Kumek said:You’re absolutely right—it’s a philosophy. There’s no need to go hunting for scientific backing here. But that stance you took regarding foods that help or hinder the flu? It’s pure wishful thinking, not science. I’m just pointing that out "for the record." Not looking for a fight, per se. Just thought it should be noted.😉
By the way, I barely eat any of the stuff you listed. Last time I even touched an antibiotic was probably twenty years ago, if that. As for the flu or a common cold? I can't remember the last time I was sick—maybe fifteen years back. Actually, let’s just say I haven't been sidelined by anything in over fifteen years. Not even a sniffle. So, does that mean I can conclude my diet is more effective against the flu than yours? Or should we follow your logic and assume your child’s health is strictly a direct result of what they eat?
Kumek, unfortunately, my kid doesn't exactly share your rock-solid immune system. It's much more fragile, frankly. He spent the entire past week stuck at home—again—dealing with yet another viral bug. 😢
I’ve laid out exactly how I attempt to bolster Markić’s immune system—basically by stripping away everything that tears it down. And no, I didn't just pull this information out of thin air. This isn't guesswork. It's based on actual textbooks, published research, specialized courses... direct conversations with doctors. It comes from eleven years of meticulous tracking, documenting what actually helps him and what only makes things worse. Does anyone really think you gain that kind of insight without putting in the work?
When I actually put what I've learned into practice? I get results.
Yeah, my son only took the antibiotics once. That was the one time he couldn't fight off the bacterial infection on his own.
We managed to fix most other ailments through diet, herbal teas... just staying put at home.
If I had actually given him medicine every single time he was sick... who knows what his kidneys or liver would even look like by now?
I’ve started looking at things from a different angle lately. Specifically, his health. Is it even worth worrying about? Maybe.
And that brings us to the other methods. I think it’s worth laying them all out right here. Everything from diet and specific tea selections—and the reasoning behind them—to why someone might opt for inhalation or certain essential oils. Why go with cabbage compresses for the lungs? Why hold off on breaking a fever, and under what specific circumstances is that actually a valid move? Let's get into it.
It’s frustrating. Given the current state of my finances, I can't exactly upgrade him to a premium diet right now. Hopefully, as I move up the ladder at work, things will shift. But until then? If I can't afford those high-end, nutritionally dense specialty brands—which are outrageously overpriced, by the way—the next best thing is simply cutting out the junk that’s actively harming his health. That has to be enough for now.
I just called you out... and look at that reaction. So much for being subtle. This is exactly the kind of response I was expecting.
I don't need any explanations or clarifications. I'll present my own findings when and if I feel like it. Do whatever you want with that.
Sugar... adding to what placidfox55 already pointed out...
Sugar basically breaks down into three main categories: monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides. Simple enough, right?
Glucose is a monosaccharide—the simplest form of sugar out there. It’s the easiest one for the body to absorb, moving straight into the bloodstream without needing any digestive heavy lifting. You’ll find it tucked away in plants and fruit, usually hanging out alongside fructose. Simple enough, right?
Unprocessed glucose gets sent off to be stored as glycogen in the liver. But when we indulge in our typical American dietary excesses—flooding the system with way too much sugar—the liver simply can't keep up. It hits capacity and starts dumping it back into the bloodstream as fatty acids. We all know exactly what that does to us, don't we?
Monosaccharides combine to form disaccharides. It’s basic chemistry, really. Take galactose, for instance—that simple sugar produced when your body breaks down the lactose found in milk. One thing leads to another, and suddenly you have a disaccharide. Simple enough, right?
Polysaccharides—complex sugars like pectin or cellulose—are essentially chains of monosaccharides, much like what you'd find in grains. They don't even register as sweet until they’ve been thoroughly chewed and mixed with your saliva enzymes. Because of that breakdown process, they enter the bloodstream gradually. It doesn't trigger those jagged spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels, providing a more sustained energy release instead. Plus, it doesn't leave your cells feeling dehydrated. Why rush the process?
When you flood your system with massive amounts of sugar, what are you actually getting? Aside from a spike in calories, absolutely nothing. It’s pure empty fuel. You're just putting unnecessary strain on your liver and your pancreas. And then there's the gut microbiome—refined sugar acts like a breeding ground for those nasty bacteria that end up wiping out your B vitamins. Is it really worth the trade-off?
When we consume standard industrial sugar, our bodies experience this massive "sugar rush" that demands neutralization through heavy acid production. To balance things out, the body undergoes an emergency mobilization of its mineral reserves...
What about brown sugar?
Unfortunately, most of what you see on shelves today is just white sugar with molasses tossed back in to mimic the color and flavor.
It’s the same story with pretty much any food containing sugar.
People have already dissected this guy's pros and cons on this subforum. It isn't hard to find his old threads.
Then there's flour and processed grain products. Once they hit your system, they trigger a surge of mucus in our membranes... providing the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. They just ramp up that mucus production right when we're already struggling with a cold or illness, making it nearly impossible to clear our lungs...
Mass-produced fruit juices and sodas? Just liquid sugar.
.....
and so on...