The flu is spreading rapidly throughout the US. If you listen to the media and/or the mainstream medical community, you will believe the only thing you can do to stay well is to get a flu shot. The reality is, however, that the flu shot protects you from a very particular type of influenza virus and will not increase your immunity to anything else—including common viruses or bacteria that cause colds, sore throats, sinus infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia, for example.So what can you do to stay healthy? Let me tell you what I do. Some of what I do, if observed, may seem odd, so I am discrete when I do it.
When passing a crowd of people or entering an elevator, for instance, I will first exhale and then inhale, so that I inhale my own air, rather than the droplets that may be already sitting in the air near me After being in a public place for a length of time, I will not only use sanitizer on my hands, but will apply it to my face (this can be drying, so I make sure I moisturize also) I make sure that my skin is well hydrated, especially my hands, so that infections can’t enter or rest on the dry, cracked skin I avoid hand to mouth, eye, and nose contact especially after shaking or holding hands or touching a public object (door handle, pen, etc…) I keep my nasal cavity moist with products as Simply Saline Avoid picking your nose!One of the most powerful ways that I find to stay well during the flu season, or recover quickly if I do contract something, is to take supplements. The supplements I take are from a company called Designs for Health and I have provided links for more information. They really do work for me and I take most of them regularly at a lower dose and if I start getting sick, I up the dose. Here is the list:
Immunotone Plus – This formula is extremely powerful yet safe enough to use in high doses for acute applications, while also being suitable for long-term use in chronic conditions. This formula contains green tea standardized to a very high level of EGCG as well as standardized Echinacea augustifolia, Andrographis paniculata, and even Goldenseal. Standardized herbs contain optimal and consistent amounts of the most active compounds. Olive Leaf Extract —encapsulated olive leaf- one of nature's great immune enhancing botanicals. Shown to be effective for respiratory infections. Zinc —Many studies have shown that the use of Zinc, either in lozenge form or in a supplement as this one, greatly reduce the duration of most colds. Vitamin C Bio-Fizz —A great-tasting fizzy C perfect for high-dosing with 2500mg of C per teaspoon along with other supportive antioxidants. Even kids love the taste! Vitamin D3 —this particular brand provides vitamin K and is an essential co-factor for many immune function Ginger-Tussin Syrup —super concentrated ginger extract with osha and wild cherry bark to soothe the throat and enhance mucus secretions, while calming a cough and reducing inflammation.These are my “go to” tactics and supplements for the flu and cold season. You can pick and choose which ones might work for you. Of course, I can’t guarantee you will stay well or get better more quickly, but I feel my suggestions will give you more of a fighting chance.
