Spook Away the Flu: Tips for a Healthy Season!
Fall is almost here, and that means flu season is also approaching. So, it’s a good time to think about our immune system and nourishing our bodies to withstand whatever is to come.
Our immune system is a delicate and intricate balance of pathways that work together to support and protect the body. It requires nutrients like vitamins and minerals to work properly. It is greatly affected by the metabolism, stress hormones and inflammatory pathways. It works hard to maintain a homeostasis in the body no matter what it is exposed to. If you are constantly living in a sea of cortisol, adrenaline and glucagon from lack of carbohydrates, a lack of Calories or too much mental stress, you will struggle to fight off pathogens.
Toxins (physical, biological or spiritual) only serve to break down and hinder this complicated process. Some toxins cannot be avoided, but many CAN. Do your best to eat organic whole foods from healthy grass-fed ruminants, fresh fruits, carrot salad, raw honey and collagen for your gut and raw diary from happy cows. And of course, lots of orange juice! Throw out the processed foods. Don’t eat out too much. Filter your water. Avoid any unnecessary pharmaceuticals. Spend time breathing deeply outside and in the sun to reduce stress. Take a walk. Pray. Enjoy your family and loved ones instead of staring at a screen.
Remember, healing your body and keeping it well is a benefit of healthy energy production. High levels of stress hormones will cause serious active harm to your immune system, and will inhibit it from doing its job when you are exposed to a pathogen. So make sure you are feeding your mitochondria plenty of healthy carbohydrates to not only keep stress at bay but to support a proper immune response. That must be a priority.
Here are the supplements that we believe best support the immune system:
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
Take 1000 mg 3 times a day (when you are ill, you can take 1000+mg every hour). Get it here. Vit C not only greatly helps the immune system fight off attackers, it helps mitigate toxic exposure to EMFs as well.
Vitamin D
Get your levels checked, but most people are not getting enough Vitamin D. We love the brand d.velop because it is highly absorbable and works even for those who can’t seem to get their levels up no matter how much they take.
Zinc
You can take 50 mg when you are sick, but a daily dose of 15 mg is good. Our favorite is from MitoLife.
Quercetin
A flavonoid that is anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-allergic, and anti-inflammatory, read more details here, take 500 mg twice a day. Get a supplement like this one with bromelain (an enzyme) to help with allergies.
Organic Sulfur
A mineral that aids in liver detox, and helps your body keep a balanced histamine response. Get it here.
NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)
Helps break up mucus, supports the liver and detox, and helps the body to make glutathione, your most important antioxidant. Get it here.
Have the below on hand when you are sick!
(In addition to the above)
IP6 Gold
It’s gold Jerry, gold. This stuff is a powder you mix in with juice on an empty stomach and it gives your entire immune system a kick in the pants. Work it in at least twice a day when sick, and you can take more to fight other immune diseases. Get it here.
Nature’s Way Umcka Cold and Flu Rapid Response
This remedy reduces the length of illness and really helps you to feel better quickly - Take a shot 3 x a day. You can also use the chewables.
Nebulized Hydrogen Peroxide
For upper respiratory infections, get a desktop nebulizer like this one. You will need 3% food grade Hydrogen Peroxide and normal saline. In a clean glass jar, mix 250 ml saline with 3 ml of the 3% hydrogen peroxide. You can also add a drop of 2% Lugol’s Solution (iodine). Store this solution in your fridge. Nebulize at least 3x a day for 20 minutes, breathing deeply through your nose and lungs. This is also perfect for kids, and most nebulizers come with a kid-sized attachment.
Betadine Gargle
You can probably get this from your local pharmacy or get it here. Use it right away at the first signs of a sore throat or even if you have been around sick people. It works to kill pathogens at the source.
Aromatherapy
Prepare a mug of hot filtered water and add 2 drops each of peppermint essential oil, tea tree essential oil, oregano essential oil, and lemon essential oil. Breathe deeply until it cools down.
Heat therapy
For sinus pain, use a facial heating pad like this one to soothe and release tension around your sinus cavities.
Chestal Honey
A safe remedy from Boiron for cough. Highly recommend that you have this on hand. Get it here.
Traditional Medicinals Throat Coat Tea
This stuff is dynamite for soothing a sore throat. Make sure you get the original version with slippery elm.
Wedderspoon Organic Manuka Honey Drops
Delicious cough drops you will be glad to have on hand.
And because we love you, dear reader, here is the best oatmeal recipe we have ever tasted! Perfect when feeling under the weather or just for a chilly Saturday morning.
Taken from Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon:
Start with
1 cup oats (get sprouted or pre-soaked)
1 cup warm filtered water (100 deg F)
2 tbsp yogurt
Stir these three together in a glass bowl and cover with plastic wrap and leave in a warm place overnight (7-24 hours).
Then bring 1 cup filtered water and 1/2 tsp sea salt to a boil. Stir in the soaked oats mixture, reduce heat, cover and let cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently. When it has the consistency you like, remove from the heat and let it stand a few minutes. Melt in 1-2 tbsp butter.
Enjoy with maple syrup or raw honey with a splash of milk!