Health

Four Ways to Prevent the Flu

By Dr. Stephanie M. Seitz, ND, MT

Many people recognize flu season as fall and winter, but February is typically the peak of flu activity. With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, it’s more important than ever to stay healthy, so how can we prevent getting sick? Here are a few simple steps to keep yourself well during the peak of the flu season.

WASH YOUR HANDS

The pandemic has shone a light on the importance of hand washing, and for good reason. Washing your hands often is the easiest and most effective way to prevent the spread of germs. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to wash your hands before and after touching your face, touching your mask, touching a surface that’s frequently touched by others and, of course, after using the restroom. Germs can live on surfaces for two hours or more, so it’s important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you don’t have access to soap and water, an alcohol-based wipe or hand sanitizers are good alternatives.

INCORPORATE VITAMIN D

According to research by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vitamin D plays a role in reducing your likelihood of developing the flu. However, most Americans are deficient in this vitamin, which can lead to rickets, poor immune system function, and risk of cardiovascular disease. Vitamin D storages can be increased by exposure to sunlight, eating fish, egg yolks, beef liver or taking supplementation. However, you should have your blood levels checked by your physician before supplementing as too much vitamin D can be toxic and can damage your kidneys.

STAY HYDRATED

Staying properly hydrated can support the immune system and allow it to defend your body from viruses. Drinking at least half your body weight in water in ounces is a great way to stay hydrated which enables your body to fight off the flu. It will also help improve your quality of sleep, cognition and mood. If you have a hard time drinking enough water, consider adding your favorite fresh fruit to the water to provide flavor or a marked water bottle to give you goals to hit throughout the day.

EAT A HEALTHY DIET

Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help support the immune system by providing your body the central nutrients it needs to function properly. The immune system protects the body from infection, so giving the immune system the power it needs to defend the body can help keep you healthy during the flu season.

The flu is highly contagious and spreads through respiratory droplets that are produced when speaking, sneezing, or coughing like the coronavirus. Adding these steps in addition to CDC guidance to prevent the spread of coronavirus, like wearing a mask and social distancing, will help keep you healthy through the end of flu season.

Dr. Stephanie Seitz, ND, MT with Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences has extensive training in a variety of treatment modalities including homeopathy, botanical medicine, clinical nutrition and acupuncture.

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Health

The Dangers of Toxic Mold on Your Health

By Dr. Krystal Tellier, Health for Life Naturopathic Medicine

Mold is a type of fungus that grows in moist environments. Mold spores can survive in very hot and dry conditions, waiting patiently for any future moisture to ensue. Even though we live in the dry desert of Arizona, toxic mold can still be problematic in our living and workspace.

When mold inhabits outdoor spaces, most individuals will not feel the adverse health effects. However, when there are high concentrations of mold indoors this can cause significant concerns for health. The effects that mold has on an individual’s health extends beyond simple allergies. Mold has been linked to fatigue, brain fog, muscle discomfort, joint pain, anxiety, depression, headaches, migraines, sinus, lung congestion, digestive disorders, skin rashes, autoimmune disease, immune suppression, hormone disorders, neurological disorders, and even cancer to name a few out of the list of nearly 100 odd symptoms that may have a connection to toxic mold exposure.

To identify mold as a source of a health concern, an indoor environmental professional (or IEP for short) should be hired. An IEP will identify potential sources of excessive moisture in the home or office and use specialized testing like air sample tests or HERTSMI/ERMI tests. These tests identify which mold spores are present in your living space and help you and your doctor decide if they are a common hazardous mold. Some of the more hazardous molds that may grow indoors are: aspergillus, penicillium, fusarium, stachybotrys, and chaetomium globosum.

Mold is a living organism that secretes toxic byproducts called mycotoxins. These mycotoxins are responsible for making humans feel ill; mycotoxins remain in the environment even once the mold itself dies. The mycotoxins enter humans by inhalation, ingestion or by touch through our skin. Our bodies will attempt to eliminate these toxins quickly, but whatever the body is unable to remove may accumulate and can cause inflammation, immune disruption and irritation to the organs the toxins are stored in.

Identifying if a person is suffering from mold exposure largely comes from a quality history by a physician trained in identifying mold sickness. A complete review of all body systems should be taken, with additional questions to help identify source of exposure. There is specialized laboratory testing that will often need to be performed on the patient to analyze immune function, hormone levels, inflammation markers, and mycotoxin excretion. Patients that suffer from toxic mold sickness often have seen numerous physicians and specialists with no clear diagnosis or resolution of their symptoms. They begin to seek answers either on the internet or with practitioners that have been trained in a different model of care, such as naturopathic doctors. Our buildings have history, and it is not always clear to us what the past entailed regarding water damage and subsequent mold growth. To learn more about mold and resources available to those adversely affected by mold, visit iseai.org/patientresources.

Dr. Krystal Tellier is a physician trained to treat those affected by environmentally acquired illnesses, such as mold and Lyme disease. Dr. Tellier practices at Health for Life Naturopathic Medicine in North Phoenix at 40th Street and Bell Road. Learn more at HealthForLifeND.com.

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