The Flu Fighters - by Dr. Marie J. Miczak

Flu Season Line of Defense: Hand Sanitizer & Mushroom Therapy

I'm not talking about the band, The Foo Fighters!  Flu season is here and is already wrecking havoc in the lower southern states in the US.  Worldwide, the flu (short for influenza) costs billions of dollars a year in lost wages and sick days. While most may not end up in the hospital, elderly people and those with compromised immune systems are at risk of serious complications and even death.

I think one of the best plans is a preventative one.  Here are some cutting edge ideas to keep you healthy this flu season:

Vitamin C: This important vitamin works by strengthening your cellular walls.  If you are prone to bruising or your gums bleed easily, you probably could use some extra vitamin C. You can take between 500 to 1,000 mgs a day in divided doses.  You can only absorb about 500 mgs at a time so you might want to skip taking any more than that at one sitting. You might also want to try a buffered vitamin C like Ester-C.  Unlike straight ascorbic acid, the buffered version won't over-acidify your tissues and urine.

Mushroom Supplements: Organic mushroom supplements are really hot right now as this common fungi are known to strengthen the immune system, fight infections and cancer cells. The one I recommend is made with several organic mushrooms and ginger. Rainbow Light Certified Organics Mushroom Therapy has: Trametes - Shitake - Maitake - Reishi - Cordyceps. 1 capsule per day is all you need but I also enjoy lots of marinated mushrooms on my salad!

Hand Sanitizers: I keep one of these in each handbag in case I want to stop and eat something while I'm out. Sort of like washing your hands on the fly. They come in all sorts of scents but choose one like that kills 99.9% of germs.  The Essence of Beauty Citrus Coconut Antibacterial Hand Sanitizer pictured above has little moisture beads.  The Bath & Body Works PocketBac Anti-bacterial Hand Gel is called Lunch Box and smells like a Honey Pretzel. I guess it would be perfect for a lunch box.  Hand sanitizers not only work on your hands but on other suspect surfaces such as handles and water fountains.

If you are traveling, you can sanitize water from public fountains with a PurifiCup®. It kills 99.9% of bacteria in your water. 

Flu Shots: A seasonal flu shot can be obtained at your doctor's office or at a local drug store chain like CVS, Walgreens, etc. and will run between $28 - $30. You don't need an appointment at the drug stores but each year the flu shot is made up of 3 of the most common flu strains expected to hit the population.  This means that you have only a 30% less chance of getting the flu bug that's hovering around your area. If you do decide to get a flu shot, ask around about the new trans-dermal needle that only penetrates the upper layers of the skin. It is less painful and will not leave your arm aching like the inter-muscular shots.

Water & Air Sanitizers: If you have a daily multivitamin protocol, definitely keep up with it during the flu season. If I'm traveling, I take along a small Ozium Spray Air Sanitizer and a PurifiCup Portable Water Filtration System. You never know when you might need to use a public water fountain and using a water filter that kills 99.9% of water-borne bacteria gives me peace of mind as well as pure water.


For more help and advice on healthy living and natural solutions read my book, The New Woman's Herbal & Nutritional Guide available at Amazon.com. 

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