Cold and flu prevention!

How to prevent and treat the flu…. with out a flu shot.

Many people fear the flu. It can be a major inconvenience with aches and pains and days of missed work. When the sunlight drops so does our storage of vitamin D, which happens to correlate with the increase in influenza. Infants who are not breast fed, who are lacking natural immunity and the elderly especially those on more than 5 medications are at risk for mortality. But most of us just suffer through the aches and pains for a week and then recover.

So what do you do?

Keep up with your Vitamin D. Studies have shown vitamin D works to boost the immune system and can treat the flu. The hammer dose of 50,000 I.U’s or 10,000 I.U’s 3x/day for 2-3 days can reduce flu symptoms dramatically in 48-72 hours. Many people can get by with 600 I.U’s daily or 2000 if you have not been out in the sun at all during the summer or are immune compromised.

Vitamin C has been shown to fight infection. It has been shown to relieve and prevent the flu. It too can be used in high hammer doses to quickly fight infections. Try 10,000 I.U.’s 1x/day. High doses will loosen the bowels. So back the dose off if this happens to you.

Oscillococcinum by Boiron is a homeopathic medicine I have used for years to reduce cold and flu symptoms. Take it at the first signs of the flu and often it will nip the symptoms of the cold or flu in the bud.

Citomix and Guna Flu are two low dose medicines that also can be taken preventatively. The protocol is one dose each weekly at the start of the cold and flu season and then taken actively several times a day for those who have missed the prevention phase in case of the onset of cold or flu.

Some people swear by garlic soup. Garlic has been shown to be anti-viral. Studies have shown that taking garlic for three months before the flu seasons lessen the chances of getting the flu or colds.

The Chinese Herbal Medicine formula "Yu Ping Feng San" or "Jade Wind Screen" also helps to build immunity with the adaptogen astragalus. Take it as a tea or in capsules for convenience for cold and flu prevention.

Of course keep stress minimized, get plenty of sleep, eat warm foods in the winter, keep phlegm to a minimum by eliminating wheat and dairy and sugar in your diet. Get some sun if possible. I have even recommended a very short exposure to light with full spectrum tanning beds or light bulbs. Wash hands often, avoid crowds and keep over exposure to the cold weather minimized.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!