| MIM Health - October 2007 | ||||||||||
It's my pleasure to send out the inaugural issue of MIM Health, the electronic newsletter from Montana Integrative Medicine (MIM). MIM Health is a monthly newsletter for you. If you prefer not to receive future enewsletters you may opt-out at any time. I hope, however, that you will find these emails informative and helpful. I want the information in the newsletters to be as relevant as possible to you and your family, so please email the clinic and let me know what you want to read about. Do you want an issue dedicated to certain conditions, such as depression, Crohn's disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, specific cancers, etc? Do you want more recipes and nutritional advice? Would you like updates on the latest medical research? Let us know and we'll do our best to provide information that is relevant to your lives. And please forward this to anyone you think could benefit from this information. Wishing you good health, Dr. Neustadt * * * Dr. Neustadt's Latest
Book:
* * * Dr. Neustadt's Appearances * * * Flu Season is Here--Be Prepared An integrative approach to preventing and treating flu includes medications, diet, lifestyle and dietary supplements. First, it's important to strengthen your immune system. A flu vaccination is one way to do this, is readily available and recommended for many people. It's not wise, however, to depend solely on the vaccine to protect you, since each year the effectiveness varies. A huge part of staying healthy includes decreasing things that weaken the immune system while increasing those that enhance it. Stress, sleep deprivation and poor diet can wreak havoc on your immune system. Admittedly, we sometimes have little control over sleep and stress. And if you're the parent of a young child (like I am), adequate sleep isn't always possible. The point is to get as much sleep as possible and to work towards decreasing your stress. You likely do, however, have complete control over our diet and exercise. Eliminate sugar and limit alcohol, which both weaken the immune system. Eat whole foods rich in vitamins and minerals. And make sure you're getting adequate amounts of protein and water. If you do start getting sick, eliminate dairy products, which are mucous forming and can trap viruses and bacteria and provide a hospitable environment for them to replicate. Nutrient requirements vary depending on your age, activity level and any medical conditions, so you may want to discuss this with your doctor or a nutritionist to receive specific immune-boosting dietary advice. Exercise is crucial for a healthy immune system, but exercising too much can weaken your immunity. One principle taken from Ayurvedic medicine, a more than 3,000-year-old system from India, states that to boost immune function, exercise just to the point of perspiration and then stop. Doing so stimulates circulation and the immune system. If the full-blown flu does take hold and you start a fever, it may actually be counterproductive to take medicine to decrease it. Fevers are your body's way of enhancing immune function. It's generally recommended in otherwise healthy adults not to reduce a fever unless the oral temperature goes above 101o F. Children can frequently run higher temperatures safely. Since what is considered a safe temperature varies with age and medical conditions, you should discuss your child's individual situation with your healthcare provider. There are some warning signs in children that may require immediate professional attention, including convulsions, difficulty breathing, a stiff neck, inconsolable crying, lethargy, difficulty waking up, drooling, difficulty swallowing or if your child has a history of febrile seizures. If any of these occur, call your healthcare provider immediately and/or take your child to the emergency room. Worst-case scenarios are rarely seen with such effective, natural treatments available for the flu. A 2004 study in The Journal of International Medical Research showed that adults taking 60 milliliters (mL) daily of the dietary supplement Sambucol, an elderberry extract, significantly decreased the severity of their flu symptoms compared to people who didn't take it. Additionally, many herbs, including elderberry, Lomatium and white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) are antiviral and often used in botanical formulas for the flu. Vicks VapoRub, a decongestant and mild cough suppressant, which I fondly remember my grandmother rubbing on my chest as child, may help people get a good night's sleep. But it's important to note that over-the-counter cough suppressants that contain hydrocodone (a narcotic) were recently pulled from the market by the FDA because they are not approved for use in children younger than six. A safer option can be identified with the help of your healthcare provider. The best way to avoid or treat the flu is to actively participate in your own health on a daily basis. Simple, practical approaches can decrease the likelihood that you'll get sick or speed your recovery. I hope you and your family have a healthy, enjoyable and powder-filled winter. * * * Recipe: Easy Butternut Squash Soup Fall is a great time for cooking warm, hearty soups. Fall is also a great time for sumptuous squash. This month's recipe is from my wife, Romi, who has elevated cooking nutritious and delicious soups to an art form. Have a recipe you want to share?
Email it to us and it may appear in a future issue of MIM Health.
Easy Butternut Squash Soup
Prep Time: 15 Minutes INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
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