Flu Prevention: Lifestyle Basics PLUS Vitamin D - Japanese Study of Kids in 2008/9 Flu Season

Robin, thank you so much for "getting the party started" so to speak, on this 2011/2012 'cold and flu season'. We're getting this posted right at the transition from summer and fall seasons, and here in western Colorado where I live and schools start in late August,  'the crud', which sounded more 'flulike' than 'coldlike' to me with those I spoke with, went around the last week of summer! 

I firmly believe that if a person is taking good care of their body, mind and spirit, which includes their immune system -- everything from the intestinal 'gut' through the skin and vitamin D and including foods/nutrition, pure water/hydration, and supplementation as needed -- proper sleep/rest, enjoyment and exercise, etc., they'll have a very different experience 'with bugs' than those whose lives and bodies are less well.  So I hope Lumigrate's diverse content (video, podcasts, readable) offered through our 'palate of providers' help many have optimum wellness and a healthy 'cold and flu season' for themselves, their families, businesses and other community relationships.  This comment is intended to support from my chronic-wellness 'in the trenches' past and present 'better' perspective, as well as give an overview of who I recommend users/followers go to here at Lumigrate if they're 'tuned in' to this topic.    

As a health care worker who was struggling with adrenal fatigue-related illnesses (chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia) that were not yet 'ideally managed and treated', I was sick a LOT and I really worked to be careful that my elderly or frail patients didn't have to work with me if I was ill because they were going to get exposed to the bugs all over the place but if they'd worked closely with me when I was hacking and 'being snotty', they would think of me as the equivalent of 'Typhoid Mary'.. maybe 'Flu-sy Mardy' or something.   

Most people don't understand or know when the window is for a person to be contagious and more than likely a person would pick up a bug from a doorknob, pen or penlike device signing for purchases, or money, etc. but they'd not 'know and see' the offender and the health care provider would get tagged for it.  My first week being paid to work as an OT in 1996/7's Holiday season, I came down with a cold that, in the month of January, resulted in two popped ribs from coughing from bronchitis; I'd been so sick on New Years Eve my family came to town and visited me at my little apartment in the hub of Denver's medical education area where I'd done internships, and we celebrated on East Coast time, 10 pm my time, and I went back to bed.  

I'm happy to report, the 2009/10 season, which is when H1N1 went around and I believe I had it, I didn't miss a day of work at Lumigrate due to having things on hand I'd learned while coordinating and facilitating The Denver Post 'alternatives to influenza' coverage (see link below and follow for details of what that included, there's a LOT of GRATE information when you follow the link, so please DO!).  

It was just after that time period that Deirdre Rawlings, ND, PhD, became a content provider 'on the palate' of Lumigrate's forums, related to nutrition.  I have found her information to be so consistent with what the ND seen in three videos at Lumigrate, Christopher Lepisto, ND, had said over the many years in the past I'd had the good fortune of learning from him, and she has continued to design and produce an incredible array of helpful and interesting products and services related to advising people on nutrition. One word of caution: for the fortunate 80% of people in the US who are not yet on the 'continuum' of having symptoms of fibromyalgia (pain and fatigue), her products are appropriate for YOU as well, to STAY well, or achieve higher/ultimate wellness.  

For the other 20%, like me and many people who aren't even aware they are 'on the continuum' and at risk of spilling into chronic illness as I did long ago, the information is likely the most impactful to embrace of all the things a person can 'work on' related to chronic illness.   You will find most of "Dr. Dee's" information in the section on fibromyalgia and chronic illness/pain, in a forum clearly titled with her name for your ease in finding it.  Please check it out if this 'vibed' for you! For ME, she is a constant reminder of the concept I know to embrace and a shining example of 'walking the walk, not just talkin' the talk.'  Perhaps I'll be able to stop saying 'do as I say, not as I do', something which has crept in the last years due to extraordinary stress in my life which is now dissipating, thankfully. 

Last fall (2010), before the  2010/11 'season', I had the good fortune of becoming a patient of Lumigrate's fibromyalgia specialist MD, Wm. Marcus Spurlock, MD, who sent my prescriptions and 'turned me onto' ITC Compounding and Natural Wellness Pharmacy, whose two extremely experienced compounding pharmacist co-presidents, and I was consulted and directed to new products and information related to supplementing, including vitamin D (I added drops every day and continued with what was in the bone builder and other supplements I take), and I know I 'fought off' some bugs, but was not 'sick' once.  

I believe that is the first time in my life I was not 'sick' once all winter!  (I missed only one day of junior high, which was due to snow not illness, but I recall going to school with colds many times and having coughing attacks; I was only allowed to stay home from school if I had a high fever or had GI flu 'stuff', which I rarely came down with for some reason.  I hope this 'encourages' people reading here, who have chronic illnesses similar to mine! (which is a long history of adrenal fatigue, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and perhaps other things that are within the 'autoimmune' spectrum.)

Earlier this month, I sat down and looked over my supplements and what I was taking and needing NOW, and have found Robin Thomas an extremely valuable resource, and am so grateful for her time and attention to integrate with the other Lumigrate providers.  She found her way to Lumigrate in 2010 and has regularly provided wonderful information here in Forums, generally in the supplementation/nutrition forum/section, but also wisely sprinkles things around in the relevant forums at key times.  

I've also been incorporating some USANA supplements into my regimen, and she has a good awareness of what ITC Pharmacy has on their website/in their store to provide to people and the expertise that Gary and Allan provide (and beyond that, she has a wealth of resources to pull from for expertise if needed 'elsewhere') and they're all really ethical and appropriate with suggesting how a person can get something that best meets their needs and don't stick with what only they offer. To me, that is just critical and something I look for with the providers I set up here on Lumigrate and encourage for content as needed. 

I really appreciate the customized and supportive service she offers, her background as a scientist and medical researcher, plus she's immersed with a long-standing researcher husband who works for the federal side of us, who I consider some of the 'the good guys' related to the environment in the US (and beyond; I used to work on a contract for the NPS Air Quality Division and we worked collaboratively with EPA.) 

Examples: Robin's family takes many other quality-brand supplements (as Robin's a science/researcher, she knows her stuff!) in addition to USANA, and Gary at ITC said to me on the phone one day when I called to ask questions about supplements for my changing needs 'you can get the same quality fish oil we sell cheaper at Natural Grocers/Vitamin Cottage' (which is also a Colorado-based growing and very good health food/supplement store with online ordering/sales).  

I have confidence and am very proud to have ALL the providers I am speaking about here being part of Lumigrate's education, because the experience YOU have going forward from Lumigrate to use products or people/services is 'the real deal' to me and for Lumigrate.  YOU really are the key to our success and growth, so the 'palate of providers' we provide here is the key.  I am very selective and have high standards, and I trust you will find these folks 'top shelf' as well.  

I'm transferring what I'd set up last year over here to add to this NEW stream for 2011/12. There is a link to the blog that I wrote that had MORE information from one of the physicians interviewed for The Denver Post article about H1N1 and alternative strategies back in 2009/10 flu season, and then there are links there to that Denver Post article for those wanting to follow the history of Lumigrate's presence on the Internet related to progressive health information on the subject of immune system and influenza, OR if you're wanting the top things that were teased out by a very talented and progressive writer and the three experts I helped her connect with to write her story.  

The article appeared on the front page of one of the major sections of the paper on Labor Day, likely seen by up to a million people, and then there was a 3 million circulation online at that time, if I recall correctly.  Naturally, that's then been there ever since as a resource at their website for people to Search on keywords and perhaps find the story and advance their health information in a GRATEly inspired way!

Thanks as always to Nancy Lofholm, who is just a wonderful gal and exceptional resource from Western Colorado for The Denver Post and everyone who comes in contact with her, in my opinion. 

Enjoy and please Print, Give to your Doctor, Friends, Coworkers, HR departments, Schools, etc.... it's how others can learn about these things AND about Lumigrate.  ~~ Thanks, we're all in this together! 

Mardy

www.lumigrate.com/blog/5-things-you-can-do-about-flu-and-cold-viruses [7]

I thought it would be helpful to followers to have this piece I've posted elsewhere my first year on Lumigrate here.  Be well! Robin

Winter is Coming. Is Your Immune System Ready

Winter can be fun. Who doesn’t enjoy building a snow fort in the backyard? However, winter is also a time when many dangers loom large. Whether from the cold temperatures, the shorter days with less sunlight, or even the large family get-togethers, your immune system is more susceptible in this season than any other.

Here are some helpful tips to make sure that you have the upper hand this year in the fight against winter.

■Wash your hands frequently during the day, not just before meals or after using the restroom. You never know when germs have made their way onto your hands and are ready to invade your system.

■Eat raw foods that are rich in antioxidants such as blueberries, apples, and pecans. You may not know it, but red, pinto, and kidney beans are also packed with immune-boosting antioxidants.

■Exercising and increasing physical activity helps your immune system stay in shape too. Regular exercise can increase your body’s ability to deal with stresses and builds up stronger immune defenses.

■Use a disinfectant spray in your workspace or areas where you or your guests may frequently visit.

■Stay hydrated by drinking water instead of coffee or soda. Sugar can weaken the ability of white blood cells to defend against bacteria for up to five hours after consumption.

Along with these helpful tips, be sure to take advantage of USANA’s unique line of immune health supplements.

■With the highest quality grape-seed extract and the antioxidant protection of vitamin C, Proflavanol® C100 [13](Item #110) offers a powerful support for a balanced immune function in a unique Hybrid tablet.

■Probiotics help sustain healthy immune function by promoting healthy bacterial growth in the gut. USANA® Probiotic  [14](Item #108) is a blend of patented probiotic bacteria that is clinically proven to promote a natural balance of beneficial microflora in the gut.

■Our bodies use sunlight to make vitamin D, which is an important nutrient to maintain overall health. Taking USANA’s Vitamin D [15] supplement (Item #109) ensures that, even in the darker days of winter, you still get the vitamin D your body needs.

■Sleep has many restorative functions, including boosting your body’s internal defense mechanisms. USANA’s Pure Rest™ [16] melatonin supplement (Item #141) helps support the body’s natural sleep and wake cycles.

The previous article was originally posted on  http://usana.com [17] introducing key supplements to support immune function and was posted on http://robinthomas.biz [18] on December 6, 2010 by me, Robin Thomas

Be Well!

Robin
 

 Hi, this is really interesting to read and I'm really liking having this "one stop shoppin'" related to this common topic.  I thought I'd put the link here for the piece I posted earlier today about specifically the flu shot.  

I know that by coming together here and our all promoting these pieces, we'll be able to help a lot of people this fall, and I'm happy to be part of it.  Thanks Mardy (and Lumigrate)!  Faith www.lumigrate.com/forum/flu-shot-should-i-or-shouldnt-i [20]

The good reports on Vitamin D just keep coming in. I believe everyone should get their level of Vit. D 3 up to 60 to 80, as we know that gives optimal thyroid function, is important for bone health, improves immune function and who knows what else.  (It's such an emerging area of study recently).  Thank you for covering this important topic at Lumigrate.  

At ITC, we do have the means to test people through home testing, and have nurse practitioner Becca Slomiany 'in the house' part of the week for consultations over the phone or Skype, etc., and naturally Allan and I as pharmacists to advise about strategies and products for increasing vitamin D levels as well as other key things related to immune system function.  

We also offer a few books for sale which we have found particularly helpful for education with the public and in this case Dr. Wilson’s book “Adrenal Fatigue” is one we offer.  We also have an area on our website titled 'Disease Prevention' which has two short videos of medical experts related to vitamin D and one of the supplement products we've found most helpful, discussed below.  The link to that is: www.itcpharmacy.com/pharmacy_content/disease_prevention/disease_prevention.htm [22]

Mardy asked me to include what she found unique about ITCs approach to vitamin D supplementation by using a sublingual drop.  I like the vitamin D as a sublingual drop better then orally in 'pill form'  because I think that even though oral works, sublingual is a more efficient way to take in vitamin D 'supplementally'.  

It makes sense to me that delivering it through the mucosa (skin) of the mouth is closer to the way our body normally makes vitamin D in the skin than delivering it through the stomach. I know that my wife, my customers and I had a lot higher levels of vitamin D 25 hydroxy measured in serum on the same dose when we did it sublingually instead of swallowing a capsule.  

Mardy's Note: For those interested in what I've summarized / reviewed related to the book Gary refers to, above, by Dr James Wilson, titled Adrenal Fatigue, the 21st Century Stress Syndrome the link to it in the bookshelf forum on Lumigrate is: www.lumigrate.com/forum/adrenal-fatigue-21st-century-stress-syndrome-dr-james-wilson [23].  Naturally, for those who want 'one stop shoppin', follow the link in Gary's signature to ITC Pharmacy and order a copy and some products! I found the $19 liquid Vit D drops fantastic little stocking stuffers.  And I mean 'little stockings', the ones you can buy for a $1! For 20 you have a thoughful, healthy and inexpensive gift to give people when you see them at the Holidays.  If you purchase a little bigger stocking or other gift bag/basket you can print out educational pieces and throw in something else fun and make a bigger impact with your gift if you wish.  And surprisingly, people SOMETIMES still invite me to visit! 

I am not in favor of my patients getting a flu vaccine. It messes with their TH1/TH2 immune system and makes them sick. I have them do the Flu Mist or keep a prescription of Tamiflu around in case they get the flu.  This is a very short video on YouTube that I suggest people watch for other information I find beneficial

 On the Subject of Vitamin D:

Vitamin D3 is the best, and it is over the counter. The prescription Vitamin D2 doesn't convert in many people and is therefore, not helpful to them so not something I recommend to my patients. Vitamin D3 is also great with helping in the prevention of Osteoporosis/Osteopenia. And, if you can get your levels up to over 80 in the blood, you also really boost your ability to fight all forms of cancer.

VITAMIN D3 ........Vitamin D3 really isn't a vitamin. It is a prohormone produced from cholesterol. You really can't get enough from the sun daily. You would have to play outside (with a lot of your skin showing) 4 hours with the sunshine touching your sweat. Then wait 4 hours for the Vitamin D to absorb before taking a bath.

So you will need to supplement. You will not get enough from milk nor your multivitamin. Today's human probably requires around 5000 units per day due to the greater need for our immune systems.

What is Vitamin D3 good for? It not only helps prevent osteoporosis (in both sexes), but it is critical for maintaining a healthy immune system! It not only helps with fighting all kinds of infections (bacteria, viruses, fungi), but it is essential in helping us prevent cancer cells from growing! 

I like to keep my patients' blood levels between 50-80, but preferably closer to 80.

In addition to supporting all the nutritional and lifestyle information you present here related to the immune system, I thought I'd add something specifically about vitamin D that you might find interesting. It is now being called "nature's antibiotic".  

When you have sufficient vitamin D circulating in your blood, an antibacterial component of your immune system is activated and goes to work protecting you from invading microorganisms (including H1N1 influenza).

So use sunlight and vitamin D to keep your immune system strong!

To your health!

Dr. Dee

This is a very substantial article from a medical journal related to children and vitamin D related to allergies that show up in the skin, etc.  Very much worth looking at: The conclusion reads:

This provides stimulus for research into possible causal roles of ambient UVR and, potentially through vitamin D status, the impact on risk of food allergy and eczema in children.

 www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(12)00031-0/fulltext [35]

AND there's MORE back here at Lumigrate in the forums...........

Here's a link to something from the very first fall Lumigrate was 'up', and before we had attracted in national-level providers which was eye opening to me related to how much our immune systems have to do with the gut/intestines; lymph in that area is significant; prebiotics, probiotics, and MUCH more was covered in one of the best seminars I attended of MANY excellent ones in the 'day' of "The IMC" we were part of initially.  The Center is now a very different group of people and has a focus that has changed a great deal from the days I was there, but that's not a bad thing necessarily -- it's just different than what our core philosophy is about with functional and integrative medicine approaches at Lumigrate.  

Here's the link, it's a good overview about gut health and overall health : www.lumigrate.com/forums/internet-connections-and-activism-medical-and-beyond/social-media-websites-political-informat [36]

 It also made me reach out harder to my personal esthetician to put information on Lumigrate and involve her in using Lumigrate as a resource to direct her clients to when appropriate; once when having a facial years back  when I went in just starting a cold and she wasn't afraid to work on me, because she literally never got colds, she essentially reminded me of something I'd dropped from my many supplement regimen! It was a good refresher/reminder and time WELL SPENT while I was on the table getting my skin worked over. She also has been helpful to me in seeing what SHE sees on the outside of me and reporting that to me so I might then know and do better with what's on the inside.  That can be anything from foods affecting the skin to my not moving enough with DANCE or being outdoors.  These providers who see you routinely can be wonderful reporters and mirrors for their clients.  

I like to keep linking on these streams to the information that I think is really good and was helpful to me over the years coming from when I was a relative novice about integrative and functional medicine concepts, as I hope that many are finding Lumigrate ever day who are NEW to this type of information and trying to be like sponges here at the nurturing information of Lumigrate.  

When it comes to the local providers that Lumigrate was immersed in initially, for locals finding Lumigrate it helps them find providers to see in person.  For others reading it is good information of what can be in a community related to expertise and if not, then you get 'the next best thing to being there'. The people I cover have got to be good educators, and in the case of Audrey and Christopher with this link they simply are wanting to work 'hands on' with patients locally and not have all the hubbub of computers and marketing and IT to treat people, so we're not getting more from them as time goes on related to Lumigrate material.  

They're an INVALUABLE historical reference for Lumigrate because they have educated me in the past and been part of the base of Lumigrate. And so I publicly thank them again and forever. 

Remember, "Print" if it's worth it to give to someone or keep to read and write on -- I think it's a really good list Dr Lepisto provided that I pass along in the piece.  

Be well!  Live and Learn! Learn and Live Better!! ~~ Mardy

www.lumigrate.com/forum/intestinal-health-and-your-immune-system-commonalities-flucolds-cancer-colitis [37]

 I saw this excellent article about vitamin D at the well-known site Mercola.com and thought I'd add the link here to substantiate and give yet another resource for those reading here at Lumigrate about this critical topic we have been 'all over' for quite some time now.  Good to know it's still a hot topic! 

Live and Learn. Learn and Live Better! Mardy

 articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/01/04/why-this-vitamin-is-better-than-any-vaccine-and-improves-your-immune-system-by-35-times.aspx [39]

ADDING ON in 2015, January 25.  This very EASY to read/understand "simplified" resource was brought to my attention by a Facebook friend who is a savvy researcher and online educator via FB -- one of the many who had lost their/his health and got into researching the rabbit hole about what's going on overall with the world/systems and finding the way to the underlying truth about why so many today are with chronic conditions AND what to do about it.  (So thank you ....)

This site, you'll see with the link, is focused on magnesium, and below you'll see why they're connecting the magnesium info into 'vitamin' D -- my-magnesium.com/hormone-d.html [40]

ALSO, what I've been doing is to lead people to the Facebook groups that I think are good resources for YOUsers, and the Link to a group about magnesium that was related to this information added today per the wonderfuly layperson researcher/ teacher / advocate is : www.facebook.com/groups/MagnesiumAdvocacy/permalink/785346111533460/ [41]

Testing is the Key to Hormone-D

In order to have intelligent conversations about your vitamin D status, we ask that you complete 4 lab tests.  Vitamin D has become so main stream and most of us do not understand the dangers to over supplementing.  It is only because we care and want you to make an informed choice.

1. Magnesium RBC (Red Blood Cell): it’s the KEY catalyst for creating “Storage” and “Active” forms of this Hormone…

2. 25(OH)D blood test: it’s the measure of the “Storage” form, the precursor to “Active” form of this Hormone…

3. 1,25(OH)2 D3 blood test: it’s the measure of the “Active” form of this Hormone…

4. “Ionized” Serum Calcium blood test (NOT a standard serum test!): given that Calcitriol’s JOB in the body is to put MORE Calcium into the blood stream, it only makes sense to know exactly how much you have there already, right?…

So, please, look BEFORE you take a “D”ive!

There's another thread about D that has good information on it and I like to cross link topics that are both with some of the most pertinent info on a subject for our YOUsers to more easily find and study from.  Here's the link: www.lumigrate.com/forums/preventive-medicine-concepts/nutrition/supplementing-what-you-eat-and-drink [42]

(Note: 1,585 reads of this thread prior to adding this in today (Jan25,2015) -- I like to make notes and keep track in this way that shares it with our YOUsers.  Glad YOU were one of othem, if you think this is of value to someone please let them know so they can help us grow and help others. Thank You in Advance)