Natural Ways to Prevent Swine Flu Infection
How to Avoid H1N1 Influenza without Getting a Vaccine
Nov 1, 2009
While different groups disagree over the effectiveness and safety of the swine flu vaccine against H1N1 influenza A, most interests agree that prevention is the best means of combating swine flu. The best means of prevention is, however, still heavily debated. Learn about natural methods of swine flu prevention here.
Boost Your Immune System to Prevent Swine Flu Infection
Dr. Joseph Mercola, founder of Mercola.com, the most visited natural health site on the internet, explains that you can prevent the flu naturally - that is, reduce your chance of getting catching the virus in the first place by keeping your immune system in optimal working order. Here are some of the ways Dr. Mercola advises to fortify your immune system:
Optimize Vitamin D Levels
This may be your frontline natural defense against all disease, not just the flu. Studies have shown that vitamin D has been well documented to increase the production of over 200 antimicrobial peptides that fight infection. Dr. Mercola suggests that the best way to get vitamin D is to bask in healthy amounts of sunshine, around ten to 15 minutes per day without sunscreen with at least 40 percent of your skin exposed.
Of course, this level of sun exposure can be difficult to achieve in the cooler months of the year when most people spend much of their time indoors and flu season tends to thrive. For this reason, vitamin D supplementation is usually necessary to achieve proper blood serum vitamin D levels.
Dr. Mercola recommends that adults age 18 to 30 and pregnant women take a supplement of 5000 IU per day; children age five to 10 should get 2500 IU per day, and children under age five should get 35 IU per pound per day. He also warns, however, that the only way to know exactly how much vitamin D you need is to have a blood test to determine what your blood levels are. Have your physician administer a calcidiol test (also known as a 25-hyrdoxyvitamin D test). Optimal vitamin D blood levels are 50 ng/mL‚ according to the Vitamin D Council of Canada; however, Dr. Mercola recommends that a healthy level is 60 ng/mL. Dr. Mercola also cautions that vitamin D overdosing is just as dangerous as being deficient.
Other Suggestions to Fortify the Immune System
- Avoid Sugar: Sugar suppresses your immune system almost immediately, leaving you open to attacks from viruses and bacteria.
- Get Enough Rest: If you are overly fatigued it will be harder for your body to fight the flu.
- Reduce Stress: When stress becomes overwhelming your body is less able to fight off the swine flu and other illnesses.
- Exercise: Exercising increases your circulation and blood flow, allowing the components of your immune system to be better circulated and fight illness before it spreads.
- Take an Animal-Based Omega-3 Supplement: Increase your intake of health essential oils to maintain good health.
- Wash Hands and Keep Surfaces Clean to Prevent the Spread of Swine Flu: Prevent swine flu infection by washing hands often and using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when washing facilities are not available; this will decrease the likelihood of spreading the virus to your nose, mouth, eyes, or people. Keep common surfaces such as counters, doorknobs and handles disinfected.
Whether or not you support vaccines or intend to get a seasonal or swine flu vaccination, exercising these steps may help you avoid becoming infected with influenza viruses, or can help make you more resilient and less likely to suffer complications should you become infected with swine flu or other illnesses. Best of all, these natural precautions are either free or very inexpensive, are available for everyone immediately, and pose no risk to your health.
Sources:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca
http://www.vitamindsociety.org
http://www. mercola.com
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