Protecting Yourself During Cold & Flu Season
Supporting your immunity during cold and flu season can have extremely high benefits. I will share that my family and I are not necessary fans of flu shots, and we opt to not receive them. Instead, we focus on natural ways to support our immune systems. Below is a list of nutrients, their functions, and supplements that I recommend you concentrate on when looking to support your immune system naturally. It also works very well for those with active viral and bacterial infections. You can use this protocol at the first sign of cold and/or flu like symptoms, or for general maintenance support.
Vitamin C – I recommend Detox C Powder or Detox C Tabsules
Hundreds of research studies illustrate the important role that vitamin C plays in immune function. Many of these studies show benefit and protection of vitamin C in those infected with different viral types. Research has shown that vitamin C can help reduce the duration of the common cold. Detox C is a high potency vitamin C formula for those looking to boost their immune system.
How Much to Take:
For Immune Support & Maintenance – Take 2 grams (2,000mg) of vitamin C per day. That would be either 2 Detox C Tabs/day with food OR 3/4 tsp of Detox C Powder/day with food.
For those with cold or flu symptoms – Take 5 grams (5,000mg) of vitamin C per day. That would be either 5 Detox C Tabs/day, in divided doses, with food OR 1 3/4 tsp of Detox C Powder/day, in divided doses, with food.
Zinc – I recommend Ultra Zinc
This mineral has more than 300 enzymatic functions in the human body. Many of these functions revolve around the immune system. Some of them include regulating the immune cells that help destroy viruses and bacteria, some include regulating the maturation and response of immune cells as a whole. Studies have shown that zinc supplementation shortens the duration of the common cold. The effect of zinc supplementation is enhanced when given with other vitamins and minerals.
How Much to Take:
For Immune Support & Maintenance – Take between 25-50mg of zinc per day. That would be 1-2 Ultra Zinc Tabs/day, in divided dosed, with food.
For those with cold or flu symptoms – Take between 75-100mg of zinc per day. That would be 3-4 Ultra Zinc Tabs/day, in divided dosed, with plenty of food.
N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine – I recommend Ultra NAC 500
NAC is an essential Amino Acid and it is a critical building block for the master antioxidant glutathione. It has been known to help reduce the symptoms of respiratory issues by loosening the mucus in your air pathways. This powerful amino acid is one of the most effective ways to potentially help reduce the symptoms of the cold or flu, and can even help shorten the length of time you’re under the weather.*
How Much to Take:
For Immune Support & Maintenance – Take 1,000mg of N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine per day. That would be 2 Ultra NAC 500 caps/day, preferably on an empty stomach.
For those with cold or flu symptoms – Take 2,000mg of N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine per day. That would be 4 Ultra NAC 500 caps/day, in divided doses, preferably on an empty stomach.
Quercetin – I recommend Ultra Q
The quercetin dihydrate in Ultra Q is the most absorbable and bioavailable form of quercetin available. It is a plant based bioflavonoid that supports healthy allergic & inflammatory responses, and it is well known for its antiviral and antioxidant benefits. One of the unique research proven properties of Quercetin is that it acts as a zinc ionophore. That means that it helps push zinc into cells where it can inhibit viral replication.
How Much to Take:
For Immune Support & Maintenance – Take between 1,000-2,000mg of quercetin per day. That would be 1-2 Ultra Q Tabs/day, in divided dosed, with or without food.
For those with cold or flu symptoms – Take between 3,000-4,000mg of quercetin per day. That would be 3-4 Ultra Q Tabs/day, in divided dosed, with or without food.
Botanical + Nutrient Blend – I recommend Virid
Using a powerful combination of key nutrients and botanical extracts can help provide immediate support for immune challenges. Immune boosting nutrients include L-lysine, Vitamins A, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, Pantothenic Acid, and Zinc. Combined with a synergistic blend of botanical extracts black elderberry, astragalus, echinacea, and andrographis, all of which have been used traditionally for their clinically effective immunomodulating properties. Virid helps soothe throat irritations and promotes healthy inflammatory balance by increasing antioxidant levels throughout the body.
How Much to Take:
For Immune Support & Maintenance – Take 2 capsules of Virid per day, with or without food.
For those with cold or flu symptoms – Take 2 capsules every 2 hours, with or without food. Do not exceed 8 capsules/day.
Vitamin D – I recommend Liquid D3
Numerous scientific studies show the benefit of vitamin D on immune function. A research review recently published in the Harvard Gazette showed that vitamin D helped to protect against both colds and flu.
How Much to Take:
For Immune Support & Maintenance – Take between 2,000-5,000IU of vitamin D per day. That would be 2-5 drops of Liquid D3/day.
For those with cold or flu symptoms – Consider a higher dose, like 10,000IU of vitamin D per day. That would be 10 drops of Liquid D3/day, in divided doses.
Or, Consider a Vitamin D Therapy Protocol – I recommend Ultra D3
This is a high dose vitamin D therapy that lasts for 6 days. It works very well to help support natural immune function and is best used at the first sign of cold or flu. You should consider seeing your doctor to have your 25 OH D levels (a simple blood test) measured as well.
This therapy has been used for years by doctors for many years and is very safe. However; it is contraindicated in people with kidney disease, sarcoidosis, or high blood calcium levels. If you have a kidney disease or abnormally high blood calcium, you should contact your doctor before attempting this therapy. You should also not perform this therapy more than 3 times per year without consulting your doctor.
How Much to Take:
For adults that weigh 150 pounds or more:
- Day 1, 2, and 3 – Take 150,000IU of vitamin D per day. That would be 3 capsules/day of Ultra D3.
- Day 4, 5, and 6 – Take 100,000IU of vitamin D per day. That would be 2 capsules/day of Ultra D3.
- Discontinue…
For adults that weigh less than 150 pounds:
- Day 1, 2, and 3 – Take 100,000IU of vitamin D per day. That would be 2 capsules/day of Ultra D3.
- Day 4, 5, and 6 – Take 50,000IU of vitamin D per day. That would be 1 capsule/day of Ultra D3.
Conclusion
I hope that you find this information helpful. Of course, feel free to use your preferred supplements if you are certain they are free of all gluten (including rice and corn). If you want to take action and save 15% on some of these formulas, make sure to check out the Ultimate Immune Bundle.
Please note that these supplements are in no way intended to treat your illness, and I would highly encourage you to partner with you immediate doctor to confirm that these recommendations are suitable for you.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.
Additional References:
- Carr AC, Maggini S. Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients. 2017;9(11):1211.
- Ran L, Zhao W, Wang J, et al. Extra Dose of Vitamin C Based on a Daily Supplementation Shortens the Common Cold: A Meta-Analysis of 9 Randomized Controlled Trials. Biomed Res Int. 2018;2018:1837634.
- Schwalfenberg G. Vitamin D for influenza. Can Fam Physician. 2015;61(6):507.
- Zhou, Jian, et al. Preventive Effects of Vitamin D on Seasonal Influenza A in Infants: A Multicenter, Randomized, Open, Controlled Clinical Trial. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2018;37:749–754.
- Sandstead HH, Prasad AS. Zinc intake and resistance to H1N1 influenza. Am J Public Health. 2010;100(6):970–971.
- Hemilä H. Zinc lozenges and the common cold: a meta-analysis comparing zinc acetate and zinc gluconate, and the role of zinc dosage. JRSM Open. 2017;8(5):2054270417694291.
3 Responses
Hello Dr Osborne!
Thank you very much for this email, the information is very good! God bless you and your family, and your business.
It really works!!
I have used the high-dose vitamin D, plus Virid, plus vitamin C (all the doses listed for when you have cold or flu symptoms) at the first sign of a cold, and it really works! When you are 61 years old, you know what it feels like when you are starting to get sick, and this either stops it cold, or I just get minimal symptoms for a couple of days and it is gone. I first did this back in maybe 2015 or 2016, so since then I always make sure I have these things on hand. I have probably needed to do the protocol every year at some point, especially since life has gotten rather crazy for me in the past few years, dealing with a parent with dementia and a husband with cancer, and extra stressful times sometimes lower our immunity. Anyway, I highly recommend the protocol I’ve done, and I may try to add some of the other supplements as well. I more recently started taking the regular doses of NAC and quercetin, so I can now add the higher doses to the protocol when needed as well.
stop eating manufactured food, drink rich in refined sugar, that reduces white blood cells needed to fight virus.
as I did now I no longer get flu and no longer get ugly cold sores I always got during flu season