How not to get sick this winter...

​...And when should you use antibiotics and when not?

1. BOOST YOUR GUT IMMUNITY

Did you know that 80% of your immune system is found in your gut? Therefore if you do not treat your intestines with respect, they will let you down and you will have a rather miserable winter. Be conscious of what you eat. Eating a diet high in antioxidants (highly coloured fruit and veg), low carbohydrate (breads, cookies, starchy veg are all high in carbohydrates), lean clean protein (free range chicken, beef, eggs, lamb), high good fats (coconut products, nuts and seeds, good oils, small dark fishes, avos) and low in sugars. Sugar is a major enemy of your immune system and consuming a lot of sugar will compromise your immune system severely. Also take a probiotics periodically, one of good quality that is stored in the fridge. Contact your health practitioner to guide you in using the correct probiotic for your immune system.

1. Immune stimulators

Various medications are available to optimize your immune system. They are available in liquid, tablet or injectable form. Echinacea is probably the most important of these, but make sure that you use Echinacea Angustifolia and not Purpurea if you want the strongest and most effective stimulation. The former is available just from your health care practitioner and more cost effective that it’s weaker counterpart. Olive leaf extract is another immune stimulator as well as treatment for infections. A variety of homeopathic injectables are available to not only treat infections but also for prevention of viral diseases. Contact your homeopath for these products.

1. Vitamin D3

Deficiency of Vitamin D is linked to not only autoimmune diseases but also increases your susceptibility to infection. It is essential to optimize your Vitamin D levels, and especially in winter when sunlight is less and the synthesis of Vit D less, you need to ensure that you take the correct dosage of a good quality Vit D3. Your level should be checked by your practitioner and supplemented accordingly.

1. Stress

Elevated stress and corresponding increased levels of cortisol has a major effect on your immune system. A broken down constitution is a prime target for viruses and bacteria. Make sure that you try and limit your stress where possible, get good sleep and make an effort to do something relaxing for yourself everyday e.g. exercise, meditation, reading, drawing etc. If you still feel overwhelmed please contact us for adaptogens, herbal treatment to help your system cope with an elevated load of stress.
 
WHEN TO USE AN ANTIBIOTIC AND WHEN NOT
In order to understand this, an explanation of some terms are necessary.
A virus is smaller than a bacteria and is enclosed in a protective coating, so it is more difficult to kill. A virus need a living host to reproduce in, otherwise it cannot survive. In contrast a bacteria can reproduce and live on inanimate objects like doorknobs or be transferred via contaminated water or secretions. Viruses can only be carried in human secretions from one person to another.
The only way to kill a virus is via the body’s own innate immune system. Antibiotics only kill bacteria and have absolutely no effect on a virus.
 
Antibiotics will therefore be of no use in the following diseases:

• Influenza
• Most cases of bronchitis
• Most sore throats not caused by Strep
• Runny noses
• Most coughs
• Most ear infections
• Stomach flu

If you take antibiotics when you do not need them, they may not work when you really do. Taking antibiotics or giving antibiotics to your children unnecessarily will not make them feel better or cure the illness, but may have harmful side effects like nausea, diarrhoea and stomach pain. Antibiotics can also cause IBS, candidiasis as well as lowering your natural defence to invaders by killing all your protective good bacteria.
 
Please contact us with your questions as well as effective and safe treatment and prevention of winter diseases.
Keep well!!
Dr Marike de Klerk
​M.Tech Hom (UJ)
Registered Homeopath

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