April 28, 2009
By Jessica ForbesRecent news reports have been filled with information on the swine flu epidemic. This strain of flu is of concern because, unlike seasonal flu, it has the ability to jump from species to species (in this case, from infected pigs to humans who handle them – not necessarily humans who eat them) which means that it is capable of mutating. This has happened in the past with other flu strains, but this time around it is of more concern because it is quickly spreading from human to human. The apparently quick movement of the virus has people worried that it will mutate so quickly and so often that drug companies will not be able to produce specific vaccines in time to help people before they come in contact with the virus.
This may sound very scary, but it is important to remember that in many cases people have made a full recovery from this type of flu. To put it in perspective, common seasonal flu kills between 250,000 and 500,000 people annually. As of the writing of this blog, an estimated 150 people have died from swine flu in Mexico. I am not making light of this virus – it is a very serious concern with dangerous possibilities, but it is entirely possible that the virus will mutate to a less virulent form and “fizzle out” over the coming weeks. With all the media hype it’s easy to forget that possibility. The elderly, children, and those with compromised immune systems are usually the most at risk for contracting the flu but in this case everyone should take precautions.
As mentioned above, there is no vaccination for this flu and medications are only helpful after you already have the virus. Prevention is going to be your best bet! Here are some basic health tips for flu prevention:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. Hand sanitizer can be used in a pinch, but soap and water is preferable because it actually removes physical particles instead of just sterilizing them.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth – especially when you’re out in public.
- Get enough sleep (7-10 hours, depending on your personal needs). Lack of sleep can lead to immune system suppression.
- Stay hydrated, which is vital to keeping the immune system functioning.
- Eat a healthy diet that contains plenty of whole foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, vegetables, and fruit. Nutrition is foundational to proper immune function.
- Include coconut oil in your diet. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, a fatty acid with natural anti-viral properties.
- Minimize allergenic foods such as pasteurized dairy and wheat flour, which may suppress the immune system.
- Avoid white sugar, which directly suppresses the immune system. Replace sugar with natural sweeteners such as stevia and xylitol – not with artificial sweeteners, which are difficult for the body to process.
- Include plenty of immune-boosting herbs in your diet such as garlic, ginger, onions, and cayenne. If you can’t get enough of these foods in your diet or want additional support, use a tincture such as Marilyn Farms SuperForce.
- Use immune-supporting supplements to your advantage. Some of the essentials include:
- Vitamin C, which supports immune cell function. For information on dosing vitamin C visit read this article on Vitamin C for Cold and Flu
- Zinc, which is necessary to make immune cells. For food sources and dosing visit http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/zinc/
- Echinacea-based herbal blends, which boost immune cell formation such as Marilyn Farms Immune Boost, Virus Defense, or Cold n’ Flu
- Elderberry, which has anti-viral properties
- Probiotics, which are healthy bacteria that shield the gut. They can be eaten in cultured foods like yogurt or taken in pill form (Custom Probiotics)
If you have general symptoms of cold or flu, please stay home, take care of yourself, and contact your doctor. And above all, don’t panic – it’s bad for your immune system!
NOTE: Please talk to your physician before making any dietary or supplement changes. This blog is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
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I noticed your blog states there is no vaccination for the swine flu. I read an article on MSN that states “The swine flu bug is curable if treated quickly with antiviral medicine but no one is naturally immune.”
What is the difference between having an antiviral and not having a vaccine?
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Jessica Forbes Reply:
April 29th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Thanks for your question! The difference between a vaccine and an antiviral is that a vaccine is preventive and an antiviral only works after the virus has infected a person.
A vaccine is a medication containing immune particles that are specific to a particular disease to stimulate a response from your own immune system. This response means that when your body comes into contact with the real disease, your body will recognize it and fight it immediately because it already has the immune particles in its “library” of things to fight. The reason there is no vaccine for swine flu yet is that the genetic sequence of the virus is mutating (as all flu viruses do) and pharmaceutical companies have not yet been able to formulate a specific vaccine.
An antiviral medication works on the other end of things – once the virus has infected a person’s body by incorporating its DNA into that person’s DNA, and antiviral works to reverse this – usually by stopping expression of viral DNA.
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Comment by Chris — April 28, 2009 @ 11:25 am
Does using coconut milk in cooking (like in curries or lentil soup) have the same affect as using coconut oil? Or are they different fat-wise?
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Jessica Forbes Reply:
April 29th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Great question, I’m glad you asked! Whole coconut milk has 10 grams of healthy fat per serving (usually 2 ounces) so you will get the benefits of lauric acid. It will be less concentrated than using pure coconut oil, but it does have the added nutrition found in the pulp of the coconut and also in the coconut water which is very rich in minerals.
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Comment by Tara — April 28, 2009 @ 2:12 pm
Hi
I had a kidney transplant a year ago and went into immediate anti-body rejection, have been going through treatments and finally now it seems to be getting under control. I also contracted a rare kidney transplant virus called the BK Virus, which also seems to be under control finally. I have been fighting for my life since transplant and have lived like a hermit and have just tried to live a normal life (not sure what that is anymore).
I now have developed a lung infection fungus called Invasive Aspergillosis, I have been hospitalized in and out since February, and undergoing oral and IV treatments to fight it, which they are not working. So we are going to go ahead and go to surgery to remove that part of my lung in June or August.
Your article mentions that there are immune supporting supplements, how do those affect rejection and anti fungal medications? My doctors have always said I am not allowed to take any herbal supplements, but your information is very intriguing.
I am now under post transplant restrictions with confinement to my home for at least the next couple weeks. I am desperate, the CDC stated that if I get this flu, it WILL be deadly to me as my body will not be able to fight it and they cannot guarantee that they have the right medicine to fight it with all the medical problems I have.
What would your thoughts be for preventative actions to take for my case?
Thank you very much for your time.
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Jessica Forbes Reply:
April 30th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Hi Stephanie,
Thank you for reading our blog. From a nutritionist’s point of view, I would say that your case is unique and you should definitely follow whatever guidelines your doctors have given you about taking herbal supplements. Probably the safest way to take preventive actions would be to look at dietary means of immune support. Coconut oil is a wonderful immune supportive food, that naturally prevents viral infection. You can read more about it, as well as other foods that nourish the body at http://www.westonaprice.org.
If you would like help finding a referral for a practitioner in your area, feel free to email me at jessica-forbes@marilynfarms.com.
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Comment by Stephanie Cart — April 30, 2009 @ 12:38 am
Great article Jess, but I would add intake of 2-4000 iu. s of vitamin D daily for good protection and 5-8000 i u. s daily when you are in strong risk area.
Vitamin D is turning out to be one of the most protective and modulating nutrients for the immune system. Studies and clinical evidence the last few years show that 80+5 of people need to take several thousand units of D daily for optimal health and protection.
Hugs, Peter Wilhelmsson (POW)
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Comment by Peter Wilhelmsson — April 30, 2009 @ 10:47 am
I am a Naturopath. I read Elderberry shouldnt be used as it is shown to increase the number of inflammatory cytokines. Instead focus should be given to balance the immune system and decrease inflammation. Herbs like echinacea, garlic, tumeric and many more. St Johns wort antiviral, andrographis looks great, as does green tea. Interested in what you think about the ginsengs and other adaptogens i .e withania etc. Some research say perfect choice but I have information at hand saying not for acute situations. Food for thought, learning all the time, Ann
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Comment by Ann — June 15, 2009 @ 6:23 am