by Dr. Kristine Blanche

I cannot stop telling everyone about the importance of vitamin D! Scientific literature proves it protects us from colds, the flu, breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer. Over the last three years, I have been observing a downward trend in vitamin D levels in my patients. What is even more interesting is that this trend appears to not be linked to the amount of sun exposure.

This goes against all we have been taught and seen in clinical practice. If you saw me as a patient three-plus years ago, you probably remember me supplementing you with 2,000 to 3,000 IU of vitamin D and telling you to get some sun in the summer and go south a few times a year. I began changing this advice three years ago when I noticed vitamin D blood levels dropping and the need for much higher levels of vitamin D overall regardless of sun exposure. My patients are needing upwards of 7,000 to 15,000 IU (international units) to get their blood levels up to the therapeutic range of vitamin D 25 OH 80-100 ng/dl. The biggest question is why? Why am I seeing the lowest levels of vitamin D in August after a very sunny summer? My theory is pollution. The pollution on the East Coast is changing the ozone layer, thus changing the ability of ultraviolet B (UVB) rays to penetrate our skin. This is not just in the tri-state area; I am seeing this in my patients all the way down to the Florida Keys!

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, so it is important to continuously check your levels. I check my patients’ levels at least two times per year. I know for a fact that this downward trend in vitamin D levels is having a direct effect on the longer flu season and the more severe flu seasons. So, I strongly encourage my patients and their entire family to get their vitamin D level checked and adjust the vitamin D dosage accordingly!

Now, what to do if you get the flu? My own son came home from college with the flu the day before Thanksgiving. Surprise, surprise, a 21-year-old young man did not take his annoying mom’s advice, and he woke up the Wednesday before Thanksgiving with full-blown flu! Fever 102, body aches, headache, runny nose—the works. Within 12 hours, I treated him with a vitamin drip, a liter of intravenous hydration, 25,000 vitamins D3 supplementation, elderberry, Oscillococcinum, zinc nasal spray, raindrop treatment with essential oils, and thieves throat spray. After one night’s rest, he woke up ready for turkey Thanksgiving morning feeling 90% better! I doubled my family’s vitamin D dose for three days, and we were completely fine! 

My famous quote: “If your vitamin D level is therapeutic, a flu patient could cough in your face and you should not get the flu!” This was a prime example of this theory. 

Please get your vitamin D levels checked by your doctor. This is a crucial piece of data to determine your needed therapeutic vitamin D dosage. 

Below you will find my instructions on what to do if flu symptoms happen. The sooner you treat your symptoms, the quicker you will heal! I have had more than a dozen patients respond just like my son when treated within 24 hours of symptom onset. Vitamin drips will be available to non-medical patients this year because of the demand in resolving flu symptoms fast. 

Dr. Blanche’s flu-fighting Kit!

Prevention: 

• Vitamin D – 10,000 IU/day for adults; kids based on age and weight. 
• Zinc – 1/day
• Elderberry – 1 tsp/day
• Thieves oil – 1-2 drops on bottom of feet. Gargle after brushing with 1-2 drops in water.
•  Immunokinoko – 750mg 2/day

Treat if sick:

• Vitamin D – 20,000/day x 3 days
• Elderberry – 1 tsp 3x/day
• Oscillococcinum – as directed on the package
• Viracid – 1-2 capsules/hour 1st 6 hours, then 2 caps/day x 3 days
• Thieves oil – 1-2 drops on the bottom of feet. Gargle with 1-2 drops in water 3-4x/day
•  Immunokinoko – 750mg 2/pills 2x/day

Acute care in an integrative medical office: 

• Super immune drip
• Hydration bolus
• Raindrop oil treatment

Dr. Kristine Blanche is the owner and operator of Integrative Healing Center & Spa, with offices in Northport, Belmore, Mineola, and New York City. For more information about Dr. Kristine Blanche or the Integrative Healing Center, call 516-676-0200, email [email protected] or visit GetIntegrativeHealth.com.