Flu Prevention

Flu season has arrived.
H1n1 plus the normal flu has become a concern for most of us. Our best prevention is to boost our bodies natural immunity.

Some people may take the flu shot.
Whether you do or don't, it is important to boost your
bodies natural defense system during this season.

Here are a few tips for keeping your bodies natural defenses up.

1. Take N-acetylcysteine This is a natural substance found in our bodies. It helps our encourage our body to produce glutathione. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that detoxifies the liver. It is well known an immune booster. The best way to get additional glutathione is to increase the N-acetycysteine in our body since the body assimilates N-acetylcysteine more efficiently than synthetic forms of glutathione. Take 600 mg. twice a day. For children 150 mg twice a day. **N-acetylcysteine is also fantastic for asthma symptoms. It bring down the mucus in the lungs. I have tried it. It works!


2. Use natural hand sanitizer Ok, this should be a no brainer. If you aren't near a sink to wash your hands, keep some sanitizer handy.

3. Boost immunity with vitamin C We should all be taking at least 1,000 mg of C daily for general well being and immunity. During flu season or if you are stressed, traveling, or sick, take 1,500 - 2,500 depending on your tolerance. Take 500mg doses every 3 hours.

4. Teach kids not to rub their eyes, put fingers in their nose, and to keep their hands away from their face....great advice for adults as well...don't touch your face.

5. Eat 5 servings of fresh veggies and fruit, good proteins, other vegetables, and a real meal 3 times a day Let's do this anyway people! Your body will be oh so pleased.

6. Take Chinese herbs like Zhong Gan Ling and Yin Chiao or try the homeopathic remedy, Oscillococcinum. Flu viruses have difficulty growing in the presence of these herbs. If you think you have been exposed or are exceptionally vulnerable try these herbs. Follow the directions on the package and take them for about 10 days. Be certain that you are buying herbs produced in the U.S., not in china. The herbs coming from china are loaded with contaminants. Read the labels.

7. Vitamin D Vitamin D is extremely important for the strength of our immunity. Vitamin D is not found naturally in food. We get it from sunlight. Problem is most of us do not spend enough time in the sun, especially sans sunscreen, to get enough D. Our body produces vitamin D in reaction to the sun. Fascinating! Pick up a vitamin D supplement. I take 1,000 mg a day. Check with your doctor to determine your individual dosage.

This is how Vitamin D works:

The body's immune system naturally produces antimicrobial, (destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms), peptides or (AMPs). These AMPs won't work with every virus it comes in contact with, but for the ones they do, the body's immune system automatically springs into action.

When microbes like the influenza virus reach upper respiratory airways, they stimulate the production of an enzyme that converts 25(OH)D, the circulating inactive form of vitamin D, into the hormonally active 1,25(OH)2D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D). 1,25(OH)2D is needed to activate the genes that produce antimicrobial peptides.

Bottom line, without vitamin D there is no innate immunity in the body.

All of these immune boosters are important to know with our without the threat of the flu.
Why not give your body a boost?

We expect a lot from our bodies and often give it little help in return. Think about all of the stress and bad food we often expose our body to...and then expect it to run at %100.
Try tuning in to your body and it's needs.
If you are hungry...EAT! If you are tired...SLEEP!

You will reap huge rewards by simply paying attention to your bodies basic needs.