With so much in the news about the flu and the epidemic of Coronavirus a lot of our patients and customers are asking us what they can do to protect themselves. We thought we could offer some suggestions.  

We recommend a two-pronged approach:

1) Avoid allowing pathogens to enter your body

2) Boost your immune system so if/when you are exposed you have the best chance to minimize the symptoms of infection

Protect yourself:

• Hand Wash, hand wash, hand wash.  Every time you shake someone's hand or touch a surface, germs are transferred!  And that is how the Coronavirus is transferred.  Make sure you lather up and wash thoroughly.  Have a soap you like at each sink in your house or workplace.  Our favorite is Love Fresh Hand & Body Wash
• Don’t touch your face: Your mouth, nose and eyes are the easiest way for pathogens to get into our body.
• Keep away from sick people. But if you can't completely avoid, increase your frequency of washing or sanitizing your hands.

Boost your Immune System:

There are many things you can do to help your immune system do its job. Here are a few of our favorites.  Do the things you know keep yourself healthy:  Eat healthy (lots of fruits and veggies), get enough sleep, don’t smoke and exercise regularly.  All of these keep your immune system healthy and ready for battle.

Other things that help boost your immune system:

• Ginger: Great tasting and a natural immune booster.  Ginger has the ability to break down toxins in our body which in turn keeps our body stay healthy and able to protect against infection.  Ginger is also considered an anti-inflammatory which helps our body keep in good health.  Ginger can be incorporated into many recipes or easily used when making ginger tea. 
• Vitamin D: Research has found most of the population deficient in Vitamin D.  There are many benefits to increasing your intake of Vitamin D.  Recent studies have found that vitamin D also has the ability to aid your immune system in fighting certain viruses and bacteria.  
• Probiotics: Research has shown that specific strains of probiotics can make a difference in fighting infection (as well as the side effects of the use of antibiotics).  
• Eat your fruits and vegetables! Watermelon, berries, spinach, broccoli... can all help your immune system!
• Stay hydrated: This assists your body in eliminating toxins and other pathogens.
• Consider an immune boosting IV Drip: This safely delivers key vitamins and essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream, providing a higher level of nutrition directly to your cells.  
• Essential oils that protect. Our favorite essential oil by Doterra has a protective blend that weakens virus.  We use it in our diffuser all winter.        
• And smile... recent research has shown that activities that make us happy ( i.e., playing with a pet, positive think, sex) may boost your immune also help you fight off germs.

Always speak to your health care professional before making any changes with your health care routine, except the smile, you can always smile:).

Sources:

Ginger: https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-ginger
Vitamin d:  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315886
Probiotics:  https://www.infectiousdiseaseadvisor.com/home/decision-support-in-medicine/hospital-infection-control/probiotics-for-infection-control/
Eat fruits and Veg: https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/ss/slideshow-immune-foods
Stay happy : https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/happiness-and-health#section1
Doterra Onguard: https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/on-guard-doterra#benefits