Besides the following preventative steps and recommendations below from Dr. Grisanti who I highly respect, I also recommend Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) and Vitamin C for general immune support, and highly recommend certain mushroom extracts which help in the fight against viral challenges (see me on this one). Ask me about increasing your immune function, and increase your armor against the flu bug this season! Dr. Bartelt Four Steps to Prevent Getting the Flu Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., D.A.C.B.N., M.S. This years flu season has caused great fear in the eyes of the public. Here are four simple alternative herbs that will help strengthen your immune system and protect you against colds and the flu. Each of the following herbs is medically documented and has stood the test of time. Echinacea Echinacea is one of the most popular herbs in the world. It has the unique ability to stimulate the immune system. Echinacea is also reported to fight against bacteria, fungi, and viruses associated colds and the flu. Recommended Dosage: 250mg (standardized extract) up to 4 times a day during flu season. Some clinicians recommend a dosing cycle such as using it 3 weeks on and 1 week off or 8 weeks on and 1 week off. Goldenseal It was initially used by Native Americans and gained popularity from the 1850s to the 1940s. Most of the current use of goldenseal is for colds and influenza. Combinations of golden seal and echinacea are one of the leading selling herbal supplements in the U.S. market today. This herbal medicine may be useful in managing symptoms associated with colds and influenza. Berberine, one of the main components in golden seal, has been found to increase the immune systems ability to fight fever associated with bacteria and viruses. Recommended Dosage: 125mg (standardized extract), 3-4 times a day. Elder It has been used traditionally in the prevention and treatment of colds, influenza, chronic nasal inflammation, and sinusitis. The herb elder has been reported to stop several strains of flu virus from duplicating. In one study using a liquid extract of elder berry, 90 percent of the individuals with symptoms of influenza B were asymptomatic in 2-3 days, while individuals on placebo did not recover for at least 6 days. Recommended Dosage: 500mg (standardized extract), 3 times a day. Astragalus The Chinese have valued astragalus for centuries for its immune-enhancing properties. Studies have reported that astragalus promotes healthy growth of cells in damaged in the lungs after a viral infection. This potential benefit could help with the lingering phase of bronchial weakness as seen in some individuals with colds and influenza. Astragalus not only has been found to improve resistance to colds but may also decrease how long you stay sick. Recommended Dosage: 250mg (standardized extract), 4 times a day. Additional Tips to help prevent colds and the flu: Drink at least 6-8 glasses of quality water daily. Avoid refined sugars. Reduce sugar intake. Take in clear broth and soups. Take steps to reduce chronic stress. Get adequate rest. Try to eat more nutrient rich foods, especially fruits and vegetables. Exercise regularly. If an antibiotic is given, I recommend the use of probiotic acidophilus/bifidus 10-20 billion units, twice a day, two hours apart from the antibiotic dose. This may reduce the risk of antibiotic induced diarrhea. Ensure adequate nutrition status with a multivitamin. Consider Echinacea or Elder as the primary herb for recommendation. Goldenseal is secondary if there is upper respiratory involvement. Combination products may contain two or more of these agents or related products. Diabetics may need Zinc first because of already established compromised Zinc status. References: Schoneberger D. The influence of immune-stimulating effects of pressed juice from Echinacea purpurea on the course and severity of colds. Forum Immunologie. 1992;8:2-12. Braunig B, et al. Echinacea purpurea root for strengthening the immune response in flu-like infections. Zeitschrift Phytother. 1992;13:7-13. Braunig B, et al. Therapeutical experiences with Echinacea pallida for influenza-like infections. Naturheilpraxis. 1993;1:72-75. Grimm W, et al. A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effect of Fluid Extract of Echinacea purpurea on the Incidence and Severity of Colds and Respiratory Infections. Am J Med. Feb1999;106(2):138-43. Brinkeborn RM, et al. Echinaforce and Other Echinacea Fresh Plant Preparations in the Treatment of the Common Cold. A Randomized, Placebo Controlled, Double-blind Clinical Trial. Phytomedicine. Mar1999;6(1):1-6. Zakay-Rones Z, et al. Inhibition of several strains of influenza virus in-vitro and reduction of symptoms by an elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra L.) during an outbreak of influenza B in Panama. J Altern Complement Med. 1995;1(4):361-369. Sun D, et al. Berberine sulfate blocks adherence of Streptococcus pyogenes to epithelial cells, fibronectin, and hexadecane. Antimicrobial Agent and Chemotherapy. 1988;32(9):1370-1374. Berberine. Altern Med Rev. Apr 2000;5(2):175-7. Chang H, et al. Pharmacology and Application of Chinese Materia Medica. Singapore; Chinese University of Hong Kong. World Scientific. 1987:4. Chu DT, et al. Immune restoration of local xenogeneic graft-versus-host reaction in cancer patients in in-vitro and reversal of cyclophosphamide-induced immune suppression in the rat in vivo by fractionated Astragalus membranaceus. Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih. Jun1989;9:351-54.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 20:36:56 +0000
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