Fighting Flu

I believe that most people think that getting the flu in the winter is just a normal thing.  However, a study performed at the University of Wisconsin a few years back found that people undergoing just 8 weeks of meditation training were 35% less likely to develop cold or flu symptoms than those who did not practice this method of calming the mind.  Based on these findings, Bruce Barrett, M.D. Ph.D. believes that meditation reduces stress to the brain and nervous system which in turn helps to reduce stress to the immune system.  With flu season upon us, I thought I’d share a few natural methods of fighting off the flu.

This isn’t the first occasion that reducing stress to the nervous system proved beneficial to the immune system and decreased the risk of flu.  During the 1918 influenza epidemic, Davenport, Iowa medical doctors treated 4,953 influenza cases resulting in 274 flu deaths. At the same time, 150 chiropractors from Palmer School of Chiropractic treated 1,635 cases during the epidemic with only one death.  Similar reports came from New York City where 950 out of 10,000 patients medically treated died, whereas 25 patients out of 10,000 died under drugless methods.  These are just a couple of the reasons why meditation and chiropractic are integral parts to our wellness program and strategies for better health.

As a kid and teenager I suffered from colds and flu routinely.  I’m proud to say that in the last 18 years I’ve only missed 1 ½ days of work due to illness and have used no medications and never considered a flu shot.  In addition to regular chiropractic adjustments and stress reduction methods including exercise and meditation, I have a few other strategies that have changed my outcomes.  Whenever I feel a sore throat, congestion, or headache, I hit the vitamin C immediately – at least 3000 milligrams per day.  We also use a product called Lauricidin which is a coconut derivative.  Coconut is a natural anti-viral and anti-bacterial.  I still believe in old-fashioned chicken soup – it causes pyrogens to be released resulting in an increased body temperature that kills off bacteria.  I also eliminate all sugar, get ample rest and drink only water until symptoms have passed.  Hopefully these strategies will work for you as well.  Studies show that use of antibiotics ultimately weaken your own immune system resulting in more frequent infections.  To prevent illness and promote better health, you need reduced stress from better lifestyle and sometimes these natural remedies can help.