Few ailments are more frustrating than a chronic sinus infection. They’re not so debilitating that you can’t carry on with your normal activities, but they seem to make everything you do require just a little bit more effort. And they can feel nearly impossible to get rid of. If you have had a sinus infection that you treated with antibiotics and you feel better, but not quite fully back to normal, or if the infection keeps coming back, it’s time to look beyond antibiotics. These infections can be very resistant to antibiotics, so it’s important to give your body the tools it needs to kick it out for good.
A recurrent sinus infection was plaguing Julie, a 54-year-old patient of mine. She showed up to my office absolutely miserable. She was coughing up mucus, and her nose was full of it. As you can imagine, she was having trouble breathing. She had visited her Primary Care Physician and received two courses of antibiotics, which she had just finished, but hardly any of her symptoms had gone away. She was starting to wonder if she might have the flu.
It can certainly be difficult to differentiate between an acute upper respiratory infection and the flu. But the flu tends to cause symptoms that affect the entire body, such as aches, pains, fever, chills, and fatigue. A respiratory infection, in contrast, is not systemic and typically only involves the body from the neck up. What Julie had was simply a chronic infection.
It’s not uncommon for someone suffering from what appears to be a cold to be prescribed antibiotics. They may help a little, but they don’t always resolve the problem. And since the infection lingers, it can seem impossible to get rid of it. In fact, over 30 million Americans suffer from chronic sinus infections and the accompanying headaches. Chronic sinusitis is now considered the most common chronic illness in the United States. The good news is that there are many natural ways to fight off this type of infection and get rid of it for good.
Julie was feeling very uncomfortable, thanks to what she described as “mountains of mucus.” This wasn’t an unfamiliar feeling to her, as she’d been using various antibiotics and steroids for the past four years to control the symptoms of her chronic sinus infection. But they simply weren’t helping enough anymore. It was time to try something else.
We first tried N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) to reduce the viscosity of and help clear up the mucus. NAC is great not only for heavy mucus accompanying upper and lower respiratory infections, but also to help clear out congested sinuses. In fact, a study conducted in 2010 found that NAC can actually fight infections and break down biofilms, which are groups of bacteria that stick to surfaces, especially moist membranes. They’re very difficult to resolve with simple antibiotic therapies. Biofilms may be at the root of up to 60% of chronic infections. NAC makes it much harder for bacteria to stick to mucus membranes.
Once you’ve kept the bacteria from sticking, you’ll want to flush them out. Julie had tried using a saline solution in a Neti pot to flush out her sinuses in the past. She said this had given her relief for a few minutes, but it didn’t last. I recommended she try alternating using xylitol in her Neti pot and a colloidal silver spray.
Xylitol is a five-carbon sugar alcohol. It’s found naturally in plums, strawberries, and raspberries. But you’ll also find it in chewing gum, lozenges, syrups, nasal sprays, toothpastes, and mouthwashes, as it seems to be a naturally occurring mild antibacterial agent.
A reputable colloidal silver is available from Amazon. I like Dr.'s Advantage, Trace Mineral Research, and Progressive Labs. Note that it’s important to be careful when purchasing colloidal silver because some products that are actually ionic silver or silver protein misrepresent themselves as colloidal silver. The silver will help to moisturize your nasal passages. I recommend using it three times a day for a few days to help soften and thin your mucus.
In addition, for Julie’s ropey mucus, we used Kali Bich, a homeopathic remedy. She took six pellets, four times a day for three days. Then I told her to try it again after a day or two if the mucus returned. The general rule of thumb for taking homeo-pathic remedies is this: As soon as you feel a notable improvement, stop taking the remedy. If you should get an aggravation, stop the remedy. If you feel only slightly better, continue with the remedy three times a day. If after three days of the remedy, you don’t notice an improvement, this remedy is probably not for you. At this point, consult with a homeopathic expert to find the appropriate remedy.
After a few days of taking Kali Bich and a week of using the xylitol nasal wash, colloidal silver spray, and NAC, Julie reported feeling better. We then introduced two capsules of olive leaf extract twice a day for 10 days and then two capsules daily for two weeks. Olive leaf is an anti-viral compound and can help clear up any lasting symptoms in case a virus was actually the culprit after all. Olive leaf interferes with a virus’s production of essential amino acids, preventing it from spreading and replicating itself.
Soon, Julie’s symptoms disappeared altogether. A chronic sinus infection that had gotten better and worse for four years actually resolved, in Julie’s words, “completely.”
One quick note about olive leaf: Good olive leaf extract (OLE) mildly dilates the blood vessels. So if you’re on a medication of any kind, discuss with your health care practitioner. Do not use OLE with antibiotics or antifungal prescription medications because OLE sees these medications as foreign invaders and blunts their efficacy.
Julie isn’t alone in her long struggle against sinusitis. If you are struggling to keep a sinus infection out, in addition to the above remedies, there are several other steps that may help.
First, look at your diet. In Chinese medicine, the nose, the lungs, and the bowels are all connected. So if your digestion is not smooth and easy, your sinuses might get worse. It’s important to eliminate any foods that cause symptoms, get sufficient sleep (as compromised sleep leads to more inflammation), and stay away from environmental pollutants. The more you can lower your toxic load, the easier it is for your body’s immune system to focus on cleaning up the remaining infections.
Allergies and sensitivities cause tissues to become inflamed and therefore swell. As the sinuses become swollen, they are unable to drain. Dairy and gluten, especially wheat, are perhaps the most common triggers of sensitivities for chronic sinus sufferers. Dairy naturally increases mucus production. If you’re prone to sinus congestion, it’s a good idea to experiment with eliminating dairy and gluten foods from your diet and see if that helps. The bottom line is that it’s important to avoid any foods or environmental allergens that you may be sensitive to.
If nothing seems to work, it’s possible you have a chronic yeast infection. Sometimes these can be at the bottom of a chronic and recurring infection. You’ll want to consider consulting with your health care practitioner for treatment. When treated, not only will your sinuses feel better, but you may notice a general uplifting of your total health.
Of course, there are additional supplements you can take. The obvious choice is vitamin C. Take 1,000 mg of a buffered form three times a day. However, if you experience loose stools, stop taking it for a day and then resume at half dose. You can also try 15-25 mg of zinc (such as Advanced Bionutritionals Zinc Lozenges one to three times a day). The Chinese formula Pe Min Kan, is a gentle and specific remedy for clearing the sinuses (available from Amazon). Reduloxin is a safe and effective natural anti-inflammatory. Unlike NSAIDS, it bolsters immune function. Because it gently reduces inflammation and swelling, it’s very helpful in gently decreasing nasal mucus. Bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapple, is another natural anti-inflammatory. If pineapple agrees with you and your digestion, you can include it in your diet to mildly reduce inflammation.
There are also a variety of herbs in capsule or tea form, including turmeric, ginger, goldenseal (good for bacterial infections), elder berries, and fenugreek and/or thyme. Oregano oil capsules are strongly antibacterial, but some people find them to be too strong for their stomachs. Make sure you take it with food if you have a sensitive stomach. Stinging nettle tea can be particularly beneficial if you have a history of congestion and are also anemic.
If you’ve been taking antibiotics or are having digestive issues, you could consider taking a probiotic supplement and/or Integrative Digestive Formula (take two capsules twice daily with your two largest meals). This will help minimize the mucus production related to insufficient digestion.
Finally, although it can be difficult, try to take some time to rest when you’re fighting off an infection. Your body and immune system need the energy. And increased stress makes you more vulnerable to infections. You may feel like you’re wasting time, but you’ll actually gain more time in the long run if you can get rid of an infection quickly or avoid getting one in the first place. Once you do get rid of the infection, consider taking two capsules daily of MycoPhyto Complex for two months. This outstanding mushroom complex has been shown to be effective in restoring and rejuvenating immune function, especially after an insult such as the common cold, flu, or sinusitis. You can order it and many of these supplements by calling 800-791-3395.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2706612/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15869811
You Need More Than Probiotics to Restore Good Digestion
Did you know that more than 95 million Americans report symptoms such as bloating, indigestion, constipation, and gas to their physicians? And those are just the ones who aren’t too embarrassed to admit their symptoms – or are willing to go to the doctor! Plus, more and more research is focusing on the link between the more than 80 different known autoimmune diseases, affecting 23.5 million Americans, and gut health. That’s a lot of people living with discomfort.
But there is good news. Many researchers and physicians are finding that if you improve gut health, you can significantly reduce symptoms of autoimmune diseases. And if your digestion was all that was bothering you, once you get it back on track, you can likely forget about it. So if you’re tired of bloat, gas, and looking like you inherited your grandmother’s middle, don’t let another day go by before you make the changes necessary to help your gut health. Not only will you begin to feel better, your stomach will appear flatter as well — something we can all agree is worth working toward.
While focusing on gut bacteria is the usual advice you get for relieving these symptoms, there’s more to it than that. To get a healthier gut, you need to remember the three Rs: remove, replace, and recondition.
First, remove any foods from your diet that you’re allergic or sensitive to. If you aren’t sure what these foods are, you have two choices. One is to spend hundreds of dollars on an allergy test. Or you can save your money and simply eliminate as many trigger foods as possible from your diet for a month. These foods include wheat, bread, gluten, milk, and other dairy products. If you’ve noticed other foods causing digestive issues for you in the past, remove those as well. Then slowly add in foods one at a time to pinpoint what affects you and what doesn’t.
In addition, you should try to remove toxic activities and people from your life. Our mental and emotional health is far more connected to our physical health than we realize.
Next, you should replace the foods you are avoiding with vegetables, especially green ones. You also need to begin replacing the bad bacteria in your gut with good bacteria. Probiotics will help you create an environment that’s not friendly to bad bacteria. They will not only strengthen your digestion, but also boost your immune system, making you less vulnerable to common infections and allergens. Probiotics also appreciate the company of prebiotics, which come from a type of fiber found in certain grains, onions, raw asparagus, raw garlic, and raw bananas. Prebiotics and probiotics work together to help keep your digestion running smoothly. You can take probiotics in supplement form or increase them through your diet by eating fermented foods such as sauerkraut, healthy pickles, and kim chi.
Finally, you need to recondition your system. Try using an all-encompassing digestive aid, such as Integrative Digestive Formula (800-791-3395). After only one month of using this formula, many patients report being more relaxed, slimmer, and generally feeling more comfortable throughout their digestive tracts.
Our digestive health affects us constantly, whether we’re awake or sleeping. And it really isn’t that hard to make these changes, especially when you consider what the benefits could be. If your digestion is less than optimal, put the three Rs to work for you.
Nutrition Detective
Reduce Triglycerides and Other Cardiovascular Disease Markers With Beets and Hawthorne
You’ve heard me talk about nitric oxide in the past. This great little molecule can improve your circulation, blood pressure, energy levels, memory, and even sexual performance. It’s a powerful tool against aging. Plus, our bodies make it naturally. Unfortunately, there’s a catch.
As we get older, it becomes harder and harder for our bodies to produce nitric oxide. In fact, by the time you’re in your 70s, you’ll be producing 75% less nitric oxide than you were in your 20s. Naturally, researchers and doctors, myself included, want to find ways to restore your nitric oxide levels.
With some natural products, you can just take a supplement. Think of multivitamins. With nitric oxide, it’s not so easy. That’s because nitric oxide is a gas. And you can’t just capture it in a pill. You have to give your body what it needs to make nitric oxide on its own.
That’s what researchers tried to do
for a study published in Nutrition Research. They wanted to come up with a natural
supplement, so they combined beetroot, which contains nitrate, with hawthorn berry, which produces nitrite. They hoped that these sources would continue a chain reaction to produce nitric oxide in the body and help improve people’s cardiovascular systems.
To investigate this, they recruited 40 participants ages 40 or older who had three or more of these risk factors: hypertension, obesity, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and a family history of cardiovascular disease. They had them take either the supplement or a placebo twice a day for 30 days. And the supplement did indeed help. Of the patients with elevated triglycerides, 72% experienced a statistically significant drop after 30 days. This shows that a naturally derived product can help boost nitric oxide and improve cardiovascular risk factors.
Of course, if you’ve been a reader for long, you already knew that. That’s because you know about CircO2® (800-791-3395). Like the supplement in this study, CircO2® contains beets and hawthorn. But more than that, it contains l-citrulline to help with the nitric oxide conversion. It also contains vitamin B12 to help your cells process the nitric oxide, vitamin C to make the nitric oxide available to your cells, and magnesium to keep your heart rhythm healthy and help prevent calcium from building up in your arteries.
Plus, CircO2® doesn’t come in pill form. That’s because nitric oxide production starts in your mouth. Our bodies need saliva and bacteria to help create nitric oxide. So if you swallow a pill, you don’t give the saliva time to work. Instead, CircO2® is a lozenge. The lozenge melts slowly in your mouth and helps you maximize the amount of time the ingredients have contact with your saliva.
It’s one of the best ways I know of to naturally increase circulation and energy levels as you get older.
LETTERS
Q: I’m having a hard time keeping my blood sugar down. Will this make me more susceptible to cancer? – Gretchen F., via email
Dear Gretchen,
Unfortunately, yes, the higher your blood sugar and insulin are, the more susceptible you are to most inflammatory health issues, including cancer. If for example, you had gestational diabetes, you are at least 5 times as likely to develop pancreatic cancer.
Researchers recently found in a 13-year study, that women having the highest glucose levels were 60% more likely to develop breast cancer. Another significant piece of research included 33,293 women. The researchers in this study measured fasting glucose and post-meal glucose. They found those in the highest ranges were 75% more likely to develop cancer.
In general, those with higher glucose, especially diabetics, are at greater risk. Amongst diabetic women, there is a 22% increase of susceptibility to breast cancer.
Overall, low glucose equals better protection against cardiovascular disease, weight gain (especially around the middle), and reduction of cancer risk.
If you’ve adjusted your diet to avoid carbohydrates and sugars, and your blood sugar is still high, then I recommend trying Advanced Blood Sugar Formula. Taking two tablets before bedtime should help bring your blood sugar down. You can order Advanced Blood Sugar Formula by calling 800-791-3395.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22490407
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21847538
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21413010
Q: I used to have a thick curly mop. Now it’s wispy, frizzy, and my scalp is showing. I’m 82. Is there anything that will bring me a healthier head of hair at this age? Or keep it from getting even thinner? – Dot B., Seward, AK
Dear Dot,
You may want to try 5,000 mcg of biotin daily for three months and see if that makes a change. In addition, Dr. Frank Shallenberger has developed a formula called Healthy Hair & Nails (800-791-3395) that has been shown to help in renewing hair. The recommended dose is five capsules daily, but I think you could easily use two capsules twice daily and see if there’s a change. If you choose the formula, you will not need additional biotin, as the formula contains biotin.
Q: I would like to take a Biosil supplement for hair, skin, and nails. But my doctor told me not to take it because I have Collagenous Colitis. He says it would make my problem worse. What do you think? – Irene L., Redford, MI
Dear Irene,
I think your doctor is providing you with good advice. You may want to look into the Healthy Hair & Nails product I just mentioned. If you’re concerned with your digestion, you may want to begin with one capsule twice daily and each week increase by one until you get to two capsules twice daily. The recommended dose is 5 capsules daily, but I think with your sensitive digestion you might do better with a bit less.