November 2011
Welcome to the monthly Ask Dr. Marty Newsletter. In response to several requests, I have decided to share some information based on questions that I frequently receive regarding natural health topics. I promise to keep the newsletter short. But if at any time you get overwhelmed with emails, please let me know and I’ll be glad to take you off of the mailing list. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the newsletter and hope that you will forward any questions you may have as well. Even if they don’t make it into the newsletter, I promise to answer all questions. All questions will be anonymous.
QUESTION: This time of year my family starts getting colds, and sometimes, even the flu. Not that I can always tell the difference. What can I do to reverse this trend, and why is this the worst time of the year for colds and flu?
ANSWER: Although this seems like an over-simplification, and it is, strengthening the immune system is the answer. Especially this time of year, we tend to burn the candle at both ends and wear down our natural lines of defense against invaders like bacteria, viruses and other “evil critters”. Wisdom from our ancestors recognized the wintertime as especially hazardous for getting a cold or flu bug. The wisdom of science has now made a significant link from diminished winter sunlight (good old vitamin D) to the onset of cold and flu season. So it may not be a change in temperature. It may actually be that the days are shorter, we tend to stay inside more, and we wear lots more clothes. Or maybe it’s the sugar and milk in hot chocolate?
So how do you boost the immune system so that we can be everything we need to be and do everything we need to do during the month of December, in particular? There are many herbs and other supplements that can boost the immune system, but here are a few ideas that can make a big difference.
– Make sure you take your multi vitamin/mineral.
– Avoid sweets (which wear down the immune system and irritate the nervous system).
– Get plenty of sunshine when you can, or take extra vitamin D. 1000 ius a day can be a good preventative.
– Take extra vitamin C in a non-acidic form, like Citrus Bioflavonoids. The amount we need changes based on our individual needs. Factors like stress levels can vary our needs drastically from day to day, according to Nobel Prize winner Dr. Linus Pauling. Bowel tolerance is the way to determine how much you need. Start out with one 250 mg tablet and add one more each day to your daily dose. When you start getting loose bowels, you know you’re taking too much. You can back down to the previous amount.
– Slow down, delegate and make it fun to reduce stress levels.
– Squeeze in as much exercise as you can.
– Sometimes you just have to say no.
Doing these things can significantly strengthen the immune system that takes so much abuse.
And by the way, the way to tell the difference between colds, allergies and the flu? If you have fever over 100 degrees, have extreme fatigue (not just tired), and severe body aches, you probably have the flu. If you are constantly sneezing, it is probably a cold. But constant sneezing can also be allergies. Many seasonal allergies are thought to be colds. One way to tell if it is an allergy is if you have small bumps on the roof of your mouth.
Regardless of whether you have an allergy, a cold or the flu, be on the lookout for signs of infection. If mucus becomes green or yellow, it can mean an infection has set in and the advice of a qualified health professional is needed.
But what if it’s too late? What if you lowered your immune system and caught one of the dreaded bugs? Stay tuned for December’s newsletter for cold and flu remedies.
The bottom line is we sometimes have to put ourselves first by taking care of ourselves, so that we can take care of others this busy time of the year.
Hot Tip: Keep your hands clean, but face the fact that you can’t totally protect yourself from viruses and bacteria. Keeping your immune system strong keeps your body’s miraculous abilities in tact, no matter what invades.
Next month…Cold and flu remedies
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Maureen (Marty) Kernion is not a physician and does not diagnose nor prescribe. She received a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Louisiana State University, and a Master of Science degree and Doctorate of Natural Health degree from Clayton College of Natural Health. She is the author of Going Natural with Herbs. Marty lectures on natural health topics across the country and has been featured at 78 Barnes and Noble book stores since her book was published. She is also a retired adjunct professor with Clayton College of Natural Health where she authored 39 courses in nutrition and herbal remedies.
It is always wise to advise your pharmacist or health care practitioner about any change in diet or supplements you plan to take, especially if you take any prescription medication.
“Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” Ezekiel 47:12
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