10 Ways to Fight the Flu Without a Vaccine
10 Ways to Fight the Flu Without a Vaccine
It’s that time of year again. Signs for flu shots are popping up everywhere and cold and flu season is upon us. Are you wondering, do I really need a flu shot? Would you rather stay healthy naturally and prevent getting sick in the first place? There are a lot of things you can do to stay healthy this coming fall and winter.
Your best defense is to take natural steps to protect your health. Here are ten ways to fight the flu without a vaccine:
Hormonal Balance = Strong Immune System
As is mentioned in #9 above, balancing hormones is key to a healthy immune system. When hormones are deficient and out of balance, your immune system defenses drop, which increases your susceptibility of getting an infection or virus. Replenishing and balancing your hormones helps keep your immune system strong. Take a look at how our hormones protect us from infections such as the flu.
Thyroid – Thyroid hormones stimulate immunity. With a thyroid hormone deficiency, heat production is low, resulting in slow metabolic reactions and sluggish immune reactions. This causes your body to be more susceptible to infections. When the immune system reacts slowly, microbes have time to multiply and flourish before the body is able to intervene and protect itself.
Thyroid hormones stimulate immunological defenses against infectious germs. Optimal levels of thyroid hormones counter viruses, bacteria and parasites. During an infection, thyroid hormone levels are generally low, and low levels of thyroid hormones encourage the infection process. Thyroid hormones also increase the size of the organs of the lymph system, and the larger they are, the stronger the immune response.
Estrogen – Estrogen stimulates immunity and reduces your susceptibility to infections. It activates the proliferation of large white blood cells. It fights certain viral and bacterial infections. These estrogen benefits occur after adolescence.
Testosterone – Testosterone stimulates immunity. It protects the thyroid gland from autoimmune inflammation, such as Hashimoto’s. It fights against the physical consequences of viral infections.
Cortisol – Cortisol increases immunity and stimulates immune cells to help in fighting off viral, bacterial and parasitic infections.
Progesterone – Progesterone benefits the immune system because it supports the thymus and can be helpful against viral infections.
DHEA – DHEA stimulates the immune system, reversing some of the immunological changes that come with age, as various important immune system chemicals decline. For example, as we age, we produce fewer and fewer antibodies to protect ourselves from germs. DHEA increases production of antibodies, including the kind that stay around after an infection is over. DHEA boosts the production of a chemical that helps cells in the immune system communicate with each other.
So as you can see, optimal hormone levels help protect you from getting sick. You may have other reasons for wanting to balance your hormones, such as to get rid of fatigue, PMS, migraines, and to lose weight – and by doing so you will be doing your immune system a big favor, too!
Find out today if your hormones are out of balance by taking our symptom checker hormone quiz for women or our symptom checker hormone quiz for men. A proactive approach is your best defense against the flu!
Source: Dr. Thierry Hertoghe, The Hormone Solution
Mary
Can you please point me in the right direction for a doctor in my hometown who believes and practices as Dr. Hotze? This is so very important to me!
Hotze Team
We see patients from all over the United States, and even from other countries, at our practice. You would only need to come here in person for your first visit with the doctor, then after that, all of your follow up visits can be done via phone and you can have your blood work done locally. You didn’t mention where your hometown is, however we will be happy to help you. Please contact a wellness consultant at 281-698-8698. Thank you!