The swine flu: How to keep your family healthy

As scary as these sounds, there are ways we can be proactive and keeping our family healthy, naturally and safely.

 

Limit sugar intake. All the vitamins and probiotics in the world are not going to help unless you limit the sugar intake. Excess sugar depresses immunity and depletes the body of vital minerals. A 75g-100g portion of sugar can significantly reduce the capacity of white blood cells to defend against bacterial infection. Maximum immune suppression occurs one to two hours after ingestion and remains suppressed for up to five hours after feeding. Begin by feeding your family a quality nutritious breakfast (see my past article for fun breakfast ideas). Say bye bye to Gatorade, kool-aid, fruit loops, and fruit snacks and get rid of foods that contain high fructose corn syrup and white sugar. Kids just don’t need them, period.

 

Consider essential oils. Oil of oregano(not the one that goes on our pizza) has long been noted foritsantiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antiseptic properties. In fact one study found Himalayan oregano oil was more effective at killing MRSA than 18 antibiotics. Be sure to by one from a trusted seller as diluted brands are sold all over. Tea tree oil (TTO) is a natural antiseptic, germicide, antibacterial, and fungicide. You may be seeing its uses in shampoos, skin care products, but has many other beneficial uses. Tea tree oil is being used to help topical skin conditions including eczema, acne, staph infections such as MRSA and will help with fido’s fleas. Tea tree oil is toxic when swallowed and is only meant to be used externally. Cinnamon Bark has been used since Biblical times. It enhances metabolism to boost the immune system and help fight diseases such as the common cold, treat diarrhea and other digestive issues. It has been medically used to treat Type 2 diabetes. Peppermint oil is known as the “world’s oldest medicine” and is used to treat any time of stomach or digestive ailment such as IBS and stomach flu. Peppermint oil is not meant for children’s use. Before you start any natural treatments, make sure you see a qualified herbalist and talk to your pharmacists about any drug interactions.

 

Anti-bacterial hand soaps, sanitizers are not what they are claim. According to 27 studies reviewed by the University of Michigan School of Public Health, found the best way to prevent infections is to use plain, regular soap. Worse, they may also decrease the effectiveness of some antibiotics. If you are in a bind and cannot wash your hands, the next best thing is to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Formulas containing 62% ethyl alcohol are ideal when you’re on-the-go – that’s what something like Purell contains. Hand sanitizers don’t contribute to antibiotic resistance. The downside: Hand gels won’t work well if there’s visible dirt on your hands. If you have small kids, help them use it. Alcohol gels can cause intoxication or poisoning if swallowed. Your last choice would be to use a non-alcohol sanitizer. These are formulas that contain benzalkonium chloride (BAC). Some people prefer them for small children because they don’t contain alcohol. The downside: BAC has been linked with antibiotic resistance – but less often that antibacterial liquid soaps.

 

Wash your hands! According to the 43rd Annual Interscience Conference of Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC) show that many people still aren't washing their hands in public places, exposing others to the risk of infection, despite recent outbreaks of infectious diseases. This survey taken in 2003, during the SARS outbreak found as many as 30% of travelers do not wash their hands after using the bathroom. One out of three Americans don’t either. That is just flat out disgusting. I have worked in plenty of health facilities and health clubs to have seen quite a few people walk right out after they flush, by-passing the sink. Many of our colds and flus can be prevented if we just do the simple task of washing your hands. I don’t mean rinsing them with water either. This means scrubbing your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds (singing Happy Birthday, or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star). Also “cover your cough” your sneeze and wash your hands afterwards. This is how airborne illness transfer from person to person. Teaching your kids to wash up before each meal, after each bathroom stop can make a difference in how parents educate the importance of hand washing. Hand washing is not enforced in our Chicago Public School system, so we have to start somewhere.

 

It is a few simple things like washing your hands and eating healthy that keeps our bodies from breaking down to illness.