Few times during the year rival the danger to our health more than September through January. I call it the "Fest Season". First are the school festivals, followed by the ethnic festivals which sometime depend on which group or groups of people settled your area. Locally the Renaissance Festival, the new Celtic Fest, Greek Fest, Oktoberfest, & Wurstfest fall both before and after Halloween. This is also the time of year many of us go to carnivals. All this is just a prelude to the real feasting: Thanksgiving. Christmas, & New Years.
That's four months of "festing" and feasting, folks! From September 'till New Years there is candy, soda, delicious desserts (my favorite: pecan pie at Thanksgiving & Christmas), cookies, more candy, candied yams,candied apples, popcorn balls, highly sugared cranberry sauce (great antioxidants, but tons of sugar), jello salads, plenty of high carbohydrate corn, potatoes, breads and alcohol. Who can go to those fests without sampling the fare: (Isn't that part of the point?) beer, pastries,pretzels, sausage, sodas, funnel cake, cotton candy. And for the holidays: mustn't forget the cookies & fudge for the neighbors, red wine for Grandpa, Uncle Ed's favorite vodka, Mom's white wine, Dad's martini, beer for friends, candy canes for the kids. You get the picture. There seems to be one celebration after another serving piles of high carbohydrate, high sugar treats, &/or high alcohol for 4 months prior to & culminating with New Years!
Oh! And I almost forgot those "poorly-timed" birthday celebrations; plenty of cake and ice cream. We had 3 birthdays around Thanksgiving in my family growing up. Now we start the Christmas season with one birthday and end it with another.
Then there are the gifts that come home from work or arrive by mail or carrier, often filled with treats we would never go out of our way to buy. But there they are tantalizing us. And there's almost nothing better than a hot toddy, hot apple cider, or eggnog on a chilly night!
Be Sugar Sharp
Are you beginning to see how much sugar we consume? I bet we consume a large percentage of our yearly intake of sugar during the last 2-4 months of the year. Most of us cannot get through this season without gaining a few pounds (myself included), but forget the weight gain for a minute....Why? Because as much as we are willing to put on a few pounds to indulge, this sugary celebration lowers our immune function tremendously:
Just a mere teaspoon of sugar lowers the function of your immune system for 4-6 hours. A typical soda has 10 teaspoons of sugar!
Read more about the many harmful effects of sugar, besides weight gain, at
Do you want your immune system scraping the floor while you are trying to get the shopping done for Christmas? Really, is there any good time for that?(Oh, and the guy who used the cart ahead of you, sneezed into his hands, and then pushed the cart down the next aisle. Later that night he has the flu.) I know you can keep your hands away from your face (if you you really pay attention,) but can little Emily who is 'helping' to push & swinging on the cart? Even when you tell her numerous times not to touch her face? Not likely.
Light(en) Up Stress
Staring down the barrel of flu season again, every year this time, the warning bells alarm: “get your flu shot!” The news media likes to cause panic. So do the pharmaceutical companies. It sells. It creates emotional stress and people tend to act under stress. Emotional stress also greatly lowers the functioning of your immune system. According to some sources constant emotional stress ranks right up there with smoking as being deleterious to your health. Between the sugar we consume and the emotional stress of the holidays coupled with the "fear-the-flu" message from the media, medicine and pharmaceutical companies, it is no wonder people think the flu is inevitable without the aid of the flu shot.
Avoid Fester's Syndrome
Is it really the Flu Season or a season of appalling health habits(SAHH)? It is easier to say flu season (and SAHH is not real catchy). I just don't happen to think it is all that accurate, so I'll call it Fester's Syndrome, (originally from too much feasting or "fest"-ing) But as I look at the original definition of the word "fester" I find, interestingly, that the real definition of fester fits too: a) to cause increasing poisoning and irritation b) to undergo or exist in a state of progressive deterioration. Isn't that what we do during the Fest Season? "Undergo or exist in a state of progressive deterioration": too much food, sugar, alcohol, & stress and not enough, exercise,sleep, relaxation,nutrition, & water?
The observation that the flu is common this time of year has been interpreted as meaning that the germ is there, & people have little or no control over getting it unless they get the flu shot. This is nonsense. This is bad science. It does not take into account the many influences in our environment that chip away at our immune function. It does not look at personal health habits. Science offers a "silver bullet injection" instead of looking at causes. There is plenty you can do to not fall victim to the flu and it doesn't have to include a flu shot. Flu shots do not guarantee that you won't get the flu, and recent studies have shown that they don't even reduce the number of deaths associated with the flu.
My insurance company sent out an email which gives the basics about flu: what it is, how it differs from the common cold, and of course, (sound the alarm), "Get your flu shot!"
It’s an okay article for as far as it goes. But it minimizes the importance of a healthy lifestyle and completely excludes what I think is one of the most important things to do to avoid the flu & a host of other illnesses: supplements.
I used to be one of those people who would get the flu shot. Working as a nurse I was exposed to a lot of illness. It seemed reasonable. Then as a young mother I had what I thought was the flu and it lasted for months. The residual effect was asthma symptoms and had me using an inhaler. I truly believed I needed that flu shot. I definitely needed something. I certainly wasn't very healthy then, despite my efforts.
I tell you this because now my family and I have been “flu free” for 10 years since 1997,
ever since we made a few simple changes. So what did we do?
1) We started taking vitamins (good ones, not the cheapo ones we had been taking) with optimal level of nutrients; not the outdated, old fashioned ones that have RDA level of nutrients. We could see and feel a difference within 2 weeks of starting. (Mind you we had been taking vitamins for years before that. )We continued to mark improvements in our health a year out. Having not had the flu in 10 years I think I can point to taking good vitamins as a large reason as to why we have avoided it. There are a several of other things we do as well.
2) I like to add some extra vitamin D, as many studies now say that Vitamin D may be the key to helping to prevent not only the flu, but also cancer. Low vitamin D levels lower your immune function. You can ask your doctor to check your levels.
At Atuscedero State Hospital significantly lower levels of flu were found among inmates living in the same wing of the prison. It was later found that those inmates had been receiving supplemental vitamin D that the other inmates had not been receiving.
When you consider that many people start out with low levels of vitamin D, then stay inside bundled up during the winter, never seeing the sun, and further develop lower vitamin D levels, it makes sense that they might be more susceptible to infection during the "flu season." 1000IU/day is the recommended amount of vitamin D by some sources. Others say we need more, much more. Dr. Jay Rowen who writes Second Opinion recommends up to 5000IU/day year-round, but especially in the winter months. He reports that he has not seen any evidence of toxicity at levels even higher than that, but that few people are getting even a 1000IU/day.
It is actually difficult to raise your vitamin D levels. Milk is an inconsistent source of vitamin D and we don't drink much at my house. Our multivitamins have some, as do the calcium supplement we take, but I also have some liquid drops that contain both water-soluble and fat-soluble formulations of vitamin D. My parents and grandparents took cod liver oil for vitamin D & it is still a good source. The Life Extension Foundation feels that low levels of vitamin D constitute a national health emergency. They make a good case. Read more about the urgent need for Vitamin D supplementation in Life Extension Foundation.
3)Get Enough Sleep Science has finally found a link between your immune function and sleep...it's about time. Most adults need between 7-8 hours of sleep. Your children probably need more depending on their ages.
4) Eat Balanced Meals (& Listen to Mom) Fruit and veggies are still as important as Mom & Grandma said they were, & remember, they said it first, before science "proved it". Mom also wanted you to take vitamins and the AMA only within the last couple of years acknowledged that need. So listen to your mother!
5) Drink Plenty of Water- not just liquids. Liquids generally include fruit juice, sodas, coffee, tea, and alcohol for some, especially around the holidays.The last 4 liquids
can act as diuretics, causing you to lose more fluid than you drank. Not good. Dehydration is a big cause of physical stress and lowers your immune function, besides a causing a number of other health problems. With the heat on in your home and lower humidity, you will need to keep your consumption of water up.
6) Use a Humidifier&/or vaporizer You don't want your nasal passages drying out.This is a portal for germs. Moisture in the air also helps keeps the secretions in your chest loose and fluid.(Yuck!) This allows you immune cells to move around easier and do their attacking & clean-up job more effectively. It also helps you stay hydrated at night when you don't necessarily want to be consuming a lot of water. (Hello! Sleep is important..see #3?)
7) Limit sugar Intake. You should have figured this out by now.( If not, you are skimming & not very well!) Another reason to choose water over juice & soda, is that juice and soda contain high amounts of sugars. I am not saying don't ever eat sugar, though it does have numerous negative health effects. I am a realist. I am saying cut back. Don't make as many cookies. Cut the amount of sugar you use in a recipe. You can usually eliminate up to half the amount. You'll have to experiment. Offer treats that are not sugar based. Try some new(healthy) appetizers, nuts, red pepper or roasted garlic hummus. Yummm! Make sure you are eating enough fruits, veggies, high quality protein, fats and carbohydrates(the ones with fiber) so that you are not hungry and tempted to over- indulge. There are plenty of sources on the Internet and of course there is always a book available on the subject of how to cut sugar from your diet.
I do not recommending using sugar substitute except for stevia, Lo-han, and perhaps Xylitol (although there is even some controversy surrounding it. Darn!) All the other well-hyped sugar substitutes have a number of negative effects on overall health and can be particularly problematic for certain individuals and groups of individuals. Excitotoxins: the Taste that Kills, by Russel Blaylock MD, (professor of neurosurgery) goes into more detail, if you are interested.
8) Practice Stress Reduction: exercise, yoga, tai-chi, whatever appeals to you
Think of all the physical stressors you encounter during the holidays: the shopping with crowds, driving with roads packed with cars (and idiots, I meant to say, distracted, stressed-out, and possibly sick drivers), crowded airports, & tight schedules. There is nothing like a holiday celebration to bring out emotional stress brought on by visiting family and in-laws. Ask any therapist. And let's not forget the newest stressor: elevated terrorist threats. Is it any wonder it can be difficult for many to stay healthy this time of year?
By the way, stress and sugar use up your B vitamins so taking an extra B-Complex vitamin might be beneficial. You could take a Valium (if you could get one) but why? Your body is screaming out for more nutrition., not drugs Low magnesium levels also result in more stress and anxiety too. I like to sit down with a cup of "magnesium tea" to relax. It's raspberry-lemon flavored, sweetened with stevia (Peter Gillham's Natural Vitality. No, not paid for that.)
9) get fresh air- Fresh air does not have the high concentration of germs that indoor air has & getting out in it and breathing deeply is a great way to reduce the stress, not to mention, it let's you get away from some of your greatest stressors. You know who I mean!
10) I also keep extra vitamin A, vitamin C, and Zinc on hand always, as they are the foundation of nutrients needed for fighting off viral and bacterial infections. You rip through these nutrients the way a puppy rips though newspaper.
12) Zycam
Another thing we do is add Zycam to our small arsenal of medications. The original Zycam states that it is a homeopathic gel that is placed on mucous membranes- nose /mouth at the first signs of cold or flu. They took "flu" off the label in the last few years, so I guess it works best for colds, but sometimes it is hard to tell the difference. You don’t have to call the doctor. You just have to have it and use it. It is absorbed quickly and acts fast. There are many different preparations of Zycam now. My favorite is still the original. It can unplug a nose that feels like a block of wood on your face faster than Afrin. It can shorten the duration and severity of a cold and possibly the flu. I think it is great stuff! I tell everyone I know. ( & no, the company doesn't pay me).
Tip: I use the original and squirt a small amount on the end of a sterile Q-tip and gently put it inside the nose close to the nostril opening and rotate so that the gel covers the nasal tissues. Remove the q-tip & turn over the q-tip using the other sterile end. Squirt out another small amount on it to apply the inside of the other nostril.(a large drip will do). The point of this is to not contaminate the tip of the bottle. Teach other family members this procedure if they are old enough or do it yourself so that a) other family members can also use the same bottle & b) you will save money and c) prevent discomfort.
A bottle runs about $12 and you can get through a season with one or 2 if you are careful not to contaminate the tip. (You and your other family member might not have the same illness, so you don't want to trade germs.) The other reason to use the product sparingly is that if you use the amount recommended by the manufacturer, I (and other members of my family & some friends) have found that over time the gel starts to burn. This may be an allergy to something in the gel. Using a smaller amount still did a fine job and did not cause burning. Zycam is a great product.
It took my husband and my mother 2 years of me telling them "Try the Zycam." Finally they both tried it and then, they both told me that I should try it! ARGG!! I guess in those 2 years they forgot I had recommended it to them two years ago! ( Do you see why I blog!? A written record is a means of sanity) You will want to keep some Zycam on hand and remember to use it at the first signs of cold and flu.
Flu? Who Me?
I haven't seen lines around Walgreen's on the news this year & people complaining that they haven’t gotten their shot, but I have seen constant reminders at my grocery store to "Get your Flu shot here!" I have also seen it at Wal-greens, CVS, on a billboard outside a doctor's office, & in the newspaper. More personally I went to see a doctor recently and had a procedure most over 50 are familiar with. That night I began running a fever and had chills. Whatever I had was coming on like gang-busters. A half hour into it, wearing two bathrobes, two blankets and a hat, (& looking ridiculous!) it occurred to me that this was a lot like the flu. My joints were achy too. I called the doctor. He said, "Sounds like the flu. Did you get your flu shot?" NO? Why not?!"
I like this guy. He did a good job and I would recommend him to anyone, but I don't believe that everyone should get a flu shot. In fact there are a lot of reasons you may not want to get a flu shot, reasons that the makers of flu shots don't go out of there way to share with you, and I certainly didn't want to get into them right then. I told him that I don't get the flu and if I did, perhaps then, I would consider the possibility of getting a shot next year. Was that politically correct? Not bad for a gal with 102 degree temperature!
Unsuspected Stress
I know I said we hadn't had the flu in years, so why did I have the flu, or at least the beginnings of the flu? Have you ever had the prep they give for colonoscopy? If you have then you know you are cleaned internally from stem to stern. Even though I drank fluids continuously as suggested, by the morning of the procedure I was dehydrated enough that I was dizzy. Dehydration, as I mentioned earlier in this article, is a tremendous stressor to ones system. Added to that fact is the understanding that at least 70% of one's immune system is located in the gut & that gut has just been chemically scrubbed; another tremendous stressor to the immune system. Lastly, part of the protocol called for consuming 64 oz of Gatorade. That's a lot of sugar. Just 1 teaspoon lowers one's immune function for 4- 6 hours. Imagine how much sugar is in a gallon of Gatorade! The effect of all those things together makes it is easy to see how I could start getting the flu after that kind of assault on my immune system. Chances are good that we all get exposed to the virus during "flu season" even if we feel fine. The germ is there just waiting for an opportunity. Destroying our lines of defense are the just the breaches needed to give the virus the foothold it needs to spread.
Flu? NOT!
The other flu remedies I like to keep on hand is either Oscillococcinum (a mouthful to say & kind of pricey) or Flu Care, (cheaper and effective), or Gelsinium. All are homeopathic remedies that help with flu symptoms ,or if taken earlier enough, can knock out the flu. This is what I took the night I was bundled up 4 layers deep and still shivering hard enough to make my teeth clatter. First I took the Gelsinium. After about 15 minutes I could tell my temperature was still going up fast, so I broke into the box of Oscillococcinum. I took one dose and I could feel that that my temperature was not going up as fast. A couple of hours later I took another dose and went to bed. I took no aspirin, Tylenol, or Motrin. Sometime during the night my fever broke and my achy joints subsided. The next day I felt kind of weak, as if I had been really sick, but no signs of the flu...fever, joint aches, headache, sore throat, cough, no appetite. I feel like I dodged the "flu-bullet". So I stand by my 10 year flu-free record. Oscillococcinum is also a terrific product and they sell it in family packs of three. ( No... don't get paid for that either)
14) Be sure and wash your hands frequently, especially after shaking hands with anyone, and after being out in public places (remember the grocery cart?) as soon as you get home (besides the usual times: bathroom, before eating, preparing food, after sneezing or coughing into your hand)
15) Train yourself to cough or sneeze into your elbow. This reduces the amount of infective agents you spread by touching objects and exposing yourself to. This is shown in the the video from Studio4kids.tv
16) Keep your hands away from your face!! This keeps the germs from entering your mucous membranes, ie mouth, nose, eyes. Coughing or sneezing into your hand, while protecting those immediately around you, also exposes you to whatever else you have picked up on your hands as you clasp your hand to your face.
17) Certain herbs can help build your immune system. A friend recently sent me
Martha Stewart's website.(Thanks, Carolyn!) It has a list of herbs and homeopathic remedies to help you out. These are good, & some I have already mentioned. I suggest you pick only one or two to try. The cost of using all would be substantial and their use confusing. You may not know which one helped you if you use several of them simutaneously. I have concerns about using the Chinese derived herbs because of the apparent lack of quality control coming out of China. If you are already taking medication for a health problem there is always cause for some concern about mixing herbs and medication.
18)Change your toothbrush. Since the flu virus mutates quickly it is prudent to change your toothbrush after being ill. Perhaps not changing out a toothbrush is part of the reason family members relapse with the flu & pass the flu back and forth. This is recommened for individuals with Strep infections too. And is a good idea in general after any illness.
If you take nothing else from this article remember this: the flu virus is only a small part of the equation of actually "getting the flu."
Stress + lousy diet + dehydration + high exposure to other people's germs + sugar + sugar + sugar + low Vitamin. D levels + even more stress+ lack of sleep+ the actual flu virus =
( lack of /or reduced personal health habits + the flu virus) = The Flu
If you stuck with me this long you may be wishing that you read this before Christmas. Well I had hoped to put it out then too, but things happened, (but not the flu) But remember, "flu season" is
The Flu is not inevitable.