How to Stay Healthy During Flu Season

January 14, 2018 | Wellness Resources

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How to Stay Healthy During Flu Season
It is the time of year when everyone seems to be getting sick. The flu shot continues to get pushed to the public as the “only way” to prevent the flu. Of course, you want to prevent yourself from getting sick if you can, but the effectiveness of the flu vaccine continues to be lacking. Not to mention vaccines are a real stress to your immune system. Is it worth it for the marginal protection it provides?

A vaccine only protects you against one strain of the flu, but there are many more. With such a narrow scope of flu vaccine effectiveness, what happens if you do get sick? A cough, a scratchy throat, the sniffles, fatigue, aches & chills. When you start to come down with symptoms, it’s time to take action!

The science is clear that some basic nutrients are vital for a healthy immune response in combating the infections. Coenzyme B vitamins, antioxidants, zinc and vitamins A, C , E, and D are all necessary in order for your immune system to run smoothly. In addition to taking extra of these basic nutrients, there are a few powerhouse nutrients that can help boost your immune system and help you beat back the ever-present sicknesses.

1. Olive Leaf Extract: If you do get hit with the flu, and the common prescription of “plenty of rest and fluids” is not enough, olive leaf extract can help. Olive leaf extract has gained recent attention for its broad immune support characteristics. The active immune support component of olive leaf extract, called oleuropein, has been shown effective against various strains of bacteria, yeasts, and viruses.

What makes olive leaf extract a true immune powerhouse is its ability to combat invaders, while simultaneously boosting your health. It also improves immune system function by boosting antioxidant status and reducing inflammation during infection. All this means you don’t feel as wiped out if you do get the flu.

2. Arabinogalactan: A drippy nose and a phlegmy cough are classic symptoms of a full-blown immune response. Arabinogalactan20 can help clear congestion naturally and reduce lymph stagnation. It enhances macrophages (garbage eaters) and other immune cells within lymph tissue. Arabinogalactan is also one of the best natural remedies to help clear a fever.

When we breathe in or swallow germs, the germs stick to mucous membranes in our respiratory or digestive tract and trigger an immune response. If your immune system is healthy, then you mount an appropriate immune response and can fight off many invaders. A stagnant lymphatic system often underlies or co-exists with a fatigued immune system because properly flowing lymph is essential for a speedy and effective immune response. When a viral enemy is rapidly multiplying, a swift immune response can make all the difference in the severity of infection.

3. Oregano Oil: Oregano oil is well documented as a potent germ killing compound that also boosts the immune system. When bacteria encounter the active component in oregano oil, carvacrol, the cell membrane of the bacteria is significantly altered, which kills the bacteria. Research shows overall effectiveness of oregano oil against bacteria, even drug-resistant strains like MRSA.

4. Colloidal Silver: The use of silver for health dates back many centuries as the primary germ killer in the early 1900s. More recently, colloidal silver has been proven to be good for fighting many infections including pink eye, candida overgrowth, ear infections, sinusitis, pneumonia, cold, and flu.

The best response is seen when colloidal silver is taken at the first sign of symptoms. One to two teaspoons is generally used as the first dose, repeated every few hours if needed, up to four times per day. Spray bottles can help deliver the colloidal silver into your sinuses and the back of the throat to fight sinusitis or a scratchy throat. As with any supplement, it is important to use a high quality form. Low quality products contain ionized silver, not mild silver protein. True colloidal silver consists of pure water and 99.99% mild silver protein compounds.

5. N-Acetyl Cysteine: Antioxidants are needed for boosting immunity and keeping the body armed and protected. The healthy operation of innate immunity requires cells have plenty of antioxidants. The “master antioxidant” is called glutathione. Cysteine can be metabolized into cellular glutathione. N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) has long been known as a flu-fighting nutrient since a study showed individuals taking NAC were much less likely to acquire influenza (29 percent of the NAC group compared to 51 percent of the placebo group). Flu that did occur in the NAC group was much less severe.

Today, NAC continues to show immune boosting benefits. By boosting glutathione levels, NAC has been shown to reduce respiratory symptoms, reduce flu virus replication, and dramatically lower the inflammatory damage caused by viral infection. Anyone at risk for getting the flu should protect themselves with NAC.

Along with a healthy diet, quality supplements are great to help ensure optimal function of your immune system. Nutrition should be part of your support team to prevent the flu and help your body recover faster should you happen to catch a “bug”. Nature has provided a treasure trove of nutrients to naturally support your immune system. Don’t be caught without these top immune boosters this winter!

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