When we are sick with colds, flu, gastro etc, the body needs more fighting power in a hurry.  If we can catch it early enough and take half our normal daily dose of Vitamin C every 2-4 hours as dictated by the body, we can keep on top of it and stop it making us really sick.  When the body start to run out of Vit C, we start to feel not so good.  This is the signal to get more in as quickly as possible.  If we respond to the signals our body gives out, we won't take too much.  After several days we will be reducing how often we take extra, to 6-8 hourly if we listen for the signals.  Remember to drink plenty of fluids too. Too much Vit C at a time will cause diarrhoea.  That tells us we have overdone it and to ease off a bit.  (This makes Vit C a useful way of keeping our bowels working well and avoiding constipation.  Vit C keeps the digested food moving along and magnesium
maintains peristaltic movement.

Zinc is another useful supplement to take when we have a cold, flu or cough.  Zinc lozenges are commonly available and recommended by doctors. If, particularly in winter months, we take some extra zinc, our immune systems will have more chance of avoiding or getting over these germs.  The persistent cough that lingers after the flu will clear up much quicker with zinc.  So will a loss of taste or smell.

If we have a gastro and suffer painful abdominal cramps or a flu that has aching muscles, our bodies are simply asking us for more magnesium.  Both magnesium and vitamin C need to be taken at least twice a day normally, as one dose doesn't last 24
hours.  They need to be taken more often in response to symptoms, if we are sick.  Both will give diarrhoea if you take too much (as will carnitine).  For a sore tummy, take another magnesium tablet when the cramps start coming back again.  We recommend Chelated Magnesium 500mg (100mg elemental -check the fine print on bottle for elemental amount).  Take magnesium for any muscle aches, muscular backaches, cramps, headaches.  Minerals are best taken on an empty stomach.  We may need 2-3 twice daily or 1 four hourly.  Listen to your own body.

Sore throats respond well to ¼ teasp salt and juice of ½ lemon in warm water as a gargle.  Honey, Throaties or Irish Moss are good cough supressant.

For congestion, boil a cup of aerated water, like lemonade or bubbly spring water - boil in saucepan (not microwave), pour into cup and sip as hot as possible.  This drains congestion and stops a runny nose for at least 30 mins.  Can be repeated as often as needed.  Has been known to avert pneumonia and sinusitis in polios.

Colloidal silver is a natural antibiotic.  10 mls taken on a regular basis through winter should lessen the likelihood of coming down with a wog.  You need to get a good quality colloidal silver (chemist or health food shop) and protect from light - put in dark cupboard or box, or it will be ineffective.  We will have good supplies of colloidal silver in the office in a few months.

It is important to have the right sort of Vit C for our blood group.  The wrong one is less effective and more likely to cause diarrhoea early before we have achieved protective levels of Vit C.

RIGHT VITAMIN C FOR YOUR BLOOD GROUP

Blood Group	Common Vitamin C	Specific Vitamin C
O	orange or lemon	calcium ascorbate
AB	orange	ascorbic acid
B	blackcurrant or lemon	calcium ascorbate + biofl
A1	blackcurrant or cherry	sodium ascorbate
A2	blackcurrant or cherry	cal + sod ascorbate + biofl