Surviving the colds and flu's the natural way

Beating the cold and flu this winter- the natural way...

As we are approaching winter many of you will fall sick with a cold or even the flu this year. Have you ever stopped to think why it seems like some people never get sick in winter? The old saying to "catch a cold" is incorrect as you simply don't catch a cold. As more and more people get sick they cough and sneeze and thus they will spread the germs around through direct contact and via the air. The only way you will ever get sick is if your immune system is run down and you are an easy target. You simply don't get sick unless you're a suitable host for the bugs. So then the question must be asked... How do you strengthen your immune system to avoid being a good host for these bugs? The best way is to be proactive about your health. If you wait until you get sick then the damage has already been done.

Some simple ways to be proactive about your health are:
- Eat healthy locally grown organic foods when possible.
- Exercise regularly.
- De-stress; chronically stressed people are more likely to get sick.
- Wash your hands before touching foods or before touching your face.
- Supplements to consider are a multivitamin, probiotics and fish oil (omega 3). Make sure that you get good supplements, typically the price is a good guide after all, you get what you pay for.
- Get adequate sleep, aim for 7-8 hrs per night.
- A proper detox will enable you to clean the inside of your body and thus improve immune function by decreasing the toxic load on the body. I do not recommend detox programs where you don't eat anything as it is more likely to harm you and breakdown your body rather than increase your health.
- See a Chiropractor regularly to "tune up" your body. One research article found regular Chiropractic care increased immune function by as much as 200% compared to the control group. (Pero 1989)

Pero R. "Medical Researcher Excited By CBSRF Project Results." The Chiropractic Journal, August 1989; 32.

If you do get sick then consider these things:
-Take olive leaf supplement, you can find it at a health food store. It will kill bacteria and viruses and has no side effects.
-Increase vitamin C to 3-5 grams for a few days.
-Zinc and selenium has been shown to strengthen the immune system. I would recommend a liquid over a tablet as it is easier to absorb.
-Having a fever is the body's natural way to kill off bugs; if you take fever lowering medication then you are inhibiting the natural healing in your body. The same thing goes for vomiting and diarrhoea, if you have a bug most likely your body will know to get rid of it, taking medications will inhibit your body's natural response. These days antibiotics are over prescribed, if you have a viral infection antibiotics will NOT WORK. The only thing that will happen is that your natural defense will be weakened and the virus will roam free i.e. you will be sick for longer. If you do take antibiotics then at least take probiotics to replenish your healthy gut bacteria as the antibiotics are non-selective and will wipe out both good and bad bacteria leaving you vulnerable to further attacks.

This information is not meant to serve as medical advice but more as a guide, if you are sick then consult a suitable health care practitioner.

For more information contact me on droskar@peakpotentialbulleen.com.au or visit us online at www.peakpotentialbulleen.com.au our address is:
Peak Potential Bulleen
4/79 Manningham Road, Bulleen, VIC.
(03) 9852 4555