Lynnet:

Despite my reluctance to "push" pills, potions and lotions, let me suggest dramatically upping your vitamin D3 intake (the dry stuff in capsules...and not the oil-based stuff).

Until two years ago, and for the past 15 years, I was essentially sick all the time...but worse in the Minnesota winters. I had colds, sinus crap, bronchitis, etc, pretty much constantly. My doctor checked my vitamin D3 blood levels, found them to be low and suggested that I take 2000 IU/day of vitamin D. Because I had been taking that much each day for the previous two years, I upped it to 10,000 IU/day (after doing some of my own research).

The results? I haven't been sick a *single day* since. Not even a sniffle.

I suggested that my SO try it, and she had the same results. Other than her allergies and asthma, she hasn't been sick with colds, flu, sinus, etc.

Same thing with my mom, who tried the regimen as well. Previously plagued with sinus crud and bronchitis, she's been illness free for 1.5 years now.

It *might* not be paleo, but it keeps people from getting sick. Remember -- just because it's paleo, doesn't mean it's good for you or that it can't be improved upon!

If I would have discovered this a few years earlier it would have dramatically changed my life.

Just my $.02

Good luck!

--Kirk in MN


P.S. For research, google "vitamin D council" and follow the research links....



----- Original Message ----
From: Lynnet Bannion <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sat, March 13, 2010 9:11:57 AM
Subject: Re: [PALEOFOOD] Paleo solutions to the common cold/flu?

On Sat, 13 Mar 2010 06:03:16 -0700, Jack Oughton <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> does anyone have any dietary remedies recommended to treat these things as fast as possible? I'm not too keen on the drugs and I want this affliction to go away as it's come at a time in my life where I need to be healthy :)

Chicken soup? paleo as can be, and more effective than OTC medicine.  Hot and sour
chicken soup is even more effective in my experience. ("Hot-and-sour" it
with vinegar and ground black pepper)

Hot ginger tea: Slice about 1" of fresh ginger thinly, put in 2 cups of water
with 2 tsp lemon juice and 1 tbs honey.  Simmer about 10 minutes and drink.

I have good luck with taking Cold Snap (Chinese herbal medicine) but you need to
take it at the first sign of a cold or flu for it to be effective.  Once the
virus is established the Cold Snap does not help much.

    Lynnet