by overstimulation or fatigue of the adrenal gland and overproduc- tion of cortisol. If sleep deprivation occurs for more than 4 or 5 days, consult a naturopathic doctor to help determine and treat the cause.
How to Prevent Colds and Flu Naturally!
By Katy Firisin, ND
old and Flu season is now commercially defi ned as the pe- riod from October until May, with the peak in cold and fl u activity between December and February. Here are some of the most important things to consider to keep yourself healthy through the fall and winter months.
C
Virus vs. Host Viruses and bacteria are in our environment 24 hours a day,
7 days a week, 12 months a year. So why do we have a “season” when we get sick? Some research does show that viruses are slight- ly more robust at colder temperatures. However, if the weather were the only factor, wouldn’t everyone in colder temperatures automatically get sick? The most signifi cant factor contributing to whether someone contracts a bug is susceptibility. How well your immune system functions will determine whether you present with symptoms of a cold or fl u and the severity of those symptoms.
The Reason for the Season? What factors affect the strength of our immune system?
Fatigue, stress, lack of sleep, and sugar and alcohol intake are just a few. When children return to school and extracurricular activities; when pumpkin spice everything and holiday cookies abound; when we travel home for the holidays and have a sip or two of eggnog, these factors and therefore our susceptibility to illness will increase. One of our most important immune cells, a neutrophil, is responsible for tackling these invaders. A study from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed a decrease in neutrophil activity for up to 5 hours after consuming 100 grams of glucose, sucrose, fructose, honey or orange juice. A pumpkin spice latte and muffi n together have 96 grams of sugar! Avoidance of sugar alone can increase your immune function dramatically.
Getting your Zzz’s Our sleep wake cycle or circadian rhythm is the strongest regulator of our immune function. Our adaptive immune cell production and cell differentiation occur mostly at night while we are sleeping. Prolonged sleep curtailment for as few as 4 days can have a signifi cant effect on our immune system. Improving your sleep is critical to prevent- ing illness. Decreasing electronic use before bed, using a sleep sachet of lavender and hops on your pillow, or diffusing essential oils like lavender and chamomile can help prepare the body for sleep. Low doses of magnesium (350-500 mg) and melatonin (0.5-5 mg) can be helpful if taken 1 hour before bed. Often sleep disturbances are caused
Creating a Healthy Gut Our digestive tract is responsible for 70-80% of our immune function. Maintaining the health of our gut can make a difference in our overall health and ability to fi ght off colds and fl us. Probiot- ics play a key role in regulating immune cell function and help to decrease infl ammation in the intestinal mucosa. A good probiotic with at least a 10 billion count with diverse microbes is essential. The healthier our gut the more likely we are to absorb immune boosting nutrients from our fruits and vegetables like vitamin C, zinc, vitamin D, and other polyphenols and antioxidants. Pumpkin seeds, grass fed beef, spinach and kale are all rich sources of zinc.
Homeopathic Flu Prevention Many people are seeking alternatives to the infl uenza vaccine. In 2016-2017 the CDC reported only 42% effectiveness of the fl u vaccine. That means you still had a 58% chance of getting the fl u! In 2010-2011 season the effi cacy was as low as 19%. An emerging alternative to conventional vaccines is the homeopathic fl u immu- nization protocol designed to help your body recognize fl u viruses and improve your immune response to these pathogens. Taking a single dose of this specialized homeopathic remedy once a month during cold and fl u season can greatly decrease your susceptibility.
The ways to support your immune system naturally are many
and varied. If you do come down with a cold or fl u, antibiotics will not fi ght against viruses. Naturopathic medicine is a wonderful re- source to assess your health, your nutritional status and to treat you naturally should you develop a cold or fl u. Having a fi nely tuned immune system and early treatment are always the best approach.
Dr. Katy Firisin is now offering Homeopathic Flu Im- munization at her practice. She is a licensed Natu- ropathic Physician at Coastal Natural Medicine, in Southport, CT. She brings over 20 years of experience in healthcare to her practice with a focus on family medicine, gastrointestinal conditions, cardiovascular
health, autoimmune disorders and detoxifi cation. Dr. Firisin ac- cepts the following insurance: Cigna, BCBS, Oxford and Connec- ticare. Please call 475-999-2032 or visit
www.coastalnaturalmedi-
cine.com to learn more. See ad on page 8.
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