Flu viruses mutate and evolve rapidly. For this reason, new and slightly different viral strains appear all the time. The differences among these new strains often include changes in coat proteins. It is the coat protein that you are given when you are vaccinated and that is what your immune system recognizes as an invader. So if a given flu mutates from the original that you were vaccinated against, then your immune system won't recognize it and therefore the vaccine would be ineffective. When this happens, the immune response must mount a defense from scratch, and the virus often has enough time to make you sick before you can effectively fight it off. Each year starting back in January scientists make preparations for the next flu vaccine. The vaccine they finally develop is geared to protect you from 3 different strains of flu. Scientists must decide what 3 strains to include, out of thousands of reported cases sent from all over the world. If the wrong combination of flu viruses are chosen for the vaccine, or the flu mutates from the original by the time flu season appears, then the vaccine may not be effective.

So whether you choose to have a flu vaccine or not, It is a very wise choice to evaluate your immune system and start building it now.

Test your Immune Systems strength: The following test will help to give you an idea as to how strong your immune system is. Check off all that pertains to you.

___ Fatigue on a daily basis
___ Inflamed or bleeding gums
___ Reoccurring colds all winter
___ Slow recovery from colds or flu (lasts more than 4 days)
___ Poor wound healing
___ Swollen lymph glands
___ Allergies, sinus or food type
___ Colds usually go into your lungs
___ Joint or muscle inflammation, such as arthritis or fibromyalgia
___ Reoccurring cold sores or fever blisters
___ Tendency to get boils or sties
___ Antibiotic use more than once a year
___ History of yeast or bladder infections
___ Constipation (less than 2 bowel movements daily)
___ History of heart disease, diabetes, or other chronic disease.

Score: If you marked more than 2 of these your immune system strength is being compromised, the more you marked off the weaker your immune system is, and the more susceptible you are to colds and the flu.

Build your Immune System Supplement Plan:

The following supplements were chosen for their immune supporting properties and because they are particularly effective against the flu viruses. If you are at a low risk use the smaller recommended dose, if you are at a greater risk use a larger recommended dose.

Elderberry Defense #868-5 Elderberry has long been used to prevent colds. It has a mild diuretic and laxative function and helps to clear toxins from the system. This action helps to prevent the common cold by changing the environment of your body. Elderberry Defense is high in the vitamins A and C which help to build your immune system. It contains two active ingredients that actually help prevent the flu from taking hold in your body, by inhibiting the enzyme that the influenza virus uses to penetrate into your cells.

In addition this formula adds echinacea, royal jelly and olive leaf, all of which strengthen and build the immune system and help fight viruses. Adults can take anywhere from 2-6 per day, and children can take anywhere from 1-4 daily. Children can also take the Chewable Elderberry formula #3300-9 at 2-6 per day.

Combine Elderberry with Astragalus

Astragalus #40-1 This herb is commonly used for viral infections, it is know to shorten the duration and severity of the common cold, and builds resistance to the flu virus. Astragalus helps to build chronically weak lungs, and is excellent to recover the body's energy after treatment from chemotherapy or radiation. 1-3 capsules daily in combination with the Elderberry defense mentioned above.

Bifidophilus Flora Force #4080-4 The balance of friendly bacteria in your digestive tract are critical to the strength of your immune system. 60% of your immune system function comes from the intestinal tract. Antibiotics kill the good bacteria that reside in the intestinal tract it is important that we build up the friendly bacteria level. 1-2 capsules daily, 3-6 per day for 2 weeks following the use of an antibiotic. Keep refrigerated. Capsules can be emptied into a spoonful of yogurt for children, they taste like sugar. Or give them 1 per day of the chewable =

L-Reuteri # 1559-0

To Fight the Cold or Flu…

Despite all your preparation, if you come in contact with a cold or flu virus your body will have to fight it. If you are someone with a weak immune system then you will need some help to do this successfully. At the first signs that you are fighting off a virus you can start taking Colloidal Silver #4074-7, it is simply the most powerful natural antibiotic/antiviral available. It is virtually nontoxic and can be taken by children, babies, and pregnant women. I consider it essential to have in your natural medicine cabinet all winter. Colloidal silver attacks pathogens differently than synthetic antibiotics. It reacts with the bacteria's cell wall inhibiting oxygen transfer into the cell which then suffocates the bacteria or virus and kills it. Because of this mechanism there is virtually no way for the pathogen to develop a resistance to the silver.

Adults and children take 2 teaspoons. 3-4 times daily for 3-5 days. Small children or babies could take a bit less.

It is also very beneficial to add 500-1000mg. Of Vitamin C every few hours to this program.

Influenza Remedy #8770-9 This homeopathic formula is used to help relieve the symptoms associated with the flu such as stomach and abdominal pain, body aches, chills, fever, bronchitis, cough and thirst. Take 10–15 drops under the tongue every 10–15 minutes, as directed on the label.

Elderberry Combination - mentioned above should be increased in dose when you notice the first signs of a cold, like itchy throat or runny nose. I take 3-4 capsules 3-4 times daily this usally stops the cold in a couple days. Sinus Support EF #1250-3 would be another alternative to use for these symptoms. this formula would have added bennefit if you thought spring allergies were adding to the symptoms. For children that can't swallow capsules you could use CC-A with Yerba Santa liquid #3165-0 or extra chewable elderberry.

Antioxidant alert! If you do not eat at least 5-7 fruit and vegetable servings on a daily basis you need more antioxidants to keep your immune system strong. If you scored well on the test above then taking a multiple vitamin and mineral formula like Super Supplemental Vitamin and Mineral # 1792-7, which provides some antioxidants should be enough. But if you scored poorly, with a weak immune system improve your diet by adding more vegetables and a couple fruit servings daily. While you are working on improving the diet add an antioxidant source such as Defense Maintenance #1654-5 at 1-3 daily. I give our children ages 6 and 9 one per day as they don't eat enough fruits and vegetables. Another children's choice could be Chewable Antioxidants plus Grapine #3301-5. For a liquid choice of Antioxidants for the whole family you could use Thai-Go #4095-1, Noni juice # 4042-7, or Aloe Vera juice #1680-4.

Special Notes:

Cut back on sugar consumption, get you and your children off sugary breakfast food. A single Coke depresses your immune systems white cells by 90% for 5 hours!

Start exercising regularly - Regular moderate exercise reduces stress, and boosts the activity of the immune system.