Healthy Immune Systems - Coronavirus or Flu...

Every year the media and fear-mongerers want to let us know that this year is " the worst flu season ever", stirring up a lot of fear and panic in everybody.  Well, here we are, on the precipace of the ramp up of flu season and now the coronavirus threatens a pandemic world-wide. Should you be scared? No! Should you be prepared? Yes, that's prudent. There are some pointers that I wanted to share with you to help protect you and your family - to help keep you healthy in the first place.

Let's talk supplements first, then check out the rest of the blog about practices to avoid illness:

SUPPLEMENTS- They help. I provide patients in my practice with access to high grade clinical supplements. Brands I trust that have third party testing for impurities and potency. I spend time vetting these brands/products. I will provide a link where you can purchase high quality supplements with 10% discount. I do make some money when you purchase from this site, if you choose to do so, I appreciate your support. I know you can purchase at your local Whole Foods, on Amazon or perhaps CVS, but if you make a purchase off this site you support my practice and ensure I can continue to bring you great information. Without further ado, my take on the daily things you should have your children taking during cold and flu season.

Daily multivitamin - This is the time of year to get a multivitamin in. You, your partner, your kiddos. If you question whether you eat enough fruit and vegetables, nuts/seeds, then this is a no brainer way to make sure you are getting what you need.  The fact of the matter is our food system has been taxed by over production of single crops, and the nutrient values of foods are lower than they were 50 and 100 years ago, our soils are degraded and less rich in minerals. Choosing to supplement with a daily multi is like an insurance policy to make sure you and your kiddos are getting everything they need.

Zinc - can be liquid or a flavored lozenge. Using this for 3-4 months during the flu season. Dose this daily, it will help avoid viral infections. (Food sources: nuts, beans, seeds, oysters). If you choose to supplement take with food as it can have some minor digestive effects if taken on an empty tummy.

Zinc Dosage:

• Adults: 7 mg/day for women 9.5 mg/day for men
• 6 months – 3 yrs: 2-3mg/day
• 4-8 yrs: 5mg/day
• 9-13 yrs: 8-10mg/day
• 14-18 yrs: 10-15mg/day

Vitamin C - Everyone thinks vitamin C and immune health. It helps more before getting sick, versus after you are actually sick. So take some daily. You pee out extra vitamin C. A highly regarded cochrane review study showed kids had less cold/flu symptoms when they took 1,000 mg of vitamin C daily. This study also showed children miss less days from school/day care when taking vitamin C. Ascorbic acid is the kind of vitamin C to take. This is another one worth taking with food as some people have GI side affects. Food sources of vitamin C include whole citrus foods (skip the juice), tomatoes, and strawberries. ​

Probiotic daily- lactobacillus and bifido bacterium strains have been shown to reduce incidence of fever, cough, runny nose, and days missed from school. This is a great option to obtain from food. Yogurt is an easy thing to incorporate into most children's diets. However, you can also double down and buy a probiotic for your kiddo. ​

Vitamin D3- This is a great product, because you can dose it for the entire family. I recommend supplementing this, especially in the school aged children. This is helpful to take in a liquid form. This can be added into water and doesn't affect taste at all. This does not need to be taken with food, but if you choose a liquid version, then add to water so it is easy to drink. 

Vitamin D3 Dosage:

• Babies up to 1 yr: 400 units/day
• 1-5 yrs: 500-1000 units/day
• 5-10 yrs: 1000 units/day
• over 10 yrs: 1000-2000 units/day

Echinacea is safe to be used daily. It is a cold prevention and a gentle herbal remedy. 2-5 years old- 1.5 tsp or 7.5 ml per day in divided doses - I would recommend the glycerin form instead of the alcohol base as it's sweeter and doesn't have a bite. For children 6 years or over - 2 tsp or 10 ml per day. This can be added to some water or given straight in the mouth. It prevents respiratory infections and helps ward off cold symptoms. It helps speed up white blood cell production, so it's really important to take once sick, if you haven't been taking preventatively. Two options photo'd, kids and adults. ​

Elderberry syrup is the power house to help avoid viral infections. Everyone in my house takes this daily during flu season. It's one of the only compounds that can help destroy a virus. Bacteria multiplies on it's own, whereas viruses have to infect host cells to proliferate. The elderberry syrup helps to deactivate the part of the virus that breaks into the host cell. Children 2 and up can take 1 tsp of this daily. Increase to 1 tbsp daily if known exposure to someone with the flu or symptoms of flu or cold begin. Continue taking at this dose until the symptoms have completely resolved.

Astragalus.  This is one of the most highly-respected and effective herbs for strengthening and building the immune system.  It is safe to use for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and for little ones as well.  It also is a nutritive, so takes a bit of time to kick in.  Take it on a daily basis when you are well, like you would a vitamin supplement.  As it is a warming, stimulating herb, it should be discontinued when sick so that it doesn't add more heat to an already-heated illness condition which could make it worse. ​

​Here is a link to my dispensary. Free shipping on orders over $49 dollars, and remember 10% off everything. Once you create an account, click "go to the catalog" and look for childrens wellness recommendations. 

And mama's that are breastfeeding:  your breastmilk will contain all of the wonderful nutrients that you've taken for your own health, PLUS your body will make antibodies that will pass to your breastfeedng baby that will help him or her stay healthy, and will keep your baby hydrated, nourished, and to help him or her recover quickly should he or she become ill. 

K, let's talk about everything else to do!

1) Pray and protect your mind.  Pray. Don't listen to the news, it will always dramatize  how bad it is, how many cases that are out there and how "horrible" it is.  That really doesn't help keep us healthy to hear that - just the opposite actually, as it keeps us in fear and in greater danger of actually getting sick because we've doubled down on stress.  


2) WASH YOUR HANDS. The most important thing to keep yourselves healthy is frequent hand washing with soap and warm/hot water.  This is the time of year to pull out the legit sanitizing agents with alcohol and keep in your purse/car/diaper bag. Get those kill everything 99.9% lysol wipes and keep around your house, in your car, at your desk at work, etc. Actually spend 20 seconds washing hands with warm soapy water. 

3) Avoid exposure. If you don't need to go to the movies, the store, the mall, etc. Spend some more time resting at home with family. 

4) Stock up on food/water/supplies. This may be crazy to think, but if coronavirus hits your town, there may be mandatory quarintines. Make sure you have food at home, staples, shelf stable stuff, waters. Buy a few chickens, roast them, then make bone broth. That way if you end up with the cold, flu, coronavirus, you already have good quality bone broth to make soup out of. 

5)  Clean your cell phone. Actually sanitize your cell phone. They harbor so much germs.


6) Use a hand sanitizer when you can't wash your hands.  


6) Do not touch your eyes, inside of your nose, or your mouth unless your hands are clean. Period.

7) Keep your sinuses moist.  Dry air can cause dry sinuses. Keeping your nasal passages moist can help prevent symptoms such as pain and nose bleeds, and can even help prevent colds and sinus infections.  Humidifiers are a great option.


8) Be sure to get as much sleep and rest as you can.  A depleted body is more susceptible to illness than a strong body is.  


9) Stress also depletes the body.  Chill out friends.


10) Avoid sugar and alcohol. Both tank your immune system. 

11) Drink plenty of water.  Do your best!