November 3, 2004

Bug Busters for the Holiday Season
Don't let the cold or flu ruin your holidays

by Kathyrn Hurt

- Registered Nurse
 
Here we are at the beginning of the Holiday Season and spending more time with family and friends. You will enjoy it more fully by staying well and remembering these healthy tips:

• Hand washing: Viral germs are quickly spread by hand contact. They thrive in the warm moist environment of our mucus membranes. They spread more quickly in the winter as we are indoors with windows closed and the warm air germs love. Always wash your hands after contact with others, especially before eating or touching your nose, eyes or mouth. Effective handwashing includes using friction for 15 seconds after applying soap. Remember to wash up after working out at the gym, grocery shopping, etc. At work, use sanitizing wipes on the phone, number buttons and the computer keyboards too. It’s a good idea to keep a small bottle of anti-bacterial hand sanitizer or wipes in your workout bag and your car.



• Dietary Needs: Germs feed on sugar. Stop the intake of sugar for your health; this becomes more important when you become ill. Eat organic vegetables and drink whey or rice protein shakes. Increase your intake of green tea to 5 cups/day.



• Exercise: Regular exercise 3x’s/week will help your immune system and your mental and emotional health.



• Drink your water! The minimal amount is: drink half of your body weight in oz per day (Ex. 150lbs = 75oz).



• Boost your Immune System: For immune support take these supplements daily: Ultraplex multivitamins, Vitamin C 1Gm/day, Paleo Greens, Garlic 1/day, Zinc 60 mg/day. These products can be purchased through our online shop at Liv4Evr.com.



• Flu Vaccination: It is recommended for people who are immunosuppressed (or tend to be sickly) and for those over 50.

If you should have symptoms of a cold or flu virus, you should add the following to your health regimen:

• Vitamin C - increase from one to ten grams per day, or less -- depending on bowel tolerance.



• IV therapy – IV vitamin C with or without glutathione. Short-term use of Vitamin A in higher doses (see one of our practitioners for this). You can take 10,000u/day for prevention.
  If you are immunosuppressed, ProBoost is also helpful to the immune system.

See Karen Kurtak, our Chinese Medicine practitioner for her antiviral herbs. We use GanMao Ling; a powerful combination of antiviral herbs from Taditional Chinese Medicine. See Karen for more details.

We hope these measures will make your season brighter! Happy Holidays to you from the staff of FMI!

Call (303) 233-4247 or toll-free (877) 548-4387, to schedule an appointment or for more information.