Comments on: Nutrition and Swine Flu Prevention

By: Ann

Ann — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:23:30 +0000

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

By: Peter Wilhelmsson

Peter Wilhelmsson — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:47:11 +0000

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)

By: Jessica Forbes

Jessica Forbes — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 13:45:23 +0000

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.

By: Stephanie Cart

Stephanie Cart — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 04:38:00 +0000

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.

By: Jessica Forbes

Jessica Forbes — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:50:56 +0000

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.

By: Jessica Forbes

Jessica Forbes — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:50:24 +0000

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.

By: Tara

Tara — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 18:12:51 +0000

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?

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:25:35 +0000

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?