The stomach flu is going around…now what?
If you are anything like me, when you hear the stomach flu is going around you hit the panic button. It is miserable, disgusting, and literally brings you to your knees. And while children tend to bounce back quickly, it takes longer as adults for our systems to settle down and recover.
So when I heard it has started going around again, I began to pull out my “emergency” stomach flu supplies in case it hits anyone in our house. These include rubber gloves, N-95 masks and Lysol wipes as personal protective equipment. Other items in my arsenal include:
Activated or coconut charcoal. I have read in several places that it may actually absorb the virus or bacteria and move it through before it spreads in the body. I am not sure if this is true or not, but my policy is to do anything to avoid getting the stomach flu. When I hear it is circulating, I begin taking activated charcoal capsules a few times a day. The caveat with activated charcoal is that it is absorbent, so you cannot take it within an hour or two of taking other supplements or medications. And it can become constipating if you take too much. Look it up or check with your doctor for more information or for recommended dosages.
Saccharomyces boulardii helps bind toxins and restore normal gut functioning. A nutritionist told me several years ago that this can help prevent the stomach flu, and I have used it ever since. As with the activated charcoal, I crank it up a few notches when the stomach flu is going around. I have had much less severity of the bug than the rest of my family in the past, so maybe it does work!
Probiotics. Keeping your gut balanced and healthy will help it be less vulnerable when the germs strike. And they are also helpful in restoring your microbiome after any type of stomach upset.
If you have the stomach flu, one of the best gut-rebuilders on the market is GI Replenish by Metagenics. It has an amazing combination of ingredients that help calm and heal the gut. It is available in chocolate and vanilla. Other options are Perma Clear from Thorne, which has glutamine, saccharomyces boulardii, bacillus coagulans, and ginger, all great stomach soothers and rebuilders; or Gastro D Complex, which has mastic gum, licorice, slippery elm and bismuth. All are available at 25% off on my Wellevate site.
Another option for electrolyte rehydration when you've been sick is Endura from Metagenics, which is a little pouch that is poured into a water bottle. It contains electrolytes and other vitamins, is convenient and tastes great. Standbys Gatorade or Ginger Ale are also good (maybe a bit sugary) options.
Keeping your immune system running optimally is one of the best ways to prevent getting sick at all. Plenty of Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc are the first line of defense for your body, Using thieves oil on your hands and feet also helps.
Hopefully these suggestions will help you avoid the stomach flu completely, or if you are unfortunate enough to get it, keep your symptoms mild. You can find all of the supplements mentioned in the article at 25% off through Wellevate.
