Spring Clean Your Medicine Cabinet: Holistic Supportive Care

Is it just me or is there a lot of respiratory & stomach bugs still going around?

Plus, there is lots of continued talk too about the hit to our “immune systems” since Covid changed the world. So let’s chat about this more and practical steps to consider to “support immunity.” 

Communicable illnesses are sometimes inevitable despite our best efforts BUT it doesn’t hurt to lay a good foundation to support your body and have a better chance at “fighting it off” sooner or altogether. 

• Do you work in healthcare? 
• Maybe your coworker(s) don’t cover their mouth(s) when they cough?
• Maybe your kids bring home a nasty new bug every other week from daycare? 
• Or maybe you flat out want to reduce your risk with this seemingly never ending cold and flu season.

As a Registered Dietitian, I want to share some basic proactive strategies that support your immune system properly functioning:

• Adequate sleep (7-9 hours)
• Healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables
• Adequate vitamin & mineral intake
• Correcting nutrient deficiencies when seen in labwork
• Hydration via filtered, toxin free water/fluids
• Clean indoor air to breath that is free from immunosuppressive mycotoxins/mold
• Staying active
• Hand washing hygiene 

Consider working with a Registered Dietitian one-on-one

RDs are the experts at screening for and correcting nutrient deficiencies that do impact negatively immune function (low vitamin D, low zinc, etc.). A lot of the list above can be pursued on your own, but checking for nutrient deficiencies usually requires objective testing/bloodwork. Some labs can be self ordered here and are super cheap, or I am happy to order for you during consultation and create an individualized plan to optimize nutrient status.

Additional supportive strategies you might not have thought of:

• Sinus spray to rinse nasal passage for after school/after work to reduce bacteria and potentially prevent infections in your nasal passages when done correctly
• Take fish oil to help meet basic dietary reference intake of omega 3 fatty acids which help with immunity as omega-3s can enhance the activity of certain immune cells like B cells and macrophages, which are crucial for fighting off infection
• Daily Multivitamin (contains vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc) to help meet basic dietary reference intake of various micronutrients that you might not be getting enough of even with a healthy diet
• Take Megasporebiotic (this probiotic has a culmination of published research shows that the following beneficial effects: Immune variation to reduce allergies and asthma. Immune stimulation of peripheral T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes to fight colds, flus and infections).
• Stay hydrated by adding electrolytes to fluids; consider Hydration sticks (1 per day) versus sugary drinks.
  • When drinking water, make sure your water is heavily filtered from toxins, radioactive elements, heavy metals, etc.
  • Check your tap water score at this national database: ewg.org/tapwater. Note the Brita and standard fridge filters don’t cut it for quality filtration as they essentially reduce chlorine (this varies from brand to brand) & not a slew of other serious contaminants.
    • For quality water filtration, I recommend RO systems or distilled water only (and get minerals from foods and other sources – it’s more important to not drink arsenic)
• Keep air purifiers running year round in the home as quality air filtration can reduce airborne viruses and bacteria.

So all of this above it our best foot forward to try to prevent communicable illnesses, But if you are down with the sickness, below are great additions to keep in the medicine cabinet along with some reactive strategies and ideas to self soothe if something is coming on. Get any of the essentials listed below HERE at 10% off or more plus free shipping.

Disclaimers: As always, talk with your Doctor before starting on a new supplement, especially if you have diagnosed medical conditions and/or are taking prescriptions. Don’t take a supplement if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Do not delay medical care for evaluation and medical management if/when you become sick and not getting better; Holistic supportive care at home is not enough for some situations. Sometimes prescriptions or more advanced care may be needed.

If you feel a sore throat coming on…

• Biocidin throat spray is awesome!
• Gargle with salt water (do not swallow)
• Stay hydrated; add electrolytes to fluids
• Rest

If you feel a cold coming on…

• Take Oscillococcinum
• Take Cough & Throat Syrup
• Stay hydrated; add electrolytes to fluids
• Hot tea can be very soothing if you are stuffed up
• Zinc lozenges (short term but not long term as can induce a copper deficiency)
• Rest

If your sinuses are acting up…

• D-Hist or D-hist Jr. for kids
• Use a face oil and lightly GuaSha the face
• Stay hydrated; add electrolytes to fluids
• If sinus infections are reoccurring consider screening your home for clinically significant levels of toxic indoor mold via an at home ERMI dust kit 1. If score is higher than a 5, you must hire a certified mold inspector to find the WHERE and WHY the mold is growing and do formal remediation.
  • I would also consider doing a MARCoNS test of the nasal passageway to see if mold has allowed this to colonize in the nose (and it often gets mislabeled as “allergies”). MARCoNS testing is a must for anyone with recurring sinus infections

If the stomach bug is hitting your home…

• Take Mega IgG2000, which help an irritated gut lining by reducing gut inflammation and removing pathogens
• Stay hydrated; add electrolytes to fluids

These are practical ideas for self soothing at home and are foundations for your immune system, but as stated do not replace medical evaluation.

Wishing you health and wellness!

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