Getting Ready for this Cold & Flu Season
The cold and flu season is currently upon us. In fact, it started early this year with the entrovirus in our schools. Ninety five percent of the colds are due to viral infections. This means that antibiotics do not work for colds. Antibiotics only work for bacterial infections and not viruses. Since we live in an area where tourists come from all over the world we get many different types of viral infections. I have been living in the Vail Valley for seventeen years and it appears that every year these viral infections continue to get worse. Many people are getting colds that last for three weeks and there still going to work or school and exposing others. So how can you get your immune system ready to protect you this season.
First make sure your taking a good multiple vitamin which contains the antioxidants Vitamin A, C, D, Selenium. This antioxidants protect our immune system from viruses, bacterial and chemicals in our environment. Many people are deficient in vitamin D this is why it is important to get a blood test to make sure your not deficient. Vitamin D prevents colds and flu, as well as breast cancer, prostate cancer, allergies, asthma and dementia.
Many people are also deficient in probiotics. Probiotics can also prevent us from viral, bacterial and parasite infections. Not all probiotics are good these should be refrigerated.
Make sure you wash your hands after touching areas like door handles, phones, pens, computers where many other people are working. Keep from shaking hands with a lot of people.
Get eight hours of sleep a night.
Exercise 1 hour 5 times a week. People in our community tend to do too much exercise which can actually deplete your immune system.
Eat healthy at least 5-12 veggies a day and protein with each meal. Alcohol in moderation 2 drinks no more that 3 x a week. Take sugar and fructose out of your diet. These foods are responsible for inflamation in the body.
If you start feeling a cold or flu coming on immediately start taking antiviral herbs such as echincea, garlic, ginger, osha, astragalus etc These are the strongest in tincture form. These can get rid of a cold within 24 to 48 hours.
Hot teas such as ginger, lemon and honey. I have put together a cold/flu tea that works very well.
Chicken or miso soup with ginger and garlic.
Eliminate dairy type foods this will only produce more mucous and keep the cold going.
Neti pots can help especially if you ge a lot of sinus infections.
Recommended products from the Riverwalk Natural Health Pharmacy to have on hand for when you get a cold this season.
Our Cold/Flu tea special formula designed by Dr. Wiancek really breaks up mucous.
Sinus tincture is both anti-viral & anti-bacterial.
Cough tincture Great for dry & mucous forming coughs.
Children’s Glycerite an antiviral & antibacterial formula for kids.
Anti-viral herbal combinations most colds are viral not bacterial.
Organic Black Elderberry syrup Best used to prevent colds and the flu. Kids love it.
Homeopathic influenzinum can be used as a preventive or when you get the flu.
Optimal Health multiple vitamin designed by Dr. Wiancek to keep your immune system strong includes all your antioxidants such as Vitamin a, C, D, E and selenium.
Ultrabalance probiotic our immune system is in our gut studies show that probiotics help prevent flu’s and colds.
I offer a cold/flu clinic where I do an exam looking at your sinuses, throat, ears and listening to your lungs. And then I put together a specific antiviral tincture related to your condition. The key is coming in as soon as you get sick. There is no need to be sick for three weeks this winter.
For more information please call or e-mail Dr. Wiancek at the Riverwalk Natural Health Clinic 970-926-7606.
Wiancek@healthref.com or www.healthref.com. Follow us on our blog for the latest research in natural medicine http://riverwalknaturalhealth.
