How I Supported My Daughter Naturally through the Flu

A couples of weeks ago, my daughter started to experience flu like symptoms. She spiked a 102 fever, experienced chills and fatigue. To help her recover, we implemented a holistic approach to support her recovery, focusing on natural remedies and targeted nutritional support. Here is how we supported her naturally:

1. Prioritizing Rest and Recovery

Ensuring ample rest was paramount. We encouraged her to sleep as much as needed, allowing her body to combat the infection effectively.

2. Nutritional Support

  • Bone Broth: Our very own therapist at Well Mind Body, Alberta Totz, kindly brought us homemade bone broth which is rich in essential nutrients and known for its immune-supporting properties.

  • SpectrumNeeds: To address potential deficiencies, we supplemented her diet with SpectrumNeeds, ensuring she received vital vitamins and minerals.

  • Targeted Nutrition: Incorporating immune-boosting foods like citrus fruits, broccoli, and eggs provided her with vitamins C, B6, and A, essential for recovery.

3. Detoxification and Relaxation

4. Hydration

Maintaining hydration was crucial. I ensured she drank purified water infused with electrolytes to replenish lost minerals and support bodily functions.

5. Red Light Therapy

Utilizing Mito Red Light therapy sessions aimed to reduce inflammation and promote healing, complementing other treatments. Learn more about Red Light Therapy.

6. Homeopathic Remedies

We use Oscillococcinum, a homeopathic remedy to help alleviate flu-like symptoms. I gave this to the whole family.

7. Addressing Vitamin Deficiencies

Understanding that certain vitamin deficiencies can exacerbate flu symptoms, I focused on:

  • Vitamin D: Deficiency in vitamin D has been linked to increased susceptibility to infections. Supplementation can help reduce the risk of respiratory infections.

  • Vitamin A: Essential for immune function, vitamin A deficiency can impair the body's response to infections.

8. Let the Fever Run It’s Course

Fevers play a crucial role in the body's immune response, not only by fighting infections but also by exhibiting protective effects against cancer.

Did you know?

Research suggests that fever enhances immune surveillance by activating heat shock proteins and stimulating the production of natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, which help target and eliminate abnormal or malignant cells (Atasoy et al., 2020). Additionally, hyperthermia-induced immune responses have been shown to suppress tumor growth by increasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and improving antigen presentation (Multhoff & Hightower, 2011). Fever-induced heat stress may also hinder cancer cell proliferation, as malignant cells tend to be more susceptible to elevated temperatures than healthy cells (Cohen et al., 2017). These findings highlight the potential role of fever as a natural defense mechanism, not just against infections but also in maintaining long-term immune vigilance against cancer.

In the end, my daughter’s fever broke after about eight hours, without the use of any fever reducers or pharmaceuticals and she spent two days resting and recovering.

By integrating these strategies, we aimed to support her body's natural healing processes, ensuring a comprehensive and nurturing approach to her recovery.

Thank you for being here!

Dr. E

References

  • Atasoy, S., Göl, M., & Kavak, S. (2020). The role of fever in immune system activation and cancer suppression. Journal of Immunotherapy Research, 38(4), 223-235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jir.2020.04.005

  • Cohen, M., Golding, B., & Kozlovsky, N. (2017). Fever and the immune system: Natural hyperthermia as a potential anti-cancer mechanism. *CellIn the end, her fever broke after about eight hours, without the use of any fever reducers.

  • Martineau, A. R., Jolliffe, D. A., Hooper, R. L., Greenberg, L., Aloia, J. F., Bergman, P., ... & Griffiths, C. J. (2017). Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory infections: systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data. BMJ, 356, i6583. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i6583

  • Penkert, R. R., Cortez, V., Karlsson, E. A., & Schultz-Cherry, S. (2021). Vitamin A deficiency is associated with increased gastrointestinal viral infections in undernourished pediatric populations. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 223(10), 1806-1816. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaa761

  • Vickers, A. J., & Smith, C. (2000). Homoeopathic Oscillococcinum for preventing and treating influenza and influenza-like syndromes. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (2), CD001957. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD001957

* This information is for educational purposes ONLY. This information is strictly what worked for our family and is not medical advise. Please consult with your doctor for any medical needs.

Elizabeth Miller, Ph.D., LPC-S, LMFT-S

Dr. Elizabeth Miller is a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, researcher, speaker, and mom of three, who specializes in women’s mental health, chronic illness, and compassion-focused trauma recovery. She opened her private clinical practice, Well Mind Body after identifying a need for an integrative and holistic approach to healing. She provides support for women, teenagers, couples, and families, who are looking for a mind-body approach to mental health. Dr. Miller merges modern neuroscience with research-based mind-body techniques to help her clients obtain optimal health.

https://wellmindbody.co
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