September 24, 2009 7:49 AM
How are you keeping your kids healthy?
I've never gotten my kids flu shots anyway and am very disinclined to get the Swine Flu shots this year because the Obama-Big Pharma connection and the trend toward globalism makes me think all this hype is just a little too rewarding for Big Government for me to risk my children's health on an inadequately tested accine.
So I'm just ratcheting up our defenses by:
- making sure to always have the supplies on hand and get up early enough to make our Health Smoothies
- washing hands more often
- doing the elbow sneeze (we've actually been doing this for years)
- using the Sinus Cleanse system at the first sign of congestion (my kids with Down syndrome seem uninclined to blow their noses and so they can easily get impacted. They actually have taken surprisingly very well to this practice)
- adding a touch of Clorox to every load of wash rather than just the whites and continuing to dry clothes on an outdoor line.
- avoiding air-conditioning and overheating
- making sure my kids wear neck scarves during the winter (once it gets colder)
- giving daily multi-vitamins and 1000mg Vitamin C. For my kids who can't handle big pills or capsules, I embed each one in a teaspoon of yogurt so they swallow them with no trouble.
I will say that after a year of being more proactive - trying to build up my kids' immune systems with the smoothies/vitamins routine - only a couple went - and only once - once to the doctor for sinus infections last year.
What about you? Any thing I missed?
Comments
I use two products to keep me healthy each winter: Guaifenesin and Sambucol. I started taking the Guaifenesin for fibromyalgia a few years ago and noticed I didn't have any colds that winter. Any mild illnesses I did have didn't turn into more serious bronchitis which I've struggled with since a childhood full of allergies, etc. I noticed in the wikipedia link above, guafenesin is used by some singers with allergies. (I thought of your post on your daughter's thwarted visit to the allergist.) Guaifenesin is in a lot of cough syrups but the tablets I take don't contain anything else. I buy them online or buy Walgreens generic brand.
Sambucol is an herbal anti-flu remedy. I take it at the first sign of sore throat or other illness. It won't prevent illness but builds the immune system to fight flu viruses once they are in the body. It is expensive but I buy it when Walgreens and CVS have big sales on it each year and keep it on hand. I sent a bottle to work with my husband today for a co-worker who has the flu.
Hope you and yours have an illness-free winter!
Posted by: Sandy C. | September 24, 2009 8:49 AM
Although I think all of these things are great for boosting immune systems, on the subject of the immunization, I think I disagree with you. ;)
If the flu shot becomes available in time, we will probably get it. Me in particular, as H1N1 can have serious repurcussions for asthmatics, and also is disproportionately killing people my age, even though we are less likely to get it (IOW, those who get it are more likely to die than other age groups who get it). This is a vaccine for a new strain of influenza, but influenza vaccines are not new technology, so I'm not as worried about the newness of it as I was about Guardasil.
I tend to lean more towards natural health, but I am also the child of two medical doctors. I know that they are not stupid, not over-interventionist in their practices, not prone to falling for hype, not Democrats, not Obama supporters, and not on the payroll of big Pharma. So if they are concerned (and they are) about H1N1, I trust that they have very good reasons for it.
Posted by: Margaret | September 24, 2009 9:35 AM
These were great suggestions and we do quite a few of them, though admittedly not all. We just finished with what the doctors say was Swine Flu at our house (and for how bad it was, it really wasn't that bad - just like a bad cold or the regular flu). During illnesses, I do a lot of phone and door knob swiping with a clorox wipe so it lessens the chances the rest of us will get the bug. I also don't take my kids out when they're even a little sick and fighting something in case the onslaught of public germs increases their chances of getting more sick (and to not contribute to spreading it around). And, at the end of the day, when I turn around to see my five year old licking a grocery cart, after making a complete scene about how we don't lick anything in public, I give up and hope for the best. :)
Posted by: Elle | September 24, 2009 9:35 AM
I'm with you on the flu shots and have been adding some supplements to their daily regimen to help keep them healthy.
Because I don't have good pill-swallowers and we are a younger household, I've purchased from Costco the "Lil Critters gummy vites" and the "Lil Critters Immune C plus zinc and echinacea". Zinc and echinacea are great additions to help boost immunity. Zinc is also helpful for wound healing (remember when I recommended that for Tripp)
So far so good! When my #2 was younger and very immune compromised, I had him get the flu shot and never felt comfortable with it. I haven't had him get the flu shot for the past 4 years and he's done GREAT! He still has asthma and severe food and environmental allergies, but has yet to get the flu ;)
Posted by: Margaret | September 24, 2009 9:50 AM
Well, for one thing, this flu isn't the worst thing to come down the pike, if you are a healthy person to start with. I suspect we may have had it last week. I wonder, though, if it might not be a good thing to get it and recover, so that we stand a better chance against whatever is coming along next. H5N1? God is very good at His job. It seems like a lot of the hysteria about the H1N1 virus has been misplaced. This may be a devastating and tragic pandemic in places where health care and nutrition are scarce, but from what I have read, the seasonal flu is much more severe for people in developed countries.
An interesting note, there is evidence that Vitamin D may be a very important line of defense.
Posted by: Jennifer | September 24, 2009 10:25 AM
If I may suggest Apple Cider Vinegar. It has helped us fight stomach bugs. I just add a little to our smoothies every morning. I was on bedrest with 5 & 6 this winter so smoothies didn't happen. The kiddos got the bug, but my dear, selfless husband just kept taking shot glasses of ACV, and even after being the only one to clean and care, never got it! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!
Posted by: Sara | September 24, 2009 12:16 PM
I don't understand the benefits of this one, can you explain it? "adding a touch of Clorox to every load of wash rather than just the whites and continuing to dry clothes on an outdoor line." I never really thought about it, assuming germs would be taken care of in the wash, but I always use cold wash so I'm not sure if that's true. We don't have bleach in the house. Do you think vinegar would work as well for this and for generally disinfecting? That's what I recently switched to.
Also, I would add generally providing a well balanced diet with lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, etc. I really want to try the health smoothie thing, but am not sure if my 2 year old will go for it. Maybe I can make it really thick and serve it like yogurt. He loves his yogurt! :)
Posted by: Tauna | September 24, 2009 2:50 PM
I consider homeschooling a big preventative of ours. Not to mention breastfeeding. But we mostly just do the nutrition thing: cod liver oil (lemon flavor), blackstrap molasses, brewer's yeast, and Kids NOW from Reliv. And when someone gets sick, we freely use Emergen-C for a tasty way to get a bunch of vitamin C into any and all parties.
I'm not big on vaccines, for similar reasons to yours. We generally avoid them.
Posted by: JimmyV | September 24, 2009 2:54 PM
Where to start......
FYI, for those who are not aware.....according to many who research and deal with this sort of thing and according to the one and only pediatrician visit for illness that we have needed in the last 8+ years (for a case of strep throat that we couldn't conquer on our own and that their antibiotics couldn't conquer the first time around, either) the flu vaccine DOES have mercury in it. May people have severe consequences to this; others have no noticiable different. It is important to make a well-informed decision. If you don't ask, most physicians will not tell you and some, but not all, will "duck" around telling the truth.
Barbara, and others, probiotics or "friendly floral" or acidolphiulous, is SO important. So is vitamin D3 to the interaction of so many functions in our body and since folks have been made to be afraid of the sun (a doctor-acquaintance's words, not mine) and we tend to get too little sunlight in the cooler months, it is a good idea to add vitamin D3 to the daily regimen of someone who is auto immune compromised or give it to someone who who is sick. For those who have difficulty swallowing, vitamin D3 is available by liquid (we've never needed this; all of us can swallow a handfull of capsules at a time so I can't recommend a brand name).
In the way of prevention, my family takes enteric coated garlic about 9 months our of the year. We started taking it for other reasons, but found that it has anti-viral, anti-biotic, anti-fungal, etc. properties that help us fight off illnesses. Because it's enteric coated, it usually doesn't break down until lower in the intestines and this prevents us from smelling like garlic. During the colder months when illnesses seem to be more common, my children take elderberry. My son has had tremendous seasonal allergies that tend to put a strain on his immune system which usually results in his becoming very, very ill every late spring/early summer. As added prevention, I have had him to take both the garlic and elderberry year-round; this, along with daily use of the neti pot, has made a huge difference. For the first time in many years, he didn't become ill this past season (so the rest of us were not at risk either).
There are other things that we use and consider when one of us is sick, but prevention is our game plan. I don't wipe down things in the house or quarantine anyone. We make sure we have a healthy, fully functioning colon, eat lots and lots of raw vegetables and fruits, along with various proteins and whole grains, and limit sweets and other treats to holidays and celebrations. Even when we do have "fun food" (a Dr. Wm. Sears phrase :-) ), we try to buy or prepare it natually, rather than processed with lots of ingredients that we can't pronounce. We do enjoy some of the traditional junk and make a pilgrimage to our local Krispy Kreme--since we live right here where that wonderful little doughnut got its start--once a year (which is usually enough for me). There are some "fun foods" that we never-ever do, for example, traditional soda pop; we learned to make our own.
All of the prevention to say that a lot of fighting illness is having good ph balance in our bodies. Our family's transition from the Standard American Diet (SAD) of lots of meat and potatoes was difficult at first; it is now an easy, but sometimes still challenging way of life now.
I will also share that I live with an auto immune disorder. Before changing our diet and taking charge of our health, we frequented the doctor's office--a lot! And our doctors were an hour away from where we lived! Finding an awesome herbalist for my youngest daughter, who was sick when she was born and traditional medicine never found the problem or helped us--just treated her symptoms and made her worse, has been life savings for my husband and me--but that's another story.....
....I will stop "sharing" now, in hopes that this will be helpful to someone.
I am always inspired and encouraged to hear others stories and to learn what and how they help their families to be healthy.
Posted by: von | September 24, 2009 3:07 PM
I am with Jennifer - research vitamin D.
We use Carlson's Vit D3 drops. Very inexpensive; we buy from vitacost.com (no affiliation) and only one tasteless drop directly on the tongue once per day. Incredibly important.
Posted by: Kimberly | September 24, 2009 3:30 PM
Mrs. C,
I have to ask you, is there something to wearing the scarf around the neck? Just yesterday I was asking my husband and daughter did a scarf actually help prevent colds or did it just keep the neck warm. I also wondered if by keeping the neck warm, the throat itself would not dry out which helps lead to infection.
About the drop of Clorox. Is it literally a drop? Does it bleach your clothes at all? I can see the reasoning of disinfecting the clothes with it. I have read about Grapefruit Seed Extract being able to disinfect clothes while you wash but at the same time a family who does a lot of laundry could spend a lot of money on the stuff.
Thanks for the post. My oldest did the netti pot for awhile but she didn't feel it helped her for her allergies. I am willing to try it for the rest of the family though. It seems everyone has developed weird symptoms the last month or so. Very allergy like but usually gone by mid day.
Posted by: Mrs. Damian Garcia | September 24, 2009 4:15 PM
Okay, I was finally brave enough to try nasal irrigation (I've got a mild sinus infection)... it wasn't as bad as I thought. However, since I've no Neti pot, and am not going to the store for any kits, I filled an empty plastic honey bottle (the kind with a tip)with 1 cup warm water, 1/4 tsp salt, and a pinch of baking soda (as one of the posters suggested). It wasn't as bad as I anticipated.
Posted by: Marie | September 24, 2009 4:23 PM
p.s.
I had to read what others have said for the inspiration that I get.....
In response to the Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV), Bragg's is THE brand! We've tried others and even though they're cheaper (but only a little bit), they are NOT the same and just don't compare (and we're serious frugals).
Taking ACV with or shortly after a meal helps with digestion and thus, the ph balance that I mentioned. At the beginning of our dietary changes, because I was in such bad shape, I just used the ACV with olive oil and a various herbs as my salad dressing--just something to consider.
Presently, when someone is sick or just needs help with digestion, we'll add this. All but one of my children have come to love the taste of this stuff--raw and undiluted!--and it is very strong, by itself.
I will also add......there is so much about modern medicine that is amazing and life saving/changing, BUT, there is also alot about modern medicine that is pharmacutially driven. Doctors are very quick to treat symptoms; wise doctors who can still think and discern realize that the "Big Pharma" has turned some illnesses into diseases and have frightened people into taking pharmacutials, long term, and living with unnecessary side effects.
I understand that H1N1 may be quite serious for some, but Big Pharma is using a lot of fear to push these vaccines.
We live by "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure".
Posted by: von | September 24, 2009 4:51 PM
I actually discussed the mercury issue with my parents.
The mercury used is not the same one we think of when we hear about killer mercury in thermometers. There are several forms, and it has been taken out of many vaxes because of the uproar over it, though not because it's been proven to kill.
I do understand people will idsagree. But I would like to put it out there that at least two doctors, my parents, do tell their patients honestly what is in vaxes, and why the ingredients are there, and why or why not they as doctors and parents feel that the benefit outweighs the risk.
Posted by: Margaret | September 24, 2009 5:52 PM
Barbara, I really want to thank you for the reccomendation of the sinus cleanse. I just ordered it for my DH who has bad allergies. I have also heard that this type of thing works to use after you have been out in public, as a preventative. It might be helpful after a Christmas party, LOL.
We really like the Honey Gardens Elderberry Syrup from www.luckyvitamin.com It uses elderberries, echincea,propolis, and raw honey. It can be used as a preventative, or at the first onset of sickness. We have found it to be very effective when taken in small doses throughout the day.
Someone else mentioned pro-biotics...YES YES YES... they are wonderful in preventing stomach flu, but are very very healthy for the GI tract in general.
Also, the vitamin C thing is big.I am told that Trader Joe's has a slow release formula that works well.
One more thing: Colostrum is supposed to build the immune system. Our entire family takes a chewable form.
Best wishes on having a healthy family! We are skipping swine flu vaccination as well.
Posted by: Lisa | September 24, 2009 7:29 PM
Okay, I was finally brave enough to try nasal irrigation (I've got a mild sinus infection)... it wasn't as bad as I thought. However, since I've no Neti pot, and am not going to the store for any kits, I filled an empty plastic honey bottle (the kind with a tip)with 1 cup warm water, 1/4 tsp salt, and a pinch of baking soda (as one of the posters suggested). It wasn't as bad as I anticipated.
Posted by: Marie | September 24, 2009 11:09 PM
Nasal irrigation is definitely the way to go if you're coming down with the sniffles! It helps clear my nose up very well. My husband introduced me to it and I thought it was gross at first, but the relief is so real, I find myself wanting one at the first sign of being plugged up.
As for the H1N1 vaccine, I spoke to my OBGYN about it (I'm pregnant- one of the most vulnerable groups to it) and while I'm not a fan of needles and needless medicine, he did explain to me the importance of the vaccine to at risk groups like us pregnant ladies. He said that the virus preferentially attacks pregnant women and can cause serious (if not deadly) pneumonia in those infected. The pneumonia would put such a strain on the mother's system, she could seriously harm the development of her child (even possibly losing the child as the body goes into self preservation mode). So, that being said, I'm getting the shot. The Gullain Barre syndrome everyone's worried about is a lower risk for pregnant women than the pneumonia that may result from catching the flu. I'm still a bit wary of mercury in shots, so I'm going to request a mercury free one just in case though...
Also, on diets, hubby and I don't always do the organic thing, but we steer clear of pre-processed food and generally make our own (with fresh veggies, and we do a lot of grilling:). One exception is Campbells bean soup. As my pregnancy progresses, sometimes I find my self, well, backed up a bit... One can of that soup is enough to get things moving. For those who have time to make their own bean soup, even better, but for people like me who are gone from home 11hrs a day for work, that stuff helps in a pinch.
Just some thoughts!
Posted by: Sarah | September 25, 2009 8:24 AM
We'll be getting the regular flu shot (as we always do) and we may get the swine flu vaccine (depending on how the rest of the trials seem to be going). More importantly, we'll be doing lots of hand washing and sanitizing, and we'll probably be limiting our outings at the height of flu season.
Like one of the other commenters, I have family members with medical backgrounds (not doctors, but a nurse and a microbiologist) and while I think it's great to build up one's immune system in whatever ways seem to work, I also think that it's great that we have vaccines. We'll have a new baby in the house at Christmas, so we're definitely thinking more about our health this year, and how diseases spread!
Posted by: Elizabeth B. | September 25, 2009 4:17 PM
Have your Dr. run a simple blood test to check your Vitamin D levels. Estimated 70% are low or deficient in this important hormone/vitamin and it is the reason flu season starts when we move into the low sunlight fall/winter season.
Posted by: Linda | September 25, 2009 7:12 PM
