Colds & Flu (Influenza)

NATURAL and Healthy Remedies:

1. Chiropractic Adjustment: There are hundreds of scientific research studies proving the effectiveness of Chiropractic on the immune system (adjustments influence the nervous system therefore improving immune function). 
2. Stay away from sugars, refined flour, congestive foods like dairy products and creamy soups.  They can slow down white blood cells for several hours after consumption. It's the white blood cells that fight viral and bacterial infections.
3. Eat fruits and vegetables.
4. Eat raw garlic: Perhaps a bit extreme, but this natural antibiotic increases immunity.
5. Drink large amounts of fluids: We recommend pure water, but if need be diluted vegetable juices, soups and herbal teas.
6. Exercise:  Exercise stimulates the disease fighting white blood cells in the body to move from the organs to the bloodstream.
7. Sleep/ Relaxation/ Mediation & Stress Reduction: Stress has been proven in many research journals to lower your immunity.
8. Vitamin D: This has been getting recent attention in major health journals as a major contributor to building a stronger immune system, especially when not getting enough sun exposure.
9. Supplements:

·        Wellness Formula- This is a blend of vitamins and herbs specific to building a stronger immune system. This can be purchased at Whole Foods. If you prefer to take only one supplement, this is the one because it does include vitamins and herbs listed below. Click here for all the ingredients of the Wellness Formula.

·        Vitamin C- White blood cells may utilize 4 to 6 times the normal rate of vitamin C during a cold or flu (foods: acreola cherry, citrus fruits).

·        Vitamin E- Builds a healthier immune system (food: wheat germ oil).

·        Zinc- in the form of amino acid chelated minerals     

·        Multi-vitamins and minerals- strengthens immunity - think prevention.

·        Garlic – natural antibiotic.

·        Sterols and Sterolins- (Plant “fats” in fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts) increase the function of the immune system.

·        Probiotic (i.e. acidophilus) – are a backup to the immune system. It’s the good bacteria that help to detoxify and suppress pathogens.  

   10.  A Few Drops of Hydrogen Peroxide in the Ears. The number one website on natural health Mercola.com suggests this at the first sign of a cold or flu and says it works well.

   11. Herbs: Echinacea, Golden Seal, Astragalus

Colds and the flu are caused by viruses invading the body.  These viruses enter the body through secretions of the eyes and nose, but they can also enter our body through the air.  Mental and physical stress weakens our body and immune system, which makes the susceptibility of getting a cold or flu higher. 

The body fights against these viruses by releasing white blood cells (lymphocytes) produced by the immune system, which attack and destroy viruses.  These same lymphocytes then remember the virus so that the immune system can respond quickly when the same virus attacks again.  

There are hundreds of strains of cold and flu, the viruses mutate so much from year to year that they are difficult to treat or prevent.  Between October 1, 2003 and April 9, 2004, the CDC identified 863 DIFFERENT flu (influenza) viruses. The flu vaccinations are made from three chosen strains, not all 860 influenza viruses in circulation.  Click here to see more information about vaccinations for the flu.