What To Do About The Flu?

Are you prepared for the coming attack of the H1N1 virus?

In early October, the Centers for Disease Control began shipping the H1N1 vaccine across the nation. About 251 million doses will be used to protect the masses. Many reading this article may be anxiously waiting your turn to receive one. Others skeptical about whether getting this vaccine is a good idea.

For now, the best defenses are washing your hands frequently, disinfecting cell phones, door handles, and office pens. Don’t forget getting plenty of rest and exercise, and sneezing or coughing in your sleeve. However, the best defense truly lies with building a strong immune system.

You can look in your kitchen for help. That’s right – foods can be a great way to boost your immune system, keeping you healthy. Here are a few helpful tips this season to naturally strengthen you and your loved one’s immune system.

Dr. Seibert’s A through Z nutrient tips:

Vitamin A/Beta Carotene- Helps boost Natural Killer (NK) cells used as first line of defense to kill virus infected cells. Foods: carrots, pumpkin, squash, sweet potatoes, yams.

Vitamin C – Strengthens white blood cells for fighting infection. Lowers histamine levels that cause nasal congestion. Foods: broccoli, brussel sprouts, jicama, mango, oranges, papaya.

Homemade Chicken Soup - Contains natural chemical, acetylcysteine - helps thin mucous in lungs making it easier to expel. Remember to add lots of veggies – all colorful along with warming spices below– ginger, garlic, red pepper, tumeric.

Vitamin D3 – Research now shows D3 helps immune system fight off virus attacks. Best to supplement up to 5000 IUs daily during winter season.

Horseradish Root - Mucous moving foods known as mucokinectic agent - releases waves of fluids that make eyes water and noses run. Helps break up congestion in sinus and lung bronchial passages.

Garlic – Increases NK cells. Contains alliin – gives garlic its flavor and helps regulate mucous flow.

Ginger – Destroys influenza viruses.

Omega 3 – Halts inflammatory cytokines that create fever, headaches, body pains. Foods: flaxseeds, halibut, salmon, walnuts.

Quercitin – Prevents virus from multiplying and blocks histamine. Foods: apples, capers, onions, red grapes, tea.

Hot Red Peppers – Mucokinectic agent –contains chemical resembling guaifenesin – used in cough formulas without side effects! Drink 10-20 drops of Tabasco sauce in water per day will do the trick.

Shiitake Mushrooms – Boost immunity – antiviral.

Tumeric – Blocks virus from entering your respiratory system-so H1N1 can’t replicate. Foods: curry powders, mustard.

Yogurt – Increases NK cell activity, revs up antibodies. 1-2 cups daily.

Zinc – Deficiency seen in elderly and those with weak immune systems. Foods: oysters, raw pumpkin seeds, yogurt.

So don’t delay- get to your grocery store and stock up with these wonderful foods that provide the best offense to the flu!

Stay Well,
Dr. Seibert

If you cannot get enough of these foods in your diet, supplements will help to make sure you're getting all these vitamins and nutrients. Pacific Compounds Pharmacy carries many of these supplements and Pharmacist Natalie Gustafson is there to advise you. Please stop in and ask her how to protect yourself from the flu, she's there to help!