I read this in a book I am reading,very interesting

[umpa]

.
Avoiding sugar (a.k.a. white death)
It’s no surprise to me that the “cold and flu season” is the season when we are
culturally eating the most sugar. Nothing suppresses the immune system like
sugar. In fact research has shown that 8 tsp of sugar, or the amount found in
one soda, inhibits your immune system by 40% for a minimum of 5 hours. It
also depletes important vitamins and minerals that are needed for immune
function, notably vitamin C. Cutting out sugar from your diet is one of the
best things you can do to prevent sickness.
Besides increasing your vulnerability to illness, regular consumption of sugar
also leads to insulin resistance and diabetes, chronic fatigue, obesity, and tooth
decay. If cutting sugar out of your diet seems impossible, instead focus on
adding healthy treats to your life. Berries are sweet, have less of an impact on
your blood sugar, and are extremely high in antioxidants that protect your
eyesight, cardiovascular system, and youthful vigor. This may seem to be
difficult but over time, little by little, you will notice that the sweetness of berries
and fruits is more satisfying than the “sugar fixes” of candies, sodas, and
doughnuts.
Quoted from Herbs-Cold-Flu

[shawn116]

That is very interesting for sure Umpa   Thanks for sharing   

[KFAITH]

Thanks for sharing that Umpa, I know it is true I have heard or read that before myself. If we can keep that on our mind, maybe it will help sugar not to be so appealingl!!!

[umpa]

I am taking a herbalist course online and I was looking for herbs to get through this stupid cold.I was shocked when I read that!I never get sick,but when I was in San Francisco I indulged in Boudans sourdough bread and I got sick on the way home!I thought it was because of the airplane but who knows??

[KFAITH]

I love herbal answers to things, I really dislike meds and going to doctors.  Even like them for my dog too. I just read in womans world mag. that taking ivy leaf will reduce congestion and cough 50 mg. in capsule form.

[Maddysmom]

Great article Umpa!   I totally agree!   I was just thinking this past week....I have been on FTS since 9/10/10, and I have not been sick one time!   I haven't even had the sniffles.   Also, since I was a kid, I often get fever blisters on my lips.  My granny said that kissing a red headed boy would make them go away, but it didn't work....(still married him.  ha ha)   However, I have not even had a fever blister since starting FTS!   Coincidence?  I think not.

[KFAITH]

Wow Maddysmom, that is so awesome!  My sister and others are still drilling me daily about they do not see how this diet can  be healthy, but yet I read all the great testimonies on here and how blood work improves, etc, so for sure it has to be working for our good.

[mouseissue]

Eating low carb leads to better health.
While eating high carb (sugars and starches) will damage our health.

Sadly, the most common "comfort foods" are the worst culprits.
Is it any wonder so many people get sick this time of year?

[umpa]

I love herbs! All medicines come from herbs.I am trying to learn to plant as many on my property in NC as I can.Gaia herbs is here so I know they all will grow here.I want to be a trained herbalist so I can help family members and friends.I drink herbal infusions everyday which are 2 ounces of herbs to two quarts of water.The infusions make me feel wonderful!

[snobles]

@Umpa, funny you should mention herbs! We saw on the news the other night, where people who take "lots" of vitamins, they are saying it can lead to possibly death??! Scarry.

[umpa]

I am not a big believer in vitamins,herbs yes.

[SherriPie]

I read an article just yesterday about the ederly and vitamins, saying it can cause an early death. It's so funny that the doctors tell us one thing then a year later they tell us another thing.

[beth823]

Sherrie where was that article? I do take vitamins daily.  I get them from a company called Shaklee-Very reputable company, but I would like to read that article.

[Rena]

I read the article, but don't put much stock in it. They didn't say anything about the diet or exercise habits of the people who were being tested. And the heading was stupid because it lead you to believe that vitamin use will make you die prematurely. Anything in excess isn't good for you, but they didn't bother with that. It was more of a scare tactic headline.

Another article stated something interesting by bringing up the fact that people who take vitamins are probably the last who need them because they generally eat healthier than those who don't. I think that's where the excessive part comes in. I think it's important to take them when on FTS to any other low-carb eating plan. There are many vitamins and minerals you're missing out by eating a larger variety of fruits and vegetables.

[BarbaraBuck]

Thanks for sharing Umpa. I have been struggling , actually have been eating ALL the wrong things. I needed to read information like that to get me back on the right track. I have noticed that in this time "off of the wagon" I have been super stressed and making poor choices. I also noticed that even though my time "off the wagon"  has only been 14-16 days, I can already feel the difference my old eating habits cause in my body...not just weight issues, but clarity of mind as well. So i am now even more determined to make the lifestyle change and eat a low carb diet!