Last Wednesday, Ottawa approved the H1N1 influenza vaccine. And on Saturday, U.S. President Barack Obama declared the swine flu outbreak a national emergency.
But is the influenza vaccine the only way to prevent the Swine (and other varieties of the) Flu?
As a Natural Nutritionist, I have been taught that it is absolutely vital to have a strong immune system, which will help fight off diseases, colds, and flu's. But what does that really mean? What exactly is the flu and how do we "catch" it? Or is there another explanation, is the body capable of cleansing itself, with an annual flu-type ritual?
I have heard people say, "I hate that I have the flu but I'm so glad I got sick...I really needed the break from work."
So then ‘catching the flu’ is a modern excuse to blame someone else for our suffering (we caught it off someone else) and quickly escape it and get back to our daily routine of work work work.
What is really happening is the body needs a break to rid itself of stress and accumulated toxins and it starts to cleanse itself. It is the body's own natural defense mechanism against toxic build-up. Taking over-the-counter medications merely slows down or stops the cleansing response.(http://www.detox.net.au/)
In our North American society, we work long hours; we sleep for short periods; we eat de-natured, packaged, high-fat, processed foods; we drink sugar-laden beverages to make it through the day. Do you suppose there's a connection between the way we treat our bodies, and the way our bodies treat us?
About ten years ago, I became ill with the "flu" twice within a few months. Both times, my body ached, my head hurt, my nose ran and, the final assault, after about a week of coughing, I lost my voice to laryngitis. During the second bout with the "flu", I decided I needed to make some lifestyle changes and began researching healthier living practices.
I have been cold- and flu-free for over 6 years now, and have been sharing my simple strategies through this blog, and by speaking to any audience that will listen!
Here are my favorite Do's and Don'ts for strengthening the Immune System, and living a healthy life:
- Eat live food at every meal. I eat fresh or frozen fruit at breakfast, and a variety of fresh vegetables throughout the day.
- Eat lettuce in at least one meal a day. I have a salad with every lunch and every dinner, 7 days a week.
- Cooked veggies are great, but they don't replace fresh live veggies. I eat baby carrots, snap peas, cut celery, cucumber slices, etc throughout the day.
- Drink water first thing in the morning. When I wake up, the first thing I put in my stomach is fresh water. When I'm hungry, I drink water first.
- Eat nuts in small quantities. I buy my nuts in the baking department or the health food store; not roasted and salted, but raw and unflavored. I mix nuts with dates or cranberries for added flavour.
- Limit junk foods. I gave up chips, cheezies, hot dogs, pastries, donuts, candy, and desserts. I eat limited amounts of muffins, breads, and buns. When socializing, I will agree to eating pizza with salad.
- Don't drink coffee when you should be eating something. Many people never feel their hunger because they drink so much coffee. Put off coffee, if you're not sure if you're eating enough live, fresh food.
- Pack your own lunches. Taking food with you when you leave the house allows you to make your own choices about what you'll eat during the day.
- When eating out, try replicating a good home-cooked meal. Restaurant meals are known to be high in fats and sugars; don't be tempted by too many nutrient-poor, high-calorie foods.
- Take good quality vitamins and minerals daily. I do this to cover all of my bases.
Well, these are my suggestions for boosting the immune system. Making the decision to have the flu shot or not is personal, and I don't make recommendations of that nature. But I do suggest that, as an individual, you need to start taking a more personal role in deciding who is in charge of your health...the food industry, the pharmaceutical companies, or you?
