Fresh & Natural Foods

You probably already know what keeps you most healthy-
Enough rest: sleep or lack there of is the highest predictor of illness. The recommended amount is at least seven hours a night in most studies. This is for adults. Children need more hours. I found it helpful to remind my children that if you wish to grow you need to sleep. It is mainly at night that growth hormone is released. Lack of sleep affects all of us on many levels-hormonally and immunologically- Lack of sleep makes us crave carbohydrates, gain weight and interferes with our glucose metabolic cycle, putting some at more risk for diabetes. Fatigue creates more stress hormones-which in turn lower the competence of the immune system=you are more likely to catch the illness coming your way.
Wash your hands often. Did you know just plain old soap and water remove 98 percent of the germs? It’s cheap and easy to wash your hands. For sure, wash before eating. If you can’t wash try to avoid touching your face, mouth, nose and eyes. These are the areas a lot of viruses enter our system.
Eat a healthy diet: lots of fruits and vegetables, fresh if you can. Have a balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrates, fiber and enough WATER. Being hydrated helps your whole system work well.

Exercise-the recommendations change---some regular exercise each day. Even a brisk walk to and from your car. If you can get at least 10 minutes with brisk walking 2-3 times a day. You will notice improved health. Try to make exercise easy to do. Park a little farther from your destination to get in some walk time, take the stairs, or add some exercise time by playing with your children.

Recharge your soul  also called stress reduction. In medical school my first lecturer said, “If you have no stress you are probably dead.” As I live longer, I think that is a very true statement. Stress is! Whether you have a happy or trying event, if it changes your routine it adds some stress. We each need time to be quiet and de-clutter our minds. If you do not have 10 minutes of time that you spend restoring “you” each day, consider scheduling twenty minutes for yourself each day. This time is best spent doing something that reinvigorates your soul. That does not usually include watching the news, unless of course your news is happier and less fear filled than mine!
If you get sick with the influenza-go to your nearest Fresh and Natural store to purchase Oscillicoccinum and take as directed. You will be amazed. (Influenza-dry cough, high fever>101, sore throat, headache and/ general body aches)

If you are feeling ill- take time to rest, drink fluids, OJ, chicken noodle soup-and if possible take time off from work. When a coworker comes into the office sick-studies have shown 70 percent of the rest of the office will become ill.
Colds and flu can be the gift that keeps on giving. So wash you hands often, cough or sneeze into your sleeve rather than your hands and take time to heal.

Have more questions about your health? Ask one of our practitioners, send us an e-mail or  
visit our nutrition blog at
freshandnaturalfoods.com/nutritionist-blog.

Dr. Kim Lane, MD is a trained medical technologist and physician. She is board certified in Family Practice and Holistic Medicine. Dr. Lane owns Wellness Lane, LLC, a classical homepathic and health consultation practice. Learn more about Dr. Lane and her practice at www.wellnesslane.org.