Preventing H1N1 Swine Flu Naturally

No Synthetics, No toxic substances, No steroids, No injections

Ron T. Dummar  DC, MAOM

With all the public concern regarding the H1N1 virus (swine flu) that originated in Mexico recently, many of my patients are asking what they can do to avoid the flu naturally. Some have begun to believe the flu pandemonium represents a "Cry Wolf" behavior on the part of the scientists, pharma, and governments.  Indeed with the unconvincing travesties of the most recent flu seasons people have learned it is probably better to receive proactive protection through natural methods continuously, rather than placing all hope in a few micro-grams of toxic serum.  I suggest a few proactive steps to minimize the risk now and prepare your body for the return of another flu season. First, it is important to understand the virus. I cannot recommend this enough. If you understand the virus, how a virus replicates in the body and the presentation of symptoms when the virus is present, you have a much better chance of minimizing its action.

What is the Flu?

Influenza, or the flu, is a collection of symptoms associated with a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. The symptoms include fever, body aches, coughing, sneezing and fatigue. The common cold has similar symptoms, but it’s usually much milder in intensity.1

 How to Reducing Your Risk

There are two main ways to avoid the symptoms of the flu:

1) Reduce your exposure to the virus.

2) Boost your natural ability to fight the virus once it enters your body.

A flu victim’s sneeze or cough releases millions of virus particles into the air. This makes airborne transmission of the flu possible. And when someone with the flu wipes his nose or mouth with his hand, he leaves virus particles behind on anything he touches.

To avoid spreading or catching the flu, take the following precautions:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.

• When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with the inside of your elbow.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. If you do get the flu, you should quarantine yourself - stay home, get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids (water is best). Most flu symptoms subside within a few days.

Improving Your Immunity

When functioning properly, the immune system either prevents you from getting sick, or helps you recover quickly when you’re ill. But a compromised immune system leaves you more susceptible to the flu and vulnerable to more serious complications, such as developing pneumonia.

Boosting your immunity can be accomplished in a number of ways...

• Medicinal Herbs –

Medicinal herbs are different from typical herbal supplements. Medicinal herbs are held up to pharmaceutical grade testing and are uniquely formulated as a group or “Formula” to support the effectiveness of the other herbs. The answer to our health is all around us. It exists in our environment and it is experiencing the same external influences.This is why locally grown organic products are so important. Additional to that are naturally organic herbs containing the disease fighting and immune stimulating compounds your body so desperately needs. The flu can be a devastating illness but IT IS PREVENTABLE with the appropriate care. Meet with a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner today to receive your Swine Flu Prevention herbal formula .

• Optimize Vitamin D Levels–

Vitamin D is actually made in our bodies by appropriate exposure to the suns rays. This means you should set aside sunscreen-free time. Be careful not to overexpose, but be cautious not to over-prevent the suns rays from penetrating your skin by excessive application of sunscreen. For optimum exposure levels consult your local physician or with our physician at Community Health and Wellness.  In Epidemiology and Infection Oct 2007, John F. Aloia and Melissa Li-ng state, “there is an epidemic of vitamin D insufficiency in the United States, the public health impact of this observation could be great.”  Additionally they found “Over a 3-year period, taking 800 IU of vitamin D3 reduced the incidence of colds and flu by 70%.  Taking 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 reduced the incidence of colds and flu to nearly zero (one case out of 104 users)”. 

• Increase the quality and decrease the quantity of your food–

One of the bodies’ natural responses to this type of illness is appetite suppression. This trigger prevents further exposure to the internal system by the external environment. It is an important trigger because it allows the body to focus on fighting off the current pathogenic invasion and suppress further attack. If unchecked dietary habits are continued you risk contracting another pathogen.

When trying to prevent the flu or feeling the symptoms, consider including more of the following foods in your daily meals. Look for Bioflavonoid-rich food such as cabbage, and green peppers. If you notice you feel more warm or borderline feverish seek out cool things such as: Parsley, carrots (steamed), broccoli, turnips, kuzu (especially good for treating stiff and painful upper back or neck), lemon juice, grapefruit, and most fruits. If you notice you feel more cool or borderline chills include: parsnips, horseradish, scallions, garlic, fresh ginger root, cayenne red pepper.

If you feel feverish it is a good idea to use sparingly those foods listed under the group feeling the chills and visa versa.Choosing more naturally organic foods will help to provide the proper balance of minerals and vitamins you need to prevent the flu. For a more personalized dietary regimen please consult a physician.

• Natural herbal supplements -

Echinacea is one of the most popular herbal supplements shown to boost your immunity and speed up your recovery from colds or the flu.3 Vitamin C and zinc are also commonly recommended.4,5

As mentioned above vitamin D is crucial and this is best achieved through sun exposure. For dosage requirements please consult a physician.

• Chiropractic –

I commonly see patients at the beginning stages of the common cold and flu. Often they come because they have noticed increased tension in the musculature and joints of the nape of the neck and upper back. This is an early sign of onset for a cold or flu. If caught early a simple chiropractic adjustment can stimulate the immune system, and lubricate muscles, tendons and joints, thereby preventing further progression of symptoms.

This approach improves the function of the nervous system by locating and correcting areas of vertebral restriction and misalignment in the spine. Since the nervous system plays a major role in regulating the functions of all bodily systems - including the immune system - chiropractic care can significantly improve your natural immunity. To see if chiropractic treatment may benefit you please consult our physician.

Conclusion

This information is not meant to treat diagnose or cure any condition. Rather, it is to provide useful tips for protecting yourself, through prevention, from the flu this and every flu season. So as the pandemonium surrounding the swine flu races around you, know when you follow my health tips, you are utilizing the very best tools of prevention.

To Learn More about the Flu and your health email Dr. Dummar at Ron@DrDummar.com or visit us at...

Community Health and Wellness

www.drdummar.com