“In the chapter entitled "Common cold", and under the subject of "Therapy" and "Prevention", it states in part the following:

"Maintaining a healthy immune system is the prime way of protecting against an excessive number of colds. If an individual catches more than one or two colds a year it may be indicate of a weak immune system. Nutrition is the major determinant in having a healthy immune system.

Another important factor in reducing resistance and allowing a virus to infect is stress, whether it be physical, emotional or mental. During the stress response, compounds are released by the adrenal glands that cause the thymus gland to shrink to reduce its activity. Specifically, vitamins A and C, beta-carotene, zinc and other antioxidants prevent stress and free radical induced damage to the thymus and enhance immune functions1. Individuals who are under a lot of stress, have weak immune systems or who are exposed to high levels of pollutants (virtually all of us) should supplement their diets with these important nutrients.

There are several other factors to consider besides nutrient deficiency and stress. Alcohol and tobacco consumption, prescribed, non-prescribed and recreational drug use, elevated glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol levels in the blood, excessive sugar consumption, environmental factors (chemical exposure) and allergies can all significantly weaken our immune system.1"

The above defined reference1 is as follows: "1 Pizzorno, J.E. and Murray, M.T., A Textbook of Natural Medicine, John Bastyr College Publications, Seattle, WA, 1985." ”

Reference: Michael T. Murray, N.D. and Joseph E. Pizzorno N.D., in the book entitled "An Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine", Prima Publishing, Rocklin, California, 1991, the first three excerpted paragraphs are from page 228, and reference 1 is from page 575