FIVE SIMPLE THINGS TO HELP REDUCE COLDS AND FLUS THIS WINTER

We are constantly exposed to microorganisms, both viruses and bacteria. We breath them in we get them on our skin, we eat them, and inevitably kids will be kids. There are some simple things to help reduce the chance that you and your family will get sick during the winter months.

As summer winds down and kids go off back to school and daycare, or your co-workers kids do it is important to pay attention to your own health. The "bugs" that are out there are now are relatively "stronger" than before, however, we do have a fighting chance. The secret lies in our own immune system. Our immune system has the potential to fight off virtually any infection that comes our way. The key is to keep our immune system and our other body systems functioning at their optimum levels.

The following are recommendations addressing many aspects of your daily routine; these are only the tip of the ice berg.

1. Lifestyle - it is important to remember that germs do "spread." Washing your hands after sneezing, corporate meetings, school functions, or going to the bathroom is one of the first lines of defense to keeping yourself protected.
2. Diet - there are some foods that help and some that hurt. Yeah those "old wives tales" actually do have some merit to them. SUGAR and refined carbohydrates (i.e. Dunkin donuts) reduce your immune system's ability to function. Studies show that only one teaspoon of sugar can reduce our white blood cells, the cells that kill and clean up infectious agents, by 85% for up to 8 hours. So that sugar cereal for breakfast, cookie for lunch and sweet after dinner can suppress the function of a person's immune system ALL DAY long! It is no wonder that sometimes it is virtually impossible for us to get rid of a cold. Now the foods that help are: vegetables, whole grains, protein, and dark berries.
3. Multiple-vitamin - it is extremely important that our body has all the tools necessary to fight infection and make our immune system stronger. That requires the proper amount of co-factors, vitamins and minerals. Unfortunately the food supply in general and our diets in general, do not supply the necessary amounts of vitamins and minerals for optimum health. The trick to the multiple-vitamin is getting one that works. You can either take a "one a day" and help get more "fiber" (stool bulking agent) or you can take a multiple vitamin that actually contains the right amounts of vitamins and minerals that a person in this day and age needs to fight infection and stay healthy, oh and it also gets absorbed, not passed through.
4. Herbal support - there are many different herbs used to support the immune system, and fight infections. One of the most commonly used herbs is Echinacea. It is a relatively "safe" herb that is effective at stimulating the immune system helping to fight and prevent infections.
5. Nutrients and Vitamins - there are several nutrients that are used to both keep the immune system strong and fight off a current infection. A common nutrient is vitamin C. This vitamin is very important in activating our immune system as well as aiding our white blood in killing any virus or bacteria they might encounter.

As always if you do get sick it is important to make an appointment to get checked out and examined so that we know exactly what we are dealing with. If you would like more information contact the office to schedule an appointment to obtain a treatment protocol specifically designed and tailored to your needs.

Rob Dramov, ND, PC
Dramov Naturopathic Medical Center
9735 SW Shady Lane, Suite 302
Tigard, OR 97223
Phone: 503-639-6454
Fax: 503-639-6584
www.DramovMedical.com