Dear Readers: With all the news about Swine Flu, I’d like to address the best ways to help keep your immune system strong. I’m not overjoyed at the prospect of millions of you getting shot with vaccinations that have been hurriedly tested, so I’d rather give you a list of natural ways to boost immune function to swine flu and other bad bugs:
Sleep- You need 7 to 8 hours of refreshing sleep every night. Forcing your body to sleep with sleeping pills does not count. Retrain your body to sleep properly and if you need assistance, ask your doctor about taking supplements of GABA or melatonin because those replenish what your brain naturally makes.
Oils- Use only healthy fats such as grape seed oil, coconut oil, olive oil and flaxseed oil. No more margarine or other forms of trans fats that clog up your arteries. And take 1,000 mg omega 3 fish oil daily.
Vitamin D- You can get it from the sun for free. Get 15 minutes of sun exposure daily when the sun is not at its peak; don’t use sunscreen. If you’d rather supplement, take vitamin D3 a.k.a. cholecalciferol. Studies show that vitamin D dramatically reduces your risk of cancer and infection.
Dose: 2,000 – 5,000 IU daily.
Colloidal Silver- It’s a gold standard in my book because it kills a lot of bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms. Colloidal silver is sold at health food stores and it’s what we used for decades until the advent of penicillin and other newer antibiotics.
Garlic and Onions- They contain antibacterial substances that help you defend yourself.
Vitamin E- A powerful antioxidant, take 400 – 800 IU daily, natural “mixed” tocopherols.
Glutathione or PectaSol Chelation Complex (PCC)- These are two different supplements that you can buy at health food stores and online to detoxify your body. They eliminate dangerous metals, pesticides, and poisons –the same poisons that weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to infection. Glutathione is found in avocados and PCC is made from citrus rind.
Olive Leaf Extract and Pau D’Arco- Two natural herbs that help kill dangerous germs.
Pomegranate or Cranberry Juice- If it’s 100 percent juice (and not loaded with high fructose corn syrup) then yes. Red berry drinks offer you powerful antioxidants.
Diet- Avoid substances that tax your immune system or create allergies. Many people find they feel better without wheat (gluten), dairy (casein), soy, corn, white sugar, white flour, artificial sweeteners, MSG and iodized table salt.
The Obvious- exercise to lose weight and drink fresh filtered water!
Swine flu vaccine- There isn’t one yet, but when it is developed I won’t be standing in line for it. Should you? That’s a very personal decision.
Suzy Cohen, has been a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years and believes the best approach to chronic illness is a combination of natural medicine and conventional. She founded her own dietary supplement company specializing in custom-formulas, some of which have patents. With a special focus on functional medicine, thyroid health and drug nutrient depletion, Suzy is the author of several related books including Thyroid Healthy, Drug Muggers, Diabetes Without Drugs, and a nationally syndicated column.
