by Dr. Natasha

With flu season upon us Thrive’s resident Naturopathic Doctor was kind enough to provide us with what you can do to help build your immune system naturally!

Facts and Controversies about H1N1

·         The H1N1 strain acts like seasonal influenza: the incubation period is 1-4 days and the symptoms resemble seasonal influenza. The transmission rate of H1N1 is lower than seasonal influenza.

·         The H1N1 strain is killed by heat. Well-cooked meat will kill the virus. Sweating through exercise helps to kill the virus

·          Warmer weather will decrease the transmission rates of both H1N1 and seasonal flu.

·          Cases reported in Ontario have been mild.

·          Those who have reportedly died with Swine flu are thought to have had pre-existing health conditions

·          Serious cases of the flu are usually in situations where ones immune system is weak and the individual develops secondary infections like pneumonia.

·         The flu shot does not provide protection from the H1N1 flu strain.

·          ***NOTE: Do not give ASPRIN or SALICYLATE to children under 18, it can lead to Reiter’s syndrome.

·         Epidemic: widespread outbreak of an infectious disease; many people are infected at the same time. A Pandemic is an epidemic of infectious disease that is spreading through human populations across a large region; for instance a continent, or even worldwide.

How does it spread?
Like the common flu: coughing, sneezing, talking, sharing utensils, and contact with infected surfaces.

Symptoms?
Similar to other influenza viruses

·         Fatigue

·         Fever

·         Chills

·         Muscle and/or joint pain

·         Sore throat

·         Cough

·         Shortness of breath

·         Diarrhea

·         Vomiting

Who is at Risk?
Contact with an infected person confirmed to have the H1N1 virus, or contact with someone who has recently traveled to an affected area.

What should you do?
Call your Naturopathic Doctor or Medical Doctor before going to a clinic. If needed for the diagnosis a doctor will do a nasopharyngeal swab and send this to a lab. This test is most effective within first 24-48 hours of onset of symptoms. 

EMERGENCY WARNING SIGNS:

THE CONVENTIONAL APPROACH

• Stay Home
• Isolation / rest
• Fluids
• Hygiene
• Mask if in contact with others (2m).
• Medications for fevers and muscle/joint aches.
• Individuals who are at high risk for influenza complications may benefit from antiviral treatments; which include neuraminidase inhibitors such as Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (Relenza)
• Severely ill patients should be hospitalized

NATUROPATHIC PREVENTION STRATEGIES

By strengthening your immunity, if you do get an illness, it will be mild, easy to overcome and you are at lower risk for complications. Here are some natural ways to get your immune system in shape!

·     Sleep: melatonin boosts the immune system.

·     Rest: Every day lie down for 15-20 minutes in the middle of your day. Close your eyes and focus on breathing in and out naturally. By doing this you are allowing your body to enter the parasympathetic mode (a relaxed state) which is when the immune system can do its best work. This can be done on the couch, on the bed or even in a comfy chair. Stress directly suppresses your immune system.

·     Breathing: Deep breathing allows oxygen to enter the lower airways where bacteria and viruses often reside and replicate. The oxygen inhaled via deep breathing will inactivate some bacteria and viruses while the deep exhalation will allow the body to force the invader out. Many allergy sufferers and those with chronic upper respiratory tract infections are mouth breathers. The nostrils filter and clean the air we breathe. The mouth does not offer this protection. By learning proper deep breathing you can decrease your incidence of allergies and infections.

·     Stress reduction: stress hormones reduce immune function.

·     Moderate exercise: boosts immune function

·     Nutrition: Fruits and vegetables: At least 5 servings/day. Healing Foods include:

o   Raw pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds: These are high in zinc, copper and selenium. These minerals prevent viral replication so it can shorten the length of flu.

o   Garlic: This food possesses antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant effects. Eat a 1 clove/day or supplement with standardized extract of 5 mg of 1% allicin.

o   Ginger/Lemon Tea: This combination is great for strengthening immunity. Grate some ginger root and add 1 tsp to a mug of boiling water and steep for 3 minutes. Add 1 tsp organic lemon juice or ¼ fresh lemon. Sweeten with Stevia is necessary.

o    Drink water: 8 glasses of water or more /day. Keeping hydrated prevents viruses from adhering to mucus membranes.

·         Other:  Allow a mild to moderate fever this optimizes immune modulation and strengthens the healing response

·         Dry Skin Brushing and Contrast Showers: Dry skin brushing and contrast showers are useful to support optimal lymphatic system function. End your shower with 1 minute of water as hot as can handle followed by 30 seconds of as cold as you can handle. It’s the difference in temperature that has the most therapeutic benefit. This increases circulation and helps remove toxins from the body. It stimulates lymphatic circulation which removes infection and boosts the immune system. This practice also wakes you up. Use a natural bristle brush or loofah; Make small light circles; Start at feet and work towards heart; Continue from fingertips to heart; Do this on bare skin, without water, and quickly; it will take 1 minute once you make it a habit; this increases lymph circulation which removes infections and boosts the immune system.

·         Limit: Alcohol, sugar, dairy, meat and caffeine. Gargling with green tea and salt has been shown to reduce the transmission rates of flu.

·          Sinus Rinse : Purchase the Neil Med Neti Pot from the drug store and use as directed for congestion and to speed up recovery from a cold. There is a spray available for children as well.

·         Antiseptic Spray: Add 2 tbsp of sea salt to 1L of water and pour into a spray bottle. Use this to spray the air of any room in the house. Salt prevents bacteria from replicating so spraying this will protect other members of the house from getting sick. To improve the antiseptic capabilities of this spray, add the Natural Home or Resp Air essential oil blend.
 Remember that ‘emotional’ stress, fear and worry can depress the immune system.

Your Nutrition

Never underestimate the power of your nutrition.  Consider Immune Boosting Recipes and along with the following nutrients and supplements to boost your immune system:

·    Probiotics and Vitamin D:  Prevent the virus from attaching to mucous membranes.

·    Essential fatty acids (omega 3), and vitamins, especially A, C, E: Optimize mucous membrane health

·     Balance Th1 and Th2 using vitamin D, zinc, copper, selenium, glutamine, milk thistle and probiotics such as HMF Forte and ULTRA flora DF. Taking probiotics will keep our immune systems strong and re-inoculate the good bacteria in our guts, where 60%- 70% of our immune system is located.

·      A Homeopathic alternative to the vaccination is MUCOCOCCINUM

·     Antiviral botanicals: Sambucus niger( American Black Elderberry), Panax quinqefolium(Ginseng), Glycerrhiza glabra (Licorice), Allium sativum (Garlic). I recommend C&F plex

·     Balance sIgA levels, NK cells and Dendrytic cells (microbe fighting cells) with Beta-D-Glucan from Medicinal mushrooms, PSK from Coriolus versicolor, AHCC from Shitake mushrooms, Arabinogalactans from Larch. I recommend Astragalus Combo/Deep Immune

·    Drink adaptogenic herbal teas (astragalus, ginseng, eleuthro.) Stress compromises our immune systems and adaptogenic herbs help our bodies adapt to high stress levels.

·     Pure Organic Oregano Oil: 1 drop/day to prevent the flu and up to 4X/day to treat the flu

·     Elderberry tea or syrup reduces the severity and duration of respiratory symptoms, and decreases nasal and sinus congestion.

 
Your Proactive Health Care Flu Prevention and Treatment Kit: ALL AVAILABLE AT BE WELL

·         Mucococinnum: 1 tablet PER WEEK to prevent the flu

·         Astragalus Combo/Deep Immune: 1-2 capsules /day or ½-1 tsp/day depending on stress level to treat and prevent the flu

·         C&F plex: 2 caps 2X/day for 3 weeks. Then 2 weeks off. Repeat again at 1 cap 2X/day for 3 weeks then 2 weeks off. If you have an acute flu, take 2 caps 3X/day until symptoms disappear.

·         HMF Forte and Ultra Flora DF: These are the most potent, quality assured and best researched probiotics I have found. Take 1 capsule daily starting with HMF Forte for 2 months. Discontinue for 1 week then start ULTRA flora DF capsules. Take 1 capsule daily for 2 months. Take 2 capsules daily if are acutely ill or have travelled.

·         Natural Home essential oil blend: Add 10 drops to spray bottle and use to wipe surfaces. This can be added to your current natural home cleaner.

·         Resp Air essential oil blend: Add 8 drops to a diffuser, add 10 drops to boiling or very hot water for steam inhalation. Add 10 drops to spray bottle and use in all rooms of the house especially if someone is suspected of being sick. You can also apply 3-4 drops in a cloth handkerchief and inhale.
 
 
Natasha Zajmalowski ND
Be Well
3449 Walker Rd.
Windsor, ON N8W 3S2
www.proactive-healthcare.com
p: 519.972.9355
f: 519.972.6355

Filed under: Author Dr. Natasha, Health