Boost Your Immune System To Beat The Flu

On Thursday June 11th the World Health Organization raised the H1N1 flu to Phase 6, classifying it as the first full-blown pandemic of the 21st Century.

Phase 6 implies that this is a flu virus that most or all people are susceptible to worldwide.

As of Thursday there were 28,774 documented cased including 144 deaths in 74 countries.

I don’t know what you think of when you read statements like that, but I am thinking about what I can do to protect my family and myself.

How can you be prepared for an exposure to swine flu?

If you spend a lot of time in public places (think office building, grocery store, airplanes etc….) I think that you should pay close attention to what I have to offer, it could very well minimize your chances of suffering this year.

In the spirit of full disclosure I am going to give you some ideas of precautions that you can take. Some cost money, some don’t. Make sure you do all of the cost free precautions and take advantage of any products that can enhance your immune system and healthy living.

Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective. Wash your hands after visiting public places and touching door handles, shopping carts, checkout counters, etc… Don’t be afraid to take wet wipes to wipe down cart handles and arm rests on an airplane.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. This is how germs are spread.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people, especially the elderly who are more likely to get an illness.

If you get sick with influenza, the Centers for Disease Control recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

You can support a healthy immune system by taking a multivitamin every day. A simple multivitamin will decrease your risk by catching a common cold or virus by 25%!*

Probiotic supplements help restore the balance of normal flora in the digestive system. Reasons to consider a probiotic every day are: taking prescription medications like antibiotics, diet high in refined sugar and carbohydrates, alcohol consumption, or if you have frequent yeast infections. A healthy GI tract will improve your immune system defenses, and reduce your risk of becoming ill.

Herbal Products designed for Immune system support. I wanted this article to be commercial free of specific product names, but it would be a mistake if I didn’t include Host Defense by New Chapter Organics. Host defense contains mushroom and herbal extracts that have been shown to increase human Natural Killer Cell activity by up to 300%**. Natural Killer cells are responsible for destroying foreign invaders in the body like bacteria and viruses.

Homeopathic remedies – the FDA approved over the counter medications by companies like Hylands Flu Care and Boiron Oscillococcinum have been go to products for years to help treat flu symptoms, and improve recovery.

Please make sure you frequently wash your hands and at the minimum use a daily multivitamin and probiotic. This combination will not only improve your daily energy levels, but may very well keep you living healthy for the rest of the year!