Preventing Cold & Flu

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HOW NOT TO GET SICK THIS WINTER!

by Mitch Kennedy, Naturopathic Doctor, Avon, CT

Winter is the time when many people are concerned about getting sick. However, there's a tremendous amount you can do to keep from getting sick this season. Preventing a cold or flu involves strengthening your immune system and avoiding stressors that depress your natural defenses. Some simple suggestions are as follows:

1.Avoid eating sweets, baked goods and beverages containing refined sugars. Look at the labels for “fructose”, “sucrose”, “corn syrup” and other forms of sugars. All types of sugars are known to suppress the “bacteria eating” activity of white blood cells, our primary line of defense against infection.

2.Take a high quality vitamin supplement daily.

Unfortunately, most of us eat too few vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables, and expose ourselves to too much stress. This leaves us short on the essential nutrients needed to maintain our energy levels, and our immune system. Spend a little extra to get a high quality vitamin – one with the most biochemically active forms of the vitamins and without fillers, preservatives, and dyes. Your naturopathic physician may sell such a supplement or you can find something almost as good at the health food store.

3.Create the time to rest and sleep eight hours per night.

During sleep our body repairs itself. Without adequate rest, the body can not build up reserves of energy and fight off “bugs” it may have been exposed to during the day.

4.Avoid dairy products at the first sign of a cold or flu. Dairy products (milk, cream, butter, ice cream, cream cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt) stimulate the production of mucous in the body. The excess mucous can cause pressure in the sinuses, headaches, and further decrease the effectiveness of your immune system. There are many great dairy substitutes out there. Check you local health food store.

5.Take a daily dose of an adaptogen. “Adaptogens” are plants which have the ability to enhance the immune function of humans and provide increased endurance in physical and mental activities. Astragalus, Rhodiola rosea, and Sambucus majus are just a few common herbs that your naturopathic or conventional physician may prescribe or may be available at health food stores. Small daily does of these herbs can help build vitality so you will be less susceptible when influenza and common cold viruses come around.

6.Check your Vitamin D levels. Recent research shows a dramatic connection with low levels of Vitamin D and a person’s susceptibility to cold and flu viruses. Have your doctor or naturopathic physician order a Vitamin D blood test and make sure you are at least near the upper end of the normal range. Most people in our Northern climate get plenty of Vitamin D from exposure to sunshine from June to August; but could benefit from taking extra Vitamin D from September to May.
7.Be happy. Psychologists have shown, for decades using the Holmes Rhahe Scale of life changes, that the more change and stress you are under the likely you are to suffer an illness in the following 3 – 6 months. Stress reduction exercises and pampering oneself with a relaxing activity (yoga, tai chi, golf, or other physical activity) allows the body to unwind and the stress to drain from the areas in the body where each of us stores tension.
8.Prevent contamination. Studies have demonstrated that infections are spread much more readily by direct contact than through the air. Cleanliness tips to help avoid contamination of viruses include frequent hand washing.

Dr. Mitch Kennedy is a nationally board certified & licensed naturopathic physician who treats people of all ages. Dr. Kennedy is trained in three separate types of medicine: natural medicine, conventional medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. This insures that health problems are identified before they become chronic diseases and that every treatment opportunity is explored. Dr. Kennedy is on staff at the University of Connecticut Health Center and has a private practice in Avon, CT. You may reach his Avon office by calling (860) 673-9954.

Mitch Kennedy, ND, P.C. | Tel: (860) 679-8899 | Fax: (860) 673-4063