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The Flu - Prevention and Support
After studying microbiology, not only in the books, but in the laboratory, my life has never really been the same. In one experiment, we each took 5 swabs from various locations on ourselves and in the building and grew the microorganisms in a petri dish for a week. Out of the 200 dishes or so, it was fascinating to see the varying number and differences in everyone's microorganisms. After looking at their world under the microscope and learning how some of them functioned in their host, I was horrified! I didn't want to touch ANYTHING or ANYBODY for weeks on end!! We have been invaded, I thought to myself! Then I realized that trying to live life running away from the microbe wasn't practical and I remembered the studies of the immune system and how intricate it worked to protect us from all of these invaders.
The fact of the matter is that we are surrounded by microorganisms everywhere! There are a number of good, bad and indifferent microorganisms in our world and in our bodies. In just a handful of dirt there are more 'creatures' than number of people on the earth. In our digestive system, we have 400-500 types of bacteria made of many different strains (if they haven't been killed by antibiotics). They all have their own job to keep us healthy and our body functioning properly, for instance, lactic acid-producing bacteria help acidify the intestinal tract and protect us from overgrowth of harmful bacteria. A total of one hundred TRILLION bacteria live together in our digestive system, in either symbiotic or antagonistic relationships. So they aren't ALL DESTRUCTIVE and BAD.
When studying the immune system, I think my biggest realization was that everything in the universe is in a mode of 'survival', even something as small as a virus. These days, with hospitals bringing in sick people from all over the world, animals living in close proximity to humans, stress levels increasing and international air travel on the rise, there is no doubt that these bacteria and viruses are able to meet up and swap information to insure their own strength and survival, becoming stronger and stronger 'SUPERBUGS'.
But instead of panicking when we hear this reality and grabbing frantically for something that we 'think' might protect us, why don't we step back, return to the basics, calm down and remember what nature has armed us with to help protect against these invaders that make us sick. Nature has provided us with an INCREDIBLY INTELLIGENT IMMUNE SYSTEM - A complex system that is responsible for distinguishing us from everything foreign to us, and for protecting us against infections and foreign substances. The immune system works to seek and kill invaders.
We are never going to 'beat' microorganisms and we forget sometimes that it is 'their earth' too. Although some help us in many ways, there are others that seek out hosts and infect them, threatening their health and sometimes their life. However, this is not new information. The' swine flu' that is currently active is very real and it is important to take precautionary measures not to be susceptible to its effects, however it is also important to remember that we will always be surrounded by infectious microbes that threaten humans and animals. Throughout history, there have been many threatening microbes such as those that caused the 'plague', various pandemics and epidemics of influenza, pneumonia and whooping cough....the list goes on. We are threatened every day with microorganisms that I guarantee haven't had a chance to make it to the laboratories yet to be given a name. But what do we expect with the way we are currently living?
In my opinion, the key to fighting the 'microbe battle' is actually supporting and strengthening the immune system DAILY. There will ALWAYS be a new microbe, there will always be a new parasite and there will always be someone sick, so instead of being a victim, be a survivor! These creatures prey on the weak and the compromised, so step back and ask yourself these questions; How strong am I? Do I support or sabotage my immune system? Do I give it the respect it deserves? What about my family and their Health? Do I get enough sleep and rest? Am I stressed? Do I eat foods that weaken my body or strengthen it?
Our world is becoming more polluted by the day, overcrowding is putting pressure on our farmers to produce substandard foods. Food industries are coming up with processed foods that are actually unrecognizable not only to the human eye but to the human body. Stresses of fast pace life styles and work schedules are increasing rapidly; all of these in turn puts stress on our immune system. The foods we eat, the lifestyle we live, the water we drink and the air we breathe are all affecting our immune system. IT NEEDS SUPPORT! How is it to fight off viruses, bacteria and parasites when it is working at half speed? When it is enveloped with toxins, heavy metals, food additives, liver overload, heated fats and processed foods while lacking vitamins, minerals and healthy fats?
The focus here is to become more aware of what things suppress the immune system and what natural things support it. If we give it the support it needs, we in turn may be less susceptible to the surrounding, unfriendly microbes. I have attached some ways to daily support and build the immune system. Take the first step to making a difference in yours and your family's life. At the end of the day, we only have one body and taking care of it is our own responsibility, no one else's.
Listed below are facts about the flu, ways to prevent its spreading and some ideas on how to support your immune system:
How the Flu Spreads
The flu can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes without covering their mouth, the respiratory droplets can then infect other people when they either breathe these in or touch something that has the influenza virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.
Healthy adults may be able to infect others 1 day before getting symptoms and up to 5 days after getting sick. Therefore, it is possible to give someone the flu before you know you are sick as well as while you are sick.
How to Help Prevent the Spread
- Cover Mouth when Sneezing or Coughing
- Wash Hands Vigorously with Soap Many Times Daily
- If You are Sick, Stay Home and Rest
- Do NOT Send Your Children to School if They are Sick
- When there is an INCREASE in Influenza Cases in your Area, Support Your Immune System
- Eat Well and Refrain From Immune Damaging Substances
Be Aware of Common Flu Symptoms
- Headache
- Fever [normal temperature 36.8 °C ±0.7 °C, or 98.2 °F ±1.3 °F is an average oral (mouth) measurement]
- Sore Throat
- Cough
- Runny or Stuffy Nose
- Body Aches
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
Diagnosing the Flu
The only real way to diagnose the flu is by getting tested within the first 2 or 3 days of illness. It is difficult to look at symptoms alone when attempting to distinguish the flu from other infections.
Immune Compromising Agents
- Refined Sugar
- Alcohol
- Smoking and Second Hand Smoke
- STRESS
- Foods that LACK NUTRIENTS
- Coffee
- Cow Dairy Products
- Lack of Water
- Additives, Preservatives, Food Colorings
Immune System Boosting Foods and Exercises
- Fresh Lemon
- Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
- Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Juices
- Rest and Relaxation
- Increase Water Intake
- Mild Exercise
Supplements that Help Support the Immune System
- Truly Natural Plant Vitamin C - Healthforce Nutritionals
- 1025 mg Vitamin C + Oleaslect Capsules - Jarrow Formulas
- Vitamineral Green - Balanced Living
- Fruits of the Earth - Balanced Living
- Herbal Respiratory (Liquid Herbal Formula) - Balanced Living
- Liquid Zinc - Mother Earth Minerals
- Zinc Caplets - Jarrow Formulas
- Flax Boost - Essential Fatty Acids (Flaxseed Oil) - Waihi Bush
- Vitamin E Capsules - Jarrow Formulas
- Olive Leaf Tablets - HealthForce Nutritionals
- Olive Leaf (Liquid Herbal Formula) - Balanced Living
- Wellness Optimizer - Jarrow Formulas
Natural Remedies for Symptoms of the Flu
- Flu Relief (Liquid Herbal Formula) - Balanced Living
- Propolis Throat Spray (for over 2 yrs old) - Comvita
- Arsenicum, Belladonna, Gelsemium, Sinus Relief Homeopathics - Balanced Living
- Natural Saline Solution - Xlear
Support Immune Health all year around with the above supplements.
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