Beating the Flu: Easy as 1, 2,
3…4
 It’s
that time of season again. Time when the television,
radio, and newspaper are inundated with flu and cold
ads, scaring people into buying the “latest and
greatest” in snake oils. But what is the flu? Can it
be prevented? And what are your best options?
The “flu” is a viral infection of
the respiratory tract caused by the influenza virus.
There are 3 strains of the virus (A, B, and C), that are
constantly mutating to form new types. The most common
symptoms of infection are fever, sore throat, runny
nose, fatigue, cough, and muscle pains. Complications
such as death are rare and usually occur in those who
have compromised immune systems.
The CDC (Center for Disease
Control) states that over 200,000 people are
hospitalized and 36,000 die from the flu annually. But
these statistics are skewed. If you go deeper into the
reports you’ll see the actual number is only in the 750
range, because they have coupled influenza and pneumonia
in the same statistic. That means that 98% of the
“36,000” deaths are from pneumonia and not the flu.
This number is a far cry from any epidemic people should
fear.
The CDC also insists that getting
an annual flu vaccine is the “single best way to prevent
seasonal flu.” The problem is the statistics don’t
support this statement. In the CDC’s own review of flu
vaccine effectiveness in January of 2004, somewhere
between 0-14% effectiveness was observed. The vaccine
has the additional complications of side effects
(soreness, fever, flu, aches, and Guillain-Barre
Syndrome) and questionable ingredients (mercury,
formaldehyde, ether, and detergent). So what are the
options for preventing the flu?
Influenza is an opportunistic virus
that requires a host. Opportunistic means it needs the
right situation with the right host to multiply: the
best host being someone with a weak or compromised
immune system. So the goal should be to build the
strongest immune system possible, and make an unlikely
host. This will not only make the individual strong
against the flu, but also any other virus during the
“cold season.” This really is the bigger picture.
Here are the four best ways to
protect yourself this flu season: Diet, Exercise,
Stress Reduction, and Chiropractic. These are all keys
to creating a healthy immune system.
Eat Right. Here are some simple
beginning steps. First, get rid of refined and
processed food. Anything that wouldn’t rot on the
counter within a few weeks isn’t meant for human
consumption. The increased sugar added to refined and
processed foods has been shown to weaken the immune
system and make one more susceptible to becoming ill.
This means eating more fresh fruits and vegetables.
Additionally, many fruits and vegetables are known to be
antiviral, antibacterial, and/or antifungal. Foods like
garlic, berries, red grapes, and broccoli are all
excellent examples. Fresh is the key here because many
of benefits are lost when taken in any different form.
Possibly the most important diet
solution is to get enough vitamin D3. One of the most
interesting patterns to recognize with getting the flu
is it is highly seasonal. The flu occurs most commonly
during the winter. Why? Lack of Sunlight! The cases
of influenza peak at the time when there are the least
hours of daylight. The human body is normally able to
make its daily requirements of vitamin D3 through
everyday sun exposure. The problem is during the winter
months people get less sun exposure because the days are
shorter, they are indoors more, and when people do go
outside most of their body is covered by clothing. This
results in inadequate exposure to produce vitamin D3,
which ultimately weakens the immune system. The best
sources of vitamin D3 are a high quality cod liver oil
(I guess your mother was right!), or a physician’s grade
multivitamin.
Getting enough exercise and sleep,
along with getting rid of stress are all
interconnected. Its best to imagine a triangle with
exercise, sleep, and stress making up the points.
Deficiencies or excesses in any one of these areas will
compromise the triangle. It’s all about balance. Too
much or too little sleep and exercise, along with
negative stress, all have been shown to weaken the
immune system. The optimum ranges are 30-40 minutes of
sustained exercise and 6-8 hours of sleep daily. The
right amount of exercise and rest will reduce stress,
just as reduced stress will allow better rest and
improved exercise.
Chiropractic care is something
everyone should add to his or her winter season
schedule. Multiple studies have shown that chiropractic
adjustments improve immune system function. One of the
best studies was during the 1917-18 flu epidemic. That
year, approximately 500,000 Americans died from the
flu. Statistics showed that 1 out of every 15 flu cases
treated by medical doctors resulted in death, as opposed
to only 1 out of 1,635 cases treated by chiropractors
(Davenport, IA). Interestingly, it was this success
that resulted in the professions licensure in many
states. Since then, multiple studies have shown the
correlation between chiropractic adjustments and a
positive immune response.
Protect yourself this cold & flu
season. It’s as simple as a healthy diet, adequate
exercise and sleep, reducing stress, and seeing your
chiropractor. These are the first steps in not only
avoiding illness this holiday season, but more
importantly in improving your immune system and overall
health.
Consult your healthcare provider or
lifestyle coach before beginning any changes in diet or
exercise.
Dr Lee Schwalenberg, D.C. is a
licensed Doctor of Chiropractic at Stone Chiropractic in
Kaukauna, WI. Stone Chiropractic is a proud member of
the C.R.E.W. Committee (Caregiver & Recipient Education
& Wellness Committee) for the Community Benefit Tree of
the Fox Valley. For more information call 920-462-0912
or visit www.stone-chiro.com. |
