Beat the Flu This Winter

As we move into fall and winter, there’s a fair chance you’ll catch a virus and be worried as well.

The two best things you can do for flu season are practice diligent self-care, and be ready to take action should you start to feel flu symptoms.

So let’s learn some options!

Please note that these are my opinions and I am not your physician. I do not diagnose or treat disease. Please consult your physician before any new health program. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.

As we return to a pseudo-normal lifestyle, going back to work, church, schools, gyms and restaurants. This increases risk of exposure to the flu and other viruses, but there are many steps you can take to prevent the flu from multiplying and taking hold.

“Vitamin D plays a critical role in regulating the immune system. VDRs (vitamin D receptors) are expressed on B cells, T cells, and antigen-presenting cells, which are immunologic cells that control innate and adaptive immune responses.” ¹

“Up to 70% of adult whites and 95% of adult African Americans in the US have a vitamin D level under 30 ng/mL.” ² I like to see vitamin D3 levels around 80 ng/mL, or at least 60 ng/mL.

Here are a few ways a multivitamin will support your immune system:

• B6, B12, and folate all support immunity in the gut, and we know that COVID can survive the stomach and attack the gut lining. ^3,4
• Vitamin A promotes intestinal immune response and provides immunoregulation by regulating membrane fluidity and gap-junctional communication and enhances burst activity of phagocytes(I like that phrase), amongst other functions. ³
• Selenium supports antioxidant response, positively affecting leukocytes and natural killer cells. ³

Fish oil strengthens your cellular membranes and has multiple benefits beyond immunity, including fortifying the brain and gut barriers. ⁵

“Ten volunteers were given fish oil supplementation containing 26% EPA and 54% DHA daily for two months. Thereafter, the phagocytic capacity of the neutrophils in the blood was increased with 62%.” ⁶

Probiotic- I recommend working up to 2 MegaSporeBiotic a day

“Different Bacillus strains have been reported to display antimicrobial, anti-oxidative and immune-modulatory activity in the host….the antagonistic activity of Bacillus spp. has been explored against a large number of pathogens.” ⁷

Probiotics have anti-inflammatory properties related to the stimulation of secretory IgA synthesis in mucous membranes and the production of cytokines.” ⁸

Here’s some very interesting findings on one probiotic strain, Bacillus clausii:

“Bacillus clausii is an aerobic, spore-forming bacterium that is able to survive transit through the acidic environment of the stomach and colonize the intestine even in the presence of antibiotics.

B. clausii may exert a significant and persistent impact on RI (respiratory infections)  in children and is safe and well-tolerated.” ⁸

“The liver is a major site of extrathymic T cell development, which assumes increasing significance with aging in mammals. Perturbations in hepatic structure or function can result in significant ramifications in both the innate and adaptive immune systems.” ⁹

This AGA Journals article also stated, “As many as 60% of patients with SARS had liver impairment and the virus has been detected in liver tissue.” Yikes! ⁴

Liver damage can lead to increased inflammation and adverse drug reactions in COVID-19 cases. ¹⁰

Add these practices that support the liver or direct immunity for an added boost:

• Epsom salt baths
• Dry brushing
• Green drinks
• Ginger turmeric tea
• Cold season elixir
• Bone broth
• Nasal rinse
• Throat spray

The truth is that you will likely get sick with something in the next 9 months while COVID is kicking around. In my opinion, until you get a diagnosis, it’s important to act as if and be proactive.

Continue the above and:

• Stay home- don’t go to work or run errands
• Avoid other people in the home
• Get tested quickly
• Keep the house clean with non-toxic cleaners
• Run essential oil diffusers to clean the air (lemon, tea tree, orange and clove are ideas)
• Use a sauna daily if possible
• Use a castor oil pack daily
• Do a coffee enema daily if you are up for it
• Drink lots of fluids
• Avoid any sugars or processed foods
• Do partial fasting if it feels ok
• Use a nasal wash
• Use a steam inhaler with ½ tsp colloidal silver added for any lung symptoms
• Take 2 olive leaf a day (an antiviral herb)
• Take 2 fulvic and humic acid (a binder that also blocks viruses) at bedtime 
• Take vitamin C throughout the day totaling 5-6 gm/ day
• Take 2 broccoli seed supplement a day (supports the liver too)
• Get more sleep as needed
• Be alert for sleeper symptoms–when oxygen dips you could be lethargic

If you can’t afford everything on this list, don’t fret. Just do a variety of things. There are so many immune boosters out there. Other ideas include lemon water, chicken soup… you get the idea! 

Immunity is in your control more than you might think, so be proactive with your immune boosting this winter and feel more confident about your health!