Protect Yourself From the Flu

The Natural Way

   Flu season will soon strike the United States.  We’ve heard so much about the swine flu or novel H1N1, many people don’t realize seasonal flu is responsible for an average of 200,000 hospitalizations and 35,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.
   The flu is caused by one of many circulating influenza viruses, which cause headache, fever, joint pain, coughing, sneezing, and congestion.  In children and occasionally in adults diarrhea and vomiting are present as well.
   So what should you do to protect yourself from the flu if you are not inclined to get a shot, or to protect yourself even if you do?

• Eliminate sugar from your diet. At the very least, minimize sugar—both amount and frequency. Sugar will wreak havoc with your immune system for at least 3 days, each time you eat it.


• Stock up on vitamin D. Do it now. Get out in the sun without sunscreen! If you live where the sun “don’t shine” supplement your vitamin D. 


• Make sure you are getting enough

zinc, and vitamins A, C, and E.  Remember whole food vitamins are best—your body doesn’t  utilize chemically based synthetic vitamins nearly as well as vitamins derived from whole foods.


• Detox now. The fewer toxins your body is trying to deal with, the better it will be equipped to fight disease.


• Eat well. Your body needs nutrient dense foods—80% fresh, raw, organic fruits and vegetables each day.


• Stock up on high quality echinacea, goldenseal, and goldenthread.

   If you do succumb to the flu, drink lots of fluids. No soda. No sugar. No artificial sweeteners.  Your body needs water and vegetable juices. Remember sugar will surpress your immune system. Don’t even consider artificial sweeteners—toxic, toxic, toxic!
   Rest.  Get lots of sleep.  Help your body fight off the virus and avoid secondary infections—bronchitis, sinus infections, ear infections, and pneumonia.

   And of course do your best not to spread the flu. Stay home and don’t go out until you’ve been completely symptom free for several days. To minimize risk to your family, shut the door to your bedroom. Don’t share food, dishes, towels, and washcloths.
   A healthy body fights disease and fights it well.  You could catch the flu and fight it off without ever knowing your immune system engaged in the battle. It’s up to you.