In 1989, I decided to take my first trip out of the country.  I’d been into the Baja of California once, had car trouble and had to head back.  This time, I would fly into Mexico with my backpack and wander about.  I knew almost NO Spanish so I picked up a tape set and began learning some basics of pronunciation.  I received varying reactions from people ranging from “you are crazy” to “MEXICO, why would you want to go to Mexico?  They eat babies in Mexico!” to “WOW, have a great time”.   One thing I began and continue to this day was asking for advice at a health food store.  “I’m traveling into Mexico and want to stay healthy.  What kind of nutritional support can I take along to help me?”

I continue asking and my packing list has evolved along the way.  I’ve got what feels like a solid foundation and build from there depending on the type of trip I’m taking.  For hiking the Inca Trail and crossing passes over 4,000 meters, I took extra support for altitude and oxygen.  When I’m headed into Mexico and Guatemala, I take extra precaution to avoid “Montezuma’s Revenge”.  After many request, I am finally putting a list of nutritional products here that I take along with the reason I take them.  NO, I am not a doctor.  However, I stay more healthy than most traveling around me, listen to my intuition and thus, know something here is helping. 

Digestion:  since most of the immune system is related to the digestive tract, it makes sense to me to take care of it.  Today, with the introduction of probiotic products that don’t require refrigeration, it’s easier than ever.  I take either Jarro-Dophilus or Enzymatic Therapies pearls.  They introduce healthy bacteria into the digestive tract. 

I also take Lycopodium Clavatum which is a homeopathic product that helps settle digestive discomfort.  Traveling, being on a different schedule, adjusting to different types of foods, I’ve found this very helpful.

The Ignatia Amara pictured left helps mellow out emotions and, again, with travel, adjusting to 15 hour time difference and a new culture, it helps the first few days of a trip.  The “kick ass” is an immune booster in case I feel something coning on, I take it immediately.  I’ve also traveled with “Wellness Formula” however, it’s a large bottle of tablets so I find the kick-ass more convenient to travel with.

Oxygen:  I learned in Mexico that the bug that caused “touriista” is anaerobic meaning it thrives in the absence of oxygen.  The locals recommended daily doses of carrot juices for it’s oxygenating properties as well as liberal use of lime to kiss germs.  It makes sense to me to keep my body as oxygenated as possible to make a very unfriendly environment for bugs to hang out in the first place. 

Aerobic 07: this is one of the first products I traveled with and added to my water.  It increases the oxygen in the water and thus the oxygen available to the body.  From their website:  “White blood cells within the body fight disease by blasting the damaged cell with a superoxide, that acts similiar to nascent oxygen.  Nascent oxygen, when taken as a supplement, works in the same way. It prompts the formation of white blood cells, which can help the body maintain good health.”  They also make a Mag 07 product which increases oxygen levels in the digestive tract that target bad bacteria.  If I were to take one of these products today, it would be the MAG 07. 

ChlorOxygen: This is a concentrated chlorophyl product that helps boost energy and oxygenates the system.  It’s often recommended here in Colorado for friends visiting at altitude to help them adjust.  Were I hiking the Inca Trail again, I’d definitely take this along.  It’s an easy-to-use product to add oxygen to your body and it taste fine.  (For more information:  http://www.herbsetc.com/Topics/PDF/chloro_bro_07.pdf)

High Altitude:  when I hiked the Inca Trail, I took along Octocosanol.  Studies showed is helped increase endurance and oxygen utilization.  For high altitude, I’d take it along.  Recent addition:  I recently learned about Royal Peruvian Liver & Lung Formula.  It’s supposed to help with liver health but also dilate bronchials in the lungs which should support free and easy breathing.  I haven’t tried it yet but plan to get some soon.

Lumina Health Cell Food:  (http://www.luminahealth.com/products/cellfood.htm)

From their website:  CELLFOOD is a proprietary ionic formula

that contains 78 ionic minerals, 34 enzymes, 17 amino acids,

electrolytes and dissolved oxygen and utilizes a unique water-splitting

technology. It provides an unsurpassed oxygen and nutrient delivery

system, and is absorbed quickly and efficiently by every cell in the body. Cellfood's unique structure oxygenates and feeds the cells— cleaning and tuning up the body's systems throughout the day. Cellfood is made from all-natural plant substances, and is yeast-free and gluten-free.

If I were to take one product to enrich oxygen in my body and support health,

Cell Food would be it.