QUESTION: Since I'm unable to obtain my annual flu shot, what are some things I can do for prevention?

ANSWER: It's important to understand this concept: we don't catch colds and flu - they catch us when our resistance is low. As always, be wary of information from the mass media. The recent hype and scare tactics regarding the flu shot shortage rivals the recent presidential election. I'm not sure if their behavior stems from pharmaceutical influence or if they are just instilling fear to keep us watching and listening. You'll notice they typically refer to the great flu epidemic of 1918. That no doubt was a tremendous tragedy; however, it's equally important to note that hundreds of millions of people survived. In all epidemics, only a small percentage of those infected perish. I truly believe that if you strengthen your resistance you not only have a greater chance of surviving an infection but also avoiding them altogether. There are good arguments both pro and con regarding flu shots. As I've stated in previous articles, I insist society maintains freedom of choice on this subject.

Strengthening and maintaining resistance is multifaceted. Genetics no doubt plays a part but much less than most think. The following suggestions are based not only on my observations of thousands of patients over the last 20 years, but also the habits my family and I strive for.

#1. Wear a hat outdoors. Approximately 40% of our body heat is lost through the scalp. Any lowering of body temperature can weaken our immune system. If you are worried about the dreaded “hat hair”, or have a child who consistently loses hats, consider a hooded coat as a close alternative.

#2. Monitor the humidity level in your home. Low air moisture is common in closed heated environments. Many viruses love to make their attack through the mucous membranes of our mouth, nose and eyes. If these membranes are even slightly dry, you are inviting them in. A humidifier hooked directly to the furnace with a humidistat is the best defense. An alternative is to set out one or two pans of water in frequently used rooms, especially sleeping quarters. Check the inside lower corners of your windows on cold mornings, proper humidity leaves a minor amount of condensation there. At the very least make sure you are drinking adequate water -- 6 or 8 glasses daily.

#3. Take multivitamin/mineral supplements daily. The hard-line stance of “getting all you need from the food you eat” is rapidly becoming antiquated. This is particularly true if you partake in fast food restaurants and highly processed and preserved “corporate grown” foods. Make sure the supplements you buy are organic not synthetic. Synthetic supplements being made by mixing chemicals, are less expensive, poorly absorbed, and called “bed pan bullets” by nurses because they frequently pass though our systems intact. Organic supplements; derived and concentrated from actual food, cost more, but are highly absorbable. Vitamin C is the most important vitamin for the immune system. Dr. Linus Pauling, world renowned vitamin expert, says the average adult needs minimally 2000 mg. daily. Because vitamin C is highly water soluble, its washed out of the body rapidly, so I suggest the use of timed release vitamin C capsules.

#4. Slow down. Most health problems are self induced. Weak immunity is frequently the result of an overburdened lifestyle. Take time to organize your responsibilities by making a list and then prioritize them. Make sure one of the top priorities is plenty of sleep and relaxation time. Living in this world does not require being a part of the madness to over achieve, over produce, and over acquire each other. Strive for inner peace. You will know you are getting there when you find yourself choosing your own direction instead of following others.

#5. Get regular chiropractic treatment. Research has shown a close relationship between the immune system and the nervous system. Chiropractic aims to maintain a proper functioning nervous system through spinal adjustments. A recent study shows a rapid rise in T cells following manipulation. T cells are the immune equivalent of packman, they gobble up the bad guys that get into our systems. Many chiropractic patients report fewer infections and faster recovery from colds and flu.

#6. Cheer up. Emotional strength and a sense of humor do a lot for stronger resistance. The mind/brain is a lot like a computer - garbage in equals garbage out. Be selective in what your watching on TV and reading. I believe most people are allowing themselves to be exposed to excessive news from mass media sources. Try avoiding it for better pursuits. You'll find you haven't missed much. Spiritual faith must be mentioned here. Ask yourself, are you growing spiritually? I find an endless source of growth in daily Bible reading and studying the life of Jesus.

#7. Clean up your insides. One of my professors gave this illustration, “if a dirty and full garbage can is infested with flies and maggots, you can kill them (and half the birds) with an insecticide, but unless you empty and clean out the can then the flies and maggots will keep coming back.” This is a good analogy to the human infection/antibiotic problem. I believe we are all a little toxic, some more than others. The toxins come from pollution in the environment, chemicals at work or home, poor quality food containing pesticides, fertilizers, preservatives and artificial colorings/flavorings. You are even more toxic if you indulge in smoking or recreational drugs. A big but overlooked source of toxins is residue from medications that are lodged in body tissues. If you suspect you are mildly toxic, consider a short ,water only, fast for no more than 3 days. Doing this the first week of every January gives you a great start for the new year. If you suspect heavier toxicity I suggest following a program called Ultraclear which is available from a company called Nutrition Dynamics. They can be reached at 1-800-444-9998.

Stronger resistance is the solution to preventing infections. Taking personal responsibility and making wise choices with the above mentioned suggestions will lead to a healthier more productive life.

* Dr. Thomas Potisk is a holistic chiropractor since 1985. He can be reached and welcomes your questions by calling 414-762-8441, emailing tpotisk@aol.com, or writing to 1333 College Ave., South Milwaukee, WI 53172.