Natural remedies for the flu and boosting immunity

slyraven82 said:nimbledriver81 actually seems a bit lost here—or, if he does know, he clearly doesn't grasp the physiological fallout of hitting the system with monosaccharides versus polysaccharides... you know, the specific metabolic reaction triggered by one versus the other—especially when you weigh the impact of eating a single cookie against the quantitative equivalent of a cup of rice.

It strikes me that you haven't spent all that much time hanging out on this forum. 😉 This whole debate has been dragged out across various threads—from the cosmetics boards to the Women's Corner, and even over in the Career section.
And since we're talking about rice—personally, I’d much rather go with vegetables. There are just so many more beneficial nutrients packed into them! 😁

Kyle Nelson2 said:I get the feeling slyraven82 belongs to some sect where taking medication is strictly forbidden... maybe Jehovah's Witnesses?

I’ve taken more than my fair share of meds myself, but I don't think they're the enemy...

And as for eating healthy? I don't find it nearly as expensive or complicated as people make it out to be.

If describing what I do—or rather, what I *don't* do—leads to these kinds of conclusions, then clearly my writing is abysmal. I must be incredibly vague and poor at explaining things... which makes me wonder why I even bother trying to share my experiences with people who might actually benefit from them.

So, how old is the little guy, and what's he actually dealing with?

rustymoose54 said:Look, Angela Kelly, anyone can mess up their cookware once in a while. Why are you getting so worked up? Good grief, I wasn't trying to insult you.

Besides, spreading misinformation about health and meds is potentially DANGEROUS. Stopping the lies and actually trying to give people the right info is vital for the general public. Or don't you agree? 🙂

And that's just facts... which is why I spent forever digging through scientific papers. I mostly stick to sources from US, British, or Canadian state-run universities specializing in alternative medicine.
Did you even know that over in the UK, Medicare—well, their version of it—actually covers homeopathic hospitals? Patients can choose to go there instead of using standard methods, and it's all covered by insurance.

nimbledriver81 said:Some of us actually do that, honey. But it’s not exactly a walk in the park.

And for the love of God, stop saying VACCINE. My ears are literally bleeding at this point, and trust me, I’ve heard enough nonsense in my life to know when it's grating.
And FYI "strain" means variant
"solution" means answer

You just love to hear yourself talk, don't you? Not just here, either. Nobody’s telling you to shut up, you just won't.

I’ll speak however I want. I use the word vaccine because it's the actual English word—vaccine—and solution...
plus all the scientific papers I look at use those terms.

Angela Kelly said:I’m going to say things my way... I find myself gravitating toward terms like "vaccine" not because of any political agenda—far from it!—but simply because the English terminology, like "vaccine" and "solution," feels more intuitive to me...
plus, all the scientific papers I've been digging through use that exact vocabulary...

Oh, please. And what exactly defines a "scientific paper" in your book? 🙄

Angela Kelly said:That’s just facts... I’ve spent ages digging through scientific papers... mostly sticking to stuff from state-run universities in the UK, the US, and Canada that focus on alternative medicine.
And did you even know that over in the UK, Medicare—well, their version of it—actually covers homeopathic hospitals? Like, if patients want to ditch the standard treatments, they can just go to a homeopathic clinic and have it all paid for by insurance.

Good grief, listen... trying to prevent the flu and "carrying" autoimmune diseases have absolutely zero connection. Why won't you just admit you totally missed the mark here? 🙄

I mean, what's the point of reading all those scientific studies if you don't actually get the basics? Look, don't get me wrong, it's not a crime—you just clearly didn't get the formal training because you're busy doing other things with your life—but hey, that's why schools and universities exist for a reason.

Hey rustymoose54, I know this isn't really the place for this, but honestly, he's such a joke!
Every single time I read his stuff, I have to go back and read it twice. At first, I think I've misread it and thought he was saying someone had an "active brain," but then I re-read it and realize he's actually just calling them an active pumpkin!

Anyway, please keep going, I'm loving reading all your posts.

rustymoose54 said:For God's sake, preventing the flu and living with autoimmune diseases have absolutely nothing to do with each other. Why can't you just admit you're dead wrong?🙄

What’s even the point of reading scientific papers if you don't grasp the basics? Look, I'm not trying to be mean, it's not a crime—you just clearly lack the necessary background because you spend your life doing other things. But hey, that's why schools and universities exist.

I don't have the energy for this back-and-forth.
Let me be clear—I started this thread to learn more about alternative treatments... or those remedies passed down through generations, etc... so I could dig deeper (based on actual research conducted by professional bodies that are properly documented) into these concepts.

Take elderberry, for example. A natural alternative to Relenza is Nature's Bounty made from elderberry.

My job has zero to do with medicine, but why should that stop me from researching these ideas? Honestly, I think everyone should be doing the same.

Second off... my logic is pretty simple: if a person's immune system is already compromised—say, by something like arthritis, severe asthma, bad eczema, fibromyalgia, etc.—they're going to be more vulnerable if they're exposed to other illnesses.

If that isn't true, then why is it that people in those "weakened immune system" groups are constantly advised to get their flu shots?

Kem: can someone give me a professional breakdown of what
'Cytokine Storm'😁 actually means... and how would we even say that in plain American English?

I guess you could say different autoimmune issues are their own thing... but then you've got stuff like asthma or allergies, which seem way more common in people who grew up in these super sterile, sanitized environments... you know, kids who didn't get hit with every little cold or flu growing up like we did.

For example...
back in my hometown in rural Iowa, nobody really even talked about ragweed allergies... mostly because that stuff grows everywhere out there anyway.

Angela Kelly said:Secondly... my whole logic here is that if a person's immune system is already compromised—say from things like arthritis, severe asthma, bad eczema, fibromyalgia, whatever—then they’re just gonna be way more vulnerable when they run into other illnesses...

If that wasn't true, why would everyone in those "weak immune system" groups constantly be talking about getting their flu shots and stuff? ..

Honey, you clearly haven't grasped a single thing despite all that Googling you're doing... 😁

I think you meant fibromyalgia...

CHRONICALLY ILL people—which includes anyone whose condition stems from autoimmune issues—really should be getting vaccinated against the flu, because their underlying condition can take a massive hit if they catch the virus (exactly like 😉 )

We're talking autoimmune diseases like lupus, certain kidney issues, Type 1 diabetes (which has zero to do with weight or eating junk), etc.

And look, there are plenty of chronic patients whose main diagnosis isn't even related to autoimmune disorders, but the recommendation for vaccination still applies to them too...

Since you're such a total "expert" in alternative immunology and all that, maybe you could actually explain to us what cytokines even are before using the "Cytokine Storm" metaphor... 🙂 😁

Shtefitza said:It's night and day... 🙄 😁

The difference is massive. Like, seriously...

1. Glucose from refined sugar—it’s osmotically active, which means it basically dehydrates your cells. You get this huge concentration of osmotically active particles all at once, pulling water out of the cell into the extracellular space, and then you just end up peeing that water out later.

That sudden dehydration irritation triggers cellular inflammation. Inflammation leads to increased oxidation, which ramps up free radical production, causing damage to various tissues, messing with DNA, and potentially even leading to malignant changes...

3) It causes an insulin spike, forcing the body to "stash" glucose as fat—basically saving it for a "rainy day" that almost never comes in modern times, so the fat just keeps accumulating.😲

4) Once that insulin spike hits and all the sugar is "cleared out," your blood sugar crashes, leaving you starving again, so you reach for the next chocolate bar or sugar cube...

5) On the other hand, glucose from whole grains is released much more slowly. You don't get that sudden cellular dehydration; instead, there's a steady release of glucose used for energy, providing just enough fuel to carry you through normal activities until your next (whole grain) meal. 🙂

Regarding all that, sugar itself isn't inherently bad, though if you overdo it, you're going to see those blood concentration spikes. If your body is functioning normally, insulin and other mechanisms neutralize that pretty quickly, and honestly, the idea that it causes such a violent crash that drags you right back to more sugar is kind of a fairy tale for kids... it doesn't happen that fast or that intensely. Look, I'm not preaching about eating unlimited amounts of sugar, but claiming it's fundamentally "harmful" is just plain nonsense.
As for whole grain flour, the only real difference is that it has a bit more cellulose than the refined stuff. Both are mostly starch anyway. It's basically the same debate as brown versus white sugar.
I think healthy eating really boils down to moderation, eating everything in balance, and obviously staying physically active. This whole obsession with "healthy" vs. "unhealthy" foods isn't really about the ingredients themselves—assuming they aren't toxic—it's more about habits, taste, and mostly just whatever lifestyle philosophy someone follows, like being a vegetarian or a vegan.
You know how the saying goes: being a vegan or a vegetarian won't necessarily make you live longer, but it will certainly feel like it's working for you...
😉

Here’s a quick story about the whole "healthy lifestyle" obsession:

I used to live in an apartment building right above this elderly couple, maybe in their early 60s. The wife was one of those people who obsessed over every single thing she ate—she thought she was some kind of health guru. Since I was doing some consulting work for big pharma companies back then, I always had an opinion or two, and she’d get all excited to pick my brain...
But... when she finally asked me what the actual secret to staying healthy was, I just told her to get moving, go for walks, and stop stressing out so much...

Her husband was always a bit of a grouch, probably because he had to drag this hypochondriac around everywhere and listen to her constant lectures on nutrition and whatever else. Honestly, his idea of a good time was just heading down to the local pub to grab a beer or something stronger with the guys...

Anyway...
The wife ended up breaking her hip first... then she had a stroke... then another stroke... and eventually, she passed away...
He isn't quite so grumpy anymore, I guess. Now he just spends most of his time at the bar, basically living there...

And look, he might end up having issues from the drinking later on, but I honestly think he lived a much healthier life than she did...

That’s why I can't stand the people who spend all day reading labels on granola boxes, or the ones who know the chemical name of every single additive in their food. They obsess over scientific studies trying to rediscover common sense that everyone used to know instinctively, wasting tons of money and resources just to prove things we already understood...
I’m also against the parents who basically deny their kids proper medical care because they’re convinced that something like an antibiotic is useless...

rustymoose54 said:You clearly haven't got a clue, despite all that Googling you've been doing, honey. 😁

Must've thought it was fibromyalgia or something.

Look, if you’re living with a chronic condition—especially those of you dealing with the fallout from autoimmune issues—you seriously need to get your flu shot. It’s basic math. If you catch the flu, your primary illness is going to take a massive hit. It’s just asking for trouble. 😉 )

Look, we're talking about autoimmune diseases here. We're talking stuff like lupus, certain kidney disorders, or Type 1 diabetes—which, for the record, has absolutely zero to do with being overweight or having a bad diet. None. Zero.

Look, even if you aren't dealing with a primary autoimmune disorder, the recommendation to get vaccinated still applies to you. There are plenty of chronic patients out there whose main diagnosis has absolutely nothing to do with autoimmune issues, but they’re still just as vulnerable. It's a valid point that shouldn't be ignored.

Since you’re acting like such an expert on the whole "cytokine storm" metaphor, why don't you start by actually explaining what cytokines are first? You know, since you're clearly the authority on alternative immunology and all that. 🙂 😁

First off, quit coming at me for no reason. Seriously. If you’ve got some kind of massive grudge or just feel like picking a fight, go find someone else to bother. I'm not your punching bag.
What I was actually getting at was... I’m dealing with fibromyalgia again. Honestly, it’s just one thing after another. It feels like my whole body is constantly under attack, and I'm just sitting here trying to make sense of it all. It’s exhausting. And don't even get me started on those Frito-Lay types...
Look, I’m no expert... that's exactly why I'm asking.
Look, I know a little bit about Cytokine Storms... and cytokines too. That's why I'm asking.

If you ask me, stress is the absolute biggest killer of your immune system. Period.

driftinggull13 said:Regarding the sugar thing, having some isn't inherently bad; if you overdo it, sure, your blood sugar spikes. But if your body actually functions correctly, insulin and other mechanisms neutralize that pretty fast. This whole idea that you get a massive crash afterward that forces you to crave more sugar is just childish nonsense. It doesn't happen that quickly or that intensely. Look, I'm not advocating for bingeing on sweets, but claiming sugar is straight-up toxic is just plain stupid.
Whole grain flour isn't that different from white flour—it just has a bit more fiber. At the end of the day, both are mostly starch. It’s the same kind of logic used for the brown vs. white sugar debate.
I think healthy eating is really about moderation, eating a variety of foods, and obviously staying active. All this obsession with "healthy" versus "unhealthy" foods isn't really about the ingredients themselves (assuming they aren't spoiled), it's about habits, taste, and mostly just a specific lifestyle philosophy, much like being a vegetarian or a vegan.
You know how people say it: if you go vegan or vegetarian, you might not actually live longer, but it'll certainly feel like you're doing something right.
😉

I think we're talking about two completely different things here... most Americans generally eat quite healthily..
But just imagine one of my days from a year ago:
Chocolate for breakfast, McDonald's for lunch, and instant noodles for dinner... day after day... mixed in with stuff I half-cooked in the microwave or just threw together..
Basically, I was living on fast food, constantly in a "rat race," stressed out and rushing around everywhere..
That lifestyle absolutely wrecked my health (because it wasn't how I lived for all those years before..) I almost got diagnosed with arthritis, my thyroid antibodies went haywire (even though my thyroid was always fine), and my white blood cell count was all messed up..
After two months of peace, quiet, and actual home-cooked meals.. all of that vanished.. I don't have any of those issues anymore (knock on wood)

Angela Kelly said:first off, quit coming at me for no reason... if you just want to fight, go find someone else to bicker with...
I was talking about fibromyalgia not some "fribo" thing...
Look, I'm no medical expert... that's literally why I'm asking questions here...
I know a tiny bit about Cytokine Storm and cytokines too... hence the questions...

In my book, stress is the absolute worst thing you can do to your immune system...

Good grief, where on earth did I insult you? 🤔

It's fibromyalgia—it's just how you say it, and hey, even I make typos sometimes...

It's cytokines, not "cikotini"...

If you’ve actually been digging through all those scientific papers you keep bragging about, I’m pretty sure any chemist’s explanation would be way too simple for you. Just Google it, you'll find it.

For the eighth time in this thread: grouping the flu in with AUTOIMMUNE diseases is just plain wrong. It's misinformation. 🙂 Or does that offend you too?

And stress... oh boy, here we go again. If you actually bother to read the research properly, you'd know what physiological stress really is. The kind of "stress" you're rambling about here is just everyday annoyance and the frantic pace of life—is that what you mean? 😉

I really don't have the energy to go down a chemistry rabbit hole right now.
I’ve hated chemistry since forever... biology was always my thing. I even spent some time teaching high school physics and math—specifically for seniors back when the curriculum here lumped all the sciences together into one big mess, so I couldn't even specialize in "science" as its own subject. Honestly, if I haven't grown to love chemistry after all these years, I'm probably never going to.

It would be great if we could pivot this thread back to alternative ways to boost the immune system.
For instance... does your family have any special little rituals or remedies passed down through the generations?

eh... I guess I'm just being ignored here

Angela Kelly said:I really don't have the energy to dive into chemistry right now.
I've always hated chem... biology was my thing... I even taught physics and math for AP classes back in high school—well, for the last two years of senior year—but since we didn't separate bio, chem, and physics into different subjects until later in the curriculum here, I couldn't technically teach "science" specifically... so yeah, if I haven't fallen in love with chemistry after all these years, it's probably not happening...

Look, fine, you don't like chemistry, but then maybe don't go rambling on about reading immunology research papers... I mean, if you want to actually grasp how immunology works, you've gotta understand at least the basics of chem. Like, sure, you might be reading them, but what's the point if you don't get the underlying logic?

And don't even get me started on alternative ways to boost immunity... or should we talk about autoimmune diseases? Should we? 🤣