Awesome question. I really appreciate how you think – prevention is key and a lot easier than dealing with illness.

Regarding Malaria:
Research shows that malaria can be killed and prevented quite well through artemesinin. Even the World Health Organization is recommending the use of artemisinin-based combination therapies.

A supplement that I recommend taking to areas with malaria, and many other unwanted organisms, is ParaBiotic by Biogenesis: 

  • Why? Because ParaBiotic contains a broad mix of very potent anti-bacterial/viral and parasitic herbs. Some of my professors at Bastyr also recommended it to patients who were traveling in areas with Malaria. 
  • It is pretty strong – adults: take as directed on the label. Kids aged 6 and above take ½ the adult dose. Kids younger than 6, talk with your naturopathic doctor.
  • Make sure you drink plenty of filtered water.

Regarding Traveler's Diarrhea:
Supporting the immune system and digestive system's integrity is needed to reduce incidence of Traveler's Diarrhea. 

ProBiota 12 is a high potency probiotic that I developed. Consider taking 1 capsule after dinner each evening. ProBiota 12 can handle being in the sun for a few months and still maintain plenty of viable bacteria. It was evaluated in the lab at different temperatures.

Probiotics help fend off harmful bacteria which commonly 'ride' on foods and water. Taking a high potency probiotic such as ProBiota 12, significantly helps reduce the likelihood of invasion by these unwanted organisms.

PreGestion by Seeking Health: Why? Increasing stomach acid during meals and in general helps kill microbes in the gut. Make sure to take 1 capsule WITH a meal to help prevent incidental bacterial exposure like E Coli.

 

NOTE: If you ever get Traveler’s Diarrhea (your risk is significantly less if you take ProBiota 12, PreGestion and ParaBiotic), I have found that this combination is highly effective and will wipe out most critters quickly:

  1. Take 6 capsules of ProBiota every 2 hours or take ½ teaspoon of ProBiota 12 Powder
  2. Take 4 capsules of ParaBiotic
  3. Take a large ‘swig’ of Herbal Melange 
  4. With every meal, take 1-2 capsules of PreGestion

MAKE SURE TO CHECK HERBAL MELANGE in your baggage. You cannot carry it on the airplane – it is too large a container of liquid.

 
Reducing General Illness while Traveling:
Maintain nutrients by eating well and taking multivitamins. You and your children should take a multivitamin 2x daily to ensure proper immune support, energy, alertness and focus.

Vitamin D: get in the sun – everyone – 20 minutes a day WITHOUT sunscreen – morning preferred before too hot and sun too strong. This way you get your vitamin D for free. Then put on sunscreen. Have arms, face, legs and shoulders ideally exposed to the sun.

Before you get on the plane, all should take multivitamins, probiotics and vitamin D to support the immune system during the flight. I always do this for my family.

Reduce the toxic burden from flying by taking N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine before, during and after the flight. N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine is important due to the jet fuel exposure in the cabin. 70% and more of the air breathed in the cabins is recycled from the engines so we are all breathing plenty of exhaust during flight.

I and my family take about ½ dropper of Liquid Vitamin D the day of flight. This stimulates the immune system quite effectively.

If you need a good tasting Vitamin C that the kids will enjoy mixing in their water (which may taste bad down there), consider mixing a teaspoon of Optimal Vitamin C once a day or so. It will make their water taste quite good – and keep their immunity up to snuff.

Have an excellent time! Send me some photos!

My wife and three boys are now in the vast countryside of Russia visiting my wife’s side of the family. Lovely place out there – I typically go but this year staying back as working on some big projects that require a lot of focus and attention.

If anything goes down while in Africa, diarrhea, etc, do email me. I may be able to get you out of trouble. That reminds me:

NOTE: Do not take PreGestion with ProBiota 12. Make sure to take PreGestion with MEALS and ProBiota 12 AFTER dinner – say 15 minutes after dinner or so is ideal – but anytime after dinner is fine – just far enough away from taking PreGestion (about 30 minutes away is fine)

I’ve been to many countries but Africa – not yet. Some day!

Safe Travels!!

In health,

Dr Ben

PS - Careful…inquire where you are staying if they’ve sprayed DDT. If they have, find a different place to stay. Half life of DDT is very very long and not easy to get out of the body.