Q: How can I reduce my chances of coming down with the flu?
My husband stayed at home and came down with the flu while I traveled. How can I lessen my chances of catching the flu germs?
A: Your best defense-whether it’s against the common cold, the flu, or the latest superbug-is a healthy immune system. There are a myriad of ways to build immunity, but here are 5 of my favorites. Some of it is old hat, true, but we all need a few reminders now and then.
1. Lactoferrin. I’m willing to bet that when most people hear the word lactoferrin, they think breast milk. And it’s true: breast milk does have a high concentration of this important immune booster. But what you might not know is that all of us have lacteferrin in our blood, and it jumps into action whenever we contract an infection.
All of your body’s invaders (bacteria, viruses, pathogens, even cancer) require iron to grow. Lactoferrin holds onto that iron, basically cutting off the invader’s food supply.
For prevention, take one 100-mg capsule twice a day. Double the dose if you come down with something.
2. Elderberry. A few years ago I read a study done on a product made of black elderberry extract, and I’ve been using and recommending it ever since. They study done on Sambucol showed that it shortened the duration and lessened the symptoms of 10 different strains of the influenza virus.
If you want to try it for yourself, you can order it from www.naturesway.com, though there are a number of other online sources that you could also try.
3. Chamomile tea. A study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry showed that chamomile tea increases antibacterial activity in your body. Besides, drinking hot tea is a soothing way to take the edge off of those winter chills.
4. Homeopathy. There’s plenty of controversy around this alternative health therapy. (Maybe that’s why I’m such a fan…) Whole books have been written on this subject, but I’ll just give you the synopsis: It involves using formulations made from diluted strains of viruses and bacteria to build the body’s resistance.
To find a homeopathic doctor in your area, go to www.homeopathic.org.
5. Sleep. Don’t shrug this one off. Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best ways to build your body’s immune system.
