Written by Jim Paoletti, BS Pharmacy, FAARFM, FIACP, Director of Education at Power2Practice
Believe it or not, the holiday season is nearly upon us! November and December are not only periods of heightened air travel, but the beginning of flu season as well. Help your patients better enjoy the holidays with this pre-flight cocktail immune-boosting blend.
Health Considerations When Traveling by Air
First, there is the fact that you get to share the air you breath with the all the other people on that flight. The air is not purified or filtered, just shared as is. That includes the many germs that we all carry around with us. Even an optimally-functioning immune system may find that a bit of a challenge. How many times have you or someone you known gotten ill shortly after air travel?
Another issue is the dehydrating effect of the air you breathe. It has been estimated that we lose the equivalent of almost 16 ounces of water for every hour we fly. Even mild dehydration can cause more than the irritating dry and itchy skin and dry mouth. It can also cause headaches, constipation, tiredness or sleepiness (why is it we get so tired when we fly when all we do is sit and read?), dizziness or lightheadedness, and muscle cramps. All types of things that are especially fun to experience when traveling!
Then there is the lack of movement that leads to decrease blood flow. Not a problem usually except on extended flights or long car rides. But it can lead to muscle aches and cramps, headaches, poor digestion, and in extreme cases, increased risk of blood clots.
Lastly, there is the exposure to EMFs as in Electromagnetic Forces. It starts at the airport with airport-wide Wi-Fi, body scanners, metal detectors, moving sidewalks, monitors, radar, and high cell phone use. Exposure continues on the flight from the cockpit computers and instruments, the engines. Electronic sensors, communications equipment, electrical wiring throughout the cabin and high levels of static electricity generated in the fuselage. A 3.5-hour flight at altitudes of 30,000 feet or higher can expose us to great levels of radiation than a chest x-ray!
Boost the Immune System
To prepare patients to lessen the ill effects of these travel hazards, have them take immune system boosters starting 1 or 2 days prior to the flight and continue for at least 1 day post-flight. Take antioxidants to minimize the effects of EMFs. Do not consume alcohol. Book early and request seats at the back of the plane away from the instrumentation and away from the engines.
My Favorite Pre-flight Cocktail Immune-Boosting Blend
My personal pre-flight cocktail (which is taken in-flight when I forget to do so ahead of time) consists of:
- Nat Stim by ICA Health. I like it because it is a combination product and the dosage is only once daily. I take two before a ling flight to be sure to get enough.
- Mycofend, a proprietary mushrooms blend with beta glucan by Ortho Molecular. Dose is 2 capsules.
- Alpha lipoic acid 100mg
- Coenzyme Q-10 100 mg
- Selenium 100 mcg
Note: Use the combination of antioxidants you prefer. NAC, resveratrol, etc. I use Co-Q-10 because my family has a history of heart issues, and selenium because I have thyroid issues.
- During flu season I add Vitamin D 10,000 IU and Vitamin A 20,000 IU
- Water: 16 oz for every hour of flight is what I shoot for. I always try to get a seat on the aisle because I will probably get up at least once for use of the restroom.
About the Author:
Jim Paoletti, BS Pharmacy, FAARFM, FIACP, is the Director of Education at Power2Practice and a Clinical Consultant with over 30 years of experience creating and using bio-identical hormone therapies in both retail pharmacy and clinical practice.
Jim is a Diplomat in Functional Medicine in addition to being a former faculty member for the Fellowship of Functional Medicine. Jim is also author of the book “A Practitioner’s Guide to Physiologic Bioidentical Hormone Balance”
At Power2Practice, he applies his wealth of knowledge and experience by hosting live webinars and creating useful content, such as blogs, podcasts and clinical support tools.
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