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Recently in The Seattle Times: In what could prove to be a controversial decision, Washington’s Health Department has allowed swine-flu vaccinations to be carried out while temporarily suspending a rule that limits the amount of thimerosal, a mercury preservative, in vaccines given to pregnant women and children under the age of 3. This means that the swine-flu vaccine will be given to these populations despite some fears that thimerosal can cause autism in children.

Health officials believe that lifting the mercury limits will give pregnant women and young children quicker access to the vaccine, since they are considered at high risk for swine flu. Thimerosal is used to keep multiple-dose vaccines free of bacterial growth, but those who have concerns about possible adverse health effects, could opt for the single-dose vials that do not contain mercury. Although the WHO and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will carefully monitor side effects, there may always be unforeseen risks when new vaccines are developed.

If you’re concerned about the safety of the swine-flu vaccine and choose to opt out for your family, there are a number of precautions you can follow to prevent catching the infection, some of which include following precautions for basic hygiene, avoiding hospitals and crowded places, and taking steps to boost your own resistance to viruses.

While a healthy lifestyle has a significant role in boosting immunity, a number of herbal remedies, such as Basil (Tulsi), Echinacea, Garlic and Licorice, are known to increase resistance to viruses. When the next round of the epidemic hits, taking an immune system vitamin to increase your immunity could be the wisest thing you and your family could do to protect yourselves.

The media is hyping up the swine flu and until we actually know the potential and the real details about this virus there is no reason to panic.

Instead take action to boost your immune system which is the number one confirmed way to avoid contracting a virus.

Flu Prevention Elements:

1. Don’t stress: As we have been discussing in our adrenal fatigue series, stress elevates cortisol, the primary stress hormone, which suppresses our immune cells and leads to a weakened immune system.

(How to limit stress–> breathe, exercise, don’t get caught up in the hype by stressing over the news and headlines daily and get a massage.)

2. Take immune boosting nutrients like the ones found  in Good Elements’ Resistance. There are various, potent anti-viral and immune stimulating herbs, vitamins and minerals in this product such as echinacea, oregon grape root, elderberry, licorice, ginger,  vitamin A, vitamin C, and zinc.

Take Resistance:  2 capsules 2x daily to prevent contracting a virus. Take 2 capsules 3x daily especially if you plan on traveling.

3. Avoid immune suppressing substances such as sugar, alcohol, coffee, and hydrogenated oils.

4. Eat immune stimulating foods such as garlic, ginger, onion, cayenne, wild fish, broccoli, kale, sauerkraut, and plain yogurt with live cultures.

5. Take Vitamin D3. This is a fat soluble vitamin so the best way to know how much is safe to take is to get your doctor to run a test called serum 25 OH Vitamin D. But in the meantime you can take at least 1000IU of Vitamin D daily. I have some of my patients taking up to 5000IU daily once I have confirmed their blood levels. Vitamin D is found in Good Elements’ Essentials daily multivitamin and mineral supplement.

6. Practice good hygeine, wash your hands regularly or use a hand sanitizer after shaking other people’s hands, touching door knobs and spending time in public places.

7. Drink plenty of water to flush out your system

8. Sleep and rest. Your body regenerates and heals during sleep.

9. Review the Good Elements’ health tips to generally strengthen your immune system and prevent disease.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Britta Zimmer

Chief Naturopathic Physician and Founder of www.goodelements.com