I love teaching women how to help themselves. We all want to stay out of the Doctors office if we can. I was really proud of how my patients took personal responsibility for their own health these last three years. . This proactive approach was instrumental in reducing the incidence and severity of illnesses. Already this year we are hearing about viral illnesses and I have had many of you reach out to me for my current advice. Usually I cover several topics in an email but I am going to dedicate this email to review the strategies that you can implement to help you stay well during the Fall/Winter respiratory virus season. Staying healthy requires a plan!
#1 – BE PREPARED BY ADOPTING AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY LIFESTYLE
Viruses such as Influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and Coronavirus are circulating and it’s impossible to hide from a tiny virus so your best defense is always going to be a healthy immune system. What we have always known, has become really evident in the last few years. Preexisting inflammation from poor lifestyle choices or already existing disease is one of the biggest risk factors for a poor outcome during a respiratory illness. If you are already inflamed the additional inflammation that occurs when your immune system is fighting a virus can cause severe collateral damage and increase your chance of a poor outcome. Inflammatory foods in your diet (most foods that are in a package or in restaurants) tend to contain ingredients (think processed oils, manmade sugars and chemicals) that stoke inflammatory fires in your body and these ingredients can even “stun” your immune system for several hours after consuming them. Your goal is to consume whole unprocessed foods and drink filtered water. For me a silver lining the past few years has been that the initial pandemic restrictions weaned me from the restaurant food that as an empty nester I was consuming too much of! Not to be too overwhelming but it’s also important to do moderate exercise, get adequate sleep, balance your stress with restorative time and avoid toxins. I know that’s a lot but if you’re a patient of mine you have been refining this type of lifestyle over the years – it’s a process over time but adopting an anti-inflammatory lifestyle will result in numerous health benefits.
#2 – OPTIMIZE YOUR VITAMIN D
Hopefully you know your vitamin D level – it should be part of your annual labs. Vitamin D has many benefits but more and more research is revealing it’s importance in maintaining a healthy immune system and reducing risk of severe respiratory illness. Your vitamin D level is optimal at 60-80 ng/ml and if your level is not optimal a vitamin D supplement can be used to put you in this range.
#3 – SNORT AND GARGLE
Respiratory viruses love to replicate in your nasal passages and throat and can eventually reach your lungs. Using nasal and throat solutions can reduce the virus in these important areas. I recommend if your going to be in a situation such as travel or large gatherings where risk of exposure is increased use the nasal and throat solutions 2-3 times a day for 1-2 days to reduce any virus in your passage ways. If you are sick use them several times a day for one week. Snort and gargle at the same time.
Nasal rinses:
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- ProBio-Active Silver Hydrosol at Wholescripts
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- Immune Mist Nasal Spray or CoFixRx Povidone Iodine Solution (do not use if allergic to iodine or if you have thyroid disease) both these products are available online.
Throat solutions
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- Immune Mist Oral Spray Povidone Iodine or CoFixRx Throat Spray (do not use if your allergic to iodine or have thyroid disease).
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- Listerine Original mouthwash contains thymol from thyme
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- Scope ,ACT, or Crest mouthwash contains cetylpyridinium chloride
#4 – SUPPLEMENTS
At the beginning of the pandemic I wanted to make early treatment of viral illness easy since early treatment improves outcomes. Even though we were going through a pandemic most people were surprised and ill prepared when they got sick. When your not feeling well it’s a bad time to have to scurry around and get supplies. I designed a supplement package – the Midlife Wellness Center Hit Kit (MWC Hit Kit- Basic). It consists of an AM & PM packet that is easy to carry in your purse and have on hand so that if you are at high risk for exposure or are ill you can start using them quickly. The packets contain supplements that can reduce viral load, reduce inflammation and reduce clotting (when we are inflamed the risk of clotting increases). The packets contain Quercetin, Zinc, Nattokinase, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Melatonin. I have spent over 2,000 hours keeping up with data on viral illness. This is the same packet I recommended the last 3 years. This year I have also designed a 2nd packet ( MWC Hit Kit add on for high risk) which has additional ingredients. The 2nd packet I recommend along with the original packet for high risk individuals. The additional ingredients resveratrol, extra quercetin, beta glucans and extra vitamin C can augment the basic packet. I recommend this for high risk individuals such as individuals who are overweight, over 60 years old or have preexisting immune or inflammatory illness. Always consult with your provider before starting any supplements. If you are allergic to any of the ingredients, on a prescription blood thinner or have a bleeding tendency, pregnant or breast feeding you should not use these packets. The packets are also designed for adults not children. The supplement packets come in boxes with a 30 day supply (these will last you longer since you will only use them as needed). The packets expire after one year. Don’t be confused by the expiration date of 60 days. These supplements are fulfilled by a pharmacy that has to put an expiration date of 60 days for the medications they dispense in packets but these of course are supplements with a longer shelf life. If you are already taking a supplement contained in the packets omit it while taking the packets. The only exception is Vitamin D – continue your current Vitamin D plus what is in the packets.
HOW TO BUY MIDLIFE WELLNESS CENTER HIT KITS
Since these supplements are a special order from Wholescripts you will need to email me at blk@midlifewellnesscenter.com to request these special order supplements (you will not find them in their catalog). Once I receive an email from you requesting these supplements I will have Wholescripts send you a link so that you can buy them ( so be looking for a Wholescripts email that says I have recommended a supplement for you). After you have made the first order you will be able to look at your order history to order it again by yourself.
Again check with your provider before starting any supplements.
#5 EQUIPMENT TO HAVE AT HOME TO HELP YOU MANAGE A VIRAL ILLNESS
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- Thermometer – it is not unusual to run a fever but if it’s 102 degrees or greater check in with your doctor
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- Oxygen Saturation Monitor – determine your baseline oxygen saturation before any illness then monitor when ill. You want this to be at least 94%. If it is not notify your doctor. My brand is Oxiline Pulse MD Pro.
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- Desktop Nebulizer – your physician may recommend using solutions in this to help treat the lungs so it’s good to have on hand. My brand is Unoseks and I have Knoxzy inhalation isotonic solution 2.5 ml which can be used in the machine by itself or with additives.
Wishing you continued good health,
Dr. Brenda Smith MD
