10 tips to boost your immunity and stay healthy this flu season:
1. Optimize your vitamin D levels. Optimizing your vitamin D levels is one of the absolute best strategies for avoiding infections of ALL kinds, and vitamin D deficiency is likely the TRUE culprit behind the seasonality of the flu due to decreased exposure to sunlight. Melaleuca’s Vitality Packs contain 600 IU’s of natural Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and the children’s Koala Pals Vitamins contain 400 IU’s which is the RDA amounts recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. (Avoid supplements with vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) which is an inferior synthetic form not used effectively by the body
2. Take probiotics. Did you know 80% of your immune system resides in your digestive track? Most people do not get enough good bacteria into their system and have an overabundance of the bad bacteria due to antibiotics, stress and illness. Good probiotic supplements will contain two strains – Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis. Melaleuca’s probiotic, Florify, contains 5 billion colonies of good flora with both of these strains. Probiotics support your immune system, aid in digestion, enhance metabolism and breakdown of toxins, promote vitamin/mineral absorption, prevent yeast infections, help w/ IBS symptoms and maintain healthy bowel transit times.
3. Give your immune system a boost. 
At the first sign of the cold or flu, or when you know you have been exposed, boost your immune system with echinacea, vitamin C and zinc. These natural nutrients help boost your body’s natural defenses by supporting your immune system. Echinacea has been clinically shown to support white blood cell function by increasing the ability of white blood cells to destroy invading microorganisms and boosting the strength of T-lymphocytes, which are vital to the immune system. Additionally, a compound in Echinacea, known as echinacein, helps prevent germs from penetrating and destroying healthy cells. Vitamin C and zinc are also crucial for proper white blood cell function. Melaleuca’s Activate Immune Complex contains 900mg of echinacea, 100mg of vitamin C and 10mg of zinc along with folic acid and selenium to give your body its best chance at fighting off germs.
4. Disinfect your home. Germs, bacteria and viruses, including various strains of the flu virus, can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours. The flu virus lives longest on non-porous surfaces, such as plastic, metal or wood, Traditional disinfectants such as Lysol or products with bleach contain toxic chemicals. They are skin, lung and eye irritants, as indicated on their warning labels. Instead, use a natural disinfectant such as Melaleuca’s Sol-U-Guard Botanical. Sol-U-Guard Botanical is the first EPA approved disinfectant to combine thyme oil and citric acid to effectively kill 99.9% of household germs including staph, e-coli, salmonella, strep, rhinovirus, and influenza A.
5. Wash your hands. Washing your hands will decrease your likelihood of spreading a virus to your nose, mouth or other people. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Tell your kids to sing their ABC’s while they wash their hands. The flu virus can live on your hands for 1 hour. Carry hand sanitizer in your purse, briefcase or car for those times when you cannot use soap and water. Use a hand sanitizer that does not contain the chemcial triclosan, such as Melaleuca’s Clear Defense Hand Gel. Clear Defense kills 99.9% of all germs with naturally derived alcohol and T36-C5 Melaleuca oil with moisturizers to keep your hands from drying out. Clear Defense also comes in sanitizing biodegradable hand wipes which are a perfect way to keep your family protected while on the go.
6. Drink Plenty of Fluids. Drink at least eight 8oz glasses of water each day. Water is essential for your body to function properly. Drinking Melaleuca’s Herbal Tea with alternifolia leaf, ginseng and ginger can help “drown a cold”. Stay hydrated with Melaleuca’s Sustain Sport Drink Mix with 4 essential electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium). These minerals help rehydrate your cells for proper bodily functions. Sustain Sport has less sugar and twice as many electrolytes as Gatorade.
7. Use Tea Tree Oil. Tea tree oil comes from Melaleuca Alternifolia leaves found in Australia and has many healthful properties. It is a natural oil that is an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-septic. If you are a Dr. Oz fan, tea tree oil is one of his recommended top 5 must haves for your medicine cabinet! Not all tea tree oils are the same because there are over 150 different species of Melaleuca trees. The only pure, medicinal tea tree oil must come from the oil of the Melaleuca Alternifolia and contain more than 35% Terpinen 4-ol and less than 10% Cineole to be effective. Melaleuca’s tea tree oil has all of these properties and is one of the purest, highest qualities you will ever find. It is great for cuts, scrapes, burns, insect bites, cold sores, canker sores, shingles, ear infections, and fungal infections. Place 10 drops in a cool mist humidifier with 2 capfuls of Sol-U-Mel and water to help with colds, coughs, and asthma.
8. Eat phytonutrient rich foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts) Foods like broccoli, leafy greens, garlic, tomatoes, grapes, strawberries, blueberries and whole grains contain phytonutrients. Phytonutrients, such as phytosterols, carotenoids, polyphenols, resveratrol and other flavenoids are essentially the plants immune system and can benefit your immune system as well. If you are not eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day, you may want to consider phytonutrient supplements. Melaleuca’s Phytomega offers 2000 mg of plant phytosterols combined with the proven benefits of 1000mg of omega 3 fatty acids (fish oil) and 30mg of CoQ10 in a daily dose. Phytomega will not only benefit your immune system, but also can reduce your risk of heart disease by naturally lowering your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Melaleuca’s ProVexCV Grape Flavenoid Supplement combines natural grape seed extract, resveratrol, quercetin, green tea extract and bromelain to create a powerful antioxidant that promotes a healthy body and cardiovascular system.
9. Avoid sugary and processed foods. Sugar decreases the function of your immune system almost immediately, and as you likely know, a strong immune system is key to fighting off viruses and other illness. 6 tsp of sugar can decrease immune function by 25%, 10 tsp by 50%, and 24 tsp of sugar can decrease your immune system by 92%. Ever wonder why so many kids get sick right after Halloween each year? Melaleuca has a wide variety of organic, whole grain crackers, cereal and bars that offer a healthier snacking alternative.
10. Get adequate sleep. This is an indispensable requirement for a strong immune system. Another one of Dr. Oz’s recommended top 5 medicine cabinet essentials is Valerian Root. Valerian Root is an herb that acts as a sedative and can help with insomnia and anxiety. Melaleuca’s Rest EZ provides Valerian Root, Passion Flower and Hops to help with a restful sleep.
Frank Lipman MD, is the founder and director of the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in NYC a center whose emphasis is on preventive health care and patient education. His personal blend of Western and Eastern Medicine combined with the many other complimentary modalities he has studied, has helped thousands of people recover their energy and zest for life. He is the author of the recent SPENT: End Exhaustion and Feel Great Again (2009) and Total Renewal; 7 key steps to Resilience, Vitality and Long-Term Health (2003).
