The flu season is approaching. In the northern hemisphere, the flu season typically spans from November to March, the northern autumn and winter months.  While governments around the world are relying upon mass vaccinations to help deal with the challenges posed by the flu, there is much you can do personally to protect yourself and your family, and to avoid the potential risks of the flu vaccines.

Your own strong immune system is your best ally and defense in the face of a flu epidemic.  The following are our recommendations for maintaining a strong defense:

• Sleep Get plenty of sleep.  Bedtime by 9-10 PM is ideal.
• Avoid Sugar and Processed Foods This includes sodas, fruit juices, pasta, and pastries.  Sugar decreases the function of your immune system almost immediately after ingestion.
• Exercise Daily exercise relieves stress and increases the circulation of the lymphatic system, assisting the body in rapid elimination of toxins, including viruses and bacteria.
• Manage Stress Overwhelming stress weakens the body’s ability to fight off the flu and other illness.
• Water Drink at least half your body weight converted to ounces daily.  Proper hydration is key to health and strong immunity.
• Homemade Bone Broths Incorporate homemade bone broths daily to support your overall heath.  We highly recommend Sally Fallon Morrell’s bone broth recipes as found in Nourishing Traditions.
• Muco Coccinum An exceptional homeopathic preparation containing various strains of the worst flu epidemics of the 20th century, specifically formulated to help boost immune function, and stimulate the body’s own defenses to combat and prevent flus and potent viruses.  Take one tablet under tongue once a week.  Available through our office.
• Gammadyn CuAuAg This oligo-element is also important in immune function and helps activate the mechanisms of cellular and humoral immunity. This oligo-element is also indicated in conditions such as hypoadrenalism, arthritis, chronic rheumatism, skin and collagen disorders such as psoriasis and acne, immune depletion and infectious diseases.  Take one tablet under tongue once weekly.  Available through our office.
• FluMax Pro A homeopathic nosode formula that acts as an immuno-stimulant against flu strains.  Take just three sprays once daily during flu epidemic.  Available through our office.
• Congaplex A nutritional formula that has been around since 1959.  Congaplex contains nutrients that contribute to the healthy response of the immune and respiratory systems.  Take three capsules twice daily to boost immunity. Congaplex is available in a children’s chewable form.
• Vitamin D The body makes Vitamin D through cholesterol reaches the surface of the skin. Cholesterol chemically reacts with the sun and is reabsorbed by the body.  Vitamin D helps eradicate viruses like the flu.  We recommend daily sunshine along with Green Pasture’s Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver Oil, Cataplex D, or Bio D Mulsion Forte.  Available through our office.
• Immuplex Immuplex combines vitamins A, B12, C, and E, folic acid, and minerals, such as zinc, copper, chromium, iron, and selenium along with other nutrients key in creating strong immunity in the body.  Take two to three tablets twice daily.  Available through our office.
• Lacto-fermented foods or probiotics should be a daily part of one’s diet. We suggest homemade yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and other lacto-fermented foods and beverages. These foods encourage the growth of protective bacteria, safeguarding your body from pathogenic viruses and bacteria. The addition of a high quality probiotic, like Ther-biotic Complete, HMF Forte, or Bio-Kult can be very helpful in boosting one’s levels of beneficial flora. Children’s formulas are also available. Just ask us to recommend one for your needs.