Flu can affect 10 to 30 percent of
U.S. population each winter. The flu virus can linger in air for as long as three hours. In close quarters, conditions are ripe for spread of virus. That explains why highest incidence of flu is in 5- to 18-year-olds, who spend much of their time in school, in close contact with their classmates. The most serious complications occur in older adults, however, especially those in managed care. Do not give aspirin or other "salicylates" to children or teenagers with symptoms of a cold or flu. Don't bother taking antibiotics to treat your flu or cold; antibiotics do not kill viruses, and they should be used only for bacterial infections. Antibiotic overuse has become a very serious problem, leading to a resistance in disease-causing bacteria that may render antibiotics ineffective for some conditions.
According to a National Survey OTC cough and cold medication sales totaled 3.2 billion dollars in 1995, That's no surprise, considering Americans endure about 1 billion colds each year.
The "experts" are using fear and vaccine shortage to motivate people to get a flu shot, but this is yet another healthcare illusion. Let's be clear, flu can definitely be a killer disease and is not something that should be easily dismissed. But, remember that flu shots don't prevent illness--never have, never will. The flu vaccine can actually weaken immune system and make you more predisposed to illness. And side effects of FluMist, cough, runny nose/nasal congestion, irritability, headaches, chills, muscle aches and fever, sound just like symptoms of flu. If you decide to get nasal flu vaccine, you will get not only a live flu virus in each dose but also table sugar and MSG, which are fraught with their own problems. If you take shot you may get mercury as an added bonus.
Building A Healthy Immune System: Your #1 Offense
1) Detoxify your digestive tract and liver/gallbladder now. Disease often begins in digestive tract and liver is main filter of body. When either or both of these are sluggish then your body can be ripe for illness. This will prepare your body to readily be able to absorb, utilize and transport good food and supplements that you will be using. It is good to do this once a month for 3 months then 2x’s yearly. I would also recommend a parasite cleanse especially if you consume a lot of non-organic meat.
2) Eliminate all sugar. One teaspoon of sugar can bring immune system down for up to 6 hours. Natural, healthy substitutes for sugar are stevia, agave nectar and Xylitol. It is best for you to satisfy your taste buds with fresh, organic fruits. Be sure to eat whole fruit as juicing your fruit will cause your insulin levels to spike. If you crave chocolate chances are you may have a magnesium deficiency.
3) Change your diet. Your immune system will flourish on a diet of organic fruits and vegetables. Two raw salads (use dark green leafy lettuce) a day eaten with lunch and dinner will help to provide you body with much-needed vitamins and nutrients. Incorporate soups and stews into your diet. If you eat meat make sure that it is organic and free-range. Fish should be cold-water and eaten no more than twice a week. Farmed raised fish are not healthy because most of feed corn derived and therefore you will not get benefits of beneficial fatty acids such as DHA and EPA. They also may be exposed to high levels of pesticides. Consider taking Chlorella to remove any mercury. If you are pregnant it is advised that you not eat fish. Cook with organic, unrefined coconut oil (try to consume 2-3 tablespoons daily) and for salads use organic, unrefined, cold-pressed olive oil. Eliminate pre-packaged foods and those foods that are canned or bagged. Purchase organic, free-range eggs and organic butter. Substitute pasteurized/homogenized milk with almond milk. You can also bake/cook with almond milk.
4) Eat a clove of garlic every day. Garlic acts in body as a natural antibiotic. You must smash clove in order to realize immune enhancing properties.
5) Drink half your body weight in pure, filtered water every day. Our body is mostly water. We must put back what we eliminate through breathing, sweating and urination. Water helps kidneys to continually flush toxins from body. Make sure that you are drinking pure, filtered water. I recommend distilled with organic apple cider vinegar added to replace minerals lost through distillation.
6) Exercise every single day. Exercise not only helps with blood circulation and to keep unwanted pounds away but also can help with depression. Exercise helps to move lymph system, which will in-turn move toxins from body. Walking outdoors in sun will help your body with Vitamin D production. For those who don’t experience a lot of sunshine it is recommended that you supplement with Vitamin D under care of a health professional. An article published by International Journal of Sports Medicine illustrates effect exercise can have on infections. In this study, only 45 minutes of brisk walking per day was shown to lower incidence of upper respiratory symptoms, cut duration of illness in half and increase natural killer-cell activity in people prone to upper respiratory tract infections.
7) Adequate Sleep. Almost 80% of population is sleep deprived. Sleep is necessary for our body to repair and heal. The body does most healing between hours of 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. There is no such thing as catching-up on sleep as once it is lost—it cannot be regained through marathon sleeping on weekends. Getting adequate rest allows immune system to repair and be in top condition.
8) Take a good organic multi-vitamin/mineral formula, Vitamin C and a Probiotic. Unfortunately eating organically doesn’t always protect us in a perfect manner. Depleted soil conditions has definitely affected nutrients contained in our vegetables and fruits. I have found one that I consider “Cadillac” when it comes to providing body with everything it needs to continue in health. It is a wise choice to consume 2-3 grams of Vitamin C (sodium ascorbate) daily in divided doses. A good probiotic will help to keep good bacteria in digestive tract.
9) Wash your hands frequently. Wash your hands in mornings, after every meal, after all outings, after shaking hands with people, after each trip to bathroom and before bed. Teach your children to do same. Do not use antibacterial soaps. The antibacterial compounds found in most of these soaps sold in United States are likely contributing to spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Use a good all-natural soap from health food store. Wash with warm water and use a nailbrush along nail line and in-between fingers. Keep fresh, clean towels available to dry hands. Make sure that you keep your hands away from your eyes and mouth. When away from home, keep a mixture of lemon essential oil, lavender essential oil and distilled water (40 drops lemon essential oil and 30 drops lavender essential oil to 4 ounces of distilled water) in a dark-colored, glass, fine-mist spray bottle. Spray on hands immediately after trips to grocery stores, doctor, etc. or any time you are shaking people’s hands. At home, wipe all doorknobs frequently with this mixture. Keep a bottle at home, in car and at work. We have these available at Oasis Advanced Wellness in a 2- ounce bottle for $9.95. Make sure that you keep your computer keys and mouse clean at all times. Also keep your phone’s (cell and landline) receivers clean. 10) Deal with stress. Repeated stress is one of main causes of a suppressed immune system. Learn to manage your stress with exercise, meditation, deep breathing, walks in nature, good music, Yoga, Pilates and removing yourself from negative situations. Refuse to allow anyone or any situation to make you stressful. There are natural supplements that you can incorporate to help with stress such as B-Complex, Lithium Orotate or SamE.
