It is that time of year again and many are contacting the clinic with questions about the prevention and treatment of the flu. Symptoms of the flu include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, runny nose, cough and stomach symptoms like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Sometimes a flu virus can come on slowly or it can hit suddenly without much notice.
I incorporate several effective naturopathic approaches in the prevention and treatment of the flu.Below are my natural medicine recommendations for prevention and treatment:
Lifestyle for Prevention
• Get plenty of rest and drink enough water. Maintaining a balanced sleep routine is one way to keep our immune system healthy. Adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night to rejuvenate for the next day. Consistent inadequate sleep lowers the body’s defenses needed for fighting viral infections.
• Reduce or avoid refined sugar in your diet, especially things like soda, candy, and baked goods & Increase fruits and vegetables in your diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and quality proteins is a foundation for a healthy immune system. Studies have shown that eating a sugary snack or meal can depress the immune system for several hours, creating a window of time during which it is easier to get the flu.
• Continue or establish a regular exercise routine. It helps to keep you healthy by reducing or countering stress [excessive stress can decrease immune function and make it easier to come down with the flu], enhancing circulation, and offering another mode of elimination via perspiration.
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, especially before eating.
Supplements for Prevention
Below are some basic guidelines for supplements to use preventively for an average adult, not currently taking other medications. These supplements foster good immunity while helping to create and maintain healthy mucous membrane tissue, which is essential for fending off germs. Most over-the-counter medications only treat the symptoms of the cold or flu virus. Nutritional supplementation, and immune-stimulating & antiviral botanicals can support the body’s natural defenses.
Note: These are only guidelines; if you also suffer from other, unrelated illnesses please consult your primary care physician first. Dosages depend on what other pharmaceuticals a patient might be on as well as underlying chronic diseases and/or other nutritional/herbal supplements taken.
Vitamin C – can greatly enhance the immune system’s ability to fight infections of many kinds. In controlled trials Vitamin C has been shown to aid in the prevention of influenza, as well as shortening the duration and reducing the severity of infections already contracted.
Beta Carotene – which creates vitamin A in the body. This crucial nutrient boosts immune function by lowering the amount of free radicals, helping to eliminate the cause of sickness.
Zinc – Zinc plays an important role in maintaining healthy immune function. Low levels of zinc are associated with a decrease in T cell function, a vital white blood cell that helps fight infections.
Vitamin E – Optimizes immune function / response. Studies have shown that those with reduced levels of vitamin E are more susceptible to flu infection.
I also recommend the use of the following botanical medicine products to help prevent flu.
Echinacea – Echinacea also has the immune stimulating polysaccharides that give it an important role in naturopathic antiviral treatments. These polysaccharides naturally enhance the body’s resistance to infection.
Larch arbinogalactans – Larch arabinogalactans are polysaccharides derived from the wood of the Western larch tree. These polysaccharides stimulate the immune system to fend off infections. Larch arabinogalactans have been studied and shown effective in adults, as well as children, which makes it a great choice for keeping the whole family healthy through the flu season.
Sambucus nigra [Elderberry] – Research demonstrates that elderberry extract has particular immune-modulating and antioxidant properties that neutralize the activity of viruses so they can no longer enter the cell and replicate. The berries also contain vitamins A and C, and the flavonoids quercetin, anthocyanin and rutin, all of which boost immune function.
Astragalus membranaceus – Astragalus is used to strengthen the immune system over time, building resistance to illness and disease. Clinical trials as well as pharmacological data provide evidence for its usefulness in the prevention of the common cold and immune enhancement.
Each of the above botanical products helps to bolster immune function and keep the mucous membranes doing their job.