Today, we’re going to complete the discussion we began last week on “Fluzone High-Dose," a new high-­powered influenza vaccine that was created specifically for seniors, 65 and older. We talked about some of the vaccine side effects and why seniors were vaccinated with a significantly higher dosage that the regular flu vaccine flavor of the day, “Fluzone.” Let’s discuss some alternatives to the vaccine.

One solution lies in maintaining a robust immune system. Most of our listeners know that getting adjusted on a regular basis helps keep your immune system strong and healthy. So I certainly recommend getting your spine checked and getting adjusted regularly.

To help avoid the flu at home, I would really recommend washing your hands often throughout the day is a good idea. Especially if you been in contact with someone who has been sick. But more importantly, do not touch your face after being in contact with someone who has been sick. Overall, your hands are very poor environment for a virus to survive. Virus is love oral cavities that are warm and moist, your mouth, nose and eyes. If you're in contact with someone who is sick and you shake their hand don’t pick your teeth because that is a good way for you to get the virus inside your body. A good rule of thumb, don’t touch your face.

There are also two dietary things that I would recommend. First, I’d certainly recommend reducing or eliminating sugar and reducing or eliminating dairy. Dairy is a natural mucous enhancer. If you are stuffed up, the last thing you want to do is eat anything that will make you more stuffed up. So avoid dairy as best as possible.

Most people are aware of the fact that sugar suppresses immune system. This is very true but most people do not understand the mechanism of how this happens. There are receptors on membranes of every cell that allow sugar to get into the cell. Vitamin C and glucose (sugar) are almost identical. Consequently, the vitamin C uses the same receptor as sugar to get into the cell. Vitamin C is very important in the phagocytosis or the destruction of a virus. However, if all the receptors are filled out with sugar trying to get into the cell then vitamin C can’t get into the cell and you're going to be sicker longer. So I would certainly recommend a diet that is low in sugar and high in vitamin C.

Second, on a preventive measure, I recommend high doses of vitamin D to all our listeners. The best form of vitamin D is sunlight. However, in the fall winter and spring the sun is further away and we are not getting the amount of vitamin D our body needs. Consequently, vitamin D supplementation is an absolute must. I recommend getting about 35 IU (International Units) per pound of body weight. I weigh 200 pounds so I need about 7000 IU per day. Most people need a least 5000 IU per day. The best form of vitamin D has cotton liver oil. I also carry vitamin D in a liquid lanolin form. I also have a 5000 IU capsule.

The other dietary supplementation I recommend on a regular basis is probiotics. Most people have 3 to 4 pounds of good bacteria living in their digestive tract. This “flora” of good bacteria helps you digest food and fight infection. If you are eating sugar, drinking alcohol or eating nonorganic meats or on antibiotics of any kind this flora of good bacteria can be suppressed and consequently suppressing your immune system. Probiotics is a capsule filled with billions of good bacteria that help your body fight infection and digest food. Taking probiotics on a regular basis is a great way to prevent any type of cold or flu.

If you happen to get the flu, I would certainly recommend rest and get plenty of fluids. The most beneficial would be plain water. Again do not start drinking pop because most pop or soda is loaded with sugar. I don't know where it started, but for some reason when people get the flu they think 7-Up is the best thing did give. It's not what I recommend. Obviously, I would recommend getting plenty of rest. If you get the flu in most cases you don't have enough energy to stand up and get the phone. So listen to your body and just rest. I also recommend upping your vitamin D intake. Because most people don't like eating too much when they have the flu, a liquid vitamin D is very beneficial. The liquid vitamin D I recommend there is 1000 IUs in just two drops. Consequently, most people can get a few thousand international units of Vitamin D by taking this liquid drop form.

We also have a product called Ilex Formula which is an herbal remedy to help patients get over virus.

Also when you do get a fever, do NOT take anything to reduce it. I’ll repeat this. when you do get a fever, do NOT take anything to reduce it. Do you know why your body produces a fever?

Virus’ love 98.6 degrees temp. That is the temperature of your body right now. In order to reduce or kill a virus your body elevates its temperature to a 100, 101, 102 degrees. That elevated temperature kills the virus. So if you do something to artificially lower your temperature what does that do to the virus in your body? If you do get the flu and you treat it correctly, it should not last more than a day or two. I have many patients who get the flu and tell me they were sick for a week. This is certainly an indication that whatever they were doing to treat the flu was incorrect. They were most likely taking Tylenol or Advil to reduce the fever and prolonged the flu.

In closing, just remember, get plenty of fluids especially water, wash your hands often, don't touch your face, don't eat too much dairy or sugar, get adequate probiotics and vitamin D levels and get adjusted. This is all a very good recipe to stay healthy and avoid the flu this winter.

If you want to learn more about the flu and how to prevent it, call the office at 507.645.8846.