Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Gerry Letendre, RPh, MBA, CHt
In regard to keeping yourself healthy at any time of the year, it’s essential to plan ahead, as there are ways to prevent viruses, cold, infections, and the flu. If you or a loved one becomes infected with a virus, there are antiviral homeopathic remedies that help limit the length and severity of many infections.
A Few Natural Supplements and Preventative Measures You May Not Have Considered:
Elderberry
Elderberry has been used to fight infections and viruses for thousands of years. Because of its immune-modulating and antioxidant properties, Black Elderberry is able to work at the cellular level and provide deep support for overall immune health.(1)
Black elderberry has antioxidant properties that specifically support and maintain proper mucous membranes and protects the upper respiratory system. It can be used daily as an immune booster, or it can be taken in higher doses at the onset of a virus, like the flu, to lessen the effects and promote healing.
Olive Leaf
The olive tree produces a molecule called oleuropein. This substance is found in the fruit, the oil, and the leaves. When it’s extracted directly from the leaves, you’re left with a potent antioxidant that is known for its oxidative and antioxidant effects. It is said to have five times more antioxidant power than Vitamin C. Olive leaf boasts a phytochemical component that is responsible for the immune-boosting power of the extract.
Other Herbs and Supplements
There are so many other well researched immune strengtheners to help keep us healthy like vitamin C, zinc, oregano oil, lemon balm, and astragalus. Did you know, echinacea, garlic, and ginger are considered natural antibiotics? These can help to cut down on the longevity and severity of certain conditions. However, when you decide to add supplements to your diet, it’s imperative to seek out the highest-quality brands. We are offering 20% off and have plenty of Immune Boosting high grade supplements in stock now. Call us to discuss which one is right for you.
Take Time for Yourself
It might be difficult, but carving out time to relax, take a bath, take a walk or simply shut yourself in the a separate room for 10 minutes to do deep breathing exercises can reduce anxiety significantly and over time, you will most likely notice that these personal care methods will help you to become calmer throughout the day. It’s also okay to chill—Want to binge on Netflix or Apple TV, we don’t blame you. It’s a great way to unwind and destress.
Get Moving
Most people can benefit from taking a brisk 30-minute walk. Exercise increases circulation, reduces stress, it also improves nutrient and oxygen rich blood flow, and helps you build strength. If you can work out harder, it’s extremely beneficial to get your heart rate up daily with cardiovascular exercise. YouTube has every kind of exercise you can imagine. Type in HIIT, Barre, Yoga, Tai Chi or whatever you’d like to try, and you’ll be able to choose from a multitude of workouts.
Meditation
Yoga helps to improve flexibility, blood flow, muscle strength, posture, immune function, bone health, decreases depressive episodes, and can regulate blood pressure. Meditation also reduces stress, reduces anxiety, promotes emotional well-being, can help fight addictions, can generate health and improve immune function, and it can stave off memory disorders and increase neuronal plasticity.
Sleep
The body produces cytokines, which are protective proteins that block infection and inflammation. When a person gets the recommended, uninterrupted seven to nine hours of sleep, cytokines are produces. Without quality sleep, they are significantly less. Avoid Blue light. Blue light is a significant cause of circadian rhythm interruptions. Blue light emits wavelengths that contribute to sleep disturbances. Blue light comes from artificial lighting and electronics like fluorescent and LED lightbulbs, laptops, mobile phones, iPad, television, some alarm clocks, fiber-optic cable boxes, and other devices that use blue light. The issue is that blue light makes your brain think that it’s still daytime, which makes it difficult to fall and stay asleep. Blue light disrupts the circadian rhythm and natural sleep cycles, specifically, the delta and beta wavelengths, leading to increased activity in the brain, less relaxation and exacerbates stress and anxiety.
Hygiene
Medical professionals can’t stress enough about the importance of washing your hands, covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing and wiping down hard surfaces that may be infected with viruses or bacteria.
Along with proper hygiene, keeping your nasal passages moisturized with saline spray and washing the sinuses out with by using a neti pot can help to rid the sinuses of harmful germs and also to loosen any mucus.
Combining Methods is Best
In order to overcome stress, we need a well-rounded treatment protocol that incorporates stress management, nutrition, high-quality sleep, exercise, meditation, hormone balancing and other therapies that can help to stabilize our systems.
Sarasota Specialty Pharmacy: More Than Just a Pharmacy
Sarasota Specialty Pharmacy and Wellness Center is an independent, family owned pharmacy that has served the Sarasota community for over 40 years. They specialize in meeting patient’s needs through innovative compounding. Their compounding pharmacists work with physicians, veterinarians, dentists and other health care practitioners to prepare patient specific medications. Their compounding services allow them to create formulations in unique strengths and dosage forms.
Your Options with Sarasota Specialty Pharmacy are numerous! Stop by and see them today!
Sarasota Specialty Pharmacy
Call 941.366.0880 or visit sarasotarx.com
2075 Seista Drive, Sarasota, FL 34239
Source:
(1) Youdim KA, Martin A, Joseph JA. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 1995; 1:361-9.
