One out of every five adults has come down with the flu this season.
This year’s flu season is being touted as the worst in almost a decade, since the 2009 swine flu pandemic. As a result, droves of people want to know how to prevent the flu. The predominant strain this year is the Hong Kong flu, which has been documented for at least 50 years and is known to be one of the more virulent strains. Because I faithfully take Para-Key and Time-C, I don’t expect to come down with it, but here’s what I would do if I did have the flu.
Influenza 101
Influenza is a virus. Viruses are different from bacteria, in that bacteria attach themselves to the outside of a cell, while viruses inject themselves into the cell. Antibiotics are lifesavers when it comes to bacterial infections, because the bacteria can be targeted without harming the inside of the cell. Viruses, on the other hand, don’t respond to antibiotics. They are housed safely inside of your cell, where antibiotics can’t reach without destroying the cell.
Viruses cannot multiply without a host cell. Because of this, the most effective flu fighters and preventatives focus on strengthening cells and their membranes. A healthy cell is like a fortress that doesn’t allow a virus to invade.
An Ounce of Prevention – How to Prevent the Flu
First, common sense measures to avoid exposure are the easiest to start with. The flu virus enters in through your eyes, nose or mouth. So, if someone with the flu sneezes or coughs and the infected droplets are breathed in through your nose or mouth, you’ve just been exposed to the flu. If those infected droplets land on a surface where you rest your hand and then rub your eye with that hand, that’s also a flu exposure.
As much as possible, avoid crowds and areas where people with the flu may go. Reschedule preventative visits with your doctor until flu season has passed; if you need something from the pharmacy, use the drive thru or have it mailed to your home. After shopping, wash hands thoroughly. These things are especially important if your immune system is already compromised. Remember, more than one strain of the flu circulates every season, so it is possible to catch another type while your immune system is already down.
Alkalinize Your Cells
If you really want to know how to prevent the flu, it’s time to think about your alkalinity. The optimal pH for the flu to inject itself into a cell is 5.0, which is acidic. You can safely assume if you have the flu that your cellular pH is acidic. My favorite remedy to correct your cellular pH is my cran water, and you can find out more about the amazing cranberry and the recipe for cran water here.
Another great strategy is a detox bath. This is a therapeutic bath that was recommended by my mentor, the grand dame of alternative medicine, Dr. Hazel Parcells, who lived to the ripe old age of 106. She was an advisor to the Oppenheim team in the early 1940s. This particular bath has been used for over 25 years by my students, followers and readers. Don’t take more than one bath a day, and don’t mix the formulas.
The salt and soda bath is quite relaxing and very simple to implement:
- Run a tub to the hottest temperature you can manage. Dissolve 1 pound of salt (sea salt – NOT Epsom salts) and 1 pound of baking soda in the water, and begin to soak.
- Sip a glass of warm water mixed with ½ teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of baking soda for internal pH balance to counter the flu’s acidity.
- Get out of the bath when the water is cool. Don’t shower for at least four hours.
Boost Glutathione
Glutathione has been called the master antioxidant, and is a strong supporter of both the liver and lungs. Because the flu targets the lungs, it’s important to keep them strong and healthy. My favorite supplement for this is N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC). A dose of 600mg twice daily during the flu also decreases the intensity of flu symptoms and the length of the flu. This study showed in elderly patients who took NAC, 25% came down with influenza-like symptoms as compared to 79% who did not take NAC. If you are already concerned for pneumonia, I recommend seeing your integrative doctor and getting a prescription for NAC for the nebulizer, as well as taking the oral.
Cleansing Coffee Enemas and Colon Hydrotherapy
Another way to boost glutathione is with coffee enemas. They stimulate the liver to produce glutathione while cleansing both the liver and colon of the cellular debris and toxins that are produced when you are sick with something like the flu. Many of the symptoms that come with the flu come from the body flushing toxins and by supporting the body in this important job you can reduce your symptoms and help the flu run its course more quickly. Coffee enemas and colon hydrotherapy will temporarily reduce a fever and keep your detox pathways open. One colonic or two coffee enemas per day may be all that’s needed to give your system a boost to fight or even prevent the flu.
Elderberry to the Rescue
When you catch the flu, elderberry’s immunity-boosting properties can reduce your symptoms and speed recovery. According to virologists, this antioxidant-rich extract contains a compound that ‘coats’ viruses and prevents them from invading and infecting healthy cells. In fact, elderberry extract has been shown to be effective against more than 10 strains of the influenza virus. In an Israeli study, 93 percent of subjects taking elderberry extract were symptom-free within 48 hours, while patients given a placebo took at least six days to recover. I suggest supplementing with 2 teaspoons of liquid black elderberry extract twice daily.
Fight Flu with Vitamin D
People with enough vitamin D heal from the flu faster than people with low levels of vitamin D. According to this study, people with vitamin D blood levels above 38 ng/mL recovered from influenza in an average of 2 days, as compared to people with vitamin D levels below 38 ng/mL who took an average of 9 days to recover from influenza. Vitamin D also calms the inflammatory response of the immune system to the flu, which decreases the rate of pneumonia and other deadly complications. I recommend 2,000 to 5,000 IU daily while fighting the flu.
how to prevent the flu
