of 'flu is usually a sore throat or swollen tonsils, slowly sip some aloe vera juice (maybe a tablespoonful) and let it trickle over the sore area, as this is anti-viral.  I can't verify that this works as I haven't read any research, but I guess it can't do any harm to try it.

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5. 68

   safiq ali patelposted 12 years ago

   People keep recommending vitamins when you have flu. But factually by the time you have got the flu it is too late to take vitamins. For a good strong immune system you need to be eating a good mix foods, fruits, veg, and dairy produce each day. That eating will keep your immune system healthy enough to fight off flu each time it comes round. Also staying wrapped up warm in the winter time will help keep your body strong and more able to shake off flu. Yes wearing scarfs, coats, jumpers, and gloves when you are outside will help. But it is when you are on the inside of a house that you need to stay warm too. Consider staying wrapped up indoors so that your body keeps the cold temperature out. This will make you less likely to have flu. And if you do have flu currently wrapping up warm. eating some warm foods, and resting will do you more good that a dose of vitamins. Eat healthy daily. That is the best resistance to flu and stay wrapped up warm. If you are in the grips of flu already it is simply too late to take vitamins. Vitamins take several weeks to get into your system. Warmth, food, rest, and a good cold rememdy like hot lemon will do you the world of good and a good cough syrup if you have a cough. If you breathing is congested try some vicks to ease your chest.

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