Happy Autumn!
Along with the beautiful fall colors and the dropping temperature there is sniffling and sneezing in the air. Here are Dr. Stacey’s top 10 ways to prevent colds and flu this season:
- Get adjusted. When your body’s nerve supply can get to your muscles, organs and glands properly, your immune system will work its best.
- Drink half your body weight in ounces of clean, filtered water a day.
- Get into a habit of putting yourself to bed at a consistent time each night, keep the room dark without electronics humming or charging in the background and sleep for 8-9 hours. If you have difficulty falling or staying asleep make an appointment with Dr. Stacey to ensure better sleep in your future.
- Wash your hands..often. There are about 400 billion bacteria on your hands at any given time. Washing with regular soap and warm water (not antibacterial soap!) can keep you from transferring harmful bacteria from the places you touch to your eyes, nose and mouth where it can enter your body, multiply and cause illness.
- Check your vitamin D level. Vitamin D along with your other vitamins, minerals and nutrients are very important. Vitamin D, in particular, helps with the immune system, bone health, various sources of pain and depression. It is a simple blood test that you can request the next time you get blood work or you can pick up a kit at our clinic.
- I know you really don’t want to hear this, so brace yourself…avoid sugar. Specifically, refined sugar. Sweetness from whole dates, honey, coconut and maple syrup is fine in small amounts and not too often.
- Swallow your greens. It could be a large salad, steamed veggies or a green smoothie, they all give you the fiber, vitamin k and other nutrients you need to keep your immune system up.
- Ferment frenzy. Your gut bacteria contributes to the brains of your immune system. To get enough of them, drink fermented drinks like kombuca, eat fermented foods like sauerkraut, and take a probiotic that is specific for your needs. Ask Dr. Stacey which one would be best for you.
- Take your supplements. Make sure you are getting enough vitamin C since it is used up very quickly if you are consuming sugar and is imperative to good immune function. Take immune boosting herbs as long as they don’t interfere with any medication you are taking or if you are pregnant. We favor Phytogen, Mycoferon or Coryza Forte at our clinic.
- If you still get sick after following these tips, make sure you have the following on hand: colloidal silver, black elderberry, Oscillococcinum, and vitamin A. You can find them at our clinic. Dr. Francis is also a fan of nutrient IVs to boost your immune system and rehydrate you if you get sick. They are provided at our Bloomfield hills satellite clinic.