Author: Dr. Gary Huber

Treating Cold & Flu is best accomplished with early and aggressive measures to stimulate a healthy immune system response. Here is a list of my "Go To" solutions.

Cold & Flu Season Supportive Elements – Kids & Adults

KIDS

 

Moducare Chewable

Comprised of plant sterols that work to increase the responsiveness of the immune system. Natural killer (NK) cells in our immune system hunt down invading infections and devour them Moducare increases the activity of Natural Killer cells to enhance surveillance and also reduce inflammation.

  • Prevention: 1-2 chewable tablets taken away from food.
  • Treatment: 2-3 chewable tablets taken away from food.

 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is strongly supportive of our immune function and has been shown to reduce the occurrence of colds and even shorten their duration. Vitamin C increase production of white cells and killer cells that attack infections. It also modulates prostaglandin synthesis decreasing inflammation.

  • Prevention: Capsules can be opened and mixed with food, drink, or smoothie.
    • 2-6 years old – 500 mg per day
    • 7-12 years old – 500 mg given twice per day
    • teenagers – 500 mg given three time per day, or divided into twice daily
  • Treatment: simply double the above doses. Large amounts of vitamin C may cause diarrhea. If this occurs there is no cause for alarm, simply reduce the dose.

 

Vitamin D3

High dose vitamin D has been used in controlled studies and shown to be exceedingly safe and remarkably effective. It up regulates naturally occurring anti-microbial peptides that attack infection. It’s like your own internal antibiotic. We make vitamin D when our skin is exposed to the sun so clearly we are deficient during the winter months.

  • Prevention: this should be employed year round in support of health
    • Under 12 years of age - 2,000 IU/day
    • 12 years and older - 4,000 - 5,000 IU/day
  • Treatment: high dose, short term use during active infections
    • Under 12 yrs= 30,000 IU/day - for 5 days ONLY
    • 12 years and older - 60,000 IU/day - for 5 days ONLY

  

Ivy Calm Cough Syrup

Relieving cough to allow sleep without giving our kids codeine sedatives is important to any parent. Ivy Calm works very well to reduce cough and yet is safe for all ages. It is gluten, wheat, dairy, soy and corn free. Ivy leaf extract is a traditional ingredient that has been used for centuries to support bronchial health, soothe irritation, is an anti-spasmodic and helps clear bronchial passages.

  • Treatment: Take two to six times per day, as needed.
    • 2 to 5 years of age - 1 tsp orally
    • 6 years of age and older: 1 to 1 & 1/2 tsp orally

 

Imu-Max

Imu-Max is a combination of echinacea, one of the best-known botanical supplements used to boost the immune system, and propolis, a product of bee resin, which helps balance microbial activity and supports healthy inflammatory balance. It has been shown to strengthen antioxidant reserves and support the immune system in fending off infectious challenges. It has a pleasant berry flavor that's kids enjoy.

  • Prevention: intended for active treatment not prevention
  • Treatment:
    • Children up to 6 years old - ½ to 1 teaspoon twice per day
    • Children over 6 years old – 1 to 2 teaspoons twice per day

 

Andrographis (Virographis)

  • In clinical studies, andrographis was shown to decrease severity and duration of upper respiratory tract infections including influenza flu virus. It also relieves the inflammatory symptoms of sinusitis. Laboratory studies have found that andrographis increases white cell and natural killer cell activity and reduce symptom severity in people with the common cold.
  • Prevention: Employ this approach when there is infection within the household or the close community such as school and neighborhood.
    • Under 12 years old – take 1 capsule per day. Open capsule and mix with food, drink or in a smoothie.
    • 12 years old thru adults – take 2 capsules per day
  • Treatment:
    • Under 12 years – 3-4 capsules per day, in divided doses.
    • 12 years old thru adults – 6-8 capsules per day, in divided doses.

  

ADULTS

 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is strongly supportive of our immune function and has been shown to reduce the occurrence of colds and even shorten their duration. Vitamin C increase production of white cells and killer cells that attack infections. It also modulates prostaglandin synthesis decreasing inflammation.

  • Prevention: good idea throughout the winter season
    • Capsules 500 mg – 2 capsules twice per day
    • Buffered Vitamin C powder – ½ tsp mixed in water once daily
  • Treatment:
    • Capsules 500 mg – 2 capsules 3 to 4 times per day
    • Buffered Vitamin C powder – ½ tsp mixed in water 2 to 3 times per day
  • Caution - Large amounts of vitamin C may cause diarrhea. If this occurs there is no cause for alarm, simply reduce the dose.

 

Vitamin D3

High dose vitamin D has been used in controlled studies and shown to be exceedingly safe and remarkably effective. It up regulates naturally occurring anti-microbial peptides that attack infection. It’s like your own internal antibiotic. We make vitamin D when our skin is exposed to the sun so clearly we are deficient during the winter months.

  • Prevention: this should be employed year round in support of health
    • 5000 IU daily. Be sure to have your blood level measured at some point as this is a fat-soluble vitamin and you can accumulate too much.
  • Treatment: high dose, short term use during active infections
    • 20,000 IU three time per day (total of 60,000 IU/day) - for 5 days ONLY
    • This short term high dose use is exceedingly safe.

 

Andrographis (Virographis)   **contraindicated in pregnancy**

In clinical studies, andrographis was shown to decrease severity and duration of upper respiratory tract infections including influenza flu virus. It also relieves the inflammatory symptoms of sinusitis. Laboratory studies have found that andrographis increases white cell and natural killer cell activity and reduce symptom severity in people with the common cold.

  • Prevention: Employ this approach when there is infection within the household or the close community such as school and neighborhood.
    • Adults – take 2 capsules per day
  • Treatment of active infection:
    • Adults – take 6-8 capsules per day

  

Ivy Calm Cough Syrup

Ivy Calm works very well to reduce cough and is safe for all ages. It is non-sedating and does not contain any gluten, wheat, dairy, soy or corn. Ivy leaf extract is a traditional ingredient that has been used for centuries to support bronchial health, soothe irritation, is an anti-spasmodic and helps clear bronchial passages.

  • Treatment: Take 1 to 2 tsp orally, two to six times per day, as needed.

 

Moducare

Comprised of plant sterols that work to increase the responsiveness of the immune system. Natural killer (NK) cells in our immune system hunt down invading infections and devour them Moducare increases the activity of Natural Killer cells to enhance surveillance and also reduce inflammation.

  • Prevention: 2 capsules taken daily away from food.
  • Treatment: 3 capsules taken twice daily (6 total) away from food.

 

Oscillococcinum

This is a well-known homeopathic approach to cold and flu prevention. Works to relieve flu-like symptoms such as body aches, headache, fever, chills and fatigue. Also can be used as a preventative element.

  • Prevention: ½ of contents in the tube
  • Treatment: ½ to 1 tubes three time per day

 

 

WholeMune

We recommend that you use this specific product anytime you are on an antibiotic to improve the effectiveness of the antibiotic kill rate. This specific beta glucan was proven in human clinical trials to prepare and protect the immune system from repeated and ongoing stressors. This product contains 75 % pure beta glucan and is considered the most effective single nutrient to naturally prime immune cells and significantly boost immune defense.

  • Treatment: 1 capsule daily. You might try increasing the dose to 1 capsule twice daily for the first 3 days to accelerate your recovery

 

Reboost

A homeopathic nasal spray used for the relief of nasal congestion, sinus headache and pressure, and cold/flu nasal symptoms. Does not contain ingredients known to cause drowsiness or rebound effect.

  • Treatment: 2 sprays to each nostril every 4 hours

 

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