Proponents of alternative medicine may be surprised to know local naturopathic doctor (ND) Kerri Fullerton doesn’t encourage everyone to turn their back on flu clinics that open around the city this week.

“I think I’ve done more consults about this particular vaccination than I’ve done about any vaccine in the last five years,” says the regulated and licensed professional who works out of the Patterson Road clinic Rooted. “I think everyone should be looked at individually, based on their health, risk factors and situation. That said, I have strongly encouraged a teacher with serious underlying conditions to get the flu shot just last week.”

With at least seven years of post-secondary education in medical sciences, NDs have a unique perspective, according to Fullerton. “Although they specialize in natural medicine, they are also well trained in conventional medicine.”

Fullerton explains her general opposition to vaccinations of any kind (pharmaceutical or homeopathic) is their one-solution-fits-all approach to health care.

“It’s not the way I was taught homeopathy,” she says. “I treat the person, not the disease, so the idea of using one blanket treatment for everyone doesn’t mesh with my philosophy.”

While she continues to encourage people with acute symptoms to head to the emergency room, she wants to remind people of the often-ignored basics of boosting immune systems. Getting enough sleep, diligent hygiene practices and eating nutritiously are all natural ways of adopting a healthier lifestyle, but she says there are a few extra steps that can be adopted every flu season to help fight the virus.

“Probiotics are the good bacteria that lives in our intestines,” she explains. “That’s where a large part of our immune system lives. We need to take care of our gut to take care of our immune system.”

Contrary to the hula-dancers that can be seen on television commercials, boosting the bacteria intact doesn’t necessarily mean eating yogurt is appropriate for everyone, she says. It can also be purchased in capsule or powder form.

“I can’t think of anyone who couldn’t benefit from it at least for a few months to get through the worst of the season,” she suggests. “Stress, antibiotics and poor nutrition are all things that deplete the probiotics, which is why it’s such a generalized statement that most people can benefit from them. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t fall into one of these categories – or all three.”

There are some formulations especially for infants and seniors and everything in between available at the health-food store, she says. “Ask someone to help or see your naturopath.

“I generally say you usually don’t need the most expensive product, but don’t get the cheapest.”

She also suggests vitamins C, D, A and zinc can be particularly helpful in recommended dosages.

NDs can also be consulted for individualized immune-boosting herbal formulas, she says.

But she stresses the importance of keeping the germs from taking hold in the first place by handwashing, gargling with salt water, and using saline nasal sprays.

“The more you disrupt their terrain, the less likely they are to take hold,” she says.