As cold and flu season quickly approaches, please keep in mind the following, natural protocol to help you stay healthy!
Our best defenses are strict hygiene measures and immune system support.
This year we may have to deal with the common seasonal flu and/or the H1N1 flu strain. The symptoms are similar for both, although not everyone experiences all of them.
Symptoms:
Manifestations of H1N1 influenza (swine flu) are similar to those of seasonal influenza. However, patients with H1N1 present with symptoms of acute respiratory illness, including at least 2 of the following:
Fever
Cough
Sore throat
Body aches
Headache
Chills and fatigue
Diarrhea and vomiting (possible)
Persons with these symptoms should call their health care provider promptly. If an antiviral agent is warranted, it should ideally be initiated with 48 hours from the onset of symptoms. The duration of illness is typically 4-6 days. The infectious period for a confirmed case is defined as 1 day prior to the onset of symptoms to 7 days after onset.
In children, signs of severe disease include apnea (no intake of air) , tachypnea (rapid breathing), dyspnea (difficulty breathing), cyanosis (bluish tinge to skin and mucous membranes), dehydration, altered mental status, and extreme irritability.
The viruses are transmitted via droplets from coughing and/or sneezing which can contaminate the air or anything that these droplets touch.
Remember that the H1N1 Flu is only dangerous or potentially deadly for those whose immune system is compromised for other reasons.
Hygiene Measures:
Wash your hands often, especially in public places.
If you need to sneeze, cover your mouth with your elbow, not your hands.
Avoid hugging/kissing individuals who may have been in contact with a sick person – During this flu season, why not use the Asian traditional salutation instead!
PREVENTION :
Adults
Pregnant and breast-feeding women need to consult prior to taking any supplement.
*7 to 8 hrs of quality sleep – sleep is extremely important for the immune system.
*Laughter (no joke!) is one of our best medicines for the immune system.
*Get your levels of Vit D up to mid-normal range on your blood test results – take 2,000 I.U./day with food – more if recommended by your health care provider .
*Reduce, control your stress levels with stress management techniques.
*Eat healthy foods, avoid processed, refined food and reduce intake of sugar.
*Increase vegetables to 5 portions/day and fruits to a minimum of 2/day.
*Vit C – 1,000 to 2,000 mg/day.
*Probiotics
*Zinc – a total of 30 mg/day
In addition the following supplements may be helpful:
All-Life Colostrum (AOR)- 1 to 2 capsules 2 x day between meals, or
Citomix (Guna) 10 granules- 1 x week, and
Guna flu (Guna)- 1 dose every 10 days, or
Seasonal flu prevention homeopathic protocol:
Engystol and Gripp-Heel (Heel)- initially, 1 tablet every 15 minutes for 8
doses. Then, continue with 1 tablet 3 times daily for 5 days. Stop for a
4-day rest and start again for 5 days with 1 tablet 3 times per day. Continue
this regime of cycles for a total of 4 weeks. Wait 1 month before starting again.
If you do catch the flu, get a cold or develop a fever, get lots of rest in bed, avoid taking NSAIDs or Aspirin if possible. Homeopathics are available and effective for minor symptoms.
Add the following to gently regulate the immune system:
At the first signs of the flu (body aches, temperature) take Oscillococcinum by Boiron, as directed on the box or Guna Flu 1 dose/day
Cold Sock Treatment for 3 or 4 nights
Increase Vit C to bowel tolerance (softer stools)
Vit A – 30,000 I.U.. for 2 days (women of child-bearing age beware – Contraindicated if there is a possibility of pregnancy in which case do not exceed 5,000 I.U./day)
Increase Zinc to 50 mg/day
Plus one of the following:
Thymuline (9CH) by Boiron – 3 granules/day – until better, or
Pleo Quent (Sanum) – 3 drops 4 x day, or
Citomix (Guna) -10 granules 3 x day and
Guna Virus (Guna) -2 granules 5 x day, or
Engystol (Heel) and Gripp-Heel (Heel) – 1 tablet of each 3 x daily.
For cough relief:
Various homeopathic cough remedies (by Heel, Guna, Boiron, Homéocan) – also a teaspoon of whole flax seeds in a cup or water, bring to the boil, boil for a few minutes, strain out seeds and drink (it is a little ‘glue-y’ in texture but very effective.) You can add anise seeds or other herbs/spices to the liquid to give it some flavour.
Children
A clinically proven way to cut your child’s colds in half:
It goes without saying that any strategy that could help your child stay healthy this winter would be a major breakthrough for the entire family. And according to one recent study, recently published in the journal Pediatrics, a daily dose of bacteria may be the answer you’ve been looking for.
The two strains of probiotics tested were Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bificobacterium lactis. While commonly used to help regulate digestion, it turns out that daily supplementation with these friendly gut bacteria can fight colds and flu, too—not least of all due to their unique ability to stimulate dendritic cells, which play a critical role in our body’s immune function.
In this study, researchers examined the beneficial effects of probiotic supplementation on 325 young Chinese children between the ages of three and five. The children were randomly divided into three separate groups: One that received L. acidolphilus twice a day, one that received a combination of L. acidolphilus and B. lactis, and a control group that received a placebo for the course of the six month trial.
The results at the end of the trial period were dramatic: A combination of L. acidophilus and B. lactis cut the total incidence of cold and flu symptoms in half—delivering a 73 percent reduction in fevers, a 59 percent reduction in runny noses, and a 63 percent reduction in coughing fits among the children who supplemented with both strains. (Results in children who supplemented with L. acidophilus alone were similar, if slightly less impressive, with reductions of 53 percent, 28 percent, and 41 percent in each of the aforementioned categories, respectively.)
Source: Leyer GJ, Li S, Mubasher ME, Reifer C, Ouwehand AC. “Probiotic effects on cold and influenza-like symptom incidence and duration in children.” Pediatrics. 2009, Volume 124; e172-e179.
Prevention for Children:
Zinc lozenges – 1 x day (5 mg)
Cod Liver Oil (contains Vit A and Vit D)
Vit C – 500 mg./day
Probiotics – age specific (see above)
Vit D – 400 I.U. to 1,000 I.U../day – depending on blood test results, age/weight
All Life Colustrum – for children 6 to 12 – ½ adult dose
Homeopathic Flu Prevention Protocol (see attached), or
Citomix (Guna) – Children under 6 years of age : 2 pellets 2 x day, and
Guna Flu (Guna) – Children under 6 years of age: 2 pellets 2 x day
No Junk food
3 to 5 portions of vegetables/day + 2 fruits
Replace sugar with Xylitol (XyloSweet brand name)
Salusan Multi-Vitamin/Mineral (liquid)
Prepared by Mireille Fanous, ND
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