How to Take Care of Your Immune System During Flu Season

1.    First off, please be kind to yourself and others!

Stress is proven to lower immune health. During these times it is easy to get overwhelmed and stressed out, but it is important to stay grounded so that you can maintain you and your loved one’s immunity. This will be your best chance at staying healthy.

2.  Eat whole, organic, unprocessed, healthy foods. This includes eating lots of colorful vegetables that are packed with antioxidants to boost your immune system.

Farmers markets are open and for about 20 dollars, you can buy all the vegetables you need for a whole week. You will get a discount from most farm stands if you arrive just before closing.

3.  Try to sleep at least 7 to 8 hours per day.

Sleep is very important. It helps your body to support and regenerate your healthy immune system.

4.  Try to exercise at least 30 to 60 minutes per day.

It doesn’t have to be intensive. Just the act of moving your body will tune up the immune system. Go on a long walk, do some yoga, or take an online workout class.

5.  Stay away from sugar. It lowers your immunity by 50% for about 30 min after consuming.

If you are craving sweets try monk-fruit sweetened chocolate from choc-zero.

Also, fruit like berries or apples are a good alternative.

6.  Consume only moderate amounts of alcohol as it can negatively affect your immune health.

7.  Take a good strong probiotic to support gut health.

Seventy percent of your immune system is in your gut, so you want to do everything you can to maintain it. My preferred probiotic is Complete Spore Restore by Dr. Mercola. It also contains medicinal mushrooms that boost your immunity.

8.  Take immune supportive nutrients like zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin A and NAC as well as COQ10. 

A great supplement that is doctor formulated and specifically designed to support the immune system is “K pax Mitonutrients” by Integrative Therapeutics. An alternative option would be Phyto Multi by Metagenics combined with Mitothera by Klaire labs.

9.  Take a fish oil supplement to give your body omega-3 fatty acids.

I recommend “Omega Genics Epa DHA 720” by Metagenics. This will support your immune system as well as your cardiovascular and musculoskeletal system.

Here is an additional list of immune supporting herbal supplements with antimicrobial and antiviral properties:

Black Seed oil – Black seed oil comes from the medicinal plant Nigella sativa which has been used in various traditional systems of medicine for hundreds of years. Black Seed Oil is a great antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal agent that helps to prevent disease. Its effect in reducing inflammation in the airways may also help with bronchitis symptoms. 

Oil of Oregano and Thyme Oil – Both oil of oregano and thyme oil have strong anti-viral properties. With a virus, thyme oil damages the envelope, which is a protective coating around the membrane (the membrane is like the skin of a microorganism). The envelope is crucial to the ability of the virus to do its dirty work. So, if the envelope is damaged, the virus is basically inactivated. A great formula that contains both oils and is geared towards healing the respiratory system is Candi Bactin-Ar by Metagenics. 

Curcumin – An extract of turmeric, curcumin has antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-parasitic activity. It is well known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects as well as its anti-cancer benefits. Curcumin is a stronger antifungal than most prescription antifungals.  

Silver Hydrosol – Argentyn 23 is an extremely pure [colloidal] Silver Hydrosol available only through health professionals. It is a strong anti-infective used in treating Hepatitis, Herpes, Lyme Disease, Staph, and many other infections. I recommend Argetyne 23 by Natural Immunogenics.

Thuja – Thuja occidentalis is an evergreen tree native to Canada and the Northeastern United States. Nearly every part of the tree has a long history of medicinal uses, as it has antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties. Thuja is also known to stimulate your immune system. I recommend Daily Immune Builder by Herb Pharm.

REFERENCES

https://store.alchemistlab.com/products/argentyn-23

can Vitamin C protects against coronavirus 

https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=228745

http://community.omtimes.com/profiles/blogs/health-benefits-of-black-seed-oil-amazingly-powerful

[3] Vitamin D Deficiency Likely Responsible for Flu Epidemic. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/255604.php

Levy TE (2014) The clinical impact of vitamin C. Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v10n14.shtml

Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Umhau JC et al. (2006) Epidemic influenza and vitamin D. 

Echinacea. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/252684.php

Black seed oil. https://www.ideahacks.com/black-seed-oil-benefits/

Vitamin D Protects Against Colds and Flus, Finds Major Global Study; Science Daily: https://tinyurl.com/j649e4v

Rona, Zoltan P. Vitamin D, The Sunshine Vitamin. Tennessee, USA: Alive Books, 2010 https://www.amazon.com/Vitamin-D-Sunshine-Zoltan-Rona/dp/0920470823

Good bacteria fight the flu. https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/08/15/good-bacteria-fight-the-flu.aspx

https://store.alchemistlab.com/products/argentyn-23

Disclaimer

This blog does not dispense medical advice, nor does it diagnose or treat any medical condition. It only provides nutritional support and nutrition education, to enhance knowledge of health through the use of whole foods, dietary supplements, and emotional awareness. While nutritional and botanical support can be an important and a compliment to any medical care, this e-mail is not not a substitute for medical care. Before starting any Protocol please consult with your physician.

How Can We Stay Healthy in a Toxic World?

Toxins are all around us, and as we approach the millennium approximately one million tons of chemicals are produced every year. Foreign substances absorbed by our body are called xenobiotics. A xenobiotic is a chemical that is found in an organism but not normally produced or expected to be present in it. Many of these chemicals are toxic, weaken our immune system, adversly affect our health and harm the inviroment.                                                                                                                  

Toxins produced inside the body are identified as endotoxins, toxins produced outside the body are identified as exotoxins. Any toxin produced in excess, whether it comes from inside or outside the body can be harmful and destructive to the entire system. Some substances are only toxic in excess amounts. Others can become toxic when they combine with chemicals that can accentuate their actions, even if they are only present in small amounts. Certain chemicals can have an accumulative effect.                                                                                          

Current toxicology research has involved the study of the cancer-causing effect of various chemicals. Low level exposure of too many substances that occurs for too long can eventually exceed the body's threshold of tolerance and result in chronic illness.    

Synthetic chemicals can affect human biology in numerous ways. They can weaken our immune system, are carcinogens, can cause birth defects and disrupt the hormonal system. Many chemicals on the market today can be found in everything from food, paints and industrial detergents to cosmetics, furniture and hair dyes.                          

The National Academy of Sciences puts out a report that says that the average American consumes roughly 40 milligrams of pesticides each year from food alone, and that we carry about 100 milligrams of these pesticides, at all times, in our body fat. Not only do we ingest toxins from our food, but some also accumulate over time and contaminate our water and soil. They are transported long distances on air and ocean currents and contaminate people living in remote areas as far away as the Arctic. Regulations have not kept up with the scale of chemical production. Most chemicals on the market and in everyday use have never been adequately assessed for their human and environmental safety.

Detoxification is the ongoing process of removal of toxins from the body. The process begins by identifying the particular toxin or poisonous substance, either neutralizing or transforming them in order to remove them safely from the system.  Detoxification is a continuous process that happens every second of the day on a cellular level. It is an involuntary function governed by the autonomic nervous system.  Even if there were no external toxins to eliminate, the body would still have to continually detoxify cellular and metabolic waste products. Every single cell has a built-in mechanism to clear waste.  Detoxification starts in the cell, then the waste is moved from the blood into the lymph, gets carried to the liver, the kidneys and the colon. The most important organs involved in detoxification are the cells, the skin, the blood, lymph, the gastrointestinal system, the kidneys and the liver. How well our detoxification system works is largely dependent on our health, genetics, environmental exposure and the nutrients provided through our diet.

The food we consume provides the essential nutrients for the detoxification process which makes a healthy whole foods diet a must. Naturally we want to consume organic vegetables and free-range meats in order to ease the toxic burden already put on our bodies. Exposure to certain toxins can create free radicals in the body. Free radicals are atoms, molecules, or ions with unpaired electrons. They take the electron from existing atoms and molecules in the body creating cellular damage. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize and protect the cells against free radical damage and are essential for healthy tissue and cell function.

Antioxidants are essential to the detoxification process and are supplied through our diet or by supplementation, except certain enzymes like superoxide, dismutase, catalase, glutathione, peroxidase glutathione-s transferase which are produced in the body.      

Antioxidants supplied by diet or supplementation include:                                                        

Vitamin A: through eggs, milk fat, green and yellow fruits                                                        

Beta Carotene: through dark green ,orange, yellow vegetables                                            

All B Vitamins                                                                                                                         

Vitamin C: through Turnip greens, citrus fruits, cantaloupe, kale                                                

 Vitamin E: through leafy vegetables, whole grains, egg yolks, liver, nuts.

In order for the body to deliver the needed nutrients to the cells for detoxification and for the cells to excrete waste and carry it away, we need good circulation.                        Exercise promotes good circulation and supports the detoxification process.                      It speeds up the removal of toxins and waste materials form the cells, increases blood flow that carries nutrients to the cells, increases lymph circulation, increases good cholesterol, helps lower blood pressure, prevents heart attacks, helps maintain proper blood sugar levels, prevents the formation of gallstones, restores lung power and oxygenates the body. Not only do we derive physical benefits from exercise it also helps us with emotional detox by improving mental health, elevates mood by release of endorphins, relieves depression, improves self confidence, increases oxygen levels and mental ability, improves memory, decreases feelings of inertia, reduces mental stress and reduces tension and anger.

There are many different forms of exercise that can help with detoxification, but it is best to pick one that supports the capabilities of our body and are easy to incorporate in our schedule. If we like to be very active, we can run, bike or cycle. Some people are more comfortable with walking, yoga or tai chi. Whatever we choose to do, any form of daily exercise will greatly benefit our body and support detoxification on an ongoing basis.

We also need to get adequate rest and sleep in order to detoxify properly. A high stress lifestyle contributes to free radical formation and high oxidative stress, which can cause damage to the cells and lead to disease. Many rejuvenating processes in the body are accelerated during sleep and rest periods and can not function properly if we don’t take the time out our body deserves and needs.

One of the major organs of detoxification is the liver. It takes care of breaking down chemicals via certain enzymes known as cytochromes P-450. These enzymes are designed to neutralize certain chemicals and to break them down into two or more harmless components that can be circulated in the blood and then eliminated through feces or urine. Another method is to transform the molecules into another form so that different enzymes can continue to work on them. These methods are known as phase one detoxification.

Some chemicals need further processing. This step is known as phase two detoxification. Phase two detoxification works by adding other molecules to the substance in order for it to be either rendered harmless or to be safely and effectively eliminated out of the system. Heavy metals are detoxified this way.

One of the major nutrients that support liver function is glutathione. It is an excellent free radical fighter and one of the most important nutrients to fight cancer and aging. Health problems reduce and deplete glutathione levels. Even though glutathione is readily absorbed from foods like fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and meat, in supplement form the body does not seem able to absorb it. So, taking Vitamin C, Alpha lipoic acid, glutamine, methionine, whey protein also helps raise glutathione levels. There are also many herbs and formulas that support detoxification and protect the liver;  milk thistle, dandelion, beet, burdock root, yellow dock.

One of the most important things we need to do for our body to adequately detoxify any substance is consume at least 8 glasses of purified water a day. In order for the kidneys to properly eliminate toxins in the urine we need to be adequately hydrated, all detoxification pathways require fluid; the cell can not excrete waste without proper hydration. The digestive system is a big part of detoxification. The liver via bile excretes toxins through the feces and if we get chronicle constipate        

Obviously, the more substances that present to the body, the more work it has to do. The substances could be food, because the food triggers the gastrointestinal tract, our immune system, the liver, the gall bladder, the colon and the kidneys, to do their work. It is good work, because it's the only way that they receive the nourishment they need in order to live. Without these organs working, they can't thrive and they can not access the nutrients that they depend on. Certainly, by reducing the pollutants that present to the body, we can greatly reduce the stress to the detoxification system.

It is impossible to completely avoid pollutants entirely because we live in a polluted world. There are over seventy-two thousand known manmade chemicals in circulation. We do have a choice. We can lower our total toxic load by eating organic foods and by purchasing cleaning products that are less harmful to the environment and our bodies, that have less harsh chemicals in them. These are the two things that we primarily do have control over. What we purchase, what we put in, on or around our bodies makes a significant difference.

We can not totally control the air we breathe or the water we drink, but we can make sure that we are not part of the continuing problem by not unnecessarily contributing to the burden of the air and the water, by not dumping chemicals into it. We can use air filters and water filters in our home and at work when possible. We really need to be proactive in any way that we can to reduce our total toxic load.

Some of the mechanisms that we can use are simplified eating, eating a catabolic or cleansing diet. Exercise facilitates the flushing of toxins out of our cells and gets them in circulation so that we can clear it. We can do liver and gall bladder flushes, gentle fasting, sweat therapy and hydrotherapy. We can take certain supplements that support detoxification systems and a variety of herbs.  

Fibromyalgia: A Multi-System Illness

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome or disorder in which a person has long-term, widespread pain and tenderness in the joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. It has also been linked to fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, depression, and anxiety. It is classified as a soft tissue musculoskeletal condition. Once fibromyalgia has manifested in the body, it is difficult to overcome. It’s rare for an individual to completely overcome this condition. It takes enormous commitment to a healthy lifestyle, good nutrition and a multi-modality support from different practitioners.

The cause of fibromyalgia is yet unknown. Symptoms often appear after some kind of physical trauma, surgery, infection or significant psychological stress. In some cases, symptoms gradually appear over time and are not triggered by any single event. When a person has fibromyalgia there are painful "trigger points," places in the body that hurt and the muscles feel like they have been overworked, even though there has been no exertion or exercise.  This kind of pain makes it difficult to sleep or exercise.

Women are much more likely to develop fibromyalgia then men. The female to male ratio is approximately 5 to 1. Many people with fibromyalgia also have tension headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances.

 Some researchers believe that a person's genes may determine the way the body processes painful stimuli. They theorize that people with fibromyalgia may have a gene or genes that cause them  to have and exaggerated reaction to intense to stimuli. To date, these genes have not been identified. It is thought that when a person with this genetic tendency is exposed to certain emotional or physical stressors there is a change in the body's response to pain . This change can result in a higher sensitivity of the entire body.

Most research conducted points to a malfunction of the central nervous system, but also abnormalities in the muscles, the soft tissue and the peripheral nervous system. This creates a dysfunctional communication between the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system, giving a person widespread pain.

Dr Martinez- Laurence research suggests that the autonomic nervous system plays a key role in people with fibromyalgia. The autonomic nervous system is not controlled by our mind and governs the functions of different organs and systems in the body. It also controls temperature, blood pressure, heartbeat and bowel function. The autonomic nervous system is the interface between mind and body function. Dr. Laurence is suggesting that fibromyalgia is a consequence of autonomic nervous dysfunction, characterized by a sympathetic nervous system response that is persistently hyperactive. If there is a trigger this creates a continual ongoing stress response.

Many studies link fibromyalgia and depression. In fact, about 3 out of every 10 people with fibromyalgia also have major depression at the time of their diagnosis. Some researchers feel that depression can lead to changes in brain chemistry. Others look at abnormalities of the sympathetic nervous system – the part of the nervous system that determines how you handle stress and emergencies. These abnormalities, they contend, may lead to the release of substances that cause more sensitivity to pain...

The medical community mostly focuses on alleviating symptoms. The first medication doctors will often try for people with fibromyalgia are antidepressants, which help relieve depression, pain, fatigue, and sleep problems. Different types of pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and anti-convulsion drugs are sometimes recommended to relax and ease the deep muscle pain that comes with this illness. The problem is that these medications don't work the same for everyone and are addictive or have side effects and can be harmful when consumed long term.

Some people with fibromyalgia try a more balanced approach. In addition to medication, they include complementary and alternative medicine as well as exercise, acupuncture and physical therapy in their treatment protocol. Some small studies have been done on the effectiveness of dietary supplements and a more holistic approach to alleviate the different symptoms of fibromyalgia and have shown promising results. Many patients with fibromyalgia and their doctors include supplements and alternative holistic modalities into their patients’ protocol.

Dietary Supplements for Fibromyalgia

•      5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is a building block for the brain chemical serotonin. Serotonin is a key element for a number of different brain functions  Low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, and increased pain levels. Serotonin influences multiple functions like mood, movement, behavior, eating patterns and sleep patterns. Raising serotonin levels can lead to a better mood. One study found that 5-HTP supplements can also help ease anxiety, insomnia, fibromyalgia pain, and morning stiffness.

•      SAMe (S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine). This amino acid derivative boosts levels of serotonin and dopamine, another brain chemical. Some research suggests SAMe may improve mood and sleep.

•      Magnesium. Low levels of magnesium are often found in patients with fibromyalgia.

Magnesium is essential when the body is under stress and is active in over 300 of the body’s primary mechanisms. It blocks the toxic effects of heavy metals especially aluminum. Aluminum and heavy metal toxicity can contribute to some of the symptomology of fibromyalgia.

•      Malic acid is another potent aluminum detoxifier, especially for the brain.

In a small study on people with fibromyalgia that took 1200 to 2400 mg of malic acid combined

with 300 to 500 mg of magnesium for a period of 6 to 8 weeks reported significant pain relief after taking the supplements for an initial period of 48 hours. Malic acid is also essential in sugar metabolism and in the production of ATP.

•      Manganese is another essential nutrient for fibromyalgia patients. One of the main symptoms of fibromyalgia is fatigue. People with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome share a common link, a manganese dependent, neuroendocrine change that takes place among the hypothalamic pituitary thyroid axis. It starts with thythrophin releasing hormone which stimulates the pituitary to release thyroid stimulating hormone to make the thyroid release thyroxine. Thyroxine regulates our metabolic rate. Low thyroxine translates into hypothyroid and fatigue which is one of the main complaints for people with fibromyalgia.

•      Melatonin. This hormone is often used in supplements to improve sleep. 

In a holistic protocol the symptoms of fibromyalgia are addressed by looking at the underlying causes of the illness and correcting  these issues with diet and lifestyle changes and nutritional supplements. It is very important that the client isproactive in his or her recovery, but there is hope for individuals suffering from fibromyalgia. An integrative approach addresses lifestyle changes include stress management techniques, physical therapy, acupuncture, massage, meditation, journaling and deep breathing techniques..  Healing through nutrition is also a key factor when creating a holistic protocol. Balancing nutrients and hormones while reducing inflammation is the underlying foundation of all healing therapies In addition to nutritional status, toxicity, yeast infections, parasites, and food/environmental sensitivities are also assessed in a holistic treatment protocol. Restoring balance to the digestive tract and supplementing with enhanced digestive and detoxifying nutrients will help clear up pathogenic bacteria and microbes while also working to cleanse the body of harmful toxins that may be contributing to pain and inflammation or hindering nutrient absorption and utilization. In a holistic approach the body is viewed as a whole and treated as such.

Western medicine really does not offer much hope in recovering or healing fibromyalgia. It considers it a lifelong condition. Symptoms are managed through medication that is often toxic to the system and diet and lifestyle changes are only minimally addressed. At best symptoms are somewhat managed but taking drugs with a long list of side effects really doesn’t make for a good quality of life.

Holistic medicine considers recovery as a possibility and addresses all facets of the illness. Lifestyle and nutritional changes are made, and the client is proactively involved in his or her recovery. Often several practitioners are enlisted to address all components of the illness and to create a multifaceted protocol. I believe that a holistic protocol really is the better road to recovery and overall health.  It offers hope and works on creating a better quality of life for people with fibromyalgia.

Bibliography

Hawthorn University lecture series NC12

Archive Webinar: 8/12/08 Decreasing pain and inflammation

Liz Lipski /Digestive Wellness

George Mateljan /The World Healthiest Foods

Michael Murray /Total body Tuneup

Steve Parker /The Human Body

Whitney W. Lowe /Functional Assessment in Massage Therapy

Jeffrey S. Bland /Nutritional management of the underlying causes of chronic disease

www.natural-homeremedies.com

www.livestrong.com

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/DS00079

http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/fibromyalgia-pain-10/alternative-treatments-for-fibromyalgia

http://www.fmnetnews.com/fibro-basics/research

http://www.webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guide/fibromyalgia-treatment-medications-that-can-and-cant-help