Boosting Immunity
Diet
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1 tsp of sugar lowers immune function for up to 5 hours
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Limit processed or pre-prepared food that contain additives
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Eat green leafy vegetables every day OR supplement with a greens powder
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Eat lots of garlic, onions and ginger – can be added to many types of food
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Drink 1/2 body weight in oz (ex. 150 lbs = 75 oz water daily)
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Dilute juice as it contains sugar that will decrease immune function – use pure fruit juice with no sugar added
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Do not drink pop or ice tea
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Limit caffeine intake
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Eat complex carbohydrates including brown rice and quinoa – avoid refined carbs becase the sugar content will impact immune function
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Avoid food allegies and sensitivities - if you are unsure of aggravating foods, try limiting dairy and wheat as they are the most common food allergies that impact viral immunity
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Avoid refined foods such as breads, cookies, donuts, bagels and cakes
- Eat good quality protein with each meal such as organic chicken and turkey, lentils and beans and “safe fish”. For more information on good fish choices visit:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/oehas/fish/guide.pdf
Supplementation Recommendations
*Children: 2 – 1o years
*Infants: 0 – 2 years
Essential Fatty Acids
Recommended brands include Genestra, Metagenics and Nordic Naturals
Adults – take twice recommended dose
Children – take 1/2 recommended adult dose until otherwise advised by health care provider
Probiotics
HMF forte from Genestra
Adult dose: 2 capsule twice a day
Child dose: 1 capsult once a day
Healthy Start from Natren
Adult dose: 2 caps/day of each bottle
Child dose: 1 cap/day of each bottle
Ultra Flora from Metagenics
Adult dose: 2 capules a day OR 1/2 tsp daily
Child dose: 1 capules a day OR 1/4 tsp daily
HMF Natogen from Genestra
Infant dose: as directed
Life Start from Natren
Infant dose: as directed
Vitamin and Minerals
Vitamin D
Adult dose: 4000IU
Child dose: 400 – 800 IU
Vitamin C
Adult dose: 3000-6000mg (taken 1000 mg at a time)
Child dose: 50 mg per kg taken 3-5 times daily (250 mg – 500 mg)
*Vitamin C can cause loose stools in high doses but there is no toxicity
Selenium
Adult dose: 400 mcg
Child dose: 100 mcg
Anti-viral and immune boosting botanicals - St. Francis
Astragalus, Reishi, Ligustrum, Siberian Ginseng, Licorice, Garlic, Shisandra, Codonopsis, Ginger, Hydrastis, Myrhh
Every family should have an immune boosting / anti-viral tincture on hand in case of illness. Botanicals available at Natural Care Clinic, Goodness Me! or The Vitamin Store
Hydrotherapy
Warming Socks
Use at first sign of illness and continue for 2-3 weeks after cold or flu
What you need: 2 pairs of socks: one cotton and one wool (%40 percent wool)
- If your feet are cool or cold it is IMPORTANT to warm them first. Warming can be accomplished by soaking in warm water for 5-10 minutes.
- Take a pair of cotton socks and thoroughly wet entire sock with cold water.
- Place the cold wet socks on your feet. Cover ENTIRELY with thick wool socks. Go to bed with plenty of blankets. Avoid getting chilled. LEAVE SOCKS ON OVERNIGHT
* Wet cotton socks should be dry by morning
* Many patients report that they sleep much better during the treatment
Sleep
Sleep is one of the best ways to boost immune function and help prevent infection with H1N1. School aged children should get 9-12 hours of sleep. I recommend children go to sleep from 7 pm – 8:30 pm.
Your child is getting enough sleep every night if:
- Your child can fall asleep within a period of fifteen to thirty minutes
- If your child wakes up easily in the morning
- If your child is wide-awake, energetic and alert throughout the school day
For more tips about prevention of H1N1 visit:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/alert-alerte/h1n1/faq_rg_h1n1-eng.php