Tips for healthy holiday travels

‘TAKE 3’ STEPS TO HELP PREVENT THE FLU

• The single best way to prevent the flu is to get an annual flu vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone age 6 months and older get vaccinated each year. The best time to get vaccinated is early fall, as soon as the vaccine is available. However, vaccination in December or even later is still beneficial because the virus that causes influenza circulates throughout the season. It's also important to remember that it can take two to four weeks to develop immunity after receiving the flu vaccine. This year, there are more vaccine options available than ever before. Regardless of the type of vaccine that is received, it is important to get vaccinated every year.
• To stop the spread of germs, use everyday preventive actions like frequent hand washing and avoiding touching your nose, mouth and eyes. When washing your hands, use soap and water and scrub hands and wrists for about 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, an alcohol-based sanitizer also can be used to help wash away germs. Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Immediately dispose of any tissues used. Do not leave them lying around.
• For those who get sick, take flu antiviral medications if your doctor prescribes them. When taken within 48 hours of symptoms, prescription antiviral medications can help to reduce the severity and duration of flu symptoms. They also may prevent serious complications. Prescription antiviral medications also can be given to individuals exposed to influenza to prevent infection from developing.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Mix winter travel with the anxiety that usually comes with the holidays and you’ve got the perfect brew for spreading the cold and flu viruses.

To help you stay healthy during your holiday travels, Dr. Yolanda Wade, a Tyrone primary care physician, and Andrea Donsky, a Canadian registered nutritionist, offered their best tips.

For starters, they suggested these five carry-on must-haves: a natural stress reliever and cold preventer, medicine, healthy snacks and sanitary wipes.

“Travelers are more susceptible to colds and flu since they are at times in closed quarters,” Wade said. “With that in mind, it’s a good idea to keep Oscillo in one’s carry-on bags. It’s natural, non-drowsy and no one has to worry about it interacting with other medicines. It’s also safe for children over the age of 2.”

Oscillococcinum, a homeopathic flu remedy, is widely available at national drugstore and grocery chains.

The right nutrients also can help, providing the body with the support it needs to get us through stressful times, Donsky said.

And since you aren’t likely to pack chicken soup, Donsky said don’t leave home without a natural cold remedy.

“Equipping yourself with nutrient-dense foods while traveling can satisfy you, and stop you from binging on high-calorie, high-fat foods while rushing through airports,” Donsky said. “A good stock of healthy snacks such as SOLO energy bars, dried coconut chips, and chickpea crunches also prepares you for any travel delays.”

And don’t forget sanitary wipes, she said, for wiping down video screens, trays and hands.

For more specifics, read on:

To relieve stress

• B vitamins: Help to build and maintain a healthy nervous system. Crucial for carbohydrate metabolism and memory. We deplete them when we are under stress.

• Magnesium: Known as the "anti-stress" mineral, as it relaxes tight muscles and restores inner balance. It also improves sleep and activates B vitamins. Men: 400g / Women: 310mg

To prevent colds and flu

• Oreganol P73: With oregano oil's antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal properties, it acts as a natural antibiotic that is quickly absorbed and utilized by the body, fighting infection.

• Colloidal silver: A natural antibiotic that's great for eye, ear and throat infections.

• Probiotics: Also known as "good bacteria," having a beneficial effect on our immune system and overall health. Up to 80 percent of our immune system is in our gut, so maintaining a proper balance of good to bad bacteria is crucial for keeping us healthy.

• Oscillo: When symptoms do hit, try to nip them in the bud. This homeopathic medicine works naturally with the body rather than suppressing symptoms. Clinical studies show that Oscillococcinum, a 65-year-old French standard, not only reduces the severity of flulike symptoms, such as body aches, fever and fatigue, but also the duration when taken early on. The moment you feel achy or rundown, take quickly before symptoms get worse. For more information: www.oscillo.com/about/    

For a healthy snack