Just Ask Terry

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Dear Terry, “I am not sure if I should get the flu or shingles shot this year. What are your thoughts? Thanks!” — Gayle S., Sacramento, CA

A. Dear Gayle, Any kind of vaccine, whether it’s for shingles or the flu, is an individual decision and perhaps should be discussed with your physician. Those individuals who are frail, sick, or have a compromised immune system may require special needs.

Personally, I would never get a shot of any kind. I believe that we have the ability to eat well and healthy, and if necessary, supplement with the right kind of nutrients to support our immune system in keeping the viruses responsible for shingles, cold and flu from having an active effect on our health. However, I can’t advise you one way or the other in regards to whether or not you should have either shot. My role is to educate and share information on health and nutrition; however, I am not a physician. I do believe there are better ways to keep ourselves healthy, but just to make sure that you make the right choice, you should also consult your physician.

I have included some of my personal favorites for supporting immune health. You may have to experiment a bit to find exactly the right combination for you, but here are some suggestions to get you started.

I would first recommend taking a vitamin D supplement, as many individuals are often deficient. Vitamin D has a tremendous impact on our health – it can affect our immune system, bones, the health of our heart, and the brain as well. I would probably vote for it as one of my top five nutritional must-have supplements. I suggest taking somewhere between 5,000 to 8,000 IUs of vitamin D daily.

I also like a combination of black currant and elderberry, plus zinc, selenium, lactobacillus sporogenes and lactoferrin. All of these ingredients have anti-viral, antibacterial, or immune supportive properties. I suggest taking 1 capsule daily to maintain good health. Then, when you feel you need extra support, you can increase to 2 capsules three times daily.

I would also recommend using a formula that features the concentrated plant oil of Ravensara. When combined with myrtle (Myrtus communis), thyme (Thymus satureioides), and bay (Laurus nobilis) oils, this formula is extremely potent in ridding the body of pathogens. I suggest taking 200 mg of this blend twice daily.

Be sure to choose a formula which features concentrated plant oils that have been laboratory tested to accurately identify elements of their natural chemical composition. Unlike essential oils used for massage and aromatherapy, these plant oils are tested and “fingerprinted” based on specific molecular makeup, species, marker compounds, purity and safety for internal medicinal use. The extraordinary potency of these tested plant oils allows for relatively low doses, but very powerful health benefits.

Give these suggestions a try and I think you will be amazed at the results

Healthy Regards!

Terry . . . Naturally