FLU SEASON

The flu season is upon us and I wanted to remind you of a few strategies you could take in order to best equip yourself with health. Limiting your consumption of white sugar is a must because it paralyses the white blood cell. White blood cells that cannot move cannot engulf bacteria. Replace sugar with honey where possible.

At the first sign of a cold, if your tummy can stand fresh garlic, crush a clove, cover with a bit of honey and swallow it. If you are concerned about the garlic smell, take it right before bedtime and by morning there will be no trace of it. Garlic is a powerful tool against bacteria and virus’.

Vitamin C and zinc are my two favourite “immune nutrients”. Take 2000mg of C twice daily from October to March and 30-50mg of Zinc once a day during the same time period is helpful for prevention.

If you want to get a bit more aggressive, I recommend the infect-2 “natural flu shots” we give at the Family Health Clinic as a means to preventing the flu. Children can take an oral version to avoid the poke. In addition to this shot every 4-6 weeks during the winter, I also recommend muccococinum. This remedy is taken once every 2 weeks for added protection between your shots. My patients love the success of this immune protocol for their entire families.

Don’t forget about the power of exercise when it comes to immunity. In a recent study of post menopausal aged women who exercised for 45 minutes 5 days a week, the incidence of infection was 3 times lower than their non-exercising counterparts. Fantastic! Not only do you stay in shape for that little black New Years dress, but you protect yourself from getting sick as well.

Chubak J, McTiernan A, Soresen B, et al. Moderate-intensity exercise reduces the incidence of colds among postmenopausal women. American Journal of Medicine 2006;119(11):937-942.