Improving The Health Of America
Q. Dear Terry, “I was recently treated for pneumonia, which a recent CT scan shows is now gone. But, I still have bronchitis, which has been going on for the past 4 weeks. I just can’t seem to get rid of the cough. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do? I would certainly appreciate any help you can give me. Thank you.” — Jean C., Manchester, NH
A. Dear Jean, I do have some recommendations, which include dietary changes and a nutritional protocol that you may find helpful. I strongly encourage you to discuss the use of dietary supplementation with your physician, as they may have additional input regarding a supplement regimen.
I think diet is extremely important, so the best recommendation I can give anyone with an upper respiratory condition is to avoid all grains and dairy products (with the exception of cream, butter and eggs) for at least 90 days. If you wish to eat grains after the initial 90 days, use only brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat and millet. I also recommend avoiding all sugar, as well. For more information, review my diet at Terry’s Traditional Diet.
When it comes to supplementation, I would first recommend adding a clinically studied, uniquely standardized boswellia extract to your daily regimen. Boswellia is a specific inhibitor of 5-LOX, an enzyme that activates leukotrienes, which induce inflammation. Because it helps reduce inflammation, along with oxidative stress (free radical damage), boswellia is effective for a variety of respiratory conditions. I recommend taking 1-2 softgels (500-1,000 mg) of boswellia daily.
Be sure to look for a boswellia extract that provides 500 mg of Boswellia serrata gum resin extract standardized to contain 70% total organic and boswellic acids with 10% AKBA. It’s also important to find a formula that features a boswellia extract that has filtered out the majority of beta-boswellic acid. Unlike most boswellic acids, beta-boswellic acid is actually pro-inflammatory. Removing it greatly enhances the potency of the boswellia extract – look for an extract that contains 5% or less beta-boswellic acid. This is the right ratio for a strong – yet natural – boswellia extract.
You would also benefit from supplementing with a combination of English Ivy and Thyme extracts. When used together they make a very excellent combination, helping to keep the lungs clear. Both herbs have been extensively researched in Germany and other European countries for use with colds, cough, bronchitis and even asthma. I would suggest approximately 1-2 tablets of this herbal combination three times daily. This combination functions as an expectorant (helps cough out phlegm) and mucolytic (breaks up congestion). Make sure to look for a product that contains an English Ivy extract standardized for Hederacoside-C and a Thyme extract that is standardized for essential oil content.
Finally, you might want to also consider adding a blend of eucalyptus and myrtle oils to your daily regimen – both oils can help support the sinuses. Eucalyptus oil helps decongest the sinuses, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and has been traditionally used to treat runny nose, cough, and sore throat. Myrtle essential oil has been well-studied and sold in Europe for more than 75 years. I suggest taking 1 or 2 softgels of this blend three times daily. If you are a little bit on the brave side and want to try my personal recommendation, take the softgel and allow it to melt in your mouth. This allows the fragrance of myrtle and eucalyptus to permeate throughout the lungs and nasal passages. While it is an intense flavor, I find it effective and invigorating. If you do not prefer this method, taking it orally will also be effective.
When choosing a formula, make sure it features concentrated plant oils that have been laboratory tested to accurately identify elements of their natural chemical composition. Unlike essential oils used for massage and aromatherapy, these plant oils are tested and “fingerprinted” based on specific molecular makeup, species, marker compounds, purity and safety for internal medicinal use. The extraordinary potency of these tested plant oils allows for relatively low doses, but very powerful health benefits.
Healthy Regards!
Terry . . . Naturally
Tags: 5-LOX, boswellia extract, bronchitis, cough, dairy products, diet, English Ivy, eucalyptus, free-radical, Immune and Respiratory Health, inflammation, Myrtle, oxidative stress, pneumonia, thyme
Q. Dear Terry, “My husband was recently diagnosed with COPD. Is there anything he can do nutritionally to help with his condition? Thank you.” — Connie R., Knoxville, TN
A. Dear Connie, I think diet is extremely important, so the best recommendation I can give anyone with an upper respiratory condition is to start removing dairy products (with the exception of cream, butter and eggs), sugar, soft drinks, and all grains from their diet. Your husband’s diet should consist of animal proteins from beef, bison, and lamb, poultry, fish, fruits, and non-starchy vegetables. He can also eat nuts, seeds and berries. For more information, review my diet at Terry’s Traditional Diet.
While I do have some recommendations, I strongly encourage your husband to discuss the use of dietary supplementation with his physician. His physician may have additional input regarding a supplement regimen.
When it comes to respiratory health, I would first recommend a blend of boswellia and highly-absorbable curcumin (an extract of the spice, turmeric). These two herbs reduce some of the inflammation triggers inside the body. Reducing inflammation in the lungs reduces lung irritation and swelling, and lets the air go in and out more easily. The combination also benefits heart and brain health as well, so it is a good product to use on an ongoing basis. I would suggest taking one softgel of the boswellia-curcumin combination three times daily for two weeks, then decrease to 1 softgel twice daily thereafter. Two things to keep in mind when choosing a product: make sure the boswellia is screened to less than 5% beta boswellic acid and standardized to 10% acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA), the most active component of boswellia curcumin and the curcumin has excellent absorption and has been proven in published human studies (curcumin is notoriously hard to absorb).
I would also recommend supplementing with a combination of English Ivy and Thyme extracts. When used together they make a very excellent combination, helping to keep the lungs clear. Both herbs have been extensively researched in Germany and other European countries for use with colds, cough, bronchitis and even asthma. I would suggest approximately 500 mg of this herbal combination three times daily. This combination functions as an expectorant (helps cough out phlegm) and mucolytic (breaks up congestion). Make sure to look for a product that contains an English Ivy extract standardized for Hederacoside-C and a Thyme extract that is standardized for essential oil content.
Healthy Regards!
Terry . . . Naturally
Tags: asthma, boswellia, bronchitis, colds, COPD, cough, curcumin, dairy products, diet, English Ivy, expectorant, grains, Immune and Respiratory Health, inflammation, lungs, mucolytic congestion, phlegm, respiratory health, soft drinks, spice, sugar, thyme, turmeric, upper respiratory
Q. Dear Terry, “My nose stays stuffy most all of the time. I have tried everything, including over-the-counter remedies, neti pot, etc. – nothing seems to work. Is there anything that you know of that can help me?” — Sheila M., Memphis, TN
A. Dear Sheila, I do have some very excellent and natural ways to support the sinuses.
My first recommendation is to eliminate all grains that contain gluten, dairy products (this does not include butter, cream, or eggs), sugar and soft drinks of any kind from your diet. While I understand that this can be a daunting task, go ahead and try it for a few months – I believe it can really help make a difference. For a more detailed look at an effective diet that works, please see my article, Terry’s Traditional Diet.
You should also add a blend of eucalyptus and myrtle oils to your daily regimen – both oils can help support the sinuses. Eucalyptus oil helps decongest the sinuses, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and has been traditionally used to treat runny nose, cough, and sore throat. Myrtle essential oil has been well-studied and sold in Europe for more than 75 years. These are two oils that I strongly value for natural treatment of sinusitis and sinus infection. I suggest taking 1 or 2 softgels of this blend three times daily. If you are a little bit on the brave side and want to try my personal recommendation, take the softgel and allow it to melt in your mouth. This allows the fragrance of myrtle and eucalyptus to permeate throughout the lungs and nasal passages. While it is an intense flavor, I find it effective and invigorating. If you do not prefer this method, taking it orally will also be effective.
When choosing a formula, make sure it features concentrated plant oils that have been laboratory tested to accurately identify elements of their natural chemical composition. Unlike essential oils used for massage and aromatherapy, these plant oils are tested and “fingerprinted” based on specific molecular makeup, species, marker compounds, purity and safety for internal medicinal use. The extraordinary potency of these tested plant oils allows for relatively low doses, but very powerful health benefits.
Healthy Regards!
Terry . . . Naturally
Tags: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cough, dairy products, eucalyptus, gluten, grains, Immune and Respiratory Health, lungs, Myrtle, nasal passages, neti pot, nose, runny nose, sinuses, sore throat, stuffy
Q. Dear Terry, “I am a 38 year old overweight male. I need to shed at least 45 pounds. Recently, I have started to limit my sugar and fat intake. Unfortunately, the weight is not coming off fast enough. Do you have any suggestions?” — Craig R., St. Petersburg, FL
A. Dear Craig, I do have some suggestions that, when used in combination, can give you the best possible opportunity to lose the weight.
If you are not already doing so, I recommend eliminating grains that contain gluten, dairy products (this does not include butter, cream, or eggs), sugar and soft drinks of any kind from your diet. While I understand that this can be a daunting task, go ahead and try it for a few months – I believe it can really help make a difference. For a more detailed look at an effective diet that works, please see my article, Terry’s Traditional Diet. For weight loss and aerobic conditioning, I highly recommend interval training. Click on Terry’s Exercise Plan to read more information on “short burst exercise.” You want to develop a regular routine that has you exercising for 12 minutes two or three times a week.
I also recommend adding the following formulas to your supplement regimen for weight loss and weight management.
My first recommendation would be to add a combination of green maté extract, decaffeinated green tea leaf extract, and apple extract to your daily regimen. Together, these ingredients can form the foundation for your weight loss regimen – helping to give your metabolism a boost, improve energy, and suppress appetite. I recommend taking 1 capsule of this blend with each meal.
I would also consider using green coffee bean extract, which works by enhancing the body’s metabolism and inhibiting the release of glucose in the bloodstream. When it comes to choosing a green coffee bean extract, be careful because there are a lot of low quality products out there. The extract I recommend is standardized to contain 45-50% chlorogenic acid and has clinical support to back it up. I recommend taking 200 mg of this green coffee bean extract twice daily.
While weight loss is not easy, using these two products in conjunction with diet and exercise can be highly effective in helping reach your goal.
Healthy Regards!
Terry . . . Naturally
Tags: appetite, apple extract, chlorogenic acid, dairy products, decaffeinated green tea leaf extract, Energy, fat, glucose, gluten, grains, green coffee bean, green maté extract, metabolism, overweight, short burst exercise, sugar, weight, Weight Loss
Q. Dear Terry, “I am interested in detoxing, but have heard many different opinions when it comes to this topic. What are your thoughts?” — Jennifer S., Grand Rapids, MI
A. Dear Jennifer, The best way to detoxify is to consume a clean diet. I recommend eliminating grains that contain gluten, dairy products (this does not include butter, cream, or eggs), sugar and soft drinks of any kind from your diet. While I understand that this can be a daunting task, go ahead and try it for a few months – I believe it can really help make a difference. For a more detailed look at an effective diet that works, please see my article, Terry’s Traditional Diet.
In addition to the dietary changes, I would also suggest you use a blend of highly concentrated peppermint, rosemary, Labrador Tea, juniper, lemon and cypress plant oils, which are very effective for detoxifying the liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system. I recommend taking 1 softgel of this combination twice daily. Be sure to choose formulas which feature concentrated plant oils that have been laboratory tested to accurately identify elements of their natural chemical composition. Unlike essential oils used for massage and aromatherapy, these plant oils are tested and “fingerprinted” based on specific molecular makeup, species, marker compounds, purity and safety for internal medicinal use. The extraordinary potency of these tested plant oils allows for relatively low doses, but very powerful health benefits.
Healthy Regards!
Terry . . . Naturally
Tags: cypress, dairy products, detoxify, detoxing, diet, gluten, grains, Hair and Skin Health, juniper, kidneys, Labrador Tea, lemon, liver, lymphatic system, peppermint, rosemary, soft drinks, Weight Loss and Metabolism, Women's Health