Want to know how to beat seasonal colds and the flu? Read the transcript from our chat at noon on Wednesday, Oct. 5, when we Asked the Experts about staying healthy during cold and flu season. Jeff and Gigi Fykes, owners of Smoothie Sante Natural Food Store (formerly the Healthy Connection) in Hampton answered your questions about holistic healing. Gigi Fykes has a naturopathic doctorate and is a certified natural health professional and herbal consultant.

 Ask the Experts: How to stay healthy -- the natural way - during flu season(10/05/2011) 
11:58
Prue: 
Good morning and welcome to our weekly Wednesday health chat!
Wednesday October 5, 2011 11:58 Prue
11:58
Dr. Gi: 
Good morning Preu :-)!
Wednesday October 5, 2011 11:58 Dr. Gi
11:59
Prue: 
Today's topic is "Staying Healthy -- the natural way" with guest experts Jeff and Gigi Fykes. Gigi is a certified naturopath. Ask your questions now.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 11:59 Prue
11:59
Prue: 
Hi Gigi -- You've made the promise that you can keep us healthy during cold and flu season. Would you like to let us know how.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 11:59 Prue
12:00
Prue: 
Readers: Please ask your questions now. Type them in -- it's completely anonymous and confidential.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:00 Prue
12:00
Prue: 
Gigi owns a store that supplies supplements and minerals and other natural products.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:00 Prue
12:01
Prue: 
Gigi - Could you also let readers know the name of your store and how to contact you.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:01 Prue
12:02
Dr. Gi: 
The key is maintaining a healthy immune system throught the year not just during the cold and flu season.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:02 Dr. Gi
12:02
Prue: 
And how do you maintain that healthy immune system?
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:02 Prue
12:03
Dr. Gi: 
We can be reached at The Healthy Connection's Smoothies Sante', 2007 N. Armistead Ave. in Hampton VA.
(757) 826-6404
www.thehealthyconnection.com
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:03 Dr. Gi
12:04
Dr. Gi: 
That's a big qestion!
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:04 Dr. Gi
12:04
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
What supplements should I take on a daily basis?
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:04 Guest
12:05
Dr. Gi: 
The immune system is your body's defense against colds and illnesses.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:05 Dr. Gi
12:05
Prue: 
Readers - we're talking with naturopath Gigi Fykes. Ask your questions now.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:05 Prue
12:07
Dr. Gi: 
Vitamin C in the ascorbic acid form along with bioflavornoids is a must. 500mg every day or 500mg every 2 hours if ill.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:07 Dr. Gi
12:07
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
I have used Zarbees with my 3-year-old son. Is there any other good vitamin supplement or immune booster that is natural and OK for toddlers and young children to take?
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:07 Guest
12:07
Prue: 
What is Zarbees?
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:07 Prue
12:08
Dr. Gi: 
We love the Herbs for Kids liquid herbal line.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:08 Dr. Gi
12:08
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
What can you take for a cold, if you already have one
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:08 Guest
12:09
Dr. Gi: 
Never heard of Zarbees! What are the ingredients?
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:09 Dr. Gi
12:09
Prue: 
I think your answer about the Vitamin C was to the question about a cold? Is that correct?
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:09 Prue
12:10
Dr. Gi: 
Yes! Also a antihistamine for allergies.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:10 Dr. Gi
12:10
Prue: 
What's in the Herbs for Kids supplement?
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:10 Prue
12:11
Prue: 
Also, could you answer the question about a daily supplement.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:11 Prue
12:12
Prue: 
Readers -- we're here with naturopath Gigi Fykes who can advise on herbal supplements etc. Ask your questions now.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:12 Prue
12:12
Dr. Gi: 
Fine quality herbs i.e. sweet echinacea designed for kids 1yr. and over.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:12 Dr. Gi
12:12
Prue: 
For all your health news, go to dailypress.com/health and follow my blog daily at www.dailypress.com/healthnotes
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:12 Prue
12:12
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
What's a naturopath? How do you get certified?
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:12 Guest
12:13
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
Zarbees is honey-based, It also has vitamin C, asorbic acid and zinc gluconate. Here's the label: http://www.zarbees.com/images/label.jpg
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:13 Guest
12:13
Dr. Gi: 
A great daily supplement is the Wellness Formula by Source Naturals. Contains both vitamins and herbs at a great price.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:13 Dr. Gi
12:14
Prue: 
Is there a time of day that's best to take supplements? Should they be taken with food? or liquid?
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:14 Prue
12:15
Dr. Gi: 
A naturopath is a holistic teacher. Trinity College for Natural Health is where I attended.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:15 Dr. Gi
12:15
Prue: 
I'm just responding to the comment from Guest about Zarbees. I see that it is honey-based. Readers should know that children under 1 year old should NOT consume honey or honey-based products.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:15 Prue
12:15
[Comment From GuestGuest: ] 
what fish oil do you recommend
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:15 Guest
12:16
Prue: 
How long is the training to become a naturopath? What do the studies involve?
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:16 Prue
12:17
Dr. Gi: 
Thats correct about the honey. Most companies would prefer a vegetable glycerin. Also, be careful with zinc on an empty stomach.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:17 Dr. Gi
12:18
Dr. Gi: 
Our favorite fish oil is the Wholemega by New Chapter. Please visit our website to learn more about this pure not purified oil. Contains over 16 omegas.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:18 Dr. Gi
12:19
Prue: 
Readers; we are talking to Gigi Fykes of the HEalthy Connections Smoothies Sante in Hampton. Ask your questions now about herbs and supplements.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:19 Prue
12:19
Prue: 
You will need to give the web site address!
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:19 Prue
12:20
Prue: 
Sometimes you hear about "natural" products being just as strong or stronger than prescribed medicines. Do you have any cautions about any products that you shouldn't take. How can people find out if a product is really beneficial or not.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:20 Prue
12:22
Dr. Gi: 
One can complete the Naturopath program in about 2 years if that is there only focus. Studies include diet and nutrition: physiology; aromatherapy etc.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:22 Dr. Gi
12:23
Prue: 
Can you tell readers about your upcoming seminar.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:23 Prue
12:23
Prue: 
Readers: We have just 5 more minutes for you to ask your questions about natural healing.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:23 Prue
12:24
[Comment From MarjorieMarjorie: ] 
I've used goldenseal and mullein for colds and allergies. Do they help with the flu?
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:24 Marjorie
12:24
Dr. Gi: 
We are all about education in our store. Email us and visit www.thehealthyconnection.com
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:24 Dr. Gi
12:24
Prue: 
Join us every Wednesday at noon at dailypress.com when we "Ask the Experts" about health-related topics. Next week we'll talk about seniors and substance abuse.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:24 Prue
12:25
Prue: 
What are goldenseal and mullein?
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:25 Prue
12:25
[Comment From MarjorieMarjorie: ] 
Can we buy all our herbs from you? Are they sold in loose form by weight?
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:25 Marjorie
12:25
Dr. Gi: 
Upcoming seminar is monday, oct 10 7p to 8:30p. all about our immune system and how it works and how to prepare for the cold and flu season.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:25 Dr. Gi
12:27
Dr. Gi: 
Goldenseal is a great antibiotic alternative. Contains the consituent berberine. Not to be used long term. Great for soft tissue. Mullein great for lung and respiratory health.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:27 Dr. Gi
12:28
Dr. Gi: 
We sell all of these herbs and more in capsule, liquid, tea bags and loose.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:28 Dr. Gi
12:28
[Comment From MarjorieMarjorie: ] 
Great to know.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:28 Marjorie
12:29
Prue: 
What is your preferred way to take the herbs -- you mention the different forms, such as capsule, etc.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:29 Prue
12:30
Prue: 
Gigi, When you've answered that question and given readers the name of your store and how to contact you, I'm going to close the chat. Thanks.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:30 Prue
12:30
Dr. Gi: 
Liquid is the strongest and fastest acting.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:30 Dr. Gi
12:30
Dr. Gi: 
Thank you Prue!
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:30 Dr. Gi
12:33
Prue: 
Thanks everyone. Don't forget to check dailypress.com/healthnotes for daily updates on local and national health news. And join us every Wednesday at noon on dailypress.com for health web chats, "Ask the Experts". Bye.
Wednesday October 5, 2011 12:33 Prue
12:33