After The Flu
by G. Douglas Andersen,DC,DACBSP,CCN
You just got slammed by a mean case of the flu. Your
immune system has taken a real beating and is still vulnerable
to attack. Two weeks of rest, fresh fruits, seafood, and the
low pressure of a Hawaiian beach are probably out of the question.
Instead, it is back to work where you are in close contact with
people all day: people who cough; people who sneeze; people who
forget to wash their hands; and people who harbor all kinds of
germs looking for a new home.
When you get the flu, you need to recover quickly. Here are
my recommendations:
1.Hydrate: Your fluid needs increase due to the sweat you
lose with a fever. It's
likely that your food and fluid intake are inadequate when you're
sick. Thus, it is
likely that you will be dehydrated. You also need the extra
fluids to help flush the
abnormal metabolites your system has accumulated. Drink an extra
40-60 ounces
of pure water above what you would normally imbibe. It is also
a good idea to
hop on the scale and see how much weight you lost during your
illness. The
majority of your deficit is fluid.
2.Reinoculate: A high fever will do a number on your intestinal
flora. If you were
vomiting or took antibiotics, your bacteria have been further
insulted. If you do
not supplement with a probiotic, your recovery will be lengthened.
To reinoculate
your bowel, take at least three billion active lactobacillus
microflora daily. Choose
combination products that contain multiple strains such as acidophilus,
bifidus and
bulgaricus.
3.Vitamins: It is no surprise that your needs temporarily increase
during recovery.
Elevate B complex to 100 mg with extra pantothenic acid (500
mg for adrenal
support). If you already take 400 IU of vitamin E, you are covered.
Elevate your
vitamin C to between 15 and 20 mg per pound of body weight.
Bioflavonoids and
proanthocyanidins work well with vitamin C. They are powerful
antioxidants and
membrane supporters. Take 500 mg of bioflavonoids and 100 mg
of
proanthocyanidins.
4.Minerals: Shoot for the RDA levels of minerals (which can
be a challenge for
calcium and magnesium). Increase your zinc intake to 40-50 mg
per day.
5.Proteins and Amino Acids: The high-quality whey proteins
available on the
market promote the proliferation of "good bacteria"
in the gut. They contain
bioactive peptides that have both antiviral and antibacterial
properties. Whey is
also very high in essential branch chain amino acids and is
important in the
production of glutathione (a tri-peptide that is a very powerful
component of our
immune system).
Arginine has been in the news recently for hypertension,
erectile dysfunction and heart disease. Arginine also stimulates
the immune system. Add 3-6 grams to your protein shake or eat
lots of chicken soup, which is a great source of arginine. If
you suffer from herpes outbreaks, make sure you also take lysine.
6. Foods: Stay away from stressors such as alcohol, caffeine
and sugar. I found one 1973 paper (AJCN 26:1180-1184) that tested
100-gram servings of fructose, sucrose, honey and orange juice
on how they affect cellular immunity. The results revealed that
the capacity of neutrophils to engulf bacteria was decreased
for 1-2 hours after absorption of these highly concentrated simple
carbohydrates.
7. Herbs: Echinacea is now the largest-selling herb in
the United States. It improves our white blood cells' ability
to battle infection. Germany's Commission E Monographs (the best
object of analysis of herbs by an independent multidisciplinary
channel of scientists, allopathic, and alternative practitioners
currently available) recommends supplementation as soon as you
start to feel sick. The commission also states that echinacea
should not be used continuously for more than three weeks at
a time.
Goldenseal contains chemicals that prevent the growth
of viruses, fungi and bacteria. It is often combined with echinacea
in immune system formulas. In the October 1999 issue of the University
of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter, the editors advised
against the use of goldenseal due to its "unpredictable
action" and potential side effects that include respiratory
failure. This statement was not referenced with a specific study,
and this publication is known to be quite conservative when it
comes to supplements. In his 1999 book A Consumer's Guide to
Herbal Medicine, Dr. Steven Karch states there have been no reports
of goldenseal causing serious toxicity. Dr. Karch further states
that due to the tremendous amount of goldenseal sold in the United
States, the lack of good studies is "distressing."
Elderberry is a rich source of quercetin and rutin. Elderberry
has also reduced flu symptoms and shortened recovery time in
humans. In a 1995 article in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary
Medicine [1995:1(4) 361-369], elderberry extract ingestion produced
more antiviral antibodies in humans than the placebo preparation.
Herbal Dosing:
Due to different potencies, raw material sources, and
manufacturing techniques, it is impossible to give advice that
is both safe and therapeutic without knowledge of the specific
preparation. Thus, products should be used according to the recommendation
of the company that produces the supplements you choose. As the
use of herbal medicine increases, I hope to see industry-wide
standardization.
8. Energize: After a significant viral insult, it is
not uncommon to suffer from postviral fatigue. Coenzyme Q10 (.75
mg per pound of body weight), potassium and magnesium aspartates
(1-3 grams per day) and ribose (2 grams per day) can kick-start
your intramitochondrial energy systems if you still feel drained
after your fever and body aches subside.
SUMMARY
A good case of the flu really stresses one's system.
Start the program as soon as your stomach allows. Follow recommendations
one through six for three to four days for each day you have
a fever. The seventh recommendation, herbs, is best used during
your illness and for two or three days following it. Finally,
if you have postviral fatigue, follow recommendation number eight
for two to four weeks. If your energy is still low, after one
month seek a second opinion.
