The California Association of Naturopathic Physicians (CANP) recently announced tips on preventing getting a cold or flu this holiday season. "During this time when Kleenex sales skyrocket and we carefully edge around those who are sneezing and sniffling, there is much that can be done to prevent succumbing to the flu or a bad cold," said spokesperson and naturopathic physician, Ellen Potthoff, D.C., N.D.
"First, it is helpful to understand exactly why we get sick," she added. "With the colder weather, we spend more time indoors with forced air heat. This dry heat dries out the mucous membranes lining the respiratory tract, nose, mouth and beyond into the lungs."
She also notes that diets are usually worse during the holiday season. Over consumption of dairy foods can promote the overproduction of mucous in the respiratory tract, which can support the growth of bacteria and viruses. In addition, "Our fast-paced lifestyles, even more hectic over the holidays, are not at all conducive to strong immune function," she adds
The CANP offered the following strategies to stay healthy during this stressful time of the year:
1. At the first sign of illness, slow down immediately and rest to prevent the illness from taking hold. It is better to stop activity in the short term rather than having your activity stop you. 2. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Get 8 hours of sleep, relax often, eat moderately, drink plenty of pure water and decrease consumption of alcohol, coffee, and sugar. Sugar almost immediately decreases immune function. 3. Viruses are often passed by touch. Wash your hands frequently and avoid shaking hands with those who are already sick. 4. Eat very lightly at first sign of feeling badly in a non-specific way - it is especially useful to cut back to only fruits and vegetables. Follow your body's inclination. If you are hungry, eat more and if not, eat less. 5. Make choices that promote strong immune function. A few examples include: switching from coffee to tea consumption which has antibacterial and antiviral action; eating garlic liberally, for its antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal activity; and adding yogurt to your diet as it sets up a beneficial situation in the colon, helping to strengthen this underpinning of good health. 6. Useful early homeopathic prevention includes the use of Oscillococcinum or other potentised flu products or Ferrum phos cell salt for early stages of feverish conditions. Sometimes these homeopathic medicines can stop an illness in the early stages. 7. As a prevention measure, take a good high potency multivitamin-mineral from a health food store, naturopathic physician or other natural health practitioner, daily, with at least 1000 mg. vitamin C, 50,000 IU vitamin A (unless pregnant), 400 IU vitamin E, 15 mg. zinc and 25+ mg. of the B vitamins. 8. Drink one quart of pure water (not distilled) for every 50 pounds of body weight. Avoid all other fluids, coffee, tea, and sodas. 9. Take a long, hot bath with a teaspoon of added Eucalyptus or Thyme oil (unless you are taking homeopathic medicines). Towel-dry and then pop into bed for a deep rest.
1. At the first sign of illness, slow down immediately and rest to prevent the illness from taking hold. It is better to stop activity in the short term rather than having your activity stop you.
2. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Get 8 hours of sleep, relax often, eat moderately, drink plenty of pure water and decrease consumption of alcohol, coffee, and sugar. Sugar almost immediately decreases immune function.
3. Viruses are often passed by touch. Wash your hands frequently and avoid shaking hands with those who are already sick.
4. Eat very lightly at first sign of feeling badly in a non-specific way - it is especially useful to cut back to only fruits and vegetables. Follow your body's inclination. If you are hungry, eat more and if not, eat less.
5. Make choices that promote strong immune function. A few examples include: switching from coffee to tea consumption which has antibacterial and antiviral action; eating garlic liberally, for its antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal activity; and adding yogurt to your diet as it sets up a beneficial situation in the colon, helping to strengthen this underpinning of good health.
6. Useful early homeopathic prevention includes the use of Oscillococcinum or other potentised flu products or Ferrum phos cell salt for early stages of feverish conditions. Sometimes these homeopathic medicines can stop an illness in the early stages.
7. As a prevention measure, take a good high potency multivitamin-mineral from a health food store, naturopathic physician or other natural health practitioner, daily, with at least 1000 mg. vitamin C, 50,000 IU vitamin A (unless pregnant), 400 IU vitamin E, 15 mg. zinc and 25+ mg. of the B vitamins.
8. Drink one quart of pure water (not distilled) for every 50 pounds of body weight. Avoid all other fluids, coffee, tea, and sodas.
9. Take a long, hot bath with a teaspoon of added Eucalyptus or Thyme oil (unless you are taking homeopathic medicines). Towel-dry and then pop into bed for a deep rest.
Here are some good common sense ideas to help you stay healthy this year WITHOUT flu shots or other invasive medical interventions. My experience has shown that the optimization of the diet, particularly the avoidnace of sugars and dairy, is the most effective preventive tool.
If you haven't read last week's article on polio and sugar please do as it is an incredibly powerful and compelling story that may finally convince you that it is indeed sugar that weakens the immune system and predisposes us to all sorts of viral infections.
Also, always remember flu shots are NOT the answer.
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