What You May Not Be Doing to Prevent Viruses

      The Fall is a time where many of us succumb to bugs like colds and flu with the change of season and temperature. Many of us take extra supplements with hopes we won't catch the bugs our kids bring home. There are some excellent immune boosting herbs that keep bugs at bay and/or reduce our sick time. Some of those supplements would be the following:

• Vitamin A, C, E and Zinc have been shown to help with colds, viruses and healing.

• Echinacea is a North American herb that has been used for years to help reduce the incidence of respiratory infections. It also is thought to be aid with wound healing when applied externally. Use this product no longer than two weeks.

• Goldenseal and oil of oregano are traditionally used for respiratory viruses. Goldenseal is useful in cases of sinusitis, diarrhea, vaginitis, colds and canker sores. These two herbs both work similar to antibiotics and should not be given long term since they deplete the body's beneficial bacteria. Using acidophilus in conjunction with these products is helpful. It is important to use oil of oregano only for a short duration and seek help if you don't see results with its use. For more information on oil of oregano click here.

• Andrographis is a herb that has been known to reduce the incidence of the flu, colds and other upper respiratory infections.

Some of us may or may not have noticed some other circumstances that contribute to viruses. Have you ever noticed when you had the following circumstances you got sick?

1. Eating poorly. Have you noticed that when you eat out a lot or eat a lot of sugar you get more viruses or infections? Sugar actually depresses your immune system. A simple can of pop a day can keep your cold virus teaming in your body! Avoid any products that contain sugar while you are sick and you will recover faster. An interesting article on some of the effects of sugar on your body can be found here.

2. Getting too little sleep can influence how well your body responds to viruses. If you don't catch all of your ZZZ's your immune system can suffer. Many scholarly research papers have shown that immune modulation is affected by poor sleep. Have a look at one report here..

3. Have you noticed when you have prolonged stress and then a break you get sick when you are on holidays? That is because the high cortisol of stress if keeping your on your toes and from being sick, but this flood drops as soon as you relax and you get a virus. It is your body's way of saying you need a break from the perils of our fast paced society. Chronic stress has even been linked to cancer metastasis.

For more information on boosting your immune system via a personalized plan for good health, please contact the clinic today or call 519-827-9237

September Coupons

Book before Sept. 30th and receive a free food sensitivity test with your visit, (for new clients only), Please mention the newsletter at your visit. For regular clients if you would like to save on your visits, please check out our discounts on buying a package of visits

Quick Tips for Improved School Focus

• B complex with some additional B12 is useful for the nervous system. It helps keep our minds sharp and energy high.
• Fish Oil has been found to improve mental function, depression and focus.
• Bacopa is a herb used to enhance focus, improve learning and memory.
• Have a good night's sleep.
• Eat a healthy diet with a balanced ratio protein, carbs and fats. Eating primarily carbs, which most children do, leads to blood sugar fluctuation, poor attention and hyperactivity
• Avoid refined sugars, white flour, food dyes.
• Eat foods in their whole state and unprocessed. Such as fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins and beans. Do not eat altered foods such as canned goods, packaged foods and chemically processed food such as cheese whiz.
• Do not allow kids with focus problems to bring hand-held phones with games or video game devices to school, which lead to easy distraction.

Upcoming Weight Loss Group Starting Again Wednesday Oct 12th

• Five weeks weight loss groups
• Figure out how much you have to eat to achieve your goal weight
• Achieve lasting weight loss and longevity through eating a diet of foods that have been proven to aid in good health and a great figure!
• Weekly recipe shares
• Small groups of six
• Learn how to lose weight and keep it off once and for all
• Cost for newcomers, $200.00 for early registration by Sept. 30th, after is $250.00. For those returning $150.00.