Your Best ‘Shot’ at Avoiding the Cold and Flu This Season  

 

​​Let’s get this out of the way first. No, your best protection might not be the flu shot. The CDC consistently reports less than 50% success rate annually. It is literally a shot in the dark when you get a flu shot and there are no long-term studies that show absolute safety and efficacy.

Ingredients in the flu shot still contain mercury (thimerosal), aluminum, formaldehyde, chicken egg proteins, attenuated virus, and gelatin.  My advice is to do your research and make an informed decision before getting injected.

The good news is that there are easy protective measures that you can take to avoid getting infected YEAR-ROUND, and even if you do these steps will also ensure faster recovery.

Here they are in no particular order:

  1. Ensure that you are sufficient in vitamin D. Research shows the absolute importance of having enough of this pro-hormone in your body for optimal immune protection. In fact, since you make vitamin D naturally from sun exposure, it might be part of the reason there seems to be a season for the flu when you are least likely to get sun exposure. Make sure your blood levels measure between 40-60 ng/ml.
  2. Take 1-2 grams of EPA-DHA fish oil from trusted sources to support healthy immune function and maintain a healthy omega 3/omega 6 balance.
  3. Healthy intestinal bacteria have been shown to modulate immune responses in the body. So it is critical to support healthy gut bacteria by routinely supplementing different types of probiotics, consuming fermented foods like sour kraut and kimchee, and eating foods rich in pre-biotics to feed the good bacteria like vegetables, onions, garlic, fibrous fruits, and steel cut oats.
  4. Avoid large doses of sugar and alcohol. Sugar and alcohol suppress immune function immediately and leave you vulnerable to invaders. Keep intake to a minimum and avoid combining sugar and alcohol together.
  5. Ensure routine bed-time, and get at least 7 hours of sleep (ideally 8). This allows your body to fully restore and repair and keep your immune system functioning 100%.
  6. Minimize stress by meditating daily for at least 10 minutes. Schedule time in the morning or the evening for restorative activities like meditation, yoga practice, relaxation, and rest.
  7. Routine exercise has been shown to improve EVERYTHING in your life, including a more robust and healthy immune system. Do not hibernate during the fall and winter, get off your tuchus and get moving.
  8. Avoid hospitals and wash your hands a few times per day. You do not need antibacterial soaps and cleansers. In fact, they can cause more harm than good. Simple toxin-free soaps with warm water will do the trick.
  9. For extra help, use natural immune boosters. Examples are colloidal silver, Echinacea, ginger, elderberry, zinc, and N-acetyl-cysteine.
  10. Get adjusted. Research and clinical evidence has shown that chiropractic adjustments can give your immune defense T-cells a temporary boost. This is why I recommend an extra adjustment to my patients when they are feeling run down.

Don’t forget about our workshop on Tuesday night October 24th on How to Get Your Best Night Sleep sponsored by our partner Sleep Number.

It is located at the Cummings Center in Beverly MA, Building 100 Suite 221-E.

Call In8 Wellness Center at 978-655-4979 to reserve your spot and any guest you’d like to bring for the FREE 1-hour workshop taught by Dr. Ryan Hewitt. 

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