Islandtraveler
Recycles dryer sheets
About a week before my travels I start a regiment of Echinacea, Olive leaf oil and Oil of oregano to bolster my immune system. The only downside is that I smell like a pizza!
Besides zinc gluconate, I just read an article about boosting your immune system by ingesting probiotics. Seemed weird to me that putting something in your gut could help something that happens (originally) in your nose, but there are human studies.One thing not mentioned yet is Zinc Gluconate. Used to be Zicam was the thing. Now most things branded with Zicam aren't zinc gluconate any more. But you can get TheraZinc. I personally believe that having this stuff on your soft pallet helps fend off the cold viruses you're bound to be breathing in those close quarters of the aircraft. I spray it in my mouth while saying "aaahh", so it goes back there and hits the place where my colds usually start.
Human studies demonstrate that using these six strains of bacteria can reduce the incidence of colds and flu-like illnesses, an effect largely attributable to enhanced levels of IgA.
CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that a regular, long-term intake of various synbiotics may improve health by reducing the incidence and severity of respiratory diseases during the cold season.
Besides zinc gluconate, I just read an article about boosting your immune system by ingesting probiotics. Seemed weird to me that putting something in your gut could help something that happens (originally) in your nose, but there are human studies.
These guys are hawking a product, so take it with a grain of salt:
Probiotics Offer Powerful Anti-Flu Defense - Life Extension
One of the references:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18685511
He's a chiropractor, NOT an MD.
I prefer to get my advice from people who are actually qualified in the field in which they sell their products.
I apologize if this sounds harsh, but I've seen the victims of these chiropractor scam artists. Their MO is the same; promise miracle cures for incurable or chronic illnesses and conditions, sell all kinds of snake-oil and "treatments" which don't require an MD license, write books and quote "experts" who are also scammers.
The one DW went to wanted over $10K for a scam "treatment." Paid up front, with no refund if it didn't work. The argument went like this: "Real medical doctors can't cure your condition, what have you got to lose giving your money to me?" A sure hook for desperate people! It was exactly the type of high-pressure sales pitches we'd heard from timeshare and used-car salesmen. We passed.
Two other friends weren't so lucky. One passed away from the underlying illness that the scammer couldn't cure, the other realized it was a scam after paying and stopped going.
I could write a book on this scam (maybe I should!) but I'll stop there out of respect for those who want to believe.
I should add, I know an honest chiropractor well, and a couple more casually. I'm NOT anti-chiropractic! Only against those who use that qualification to masquerade as MDs.
I heard that jumping up and down on one foot and rubbing your belly, will kill any pathogen that will cause you to sniffle, fart, sneeze or cough. With a mask. Or zinc. Or a flu shot. Or a glass of red wine. Or two. If you wash your hands. And don't touch your face. Or pick your nose. But only if you take vitamin C. And a zinc supplement. Or have sex 2x a week. If your stomach has a healthy flora and fauna. Sun, but not too much. But you can't have too much red meat, unless it's grass fed or organic. But not on a grill. With kale and green tea. Or tumeric. Or cinnamon. Unless it only has 85% of this. OR that.
Jeeze Louise! Just give me sex 2x a week!
Agree, but with the glass of red wine.
Sorry to hear of your travails. It's well documented that even for the strains in the vaccine, the older you are, the higher likelihood your get the flu anyway. But based on the severity you report, your strain might not have been a target for the vaccine. Too bad they don't ID the viruses routinely.It's a miserable bug this year.