November 2014

Greetings!

People tend to think of the flu as a cold weather illness, but even though we Californians are fortunate enough to avoid the snow blanketing most of the country, we're hardly immune from the flu. Flu does tend to reach us later though -- seasonal outbreaks tend to start in the east and then make their way west. We haven't had much flu yet this year, but this is definitely an illness where preventive measures can make a big difference. That's why this month, we're focusing on ways you can stay healthy and avoid getting the flu.

What makes the flu so contagious? For one, it's a virus. There are different strains, so even if you've had it before, you aren't immune. Antibiotics don't help either. Second, it can be hard to know you have it -- in its early stages, influenza can easily be mistaken for a cold, since they share many similar symptoms (cough, congestion, fatigue). Achiness and a fever are the hallmarks of the flu. Third, and maybe most important, the flu is really easy to spread. It can hop from one person to another from tiny droplets from coughing, sneezing, or even just talking. The virus also can survive on surfaces, so if you touch something that has a fresh droplet on it then touch your mouth, eyes, or nose, you can catch the flu. Plus people who have the flu can be infectious for 24 hours before they even show symptoms, making it highly contagious.

The flu can put even a healthy person out of commission for a couple of weeks, and it can lead to dangerous infections and the need for hospitalization for the elderly and people who have compromised immune systems. And even if you don't get the traditional "flu," having an upper respiratory infection caused by one of these viruses can be miserable and require a lengthy recovery. So what can you do to keep you and your family healthy? Keep reading for prevention tips, plus the supplements that Dr. Tang recommends to help you reduce your risk.

If you would like to talk more about supplements and other steps you can take to boost your immunity, come in and chat with Dr. Tang! Call Rejuv� today at 408-740-5320 to come in for a personalized consultation.

To your health!

Common-Sense Flu Prevention

Now that we've reminded you how easily the flu is spread, what can you do to avoid catching it? There are plenty of steps you can take to support your immune system health and reduce your chances of infection.

Wash Your Hands: It's so simple, but this is probably the #1 thing you can do to reduce your chances of catching the flu. Wash your hands regularly throughout the day (especially before and after meals, and after you use the bathroom), and make sure your kids do, too.

Cover Your Cough: Even if you're 100% healthy, it's just a good hygiene habit. Always cover your mouth to cough or sneeze, and if you can, nod your head into the crook of your elbow rather than using your hands.

Get Adequate Sleep: Your body needs 6-8 hours of quality sleep in order to genuinely regenerate you. If you're run down and tired, it doesn't just stress you out and make you cranky -- your immune system suffers, too. Having trouble sleeping? Check out our tips for combatting insomnia.

Keep Active: Among its myriad benefits, regular exercise is also vital for supporting your immune system. Even walking for 20-30 minutes at 5 times per week can make a major difference. One thing that's important to remember during flu season: If you hit the gym, make sure you wipe down equipment both before and after you use it, and try not to touch your face while you're working out. You want to go to the gym to get healthy, not to catch a bug!

Choose Foods Wisely: Foods with immune-boosting properties abound, and luckily they're both healthy and delicious. Vitamin C is a tried-and-true immune helper; it increases your body's production of white blood cells. Oranges, mangos, papaya, and grapefruit can all give you a dose of C. Phytochemicals are plant compounds that support your immune system -- you can find them in abundance in kale, cherries and other deep-hued berries, and sweet potato. Mushrooms, especially shiitake and maitake, have loads of immune system-stimulating beta-glucans. Last, spices -- including garlic, turmeric, and ginger -- have immune-boosting and anti-viral properties. Good nutrition is important year-round, but it's especially vital to get those servings of fruits and veggies during flu season.

Want to find out what you can do to optimize your overall wellness? Get personalized advice from Dr. Tang. Call Rejuv� today at 408-740-5320 for an appointment!

Is Vitamin D Deficiency Compromising

Your Immune Health?

Many people think they're getting plenty of Vitamin D from diet, and indeed, Vitamin D is in plenty of foods. However, even fortified foods (like some orange juice and milk) tend not to contain enough Vitamin D to support your health needs.

Even though we call it a vitamin, Vitamin D is a bit different than the other vitamins in the "alphabet." It's actually a steroid hormone, and your body is optimized to obtain Vitamin D through sun exposure rather than diet. We've learned that limiting sun exposure is important for reducing skin cancer risk and keeping signs of aging at bay, but researchers have also noted that people who are vigilant about wearing sunscreen or avoiding outdoor activities tend to have Vitamin D deficiency. The CDC has reported that 32% of all U.S. children and adults are Vitamin D deficient, and other researchers estimate that the number could be as high as 50% of the population. The very young and the very old, and people who have deeper skin pigmentation, face an increased risk of Vitamin D deficiency.

What makes Vitamin D so important? Among other benefits -- including improved calcium absorption, lowering blood pressure, and protective effects against some cancers -- Vitamin D also fights infections, including colds and the flu. It helps to regulate the expression of genes that tell your immune system to attack bacteria and viruses. A Japanese study fond that schoolchildren who took 1,200 units of Vitamin D daily throughout the winter reduced their risk of contracting the flu by roughly 40%. Supplementing with Vitamin D is a simple way to support your health all throughout the year, but it may have extra benefits as we head into cold and flu season.

Wondering whether you have sufficient levels of Vitamin D? Call Rejuv� today at 408-740-5320 and make an appointment for vitamin level testing with Dr. Tang!

Clear the Way for a Quicker Recovery

You see plenty of solutions for cold and flu advertised on TV, offering you relief from heavy symptoms or a quicker recovery time. Looking for something that works? Rejuv� recommends Viracid.

Viracid contains a powerful combination of key nutrients and botanical extracts that provide immediate support for immune challenges like the flu. It can be used both to stave off getting sick in the first place, or if you've already come down with the flu or another virus, it can help decrease the duration and/or severity of your symptoms.

Viracid boosts your immune defenses by providing nutrients such as L-lysine, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, pantothenic acid, Vitamin B12, and zinc. It also boasts a synergistic blend of botanical extracts -- including black elderberry, astralagus, echinacea, and andrographis -- that have been used in traditional medicine for their clinically effective immune-modulating properties.

Come in to Rejuv� to get some Viracid to keep on hand this holiday season, so a cold or the flu don't interrupt your plans. Want to learn more about natural ways to stay healthy? Come talk to Dr. Tang! Call Rejuv� today at 408-740-5320 for an appointment.

In This Issue

Getting Enough "Good Bacteria"

You probably know that probiotics can help you maintain digestive regularity by ridding your gut of unwanted bacteria and yeast. But did you know that research has also found evidence that these "good" bacteria can help to reduce the severity of cold symptoms and increase the numbers of certain T-cells?

To get the benefits of probiotics, it's vital that you get a high quality supplement. Remember, bacteria are living organisms. It takes a huge number of bacteria to have enough survive and make it to your gut, then get established there. That's one reason why Rejuv� offers our own Probiotic Supreme supplement that meets Dr. Tang's standards.

You can learn more about probiotics -- including whether foods like yogurt are actually effective sources of good bacteria -- on the Rejuv� blog. Do you have questions about your gut health? Come in and talk with Dr. Tang. Call Rejuv� at 408-740-5320 to make an appointment!

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Rejuv� was featured on NBC, "The Best of the Bay" August 19, 2007

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Rejuv�

14410 Big Basin Way, Suite B
Saratoga, CA 95070
(408) 740-5320 phone

(408) 867-7401 fax
www.rejuvemedical.com