As soaring numbers of people have been hit by the Japanese and Australian flu strains in the last few weeks, many people are wondering what they can do to protect themselves and their families this winter.
Your immune system is your body's army. Its purpose is to fight and protect you. It is unrealistic to expect your army to battle on your behalf without preparing it and giving it the weapons and training it needs to win. Here is my advice on training and equipping your army to protect you this winter.
Take a vitamin D3 supplement - Vitamin D triggers and arms the immune system. It plays a crucial role in disease prevention and maintenance of optimal health. Some researchers view vitamin D as potentially more powerful than any vaccine currently available. Vitamin D is crucial to activating our immune defense. The sun is one of the best natural sources of vitamin D. However, at this time of the year, with limited sunshine in the UK, it is usually necessary to supplement. Vitamin D3 is absorbed by the body much more easily than vitamin D2. When supplementing, make sure to take your vitamin D in this form.
Vitamin K2 - If you are taking a vitamin D3 supplement, it is advisable to combine this with vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 is essential for directing calcium from the blood to the bones. Calcification results from calcium remaining in the arteries and is a common cause of heart attack.
What supplement to take? - It is best to take vitamins D and K in oil form as they are both fat soluble vitamins and will be much better absorbed in oil form.
I use Nutri Advanced D3 drops with K2. 3 drops equal 1000 IUs. At this time of year, I like to get 8,000 - 10,000 IUs a day, or 25-30 drops. I give my kids around 3,000 - 5,000 IUs, or about 10 drops. I suggest you to seek the advice of a healthcare practitioner to ascertain your individual vitamin D3 requirement.
Vitamin C - The benefits of vitamin C during cold and flu season are well documented. I take 1000mgs, three times a day. Lipsomal vitamin C is easily absorbed by the body and is readily available from chemists and health shops. If you or your family start to feel ill, you can up the dose of vitamin C as any excess gets excreted in urine. The body tends not to absorb more than 1000 IUs in one go. This is why it is advisable to spread your intake throughout the day.