Are You Ready For Flu Season?

The Influenza virus, or the flu, rears its ugly head each fall and winter causing distress in the form of work loss, missed school days, and many symptoms throughout the whole body. Are you ready?

The following are 10 ways to prevent viral infections.

1. Stress management – Our body can only handle so much stress before it becomes weaker and more susceptible to illnesses and infection. It is imperative to find a way to manage our stress if we are to remain healthy. Yoga, meditation, prayer, biofeedback, exercise, etc are all some effective methods. Make sure to find one that works for you.
2. A diet of quality food – Food provides our cells with the necessary information to function optimally. Whatever foods you choose to eat try to eat the highest quality food possible. Organic produce, free-range meat, whole grains, and healthy fats all provide the body what it needs to be healthy
3. Wash your hands - Your mom was right.
   
4. Stay hydrated – Our cells are mostly water and need to be hydrated to be healthy and strong. A quality spring water or filtered water is vital, so find a good source and drink to your health.
5. Avoid Sugar – Processed white sugar and other processed foods containing sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or sugar substitutes like Splenda are all damaging to the immune system. Numerous studies have shown negative effects of sugar on the white blood cells and other immune cells.
6. Echinacae angustafolia – this herb really shines when it comes to preventing the flu. It is important to take at the first inkling of flu symptoms. It will reduce the symptoms caused by the immune systems response to the flu virus. A tincture form is very effective and must be taken frequently and in high doses for optimal results. 2 full droppers of tincture every 2 hours should do the trick. It can also be taken when there are no symptoms. Take 5 drops of tincture in 1 liter of water daily.
7. Vitamin C– Known for many years for its role in enhancing immunity and reducing symptoms of the flu, vitamin C should be taken regularly for health maintenance. 1500 mg per day as a base dose and increasing to bowel tolerance (usually 5,000 – 8,000 mg) when sick.
8. Fish Oil– Quality fats are important for cellular health and for helping the body with inflammation. The Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil are essential for overall health maintenance.
9. Probiotics – Intestinal bacteria play a big role in our immune system. In fact it is estimated that 70% of our immune system is located in our gut. Supporting the gut will support the immune system and reduce the symptoms of the flu.
10. Maintain healthy adrenal glands – Our adrenal glands are in charge of our stress response also known as our fight or flight response. Our hectic lifestyles put a huge burden on them and over time, they often don’t work very well. By supporting them with B vitamins, magnesium, and herbs like Ashwaghanda, Licorice, Holy Basil, and Eleutrococcus, they will assist us in dealing with stress more efficiently.

Now obviously we cannot always prevent the symptoms of viral illnesses like the flu. Even though we do all the “right things” we may get sick. This is not the end of the world. Remember that our immune system is amazing and will help us get well again. Here are 7 suggestions to assist the body in its healing efforts.

1. Decrease the food you consume - Digestion is a lot of work for the body and a body that is sick needs all the help it can get. Eat only light and easy to digest foods like broths, steamed vegetables, and steamed rice. Your grandmother’s suggestion of chicken soup is another great idea.
2. Stay hydrated – It is extremely important to keep your fluids up. Avoid caffeine and sugary drinks like coffee, soda and sports drinks as they can depress the immune system. Stick to fresh water and herbal teas.
3. Do NOT suppress a fever. Although it is an uncomfortable symptom of the flu, a fever is the body raising its temperature to heal itself. A fever in the range 99.5-104.5°F is a normal response. Watch the fever carefully, keep well hydrated, and do not give food. A tepid bath or cold washcloth can be used to lower the fever slightly if you are worried.
4. Homeopathic remedies– the most popular remedy is Occillococcinum. Take 3 pellets at the first hint of flu and 3 pellets every 3 hours after until you feel better. There are many other effective remedies so don’t hesitate to request help finding an effective one.
5. Chinese medicine– A commonly used Chinese patent formula is Yin Chaio. This one also needs to be taken at the first hint of flu.
6. Herbal medicine – The following herbs are great for viral infections. It is by no means a complete list. They can be taken together or separately. For best results in reducing the symptoms of the flu take frequently (every 2-3 hours). Echinacae (as mentioned above), Elderberry, Olive Leaf, Lomatium, and Reishi mushroom.
7. Warming Socks – This is a great Naturopathic hydrotherapy treatment to enhance the immune system. To do this wonderful treatment find a pair of old cotton socks and get them wet. Ring them out thoroughly and put them on your feet. Cover them with wool socks and go to bed. In the morning you will find them dry and hopefully you will feel better. Do this as many nights as necessary.

The immune systems is truly incredible and can handle most common viral infections fairly easily. The bottom line is to be proactive about your health and wellness. By taking the steps above you will minimize the symptoms of the flu and move through the winter months with ease.

Dr. Matt's New Year's 2012 Detox Program

Program Details

• Most experts agree that 21 days is the time needed to establish new habits and behavior patterns, so the program will be 21 days long. After all, we want lasting health changes, not just temporary ones.

• We will meet weekly as a group. During these meetings Dr. Reddy will present on topics like proper detoxification, blood sugar balance, and hormone regulation. It will also be a time to support each other and get your questions answered. We will meet a total of 4 times as a group: once to provide an overview of the program, twice during the program, and once at the end. Meeting topics will be included in the detox program packet which will be given to those who sign up for the program.

• There will be two locations for the program. One at my office in Centennial, and another in Boulder. The first meeting for the Centennial group will be Thursday, January 12th and then each Thursday after for the next 3 weeks. The first meeting for the Boulder group will be Tuesday, January 10th and then each Tuesday after for the next 3 weeks. The Centennial group will meet at 6:00 pm and the meetings will last until approximately 7:30 pm. The Boulder group meeting location and time will be announced shortly.

• We'll be using a state-of-the-art detox formula called Ultra Clear Plus from the company Metagenics to support the liver's detox pathways. This product is patented specifically for detoxification. It one of the best ways to safely and effectively support the body in cleansing and detoxifying.

• Over the 3 week program you will receive instructions on the use of the Ultra Clear Plus, detailed meal plans, recipes, and tips to build a foundation for healthy eating.

Participant Testimonials:

"The problem with liquid fasts is that they leave you weak and non-functioning, and the problem with do-it-yourself detoxes is that no one's around to call you out when you cheat! Dr. Matt's cleanse combines clean eating with a super effective detox product. It got me back on track with my eating habits and I even lost a few pounds. And I didn't cheat...because I knew I'd have to report back to the group. Now THAT'S effective."
- SS, psychotherapist and holistic nutritionist

"I really appreciate how non-judgmental this detox approach was. In the past on diets or while detoxing I never felt normal for enjoying food- good or bad- it was more a sense that I had to endure good foods (even though I like them) and sacrifice every treat or as Matt put it- indulgence- for the good of my health. Any deviation from the ideal diet was condemnation and I would be forever cursed with body issues for lack of strict adherence to a rigid plan. While this plan is quite detailed it is also simple enough that I can easily incorporate the principles of it, remembering that a connection to food is fun! It made me all the more aware of the things I eat and the benefits that can be reaped from a wholesome diet, rather than fearing dire shameful consequences of occasionally treating myself to something enjoyable (however not strictly on the plan it might be). I"m so grateful for the chance to have participated! Thanks Dr. Matt!"
-HB

"I would recommend this Detox plan to anyone who wants to change their current health condition. I feel really good. I have lost weight (12lbs in 21 DAYS) not by dieting, but simply by eating more often, and choosing good, healthy, "unprocessed" foods. During the process I was sluggish...and was a little sad that I was not experiencing a greater lift of energy however, I now realize that between the diet and the cleansing product my body was working overtime getting rid of toxins (which was the whole point of the plan). Now that I'm off of the cleanse...and working on my maintenance regime, I have realized the energy that I was expecting during the process. I'm pleased with the results and have decided to do this 3 times a year. Thanks Dr. Matt."
-SB

"Working with Dr. Matt (Reddy) was a great experience. I learned a lot about what my body wants and needs and made some changes that work for me. The program impacted several different areas of my life, all in beneficial ways. Our meetings were always informative and fun. Matt allowed me to be focused and goal-oriented while giving me the space to be accepting and conscious about the myself and my choices."
-IJ

"My co-workers and family members are impressed that I went through this program and I continue to practice good eating habits. I am proud that I did it for myself."
-CD

(Individual results will vary.)

Cost of the program:

• Existing patients of Dr. Reddy's - $297

• New patients - $327

• Student price - $247

• Price of the program includes 2 canisters of Ultra Clear Plus, 4 group meetings, and custom meal plans and recipes. Total value - $540..

• Payment plans are available.
  

Space is limited so don't delay!

Register by December 16, 2011 and save $75!**

Deadline for final registration is 9:00 pm January 6, 2012.

**Student price not eligible for early discount

To register and for more details, including payment plans and payment options, please email Dr. Reddy directly at drmattreddy@gmail.com. Let's work together to reach your 2012 health goals.

The # 1 Most Effective Way To Detox: And Why It's Crucial To Your Health

My grandfather hated to paint walls. He felt the whole process was too labor intensive and boring. So when he designed and built his house, he created it with only a few walls that needed to be painted. The rest were exposed brick and the ever-popular wood paneling. (Now don't hold the wood paneling against him. It was the late 1960's and wood paneling was the craze). And it suited him perfectly.

Recently I was thinking about his dislike for painting walls. Underneath this odd quirk lies some wisdom. My grandfather knew that painting a room is not something to take lightly. It's work. And as I pondered this in the context of detox, I realized that properly detoxifying the body to restore health is very similar to painting a room. How long the new paint lasts and how it looks on the wall is a direct result of room preparation before painting begins. If the walls are not cleaned, old paint not scraped off, edges not taped, and walls not primed, the new paint will not last. It may look nice at first, but as time goes on the same old dreary look will return, paint will chip, and you will wonder if you even painted at all. Conversely, if the walls are cleaned, scraped, taped, and primed, the room will look magnificent for many years.

This analogy holds true with health as well. Treating only the symptoms is like painting over unprepared walls. It offers results for a brief time, but the results don’t last. Symptoms will keep returning and more and more “paint” (drugs/supplements) will have to be applied to deal with them. The more time spent preparing the body and cleaning out the cause of an illness, the more likely the results will last. Detoxifying the body this way will ensure that symptoms will disappear and not return.

All cells produce metabolic waste that must be eliminated from the body. In addition to cellular waste, we must deal with a world that is polluted and becoming more polluted everyday. Our world is so polluted it no longer is a question of if our bodies have toxins in them. The question now is how many toxins are present? These toxins are in food (pesticides, herbicides, heavy metals, pharmaceutical drugs, etc), in water (pesticides, herbicides, hormones, etc), and in the air (carbon monoxide, inhalants, solvents, etc). They all must be processed and eliminated. Fortunately, our bodies have amazing systems of detoxification designed to process these toxins and excrete them from the body.

The major way our body eliminates toxins is through the bile. It seems to be the foundation from which health can be restored. My patients know that we use four main supplements to enhance the production of bile: Taurine, Lecithin, Cod Liver Oil, and plant sterols, which are virtually impossible to obtain from our diets alone. For a more detailed look at these supplements click here. In our analogy of painting a room, enhancing bile flow is the prep work needed to ensure the painted wall lasts.

So what happens when we start preparing the walls for paint? Anyone who has ever done this knows that you often create quite a mess. The room is in disarray, plastic is everywhere, and dust and paint chips litter the floor. You've basically stirred things up and disrupted the status quo. If we quit as soon as we create this mess, the walls never get painted.

Like this disrupted room, our body's status quo is also shaken as we start to improve the bile flow and detox. Often uncomfortable symptoms like headaches, nausea, and diarrhea arise. We may think that something is wrong, that the supplements are making us sick, or that we want to quit. While these responses are understandable, it is vital to understand what is actually happening. Your body is waking up and you are in the process of creating lasting results.

Everyone reacts uniquely to the process of healing. As I've explained before, healing is not a quick or linear process. Just like painting a room, it requires work. However, by enhancing bile flow, we prepare the body for "paint." Our symptoms improve, the body heals, and the end result is a newly "painted room" that lasts.

Or you could just go with wood paneling.