I'm not sick now, but I want to be prepared. No one likes getting sick, but I hate it. Now that the summer is winding down, the season is coming for getting sick and I want the best ways to avoid it. I used zinc last year and it worked well but I did get sick at one point. What do you guys use to stay away from those nasty colds?
All stuff your mom and doctor have told you; wash your hands A LOT, especially right after shaking hands or handling anything anyone else handles. Stay far away from sick people. Stay extra-far away from sick people who are idiots and don't cover their coughs and sneezes, nor wash their hands a lot. And get your flu shot EVERY YEAR. It works; even if you do manage to get sick, it won't be as severe or last as long. Good rule I use: every time I get the urge or feel the need to touch my eyes or scratch anywhere on my face, I wash my hands or disinfect first. THAT's where you ingest up 90% of your flu germs.
Besides what Nabo said...... if you're healthy inside and maintain a strong immune system, dont smoke, keep alcohol and crappy foods to a minimum, avoid chemical exposure & gay sex, then your body is typically able to defend itself from colds and flus w/o getting nailed by a bad one. 1. Water. it's one of the key ingredients to sustained health. Buy spring water so that you get the health benefits (minerals and neutral pH) that nature intended the body to have. (Deer Park is actually good quality) 2. A quality multi vitamin-mineral (preferably one that is organic or uses raw food nutrients). I'm partial to Garden of Life's 'Vitamin Code'..... or Peter Gillham's organic liquid multi is an inexpensive alternative that's developed a strong following. Your body can't function properly w/o the adequate vitamins and minerals to do so. 3. A quality greens powder. Dollar for dollar and ounce for ounce, my money is with Garden of Life's 'Perfect Food Original Super Green Formula'. It oxygenates the blood, cleanses and detoxifies your body, maintains a proper pH, has live probiotics to promote a healthy digestive system, is equivalent to 5-10 servings of veggies, and is loaded in nutrients..... just to name a few benefits. It will really clean you out.... and quickly.... so make sure you begin it on a Friday night to prevent toilet time from interfering with work. Have fun with that part! But it's necessary. (if you dont experience any side effects then that means you're pretty healthy internally.... or at least your digestive system is) 4. Natural Astaxanthin ('Bio Astin'). 10-12 mg/day. I buy NSI's 10 mg version. Is truly one of earth's miracle supplements and also owns the title as the world's most powerful antioxidant (unless a new one has recently been discovered). Helps protect your body from oxidation. Also great for the immune system and provides energy & endurance. Its list of benefits are longer than Merton Hank's neck. Research this stuff and you'll be amazed. 5. A high ORAC antioxidant to fight free radicals and help your immune system (among MANY other beneficial properties). "Super Orac7" is the most powerful per serving I've found to date, and a 1 oz serving (it's a liquid) provides an entire day's worth of ORAC needs (Oxygen Radical Absorbency Capacity). Comprised of concentrated super fruits and berries. It's equivalent to getting a major a$$ load of fruits from just 1 cap full. (no, the label does not say that). I like this stuff as an alternative to eating a lot of fruit b/c it saves me from the extra sugar consumption (although I still add frozen organic strawberries, blueberries, and peaches to my morning shake "Raw Meal". ** The greens powder is mixed with water and it honestly tastes like you're eating grass..... or even grass that was just crapped on..... but the stuff is something you really cant do without. I mix in the Super Orac 7 with the greens to give it a better, but still crappy, taste. If you go the less expensive vitamin route, you can mix that liquid form into this concoction as well..... then chug away. LOL (This should also help increase your natural energy levels and keep them sustained longer) The cheapest place to get these together (that I've found) is at Vitacost.com. There are other beneficial supplements to add to this list, but for the purpose of what you're looking for, this is my personal, painstakingly researched and tested strategy for: cell protection against oxidation; a strong immune system; free radical fighting; digestive health; improved oxygen; and proper nutrients to keep the body functioning optimally (since you're only as healthy as your weakest cells).
Good advice Nabo. quick facts: -Flu vaccine is typically only 40% effective on yearly basis. However, it's still worth getting the vaccine. -Most people who think they get the Flu every year are very mistaken. most people only get the Flu a few times in their whole life. Other instances are just a really nasty cold virus. -Tamiflu is a pretty useless drug for the treatment of the Flu. It has a lot of side effects and is only really effective if given within first 24 hours of infection, less effective if taken 24-48 hours after infection, and completely useless after 48 hours. Realistically, how many of us get to the doctor within the first 24-36 hours after infection? very few. -Tamiflu has developed such strong resistance against the common flu strain that the CDC is recommending the stoppage of prescribing it. It did show some effectiveness vs the swine flu strain, but that won't last long either before resistance develops. Doctors prescribe it because there are currently no alternative treatments for treating Flu.
ive never gotten the flu shot.....and ive never gotten the flu. i know that may be the exception, not the rule......but ive never needed it. i drink tons of water, use the **** out of my hand sanitizer, and take vitamins.
But you are also in your 20s and semi healthy. Actually at this point prob. the healthiest you have been in yrs. When you start to get older the flu shot almost becomes a necessary thing. And....you're a liar...
At the first sign of a cold I start going heavy on the vitamin C - things like Airborne work well too but are nasty.
another interesting fact. while you are strong and healthy in your 20s, the people most likely to recover from the flu the quickest are children ages 5-8 yrs old. Your immune system is at it's strongest. After that it's a gradual decline for the rest of your life.