Flu Prevention Information
I took the day off to heal my cold. I had planned to go to work when I woke up. The next thing I knew, I was waking up again and it was after 9 AM. My plan was to leave at 8:30. I took my extra sleep as a sign from my body that I needed even more rest. I thought I was doing a good job of keeping the germs away from me. Clearly, I will have to be more vigilant. I did get some good information in my mailbox on flu prevention from Dr. Carol Robin that I'm sharing with you. She facilitates a series of interviews on health and wellness issues with a mind, body, heart, spirit approach. Her flu information is below. The only thing missing below is prayer. Combining the recommendations below with prayer is certainly the best strategy.
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The flu is certainly an unpleasant illness, but it is largely preventable and rarely fatal. The truth of the popular statistic that 36,000 people die from influenza each year is actually that around 35,000 of those deaths are from pneumonia, usually secondary bacterial pneumonia. According to Dr. Joseph Mercola’s excellent Special Swine flu Update available at www.mercola.com: “…A separate study conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics for seasonal influenza seasons between 1979 and 2002 reveals that the range of annual influenza deaths were between 257 and 3,006, for an average of 1,348 influenza deaths per year.1 Again, nowhere near the 36,000 mortality mark that has been etched into stone by those who are advocating annual flu shots. Although the loss of even a single life is tragic, I don't think anyone would look at these numbers and say that a mortality rate of less than 1,350 is cause to label influenza a "deadly disease" that requires mandatory influenza vaccination..."
PREVENTION IS BEST.
1- REMEMBER THAT FEAR IS MORE CONTAGIOUS AND DEADLY THAN ANY VIRUS. Listen to your body and bathe it in love, safety and happiness. Visualize health and balance in your immune system and your entire body. Be fearless. Listen to our speakers and other wise teachers for inspiration and guidance and above all, honor your intuition and your inner wisdom.
2- MINIMIZE EXPOSURE TO VIRUSES. Stay away from people who are visibly sick. Don’t use other people’s pens, phones, and don’t shake hands! Wash your hands with soap and water after handling money (very germy stuff!) shopping carts, doorknobs, public bathrooms, etc.
3- DO NOT TOUCH YOUR EYES, NOSE OR MOUTH if your hands are not clean! These viruses get into your system through eyes, nose and mouth.
4- DON’T LET THE VIRUS TAKE HOLD IN YOUR SYSTEM. It takes 2-3 days for the viruse to propagate in your system. Daily cleansing of your nose with a Neti pot, Lavage or other nasal douche system cleans viruses out of your nasal passages before they can dig in and multiply. Gargling daily with warm salt water and drinking lots of hot teas clears them out of your throat. Tears contain immune cells.
5- SUPPORT YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
- eat a healthy, whole foods diet; eat plenty of protein, get lots of antioxidants from colorful vegetables and fruits, avoid sugar and excessive caffeine
- drink at least 8 glasses of water a day
- take a good multivitamin and extra Vitamin C, Zinc, A, D and fish oils
- get plenty of sleep; your immune system restores itself during deep sleep (for help, try my CD “Restful Sleep, Healing Sleep”)
- consider immune supporting supplements such as olive leaf, echinacea, garlic, cordyceps, astragulus, colostrum, probiotics and monolaurin
6- OPTIMIZE YOUR VITAMIN D LEVELS. Have your 25-OH Vit. D levels tested, optimal levels are now recommended to be 50-70ng/ml. Many doctors will tell you you are fine if your level is above 30. This is not high enough according to the most up to date research. Most people need a minimum of 2000-4000 I.U. of Vitamin D3 per day just to maintain their levels. To raise your Vitamin D levels, if you cannot get it from regular sun exposure without sunscreen, (which those of us far from the equator cannot during winter months) you may need a much higher intake.
7- MANAGE YOUR STRESS. Breathing exercises, meditation, relaxation, imagery, fun and love support your immune function. Listen to your body!
ACT QUICKLY AT THE FIRST SIGN OF ILLNESS
- Consider homeopathic Oscillococcinum. If you feel like you are coming down with the flu, or if you are exposed to someone with the flu directly, you can take one dose twice a day for two-three days. You can also consider one half to one vial once or twice a week throughout the winter as a preventative measure.
- Consider natural antimicrobial and immune supporting supplements (olive leaf, garlic, oregano oil, grapefruit seed extract, colostrum, monolaurin, probiotics)
- Increase your Vitamin C, A, Zinc and water
- Explore herbal or homeopathic cold and flu remedies.
- Fever is the body’s way of increasing immune system activity. Unless you have a high fever, let your body work naturally whenever possible.
- Colds and flus are caused by viruses, not bacteria. Antibiotics only kill bacteria and therefore do nothing for a viral infection. Avoid antibiotics unless your doctor has determined that you have developed a secondary bacterial infection. The unnecessary use of antibiotics weakens your system and makes you more susceptible to further illnesses.
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