I get a lot of questions about natural alternative flu fighters. As is the case with most medications, Mother Nature has also addressed the very same problems that the Big Pharmaceutical Industry Leaders have as well. There are three main supplements that have been shown to fight the flu.
1. Elderberry Extract - Several small studies, including a human study in Israel, showed that elderberry extract was effective at shortening the course of illness in human subjects with the flu. This included influenza A (the typical seasonal flu and swine flu are both influenza A's), influenza B, and parainfluenza. This includes all major flu types, however, bird flu has not yet been tested.
2. Black Currant - In laboratory studies, black currant contains five separate non-competitive (this means they don't interfere with each other) neuraminidase inhibitors. Neuraminidase inhibitors are the very same class of compounds that the pharmaceutical industry markets as anti-flu medicines.
3. Rhodiola Rosea - This has also been shown to have neuraminidase inhibitors.
I recommend these supplements in capsule form, rather than elixers or extracts in order to avoid any chemical extraction processes, alcohol or sugar additives.
Stay Healthy!
Dr. Dave Woynarowski, MD
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Dr. Dave's Top 5 Essential Supplements for Better Health
1. Omega 3s: I rate omega 3’s at the top of the heap even higher than multivites because relatively few people in this country have an actual full blown vitamin deficiency that causes disease. We are now beginning to recognize that lack of omega 3’s in our diet may indeed be at the root of many fo the disease we accept as “normal” in our society.
While we do not have an accepted amount of Omega 3 fatty acids as a recommended daily minimum yet we will soon and I guarantee it will be too low! Omega3’s cannot be made by the body you have to get them in the diet and low levels of Omega 3 have been linked to everything from heart disease to depression and more. While there are many alternatives fish oil is still by far the most tested and with the most unbiased scientific research behind it. Plant omega3’s that are put into foods these days are pretty much worthless. Take fish oil and get the best you can afford. Avoid “alternatives” until they prove themselves!
2. Multi-vitamin: poor soil conditions and poor eating habits coupled with low nutritional value in so many foods we get make a multi a necessity for basic health in my opinion. While the controversy over their value continues a good multi can help a lot with maintaining health wellness and basic body functions. In addition there is now evidence to suggest that multi vites may lengthen the telomere segment of our DNA which is responsible in part for how long we live!
3. Calcium/magnesium/Vitamin D: These minerals are often deficient in our population particularly the elderly. Today’s hottest topic, Vitamin D is actually a steroid hormone and when combined with calcium it fights against osteoporosis. It also has anti-cancer properties and may have a role in preventing diabetes and heart disease. As usual our RDA’s and lab levels are too low and set to prevent outright disease not maximize health.
Magnesium is essential for normal blood pressure heart health and muscle function and because it is found mostly in green leafy vegetables is often deficient in our population
4. B complex: This includes a whole array of B vitamins which are in general needed for healthy metabolism, nervous system function and immune function making them essential in the upcoming flu season! Athletes and the elderly are often in need of more B complex because of the stresses on their bodies. The actual amount of B vitamins each person needs varies depending on their activity elves and needs but it’s better to supplement when in doubt.
5. CoQ10: One of the most underrated and underused nutrients in this country and the Western World. The Japanese in particular use co Q for20
heart failure and movement disorders like Parkinson’s’ disease. Co Q is also a specific nutrient for the mitochondria, the “powerhouses” of our cells and declines in those organelles with age, pregnancy and athletic events particularly endurance events. Because it is not easily absorbed in vitamin form make sure you use a gel cap formulation and take at least 100mg. or even more.
Stay Healthy!
Dr. Dave Woynarowski, MD
While we do not have an accepted amount of Omega 3 fatty acids as a recommended daily minimum yet we will soon and I guarantee it will be too low! Omega3’s cannot be made by the body you have to get them in the diet and low levels of Omega 3 have been linked to everything from heart disease to depression and more. While there are many alternatives fish oil is still by far the most tested and with the most unbiased scientific research behind it. Plant omega3’s that are put into foods these days are pretty much worthless. Take fish oil and get the best you can afford. Avoid “alternatives” until they prove themselves!
2. Multi-vitamin: poor soil conditions and poor eating habits coupled with low nutritional value in so many foods we get make a multi a necessity for basic health in my opinion. While the controversy over their value continues a good multi can help a lot with maintaining health wellness and basic body functions. In addition there is now evidence to suggest that multi vites may lengthen the telomere segment of our DNA which is responsible in part for how long we live!
3. Calcium/magnesium/Vitamin D: These minerals are often deficient in our population particularly the elderly. Today’s hottest topic, Vitamin D is actually a steroid hormone and when combined with calcium it fights against osteoporosis. It also has anti-cancer properties and may have a role in preventing diabetes and heart disease. As usual our RDA’s and lab levels are too low and set to prevent outright disease not maximize health.
Magnesium is essential for normal blood pressure heart health and muscle function and because it is found mostly in green leafy vegetables is often deficient in our population
4. B complex: This includes a whole array of B vitamins which are in general needed for healthy metabolism, nervous system function and immune function making them essential in the upcoming flu season! Athletes and the elderly are often in need of more B complex because of the stresses on their bodies. The actual amount of B vitamins each person needs varies depending on their activity elves and needs but it’s better to supplement when in doubt.
5. CoQ10: One of the most underrated and underused nutrients in this country and the Western World. The Japanese in particular use co Q for20
heart failure and movement disorders like Parkinson’s’ disease. Co Q is also a specific nutrient for the mitochondria, the “powerhouses” of our cells and declines in those organelles with age, pregnancy and athletic events particularly endurance events. Because it is not easily absorbed in vitamin form make sure you use a gel cap formulation and take at least 100mg. or even more.
Stay Healthy!
Dr. Dave Woynarowski, MD
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