It all started when I read someplace that the amino acid, L-Lysine, was helpful for preventing tooth decay.  Since one of the side-effects of the corticosteroid drugs I have to take for Addison’s Disease has been tooth decay, I tried it out.  Though it didn’t help with that problem, I noticed that I was no longer getting colds in the winter (I don’t get flu anyway — at least not since college).  As I researched this further, I ran across the work of the late Linus Pauling, Ph.D. and Matthias Rath, MD on the role of l-lysine, l-proline and vitamin C in preventing infections.

Though about everybody knows about vitamin C’s role in this regard, the lysine and proline connection was something new to me.  All three of these nutrients strengthen the body’s connective tissue.  In order to get a bacterial, viral or fungal infection the connective tissue must become weakened and penetrable.  But if the connective tissue remains strong, it provides a barrier to these common infections. I personally use a product combining all three of these nutrients called Collagen Forte (available from Pacific Health Center at http://www.pacifichealthcenter.com/shop/pid-370-info.html).

A few years ago I also found out about an amazing product called Celtic Sea Salt, written about in Better Health Update #56 (http://www.pacifichealthcenter.com/blog/56-celtic-sea-salt/) and now available from Pacific Health Center (order at http://www.pacifichealthcenter.com/shop/cid-56-1-info.html).   I learned that at the first sign of a possible cold to take 1 tsp. of Celtic Salt in a cup of hot water and drink, particularly at bedtime.  Many times I’ve had the symptoms gone when I woke up the next morning.  This product can also be used for Nasal Flushing, as discussed in Better Health Update #62 (http://www.pacifichealthcenter.com/blog/62-nasal-flushing/).  These approaches are also helpful if you already have a cold or the flu.

Speaking of flu, for several years Pacific Health Center has recommended homeopathic flu prevention as an alternative to unsafe, ineffective flu shots.  The product we currently use is Flu Nosode (available at http://www.pacifichealthcenter.com/shop/pid-875-Flu_Nosode.html).  For flu prevention it’s just taken once/week generally from October through April.  Though I can’t guarantee that you won’t get the flu by using this product, after several years of using this I only recall one client who did.  I would add that conventional medicine won’t guarantee that you won’t get the flu when you’ve had the flu shot.  In fact, 20 or 30 percent of the people who do get the flu did have a flu shot!  What can I say?  It’s a huge con in my opinion.

Would love to hear your comments and experience with these products (or others) for cold and flu prevention.

Monte Kline, Clinical Nutritionist