I'm not here to tell you that the swine flu is nothing to worry about, but the level of fear associated with the media coverage in the past week seems inappropriate to me.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the 1918-19 Influenza Epidemic was not caused by the influenza virus acting on its own -- most of the victims that succumed to death also suffered from concurrent bacterial pneumonia infections. Pathologists who examined individuals effected by the 1918 virus found that the virus destroyed the cilia in the lungs that fight infection, leaving the body vulnerable to a bacterial attack.
Another reasearcher, Lawrence Broxmeyer, MD, believes that the virulence of this particular influenza strain could be boosted by a concurrent exposure to the tuberculosis mycobacterium, based on the symptoms associated with TB, the age range of affected persons, and the high case rates for TB among Mexican immigrants.
Here's the good news: Given the state of modern medicine, both bacterial pneumonia infections and mycobacterial infections like tuberculosis are highly treatable with antibiotics.
The most important thing to do is get checked at the first signs of flu-like symptoms, get tested, and get the appropriate treatment.
Don't forget my tips for boosting your immune system.
Be Well!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Boost Your Immunity and Beat Swine Flu
At the time that I'm writing, 103 people have died in Mexico from swine flu and there are 40 cases reported in the United States. All of the cases in the U.S. are mild, but there is a world-wide alert to prevent a possible pandemic.
The U.S. government has declared a public health emergency, and U.S. citizens are being advised to avoid any non-essential travel to Mexico.
Sounds scary, but there's a lot that you can do as an individual to boost your immunity and keep yourself healthy and strong while others are getting sick around you.
Here are six important tips for keeping your immune system functioning at its peak:
1. Put Lemons in Your Water - This simple health tonic benefits your entire system. Although Lemons are acidic, they help boost your body's natural alkalinity. Also, Lemons are rich in flavonoids, nutrients that are essential to your immune system functions.
2. Take Herbs to Boost Your Immunity - My favorite herbal formula during the cold and flu season is Jade Windscreen. More effective immune symptom tonics are elderberry, echinacea, astragalus and raw honey.
3. Don't Skimp on Sleep - Sleep is essential to a healthy immune system.
4. Drink Plenty of Water - Your immune system won't function properly if your body isn't properly hydrated. Drink enough water, and avoid dehydrating substances like caffeine and alcohol.
5. Call in Sick - Staying at home when you're sick is the best thing for you and for your co-workers. If you stay home, you'll get better faster and you won't be exposing everyone else to the contagious pathogen that's got you feeling bad.
6. Take Good Care of Yourself - If you're sick, don't stop doing things that make you happy, because stress and depression have a negative effect on your immune system. Do whatever you can to boost your mood - watch funny movies, read books that you enjoy - while you're at home recovering. You'll bounce back faster than if you lay around stressing about what you're not doing.
Good Luck! Be Well!
The U.S. government has declared a public health emergency, and U.S. citizens are being advised to avoid any non-essential travel to Mexico.
Sounds scary, but there's a lot that you can do as an individual to boost your immunity and keep yourself healthy and strong while others are getting sick around you.
Here are six important tips for keeping your immune system functioning at its peak:
1. Put Lemons in Your Water - This simple health tonic benefits your entire system. Although Lemons are acidic, they help boost your body's natural alkalinity. Also, Lemons are rich in flavonoids, nutrients that are essential to your immune system functions.
2. Take Herbs to Boost Your Immunity - My favorite herbal formula during the cold and flu season is Jade Windscreen. More effective immune symptom tonics are elderberry, echinacea, astragalus and raw honey.
3. Don't Skimp on Sleep - Sleep is essential to a healthy immune system.
4. Drink Plenty of Water - Your immune system won't function properly if your body isn't properly hydrated. Drink enough water, and avoid dehydrating substances like caffeine and alcohol.
5. Call in Sick - Staying at home when you're sick is the best thing for you and for your co-workers. If you stay home, you'll get better faster and you won't be exposing everyone else to the contagious pathogen that's got you feeling bad.
6. Take Good Care of Yourself - If you're sick, don't stop doing things that make you happy, because stress and depression have a negative effect on your immune system. Do whatever you can to boost your mood - watch funny movies, read books that you enjoy - while you're at home recovering. You'll bounce back faster than if you lay around stressing about what you're not doing.
Good Luck! Be Well!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Flavonoids: Your New Favorite Supplement
If you ask anyone what you need to do to lead a long and healthy life, the answers are always the same: exercise, drink water, get plenty of rest, reduce stress and eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Now, thanks to a recent German study, we are one step closer to understanding exactly why fruits and vegetables keep us healthy. The answer? Flavonoids.
Flavonoids are plant secondary metabolites, and are ofeten referred to as "biological response modifiers" due to their ability to moderate the body's response to allergens, viruses and cancer.
The German study found that birds actively selected fruit with the highest flavonoid content to maintain their health. Researchers offered birds two servings of food - identitcal in every respect except for the amount of flavonoids it contained. The birds chose the food with the higher flavonoid content.
After four weeks, the researchers tested birds who had consumed a high flavonoids diet compared with those that did not, and found that the flavonoid eating birds had stronger immune systems.
The health benefits of these natural compounds are as varied as their appearance in nature. So if you want a strong immune system, less allergic reactions and a reduced risk of cancer, you know what to do. Eat your fruits and vegetables!
Now, thanks to a recent German study, we are one step closer to understanding exactly why fruits and vegetables keep us healthy. The answer? Flavonoids.
Flavonoids are plant secondary metabolites, and are ofeten referred to as "biological response modifiers" due to their ability to moderate the body's response to allergens, viruses and cancer.
The German study found that birds actively selected fruit with the highest flavonoid content to maintain their health. Researchers offered birds two servings of food - identitcal in every respect except for the amount of flavonoids it contained. The birds chose the food with the higher flavonoid content.
After four weeks, the researchers tested birds who had consumed a high flavonoids diet compared with those that did not, and found that the flavonoid eating birds had stronger immune systems.
The health benefits of these natural compounds are as varied as their appearance in nature. So if you want a strong immune system, less allergic reactions and a reduced risk of cancer, you know what to do. Eat your fruits and vegetables!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Importance of Change
We all say we want to be healthy, but how many of you out there are willing to actually change behaviors that you know are harmful to your physical body?
A recent BBC news report states that despite a British public health campaign and evidence which found that adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle could prevent between one-third and one-half of all cancers, two-thirds of British citizens had not altered their behaviors at all.
Of those polled, one-third admitted that they try to not think about cancer at all.
Why so much resistance? If we know that something is good for us, why don't we just do it?
Change is difficult - for many reasons, which are different for each individual. But the bottom line is really, truly this: if you ignore warnings and persist in unhealthy behaviors, chances are that you will get cancer.
The good news is that it's never too late to change your behavior and reduce your cancer risk by 50 percent. Those are pretty amazing odds, and I can tell you from personal experience that you will be healthier if you quit smoking, eat right and exercise.
If you're having trouble getting motivated to change your eating habits or get to the gym, visit the following websites for tips on how to break bad habits:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Breaking-Bad-Habits---5-Simple-Steps-for-Changing-a-Habit&id=71021
http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/strategies-for-breaking-bad-habits-and-cultivating-good-ones/
http://www.ehow.com/how_2054579_change-bad-habits-using-thought.html
A recent BBC news report states that despite a British public health campaign and evidence which found that adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle could prevent between one-third and one-half of all cancers, two-thirds of British citizens had not altered their behaviors at all.
Of those polled, one-third admitted that they try to not think about cancer at all.
Why so much resistance? If we know that something is good for us, why don't we just do it?
Change is difficult - for many reasons, which are different for each individual. But the bottom line is really, truly this: if you ignore warnings and persist in unhealthy behaviors, chances are that you will get cancer.
The good news is that it's never too late to change your behavior and reduce your cancer risk by 50 percent. Those are pretty amazing odds, and I can tell you from personal experience that you will be healthier if you quit smoking, eat right and exercise.
If you're having trouble getting motivated to change your eating habits or get to the gym, visit the following websites for tips on how to break bad habits:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Breaking-Bad-Habits---5-Simple-Steps-for-Changing-a-Habit&id=71021
http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/strategies-for-breaking-bad-habits-and-cultivating-good-ones/
http://www.ehow.com/how_2054579_change-bad-habits-using-thought.html
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