Many Choosing Natural Supplements to Prevent the Flu
By: Michaela MacDonald
Updated: January 16, 2013
This year's severe flu season has many people turning to natural products for prevention and treatment. Natural Health Market says they get 20 people a day coming in just for flu supplements.
"We noticed a really large increase in people coming in specifically for the things for the flu," said Natural Health Market manager Jimmy Fitzpatrick
He says they've seen a huge jump in clients this season, some even referred by doctors.
"There's been quite a few people coming in to get over the flu, but also to prevent the flu the last three weeks or so because the flu epidemic is a lot higher than it has been in years past," said Fitzpatrick.
Over at Vitamins Plus, manager Stacey Nelson says they've seen a spike as well.
"They're seeing, I'm getting the flu shot and I'm getting the flu anyway so lets try something else," said Nelson.
She says most of the vitamins are comparable in price to the flu shot.
"Its pretty equal on the natural remedies side to what you can get on the pharmaceutical side," said Nelson.
Pharmacist Lauren Cline says she's seen a lot of people combining the shots and natural remedies.
"I think to of people want to use them to boost their immune system hopefully to prevent them getting ill, but if they do get the flu or some other kind of head cold a lot of those products kind of help boost their immune system," Cline said.
Vitamin Plus and Drug Emporium say they can help you out both with the shot and the supplements. They have a flu shot clinic going on Friday January 18th from 10-1.
