Natural Flu Prevention vs the Flu Vaccine
With cold weather knocking on the door for many of our customers around the country, many are concerned about falling victim to colds and flu this season. While many tout that the Flu vaccine is the most effective way to prevent the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that remains a controversial subject.
First, most flu vaccines still contain thimerosal, a mercury-based vaccine preservative, which has some connections with toxicity and should be avoided.
Second, because there is no way to predict upcoming flu strains, the vaccine your Dr. will offer you often doesn't match the strain of flu that actually is causing the ailment this season. It is kind of like the computer industry, always running about a leg behind the virus creators in inventing virus protection.
Obviously, the BEST cure is an ounce of prevention and protection.
Some believe that the best protection from flu is flu itself. Recent research shows that the theory may actually have validity. In the past 20 years, deaths from flu in the elderly--the group most vulnerable to flu consequences--have decreased. At the same time, flu vaccination has increased by 45 to 50%. Researchers concluded, however, that flu vaccine didn't help decrease deaths from flu--people simply acquired natural immunity to the emerging strain of flu, which resulted in fewer flu-related deaths.
With flu vaccine effectiveness unclear, many are looking into natural ammunition against winter viruses.
The Role of Vitamin C and Flu Prevention
While the idea that Vitamin C, or any vitamin for that matter, can cure the common cold has remained an unproved and controversial topic, there have been recent studies that looked at the whole subject a different way: the immune system cells' response to vitamin C.
At the 60th Anniversary Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) recently, Susan Ritter and colleagues reported that 12 healthy subjects who took one gram of vitamin C a day for two weeks showed a boosted immune system response during that time.
Stephen Tilles, MD, with the Northwest Asthma & Allergy Center in Seattle, called the study "impressive" because it measures what's going on at the level of the cell. "This study legitimizes some of the popular assumptions about vitamin C and helps validate the effect of vitamin C on the immune system," he told WebMD. See complete article here at WebMD.
Immune Booster for Kids: Strawberry Jr. for Kids Emer'gen-C is a multivitamin formula that fizzes in water to furnish 500 mg of Vitamin C and 32 different mineral complexes, plus Vitamins A, B's, D, E, and K. Sweetened with Fructose for Quick Energy with Staying Power.
Immune Booster for Adults:
Chewable Vitamin C
Soothing Relief for the Whole Family:
Kiss My Face Cold and Flu Bath and Shower Gel is the perfect day-starter or antidote for those under-the-weather blues. Created with time-tested botanicals like Eucalyptus, Fennel, Horehound and other aromatics. To soothe the skin they added Olive Oil, Aloe Vera, and Allantoin.
Key Facts About Seasonal Influenza (Flu)
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Every year in the United States, on average:
*5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
*more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and;
*about 36,000 people die from flu.
Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at high risk for serious flu complications.
Good Health Habits for Flu Prevention and Cold Prevention
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is boosting your immune system with Vitamin C and good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often.
Help prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu before they get started:
--Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
--If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
--Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
--Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
--Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
--Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
About the Author
Holly Nelson writes for 2 Computer Chicks
2 months ago
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