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Our Children Are... |
Winterize Your Life Without Cold Medications
It amazes me how backwards the conventional media sees things. I caught a piece of the news yesterday - “Next time you or your child catch a cold, expect to wait a little longer for your relief. Federal regulations about amphetamine addiction and cold medications are now forcing pharmacies to put certain cold and flu products behind the counter.” Pharmacists are up in arms about this hassle. It is more work for them. Yikes! Here we are talking about more government control, amphetamine addiction, no trust in the power of the human body, complications for pharmacists which may drive up the prices, when – WE HAVE ANSWERS AT OUR FINGERTIPS THAT DON’T REQUIRE US TO NEED THE MEDICATIONS TO BEGIN WITH. Why wait for the cold, flu, or other infection. No need to bother with cold meds, if you are equipped. You can prevent the infection, if you know how to. You can beat the odds of the standard “2 colds per year” (and up to 6 colds per year if you have young children in day care or preschool). Just keep your natural medicine cabinet supplied with items that really address bacterial and viral eradication and, most of all, strengthen your immune system. Is Your Immune System Healthy or Compromised? A Healthy Immune System is a complex network of tissues, organs, cells and chemical messengers that protect us and our children against the daily bombardment of germs, bacteria, and other pathogens that contribute to everything from minor infections to more serious diseases. It is easy to recognize a compromised immune system. Some symptoms include:
4 Eating Habits That Weaken the Immune System 1. Sugar – White sugar, brown sugar, dextrose, raw sugar, cane juice crystal, processed honey and maple syrup interfere with the ability of white blood cells (your immune system) to destroy bacteria. High fructose corn syrup that is so prevalent in soft drinks, energy drink and desserts is the worst. It is a high allergen that can trigger asthma, sinusitis and other allergy reactions. It is also very poor fuel for the body that can result in serious blood sugar disruption leading to diabetes.2. Fat - Destructive fats are found in processed and fast foods: chicken nuggets, fast food burgers, chips, French fries. Being overweight stresses the whole body and puts it in a constant state of fight/flight which raises cortisol levels. This can suppress the immune system. 3. Chemicals and Processed Food - Avoid processed foods with long ingredient lists: frozen foods, canned foods, packaged foods (boxed cereals, mixes, cookies, candy, diet products). Identify BHT, BHA, TBHQ, sodium benzoate, nitrates, sulfites, food colorings, artificial sweeteners, and artificial flavors on your labels. 4. Food Allergens - Common food allergens and sensitivities are gluten-containing grains like wheat, dairy, eggs, corn, sugar, chocolate, caffeine, oranges, soy, peanuts and tree nuts. After consistent encounters with food allergens, the wall of the intestines becomes damaged, enabling invaders and other potentially toxic substances in the food to slip into the bloodstream and cause inflammatory reactions. Inflammation, discomfort, and pain can result. This condition is known as “leaky gut syndrome”. It can even cause arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Needless to say, try to pay attention to the above immune-weakening foods and reduce or eliminate them from your family’s diet altogether. You can help fortify your and your child’s immune systems by strengthening its organs and increasing the effectiveness of your white blood cells can help reduce many of the above symptoms and conditions. Here are some suggestions: 8 Simple Immune Boosters 1. Aim for your family’s total wellness by supplementing the diet with strong immune support products. The best ones for kids are colostrum, blue green algae, natural, anti-infective herbs like oregano oil, echinacea, goldenseal and elderberry. Vitamins A, C and D are vital for immune strength. Vitamin D has strong anti-viral properties. It should be taken especially from the fall to the spring. Regular use can help prevent your body’s susceptibility to infection.2. Populate your child’s intestines with adequate good bacteria that retard the growth of infectious organisms in the intestines. Live cultures are also contained in homemade yogurt and fermented foods, such as sauerkraut. Supplementing with good quality acidophilus or bifidus is a way to build your child’s internal army and create his or her own natural, internal antibiotics. Chewable supplements are available for children. 3. Children should exercise moderately, for at least 30 minutes per day. If they are not involved in sports, introduce them to something fun like: biking, hiking, family activities, or even Wii Fit Games. 4. Make sure your child drinks pure spring or filtered water as his or her main beverage. Use this formula to figure out your optimal daily water intake: Take their weight, divide by 2, and that’s how many ounces of water they should drink daily. Sparkling water and organic herbal teas are available for occasional use. Juice may also be used periodically, but not as the main beverage. 5. Make your plates colorful, planning your meals around a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits. Different colors represent different vitamins and minerals and these phytonutrients enhance immune function and oxygenate your cells. 6. Make sure your children wash their hands regularly. 7. Encourage 8-10 hours of sleep every night, depending on your child’s age. 8. Encourage relaxation and stress relief for the whole family. Easier said than done --- we know; we’re human too. Do art projects, play games, listen to relaxing music, have quiet reading and thinking time. Studies have shown that this has a positive effect on white blood cells or the immune system. And let’s face it, when you feel better mentally, you usually feel better physically! Dr. Laura Thompson, Family Nutritionist and Naturopathic Endocrinologist has a nationwide practice by phone, and locally in Carlsbad, California. Disclaimer |
Frequent colds or flu