Flu/Cold Season

IT’S COLD AND FLU SEASON

FLU SHOT, YES OR NO?

Flu is way up in Marin County where I live and in many other parts of the country. Many friends and clients ask me if I recommend a flu shot and the answer surprises many of them. No, I don’t recommend a flu shot for healthy young or middle aged people. If you have cancer or an immune deficiency of any kind, are debilitated or in poor health then you need to carefully consider your risks and benefits with a physician who knows your situation very well before deciding if you should get a flu shot or not.

Cochrane Summaries  are considered one of the most reliable, complete, objective evidence based sources of information in medicine. Below is a link to the Cochrane summary of the safety and efficacy of influenza vaccination.

http://summaries.cochrane.org/CD001269/vaccines-to-prevent-influenza-in-healthy-adults

Below is the most pertinent portion of the summary:

“In average conditions …….. 100 people need to be vaccinated to avoid one set of influenza symptoms. Vaccine use did not affect the number of people hospitalized or working days lost, but caused one case of Guillian-Barré syndrome (a major neurological condition leading to paralysis) for every one million vaccinations”.

PREVENTION

How do you avoid getting sick? I recommend getting plenty of sleep. Wash your hands frequently if you are around sick people. Eat well and lower your stress. Some suggestions for improving your chances:

Preventive supplement doses for adults

  • Vitamin D3 2000 ius/day
  • Vitamin A 10,000 ius/day
  • zinc 15 mg/day
  • selenium 200 mcg/day

For extra support

  • monolaurin (lauric acid) 600 mg, OR
  • astragalus 250 mg twice daily

 

IF YOU’RE SICK WITH FLU or COLD

  • Vitamin D 2000 ius/day
  • Vitamin A 100,000 ius/day (If you are sure you are not pregnant)
  • Zinc 90-100 mg/day
  • Selenium 600 mcg/day
  • Echinacea liquid extract 1-2 dropper in warm water every 2 hrs for 4 days, then 4x/day
  • Vitamin C 500 to 2000mg every 2 to 3 hours to bowel tolerance for 4 days, then 4x/day

For Additional support:

  • Monolaurin (lauric acid)  600 mg 2 to 3 times per day
  • Astragalus 250-500 mg 3 or 4 times per day.

As always check with your health provider to review your individual health risks and recommendations.

Be Well!                                                                                                                                     Dr. Ann