“It’s Your Health” Radio Offers Winter Wellness Tips from Boston Pharmacist

Influenza season is off to its earliest start in nearly 10 years, and according to health officials at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the 2012-2013 season could be an especially severe one for many Americans.

“The CDC says the primary influenza virus now spreading is H3N2, a strong strain that in past years has made people sicker than usual, especially the elderly,” says pharmacist and health educator Dr. Gary Kracoff. “Luckily, there are many measures we can take not only to reduce our risk of exposure to this virus and other cold and flu viruses, but to also boost our immune systems, lessen severity of symptoms, and greatly speed recovery time if we do become infected.”

Tune in to “It’s Your Health” next week to hear Dr. Kracoff discuss these tips for surviving cold and flu season with host Lisa Davis. The two will also explore natural treatment options, including homeopathic medicines such as Oscillococcinum for flu-like symptoms.

“Ideally, you should have a ‘kit’ of flu-fighting medicines and remedies ready before you encounter the flu virus so you can start attacking the infection when symptoms first appear, not 5-6 days into it,” says Dr. Kracoff. A medicine like Oscillo works best when taken at the first sign of symptoms, so it’s a must-have for every family’s medicine cabinet.

“It’s Your Health” airs weekdays on several local radio stations in Wisconsin, Michigan and Boston. Click here for the complete schedule. Founder and host Lisa Davis, MPH, offers the general public access to the latest and greatest in everything health and wellness. Davis provides her listeners with expert advice, strategies for physical, emotional and mental well-being, and insight into the newest research and medical breakthroughs through one-on-one interviews with the nation’s leading experts and authors.

About Dr. Kracoff: Gary Kracoff, NMD, R. PH, is a registered pharmacist with a doctorate in naturopathic medicine. He is currently a pharmacist at Johnson Compounding & Wellness Center in Waltham, Mass., providing guidance and in-depth consultative services for attaining optimum wellness. His philosophy is to treat the person as a whole, not chase symptoms. He focuses on finding the “why” to what is happening physically and mentally, and works with individuals to restore balance in the body. He frequently lectures at pharmacy, medical and health-oriented conferences and is now the educator at the Academy of Integrative Medicine, conducting two- day seminars for health care professionals twice a year. Kracoff also serves on the faculty of the Center for Education and Development of Clinical Homeopathy. For more information, visit www.naturalcompounder.com.