Hello everyone, I am pleased to announce that our May Website will be published in just a few minutes with new Blog topics for May, next week a natural products update and Nutrition News, cool meditation room and music....I get butterflies just thinking about it...Hope you'll visit soon.
Some very great promotional activities this month also see our calendar and email in a few days for more and details. It should really be a fun and productive month.
This week we're going to discuss the Swine flu pandemic... As I'd thought and hoped it has not been the disaster the media has hyped it up to be. Still, it does mean something, and it has major implications that unusual things are going on in the world...things not seen up to this point.
First of all: Where did it come from and who is patient zero?
According to the best sources, it all started back in 2005 in Wisconsin where an influenza virus infected a teenager which was a mosaic of a wild-bird flu, a human flu and a third type found in pigs. While fingers are pointing at Mexico, the pig species, we need to be looking at ourselves and how we have changed the world's ecology to promote extraordinary new germs to evolve, mutate and quickly spread.
No doubt, the speed that which these new "superbugs" can do the above pose a major challenge to the public health. While not wanting to be alarmist, few drugs are effective against viral illness, and vaccines may also not be effective due to the rapidity of mutation.
So what does one do? Well, take precautions as discussed last week if you are healthy. If you are suffering from chronic illness, you may want to avoid or minimize group activities or travel via air or boat. Hand sanitizer and face masks are very helpful. If your immune system is weak, I believe using these liberally is a necessity.
Staying healthy involves protecting and strengthening the immune system. The first step here is looking at factors that weaken the immune system. Chronic allergies, chronic stress, sleep deprivation, poor diet, overuse of antibiotics all cause the weakening of the immune system.
Chronic refers to a long-term situation. I have noticed for years that people with poorly controlled allergies have lower white counts than others. Strengthening oneself with diet, supplements, and even acupuncture and herbs can really help here, and balance out the immune system so that it is viable wjhen really needed.
Stress, affects all matter of functioning including diet and sleep patterns and must be dealt with before it causes health problems. Taking better care of oneself during tough times can be difficult but is a valuable lesson. Building up one's health bank is essential, and varies for each person.
Diet greatly impacts the immune system, for instance: a 4 ounce serving of soda...1/3 of a can will suppress the immune system for over 12 hours. If you happen to encounter a superbug in that period your chances of fighting it off is greatly reduced.
One night's sleep loss can have a similar effect on T-Helper cells and Natural Killer cells. This again translates into a greatly increased risk of getting ill.
Antibiotic overuse can have devastating consequences on the beneficial bacteria in the human body creating a very flawed eco system that is devoting most of its energy to its internal problems and cannot then forge a healthy defense.
Many natural substances and tonics exist to strengthen the immune system. Vitamins such as C & E, glutathione, Larix, mushroom extracts and many chinese herbs, as well as foods such as garlic and shitake have a beneficial impact on the immune system. Come in and let's discuss what would be best for you!
Taryn DeCicco 5/6/09
