Best flu prevention supplements

[MoTappin]

What are you all supplementing yourself and your kids with to prevent flu? We don't do flu shots and have never had it, but there's a little extra concern this year.

I've been supplementing my kids with an airborne-like fizzy drink (Nature's Sunshine Fizz-Active) with C, Zinc, potassium, beta glucans, echinacea, elder berry, etc. I am doing this for myself as well. I also have the kids on a whole food antioxidant, and calcium plus D3 (along with an Omega-3/DHA). Sounds like a lot, but they're really only taking the drink (not every day on this) and 3 gummy-form supplements with their breakfast, then their regular vitamin at night which they have always taken.

I don't want to turn them into little hypochondriacs, but I'm telling them this is for flu season to help keep them from getting sick this time of year. They don't mind it and they actually really like the gummies and vitamins. I don't make a big deal or presentation out of it, so hopefully it won't be a big hairy deal for them either.

Anything superfluous here, or anything I'm missing? We are also watching the sugar and junk, which we do anyway.

[Tina71]

Also, check out this

http://forum.t-tapp.com/showthread.php?t=63960

[Lori French]

Maybe probiotics.... They come in liquid form, not sure about gummies though.
Prebiotics from foods.
http://www.ific.org/publications/fac...obioticsfs.cfm
http://comfortfoods.wordpress.com/20...alth-benefits/

[WendyD]

I feel like a nut too! I think the media hype hasn't helped anything. I just have to remind myself that I got the flu last year and my family didn't. My DD even kept hopping in bed with me and my DH slept with me. I had them on vitamin d, but I had run myself into the ground. I won't do that again. Although from previous experience, if I got the flu one year it seems to take several before I get it again.

I'm keeping iodine on hand. Making granola with coconut oil. My kiddos are getting vitamin D3 drops, a good multi with a high zinc content and extra probiotics. I'm taking iodine, systemic enzymes, probiotics, Vitamin D3 and extra zinc.

DD is calling come on Mommy! If I think of something else, I'll fill in the blanks.

L-lysine is supposed to be good too. Asprin is an anti-viral, but reyes (?) syndrome may be a deterant.

A friend of mine's little boy is recovering from pneumonia which started with the flu. Just keep your eyes open and trust your gut!!!

Hugs to all!

[wtchyhlr]

We're doing ViraStop (from enzymedica), Super immune booster (from Quantum) Cytoflora (from BioRay) and TheraBiotic (from Klaire labs) on top of the regular multi, fish oil, and mineral sup's.

[rosetapper23]

The CDC's own data showed that 2/3 of the children who died from swine flu were deficient in Vitamin D. PLEASE supplement with Vitamin D3..or at least Vitamin D. Also, L-Lysine has been shown to cut the duration of flus by one-half.

[Courage2bWell]

I supplement with a high potency vitamin and mineral complex, Omega's (the non fishy non burp up kind), probiotics, broad spectrum antioxidant and a grape seed extract.

Plus I spray things down with a botanical disinfectant and I wash my hands a lot


Oh oh oh I also swab my ears and nose with tea tree oil to kill any buggers trying to make their way to me.

[HF]

Meredith, at least you're doing something proactive, unlike many others who don't want to think for themselves, sigh.

Another thing to consider is to keep the adrenals healthy, as they will protect your immune system. Eat good quality (meaning complete) proteins and watch the sweets! The fizzy drink you're giving the kids will probably have Vitamin C, which the adrenals also favor. (You may notice your children are more zippy after the Vitamin C as it boosts your energy, LOL.)

Fats also fight viruses:
- Coconut and palm oils for the lauric acid, which is anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-microbial (coconut has more).
- Chicken soup is true "Jewish penicillin"! This is because chicken fat is anti-microbial and anti-viral! (I use expeller-pressed coconut oil to saute the veggies in my chicken soup; I take the skin off later when I pull the meat off the bones.)
- Pastured butter (from cows fed on growing grass) has more nutrients than the regular standard butter. (I do buy the cheaper stuff, too, but this is for bake sales. I'm a Band mom!)

Probiotics were mentioned above and are a great idea! They are also wonderful for tummy aches, infections, and for times when kids aren't as regular as they should be. Here is the brand my girls enjoy: http://www.iherb.com/American-Health...fers/5081?at=1 You can find this at the HFS. There is also a good probiotic drink called LaLaCult (cheaper than Yakult, and has less sugar!). My girls will swill the LaLaCult, so using the chewables is more cost effective in my house.

Last but not least, get a good brand of colloidal silver. I keep some in a spray bottle and spray our throats for coughs or sore throats. Nips the problem in the bud. (Colloidal silver is antibacterial, so it won't prevent any flu viruses, but it always seems to help.)

Meredith, keep up the good work!

[searcher]

The CDC's own data showed that 2/3 of the children who died from swine flu were deficient in Vitamin D. PLEASE supplement with Vitamin D3..or at least Vitamin D. Also, L-Lysine has been shown to cut the duration of flus by one-half.

Laura,

Do you have a link for this data? Thanks.

Betsy

[Lori French]

Betsey, It's funny that the "CDC Stumbles on Deficiency Link to H1N1 Deaths" is quoted all over the web, except I can't actually find anything associated with the CDC and Vitamin D or D3...... A few pages have links to studies, but I can not find where anything is relevant..... (I'm still going to supplement with it, because the studies I've read make too many good points...)