This year has proven to be a tough year for the flu and various colds and stomach viruses, especially with children and the elderly. Why is it around the holidays this stuff is always running rampant? It is my belief it is because more folks are out and about getting ready for the holidays, running themselves ragged, with not enough sleep, eating too much fasts foods, maybe drinking in excess, feeling depressed because the holidays are nearing? There is a myriad of reasons why and how our systems get run down and we catch these colds and flus. We would all benefit; however, if once a person is sick, that they would [please] stay home to get well instead of "pressing on" and going in to work, school and daycare to lovingly pass their germs to the rest of us, thus causing the whole bug thing to spiral out of control. Joy to the world, right?
Unfortunately, none of us are immune to these colds, bugs and flus. But you can build your immune system naturally to help stay well...what I mean is when your system is strong and being nutritionally fed (i.e. not compromised by lifestyle choices), you may still catch a cold but your body (white blood cells/immune system) may be better equipped to fight it, thus it won't last as long and/or the symptoms will be more manageable.
In order to avoid being ill or shorten the duration of a cold, flu or bug, you must be doing the right things such as feeding your body the things it needs. Think of your body's immune system as an army...you must equip your army with tools and weapons to defend itself such as water to keep hydrated.
So that is No. 1. If your body doesn't have enough water (not soda or coffee or other caffeinated beverages, but fresh water), it cannot flush out toxins and keep your body flowing and functioning (like a car's engine needs good levels of premium oil). So without enough water (your weight divided by 2 equals the ounces you should drink, e.g. 100 lb person should be consuming 50 ounces of water every single day for optimum health). And yes, you will urinate more and that's a great thing! Get that waste out of you! Holding in waste (urine or otherwise) is a very bad thing, it will build up and come out in other places, such as through your skin via acne, bacterial infections and cancers....not good. If your body is not kept clean (take out the trash), it will eventually break down, whether it is in the form of headaches, stiff joints, stomach pains/constipation, and the list is so extraordinarily long it couldn't be covered in this tiny article.
No. 2. Fresh foods, like things that are living...green things, colorful varieties of fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and sprouted grains. Avoid eating too much [or any] food from a box, can or bag. By the way, if that is where the bulk of your food is coming from, your immune system is in trouble, and you are probably experiencing less than optimal health right now and maybe aches and pains as well. You should include a good fish oil supplement and not one from your local drug store or big box store. A decent store option if your health care professional hasn't recommended or prescribed a “pharmaceutical grade” fish oil, is Barlean's. Adding fresh herbs to your diet will enhance the amount of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals you consume. A few great herbs for colds and flu bugs are Echinacea tincture, garlic oil, ginger root, cayenne pepper, oregano leaf extract, olive leaf extract, nettle leaf tea, dandelion tea and red raspberry tea, aloe vera juice (especially with upset tummy), and drinking a shot of apple cider vinegar is helpful overall. When eating fresh herbs you have to be consistent and patient. They work wonders with no side effects. Tinctures or extracts are more potent so follow the instructions for each one.
No. 3. Avoid or drastically limit the following: excess alcohol, smoking, excess sugar (cancer's favorite food...so the more [particularly white processed] sugar you feed your body the more inviting your body is to the cancer cells), white breads, dairy products, red meat especially that is not hormone free or grass fed, pork of all kinds, limit all heavily refined products, switch to healthier oils like coconut or grapeseed oil for cooking, only add olive oil to food after it’s done cooking to maintain nutritiousness.
No. 4. You must get enough sleep and rest each day to allow your body to rejuvenate itself. If you are not sleeping close to 8 hours each day, you are wearing down. It's like never completely shutting down your pc to restart...it eventually starts running slow and errors pop up.
These tips are just a few suggestions to help you get started on a healthier new year. Cheers to your health!
Information within these articles are not intended to replace medical services. The information provided is not a replacement for medical advice or care. If you require medical care and/or services or medications, please seek appropriate medical care. The author, contributors, publisher and their employees are not liable or held accountable for any damages arising from or in association with the application of any information contained in or referenced herein. Statements or recommendations herein may not have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, nor have they been evaluated to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
