Staying Healthy During Cold and Flu Season

The swine flu vaccine is slowly arriving in clinics over the next few weeks. The FluMist version has recently appeared here in California (although I caution anyone interested in getting the vaccine to avoid the nasal version and go straight for the shots. Read here for more info especially the bit about viral shedding...I ignored all the us-against-them hype of the rest of the article). Even if you're not planning to get the H1N1 vaccine...you may be considering a seasonal flu vaccine for you and/or your family.

Far be it from me to tell folks whether or not to get vaccinated. While I prescribe to quite a few alternative health practices, I am not fully on board with the anti-vaccine crowd. I see their point and have gone so far as to put my kids on a modified (aka Dr. Sears) vaccination schedule as a result. But I'm not about to forgo vaccines 100%. I prefer to walk the fine line between mainstream and alternative medicine. I think each has something of value to contribute and I want to get the best of both worlds.

Anyway, I've spent an inordinate amount of time researching the flu vaccines to ensure whatever I decide to do this year is the right thing for my family. As such, I've complied a list of things my family can do to help boost our immune systems. Anyone can do these things regardless of whether or not they decide to get the shot(s). Because, let's face it, even if you are no longer vulnerable to the seasonal flu or H1N1, there are a host of other winter illnesses lurking around the corner, waiting to pounce.

But before I go into the preventatives, allow me to share this information with you courtesy of Dr. Sears regarding the H1N1 vaccine. I found it incredibly helpful and balanced (very refreshing considering how both sides of the vaccine issue can wax a tad fanatical at times).

Now here are a few easy things you can do (aside from the obvious: wash your hands!) to keep your family's immune system in top condition this winter:

1) Invest in a few bottles of elderberry syrup. Both mainstream and integrative medical studies have found elderberry to be a wonderful anti-viral. It works to help fend off viral infections as well as keep them from running completely amuk once a person is infected. Elderberry is also fabulous for sore throats. Give kids a teaspoon a day and adults two teaspoons as a preventative. You can purchase Nature's Way sugar-free (but yummy) elderberry supplement at Whole Foods or any health food store. You can also purchase a bag of dried elderberries and make your own concoction at home. But please remember, elderberries should NEVER be eaten as they are toxic when dried or raw. Steeping them for a few hours in hot water removes all toxins, leaving behind the good stuff in liquid form. Strain out the solids, add a little honey, and voila! Instant syrup.

2) Mucco coccinum is a homeopathic anti-viral that while not terribly effective for me, really seems to do the trick for the kids. The few times I've remembered to give it to them, both M and Z managed to avoid catching whatever creeping crud infected K and I. Kids should get 1/2 pill every two weeks for maintenance and 1 pill per day if sick. Adults should get 1 pill every two weeks for maintenance and one pill a day if sick. The pills are sweet and dissolve quickly under the tongue...kids love them. For babies, grind up and place in mouth in powder form.

3) Invest in a bottle of rose hip syrup. Rose hips are INCREDIBLY high in vitamin C...even more so than oranges. 1/2 teaspoon a day for kids, 1 teaspoon a day for adults is more than enough to help strengthen the immune system. I get mine here.

4) (advanced apologies for semi-nude pic in link. WTF?!) Get your vitamin D in the best way possible: go outside and sit in the sun for at least 15 minutes per day. Yes, hanging out in the sun during peak hours isn't a great idea considering the risk of skin damage and cancer. But spending time in the sun at least twice a week, especially early morning sun (until 10:00am), gives adults and kids the vitamin D they need. This is especially necessary during the winter months to keep immune systems strong. Many people mistakenly stay indoors during the winter because they believe they are more prone to getting sick when it's cold. The truth is, you are more prone to getting sick if you spend too much time indoors...so be sure to take the family outside as frequently as you can, even when it's cold. You can also take vitamin D supplements or target foods rich in Vitamin D. If you do decide on supplements, understand that there is too much of a good thing. This article can help provide more info.

5) Last but not least, don't forget your probiotics. I know I've waxed poetic about these before. But honestly, I swear by them. My kids get sick just like anyone elses (and sometimes more than other people's kids). But so far, we've managed to stare into the face of several stomach bugs over the past few months and none of them gained a foothold in our home. I like to think this has something to do with probiotics. Also, should you have to put your kids on some form of antibiotic for ear infections, conjunctivitus, or whatever...probiotics are a must. Antibiotics kill off both good and bad bacteria. And our bodies need the good bacteria to keep our immune systems strong and fight off any potential invaders. The irony of antibiotics is we take them to get rid of a nasty infection but because we are taking them, we are making our bodies more vulnerable to other nasty infections (yeast infections anyone?). Probiotics replenish the good bacterias and ensure minimal negative impact to our immune systems.

Good luck and stay healthy!!