Hi Dr. Stoll, et al,
I went looking for zinc lozenges because I have been battling a nagging cough for what seems to be FOREVER (or maybe around 3 weeks!). I've been taking megadoses of ester C, but still haven't been able to get rid of this. Anyway, at the pharmacy, the only zinc tablets they had were made with sugar (sucrose and/or other forms). Should I go to the health food store to find sugarless? I didn't buy them, though now I think they would have been better than nothing. (I have been "cheating" with sugar anyway, which could account for this whole problem, I suppose.)
This brings up a related question - I'm not on the whole foods diet yet, but generally watch my sugar intake as I'm prone to candida, and have a long way to go before the skilled relaxation heals my leaky gut. I've been following the "O" diet with candida restrictions (mostly). I don't generally eat many carbs at all - though lately it seems I've been craving them again, and it's been harder to say no. I plan on starting the Elim-diet followed by whole foods in January, after I have a chance to read Healing Power of Whole Foods, and basically get mentally prepared for the 6 months of strict eating. Until I go on these diets, how careful should I be about refined carbs?
Thanks!
trish
Follow Ups:
Re: Zinc Lozenge/Diet Questions
Posted by Louise on September 23, 1998 at 18:11:38:
In Reply to: Zinc Lozenge/Diet Questions posted by trish on September 23, 1998 at 17:35:12:
trish,
I suspect... sabotage!!
those innocent looking zinc lozenges have got your sugar cravings revved up again (or candida critters) Take the non-chewable kind! they taste horrible!
Dr D says zinc is an avoid for O's,
although I don't know why...
Louise
Re: Zinc Lozenge/Diet Questions
Posted by Walt Stoll on September 24, 1998 at 10:30:35:
In Reply to: Zinc Lozenge/Diet Questions posted by trish on September 23, 1998 at 17:35:12:
Hi, Trish.
Yah! Probably your cheating has something to do with this.
For a chronic cough, espdcially one that did not clear with ester C, the zinc would be a waste of money. I would get it from the healthfood store to avoid the sugar. However, if you still have traces of sugar in your diet, THAT is not going to make much difference.
Carbohydrates are not the problem here. It is only getting rid of the last trace of REFINED carbohydrates that makes the most difference (including eliminating the cravings that get you to "cheat"). See the note on the FAQ page about "Sugar vs Refined Carbohydrates".
Without a fever, the most likely cause of your "nagging cough" is allergy.
Walt
Re: Zinc Lozenge/Diet Questions (more)
Posted by Walt Stoll on September 24, 1998 at 10:33:33:
In Reply to: Zinc Lozenge/Diet Questions posted by trish on September 23, 1998 at 17:35:12:
Dear Trish,
By the way, if your cough lasts more than a few months (past the allergy season) you should get a conventional medical evaluation since TB is on the rebound, tumors, foreigh bodies, etc., also cause chronic coughs. THEN, if nothing is found (most likely), is the time to pursue the causes we have been discussing on this BB.
Walt
Follow Ups:
Thanks, Walt! I'll keep an eye on things - I think I need more REST!!! NMI
Posted by trish on September 24, 1998 at 19:28:21:
In Reply to: Re: Zinc Lozenge/Diet Questions (more) posted by Walt Stoll on September 24, 1998 at 10:33:33:
ZZZZZ
Re: Zinc Lozenge/Diet Questions (still more)
Posted by trish on September 25, 1998 at 10:09:14:
In Reply to: Re: Zinc Lozenge/Diet Questions (more) posted by Walt Stoll on September 24, 1998 at 10:33:33:
Walt,
I thought I'd mention, not so long ago, when I had another cold (hmmmm...) my doctor tested my histamine levels because he, too suspected allergies -I disagreed with him and proved it with the test results. I wouldn't say this cough is chronic at this stage in the game. There's been a real "hanger on" going around this area with co-workers and friends, so I'll just wait it out, I guess.
I suppose the LGS could be contributing in my case.
Thanks for the info!
trish
Follow Ups:
Re: Zinc Lozenge/Diet Questions (still more)
Posted by Walt Stoll on September 25, 1998 at 12:09:58:
In Reply to: Re: Zinc Lozenge/Diet Questions (still more) posted by trish on September 25, 1998 at 10:09:14:
Yah, trish.
That is why I suggested getting evaluated after this had hung on for several months.
About the only way one could prove that THIS cough was allergic in nature would be to have a bronchoscopy (terribel experience) and swab the surface of the bronchi for eosinophiles.
You are right about something like this "going around" and it is viral. Expectorants and lots of fluids are the best thing to prevent it becoming something more. It just seems to take about this long. You can make it last longer by taking antibiotics. My wife had this about a month ago. Of course, I haven't had a viral infection (that lasted more than 48 hours) for more than 20 years----once I learned how to keep my immune system up.
Walt
Follow Ups:
Hey, thanks for the info on expectorants, Walt! Hadn't thought of it. (I'll look for sugar free) NMI
Posted by trish on September 25, 1998 at 12:32:18:
In Reply to: Re: Zinc Lozenge/Diet Questions (still more) posted by Walt Stoll on September 25, 1998 at 12:09:58:
nmi