Flu season is here: 10 ways to naturally protect yourself

Flu season is here and back with a vengeance.  Here are a 10 tips on how to protect yourself and build a spartan like army as your immune system.

1.)  Sleep - We all know how important sleep is but still many are sleep deprived.  We need at least 6 hours per night or we can go ahead and pretty much expect to get the flu.  Less than 6 hours of sleep makes us 30% immune deficient the next day.

2.)  Water - We are almost 70% water, water is mainly what our blood is composed of too.  We need plenty of water to transport vital nutrients to our cells.  Use this equation to prevent dehydration:

Your weight / 16 = The # of 8 oz. glasses of water you need to drink per day.

3.)  Wash hands often - Alright captain obvious so far this article is telling you nothing that you do not already know.  However, I could not make a top ten list without including the most important ways to avoid an infection and boost immunity.  Wash your hands often with anti-bacterial soap and avoid touching your face.

4.)  Amino Acids - These are the building blocks of protein synthesis.  Protein is what our immune system needs build cells that defeat foreign invaders.  Whether you are up againt the flu virus or something as tough as cancer you need to increase your amino acid intake to give your immune system enough ammo to fight a battle.  I recommend an amino acid called MAP (Master Amino Pattern) that is used by cancer patients as well as Tour de France cyclists to increase protein levels.

5.)  Proteolytic Enzymes - These enzymes digest protein and can be taken in two ways.  First, they can be used with food to digest protein and spare your bodies own proteolytic enzymes.  The more that we can spare our own natural source of these enzymes the more we will have for battling foreign invaders.  Second, we can use these enzymes away from food to digest bacteria and viruses.  When taken away from food they enter our bloodstream and target the protein rich wall of a viral/baterial infection and digest it/destroy it.

6.)  Exercise - Exercise not only boosts endorphin levels which makes you feel great but sweating will help empty the 70 trillion garbage cans in our body (cellular waste).  When fighting a foreign invader our cells accumulate waste that needs to be exited through the avenues of elimination (skin, liver, kidneys, bowels).  Making sure our garbage collectors are emptying their trash cans is important in detoxification.

7.)  Infrared Sauna - Dry heat is another great way to sweat especially if you are too sick to move and exercise.  Find a sauna and detox or build one at home for about $500 with some PVC pipe, tenting materials and infrared bulbs from home depot for a quick made detox center.

8.)  Butter - This superfood has such a bad rap but has many great qualities.  Butter is composed of lauric acid which is the same fat that is in breast milk.  We all know it may be a little awkward to ask a breast feeding mom for a glass of the good stuff so go ahead and buy a stick of butter and spare yourself some strange looks.  Lauric acid has an anti viral, anti bacterial and anti microbial effect that helps to build a strong immune system.  Look for organic butter from grass fed cows for your best option.

9.)  Reduce sugar intake - Sugar feeds bacteria and helps it thrive.  Starve an infection by reducing sugar intake.  Sugar provides energy and should not be eliminated but good choices of sugar are the way to go. Natural sugars are in fruit and vegetables as well as honey and molasses – they should be part of a healthy diet. Processed sugars such as white or brown sugar and corn syrup should be avoided or limited.  Cut back on sugar-loaded foods such as candy, baked goods, sugary cereals and sodas to reduce your cancer risk and help to improve your immune system.

10.)  Juice Plus+^® - I recommend this product for anyone looking to boost immunity.  This product is unlike many supplements because it has several unbiased peer reviewed scientific studies.  One of the studies showed Juice Plus+^® was associated with fewer number of days with at least moderate common cold symptoms.  There are also many studies supporting Juice Plus+^® and using it to increase immunity, increase anti oxidant capacity and help decrease oxidative stress from prolonged intense exercise.  It is a great way to get 17 different types of fruits and vegetables without the sugar.  It is also a great supplement for kids or anyone who does not get enough fruits and vegetables.

Here is the article on how Juice Plus+^® reduces common cold symptoms:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3023145/

If you have any questions about any of these recommendations or where to get them please email me at DrToddRodman@aim.com.

Best of luck in an illness free 2013,

Dr. Todd Rodman, DC CSCS

Reduce Cancer Diet

It has been a few years now since 3 people that 

I am close with were diagnosed with cancer in the 

same month.  I wanted to do all that I could to learn

about how to reduce the risk of cancer and help them 

beat cancer with nutrition.  My research led me to find a 

nutritionist named Pamela McDougle who uses the Kelley

Method to help many people get rid of tumors.  This 

information has been great for me to know but I would 

like to share it with all of you who may be interested.

Below are the dietary guidelines that she includes in her 

protocol.  There are also lifestyle changes and supplement 

recommendations that are extremely important especially if 

you are battling cancer.  This diet can help people without 

cancer. It is a great way to stay healthy and decrease your 

risk of getting this horrible disease.  If you have any 

questions or would like further information about the 

supplements and lifestyle modifications please feel free to 

contact me by email at DrToddRodman@aim.com or call our 

office at 561.313.9117. 

General diet guidelines

Vegetables: eat as many servings of that vegetables as you 

would like. There are no limits. Eat as much raw as possible.
Asparagus, avocado, artichoke, beets, broccoli, brussels 

sprouts, cabbage, carrots, Cauliflower, celery, collards, 

cucumbers, dark leafy lettuce, eggplant, escarole, garlic, 

kale, green and red peppers, leeks, onions, parsley, parsnips, 
radishes, rutabagas, sweet potatoes, spinach, sprouts, 

squash(all), turnips, tomatoes, yams.

Raw unpasteurized sauerkraut: Eat 1 tablespoon daily.
It may be ordered at gold mine 1–800-475–3663. 

Store-bought is heated and does not have the enzymes 

or lactic acid.

Nuts: almonds, Brazil nuts, filberts, pecans and walnuts.
Eat nuts raw, un-roasted without salt or sugar.
Please continue to eat 10 almonds at breakfast and at lunch.
(Note: two or 3 tablespoons of almond butter may be 

substituted for the almonds as long as the butter is raw.)

Soaking nuts and seeds in filtered water on the counter for

4 to 12 hours will release enzyme inhibitors and make them 

more digestible. Smaller seeds take four hours while larger 

seeds and nuts, such as almonds, require 12 hours. Note: 
drain and then re-immerse the seeds and nuts with clean water

once during the soaking process. Soak guidelines: almonds 

for 12 hours sunflower seeds for six hours in filtered water.

Seeds: sesame, sunflower and pumpkin seeds.
If you like seasoned snacks you can drain your soaked nuts 

and seeds, season, and dry using food dehydrator with the 

thermostat set no higher than 110°.

Sprouts: you may add any sprouts to your salad.
Sprouting: you may sprout beans, grains, nuts or seeds. 

Sprouting increases the nutritional content and makes them 

more easily absorbed. Purchase good organic seeds. Many good 

books on sprouting can be found at your health food store. A 
good one is by Ann Wigmore & Rodales "Basic Natural Foods 

Cookbook" is also a good choice. OHI has a catalog on 

purchasing organic seeds or the Herb and Spice Collection 

also has a catalog call 1–800–365–4372.

Beans: you may eat sprouted beans and cooked beans 2 to 3 

times per week.  Black beans, chickpeas, green beans, 

kidney beans, lentils, lima and pinto beans. Avoid soybeans, 

they have enzyme inhibitors. Also, avoid peanuts which 
harbor a mold that is carcinogenic.

Dr. Kelly always included the following tasty cooked bean 

recipe.  2 cups of any type of dried washed beans in a pot 

or covered ovenproof dish.  Add 5 cups of pure clean water, 

five garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons of organic olive oil, 

1 teaspoon of sea salt and 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
1 or 2 tablespoons of molasses maybe added.
Cover the pot, place in your oven at 200° overnight 

(up to 15 hours).

Bread: you may have one slice of sprouted Ezekiel bread or 

one slice of sprouted manna bread daily. These may be found 

in the freezer section of your health food store.  You must 

avoid all refined grain products such as white flour and 

white rice.

Kelly's 14 grain cereal: should be eaten for the first 

six months of your program:

Prepare 3 to 4 tablespoons of the 14 grain make sure 

it follows:  The 14 grains are equal parts: wheatberries, 

buckwheat, barley, rye, oats, oat groats, millet, 

sesame seeds, brown rice, flaxseed, corn, alfalfa seeds, 
lentils, mung beans, almonds. Store the 14 grain mixture 

in a cool dry place.  Prepare 3 to 4 tablespoons of the 

14 grains mixture as follows: 

In the evening grind in seed grinder and place in a bowl 

and add apple juice or water.  Let soak overnight in the 

refrigerator.  In the morning you can add blueberries, 

organic vanilla and Stevia and eat it without cooking. 

Please eat this daily for the first six months of your 

program. It is full of nutrients and needed proteins and 

minerals.  Do not eat the 14 grain cereal if you're sensitive 

to grains or gluten intolerance. 

Dairy products: organic butter is acceptable and small 

amounts. Plain organic goat yogurt is okay two times weekly. 

The yogurt should have active cultures and not contain any 

sugar added chemicals. You maybe use berries and a small 

amount of organic vanilla and/or stevia with the yogurt.

Eggs: you may eat 1 to 2 organic eggs daily (if possible

 fertile). The eggs are to be soft-boiled or poached. 

You may eat the eggs with your 14 grain cereal if desired.

If you have estrogen positive cancer (breast or prostate) 

exclude eggs from your diet. 

Fish: you may eat salmon 2 to 3 times weekly. I recommend 

you only eat salmon that has been tested and free of heavy 

metals. You can purchase this fish from vital choice 

at 1-800-608-4825. 

Liver: liver is one of the most important mainstays of this 

nutritional program. Each day blend 3 - 6 tablespoons with 

your glass of green drink or with freshly made tomato juice. 

You may cut up the liver into tablespoon sized pieces and 
freeze. You can purchase frozen organic liver from your 

health food store. If you can't tolerate the raw liver you 

can substitute it with cytozyme-lv as follows: Three tablets 

with breakfast and three with dinner.This is a very 

important part of the program! 

Beverages: you may have herbal teas. 

Water: drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of pure water a day.
Do not drink water with your meals. 

Oils: olive oil or flaxseed oil in small quantities 

(1-2 tablespoons daily). Great when used and salad 

dressings. A small amount of coconut oil is also 

acceptable. 

Seasonings: you may use natural mineral or unrefined sea 

salt and non-irradiated herbs and spices.  Make sure to use

organic seasonings were possible. 

Poultry: I do not recommend poultry right away on this diet. 

There are microbes that some research is linked to cancer. 

Red meat: beef, lamb and pork are not allowed. 

Sweetener: a few drops of stevia is permissible.* 

Fruit: all organic berries are permissible as are frozen 

organic berries. Organic berries are an excellent choice. 

Juices: 2 to 4 glasses of fresh organic juice daily.
Juices may include carrot*, wheatgrass, celery, apple and 

all green leafy vegetables; beet tops, carrot tops, collards, 

escarole, kale, dark lettuce, parsley, spinach and swiss 

chard. 

The best juicer for the price is the Omega 8005 which costs 

approximately $259. You can order it by emailing health best 

products at healthbestorders@aol.com. 

Anyone with Candida or yeast overgrowth should eliminate 

carrot juice, all sweetners and fruit. 

Eat as much fresh organic product as possible: Eat as 

much raw as you want or lightly steam your vegetables. 

Canned or processed foods: no canned or processed foods. 

Water: never drink or use chlorinated or Fluoridated water. 

Use only clean filtered water. Use filtered water for

cooking, drinking and coffee enemas. 

Other products: Avoid fluoride toothpaste. Buy and use 

natural hair products. Do not use hair dyes, with the 

exception of naturcolor made by Herbaceuticals. Purchase 

small plastic pouches and presort a one-month supply of your 

supplements in advance for convenient dispensing. 

Cookbooks: purchase either or both of these cookbooks:
"Eat well and live" by Gwynn Palmer from Health Best Product. 

The recipes are specific to this nutritional program. And/or 

"The Whole life nutritional cookbook" by Alissa Segersten.