Bird flu, tea ECGC catechins, apple bioflavanoid, quercetin

October 13 , 2005 - I don't want to be an alarmist, but there is something that is looming on the horizon that could have dire consequences. I don't know how many of you are following the news, but there is increasing information being published concerning the possibility of avian (bird) flu. Just last week, President Bush outlined a scenario of possibly utilizing the military to quarantine communities in this country if and when the bird flu should make it to our shores. There have been estimates of high death rates from this virus-a virus we have not seen the likes of for many decades. The last time that a virus of this nature occurred was the pandemic influenza outbreak of 1918. It is estimated at that time that 40-50 million people died as a result of this infection; many within hours to a few days of exhibiting symptoms. Although we have certainly come a long way medically since 1918, I'd like you to be prepared in case we have to deal with this potentially-fatal flu here on our shores. Learn more here >>>

Guard Yourself Against The Deadly Avian Flu Now!

Influenza is seen on a yearly basis in the United States, typically peaking between December and March. There are three major strains of influenza: influenza A, B and C, with A and B being the most virulent. Flu is typically spread from person to person by coughing or sneezing. It produces a host of symptoms including fever, headache, muscle aches, cough, sore throat and exhaustion It is estimated in a typical year, anywhere from 5-20% of the U.S. population will develop the flu. It is further estimated that more than 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized for flu related matters annually, and about 36,000 Americans die in a typical year from the complications of flu. 

The avian influenza virus, also known as H5N1 or the "bird flu," is an infection that is caused by a bird-carried influenza virus. It has been noted in birds going back at least to 1997. However, in the last one or two years literally millions of birds in Asia that have contracted this virus have died or been destroyed. To date, the virus has infected 117 people in Asia, killing at least 60. That's a mortality rate of over 50%. Most of the people who were infected had close contact with infected poultry. Thus far, there has been no reported direct human-to human-spread, but scientists feel that there is a great likelihood that over the coming weeks to months, the virus will mutate and develop that propensity. 

In an attempt to curtail a potential avian pandemic, officials in Southeast Asia have indicated that they have slaughtered 140 million birds thus far. Unfortunately, it has not stopped the virus from spreading. An ominous sign is that the avian flu, which had been confined to Southeast Asia, has now spread to both Europe and Turkey. Should the viral mutation occur (which again, scientists feel is a high likelihood), we could see this virus quickly spread throughout the world. Mike Osterholm, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Minnesota who has advised the U.S. government on the avian flu and other dangers of pandemic flu warns, "To believe that you can contain this locally is to believe in fairy tales." 

Imagine one infected person getting on an airplane, coughing and sneezing. By the end of that flight, literally the entire plane could be infected. Brings back images from the movie Outbreak, but unfortunately, this is not fictional. Those exposed individuals would then travel to their respective communities throughout the country, potentially causing a wildfire-like spread of infection. According to an Associated Press column quoting a draft of the government's plan to fight a worldwide epidemic, U.S. government officials indicate that if the bird flu developed human-to-human transmission, a major outbreak could kill upwards of 1.9 million people in the United States and literally make half the country ill. 

To give you some historical sense about the severity of a pandemic influenza, between 1918 and 1919 the Spanish Flu virus killed anywhere between 40 to 50 million people throughout the world. It was said to be the most devastating epidemic ever recorded in history. We've all heard of the Bubonic Plague of Europe in the 1300s, and yet, the Spanish Flu of 1918 actually killed more people in a single year than in the four years of the Bubonic Plague. 

Governments throughout the world are currently in the frenzied process of stockpiling an anti-viral agent called TamiFlu as a possible treatment for the bird flu. I have already obtained several doses of this medication for me and my family. The United States is planning to stockpile 20 million units, although at the current time only has 2 or 3 million units-enough for less than one percent of the population. If they were able to obtain the full 20 million doses that they would like, this would still only treat about six percent of the population. Congress has proposed setting aside $4 billion initially for this venture. Regrettably, I think it is important to point out that in matters such as this, we cannot rely on our government. We saw all too well how the local, county, state and federal governments reacted inefficiently to the people of the Gulf States with the recent hurricane Katrina. In the event of a national outbreak of this bird flu at present estimates, only a tiny proportion of people in the United States will have adequate coverage. Not only is the government not prepared to handle this, but I can also safely state that most hospitals are likewise ill-equipped to handle an onslaught of critically-ill patients. Although I would recommend that all of you ask your doctors for a prescription of TamiFlu to have for potential future use, don't be lulled into a sense of false security that this is the answer. Unfortunately, viruses have a tendency to mutate, and already there have been reports of strains of the virus that are TamiFlu resistant. I have seen it many times in the hospital where we have increasingly resistant bacteria because of the ubiquitous use of antibiotics-and the drug will fail to work as a result. 

What then is the answer?

I believe it is critically important for all of us to immediately look to build as healthy an immune system as possible. Please recognize that a well-functioning immune system is our first natural defense against cold and flu, various infections and toxins, as well as promoting healthy cells. 

There are many things that we can do to maximize our immune systems right away. Eating a healthy diet that is devoid of simple sugars is a good starting point. There have been studies in the medical literature indicating that ingestion of sugar (this includes fructose, corn syrup, etc.) can actually wreak havoc on the immune system.1,2 Likewise, getting enough sleep (7-9 hours) is vitally important.3 Proper frequent hand washing is important, along with avoidance of touching your face or eyes.4 

There are a number of nutrients that we can take to further maximize our immune function. The value of taking antioxidants is to not only fight free radicals (which can be produced by viruses), but also to rev up our natural antioxidant mechanisms. There is one particular antioxidant enzyme called superoxide dismutase (SOD) that is a critical element in this regard. In a study published in the Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research from 1997,5 mice were infected intra-nasally with influenza virus A. On days five, six, seven and eight after the infection, these mice were given injections of SOD. Forty-five percent of the mice that received this treatment survived for 20 days. When the same treatment was started one day earlier and given on days four to eight, survival increased to 75%. There is a new in oral form launched recently by NSI called GliSODin®. It is the first form in humans to promote the body's production of SOD.6 Additionally there are a number of nutrients available such as N-acetyl-cysteine that can raise levels and also work independently as free-radical fighters. 

There has been a long standing debate whether Vitamin C is an effective agent against viruses. My personal experience is that it truly has merit. When I feel a virus coming on, I will load up on Ester-C®, and may take 10,000 or 12,000 mg in a day for a couple days and I find that it seems to not only shorten but also improve the symptoms. There was a study published last August in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.7 A five-year, randomized trial was performed in Japan: 144 individuals were treated with 50 mg daily of Vitamin C, with a second group of 161 subjects receiving 500 mg of Vitamin C daily. At the end of the five-year trial, those individuals treated with the higher-dose Vitamin C had about a 20% reduction in the number of common colds. 

In another study published in the Journal of Manipulative Physiology Therapy from 1999,7 252 students ranging in age from 18 to 30 years old were asked to take 1,000 mg of Vitamin C every hour for the first six hours after onset of any cold or flu symptoms, followed by 1,000 mg doses three times daily thereafter. A control group of 463 students took normal pain relievers and decongestants. It was found that overall flu and cold symptoms in the treated group decreased 85% compared with the controlled. 

Another vitamin that may have important immune-boosting properties is Vitamin E. There have been a few studies in the medical literature indicating that Vitamin E supplementation, above currently recommended levels, has been shown to improve immune function in the elderly.9, 10 Along with Vitamin E, the micro-mineral selenium is a powerful immune-enhancing agent that works in concert with Vitamin E.11 I have written on many occasions about the incredible benefits for selenium as an anti-cancer agent.12 I recommend 200-400 mcg per day of selenium. 

Another group of extremely powerful nutrients to boost immune function are the polyphenols and in particular, catechins principally from green and black teas. There have been multiple animal studies in the medical literature indicating that ECGC (a catechin) had direct anti-viral effects on influenza virus13, 14, 15 and, amazingly, even on HIV virus.16 There was even one study in the Asian literature noting that tea catechins had a protective effect against the hepatitis B infection.17 They noted in animal studies that it protected liver function and reduced pathological changes of liver tissue. I recommend 3-5 cups of organic green tea and/or 250-500 mg per day of standardized green tea with a high percentage of EGCG. 

We all know the expression "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Well, this cliché may prove to be true: An important component of apples is the bioflavanoid, quercetin. In animal studies out of India, it was found that quercetin not only restored concentrations of many antioxidants, but also resulted in a significant decrease in the number of free radicals.18 It was felt that quercetin may be useful as an agent in reducing the oxidative stress induced by influenza virus of the lung, since it appeared to protect it from the toxic effects of free radicals. 

Another category that seems an extremely unlikely anti-viral agent would be probiotics. Many people realize the value of probiotics for maintaining healthy gastrointestinal function.19 It also appears that it has some beneficial effects in the respiratory system as well.20 

One of the most powerful immune-boosting agents with good human clinical studies is something called AHCC (active hexose correlated compound) from Japan. This agent, which is a hybridization of several species of medicinal mushrooms, has been demonstrated to raise the level of natural killer (NK) lymphocytes in the bloodstream, and is a potent immune enhancer.21, 22, 23 I recommend 1,000 mg per day to healthy people and 3,000 mg per day if you have immediate health concerns. 

Finally, zinc is a powerful mineral that can help fight infection. This mineral appears to be especially important in younger children. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition March 2004,24 children between the ages of two to 24 months were randomly assigned to receive either zinc, Vitamin A or placebo. It was found that those treated with zinc significantly reduced the duration of fever and very ill status-particularly in the male children with severe acute lower respiratory infection. 

I realize that I have given you a lot of information today. Your head may be spinning as to what to do next. If I could get you to do one thing immediately, it would be to start with a good core multi-vitamin. There have been studies in the medical literature indicating that even if you get a flu shot, if your immune system is not functioning adequately, the vaccination may not be effective.25 Also remember, the current flu shots do not protect against the strain of bird flu we are most concerned about! By adding a good multi-nutrient product, not only will you enhance your immune system (potentially reducing your risk of developing the flu) but also improve the effectiveness of your flu vaccine. 

I am proud to recommend the wide selection of Synergy Multi-Vitamins from Nutraceutical Sciences Institute (NSI). From the Synergy Once-a-Day to Synergy Platinum and everything in between, we use excellent doses and forms of the proper nutrients. Most have many of the nutrients we've discussed today to help us build our immune systems to guard against the coming cold and flu season. Obviously, the higher-end products contain more nutrients and larger quantities of a vast array of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients. For general immunity-assuming you have no additional medical problems-I would recommend Synergy Multi-Vitamin Version 9, with a daily dose costing only about $1.00. It contains 500 mg of Ester C, 25 mg of superior-form zinc called L-OptiZinc®, 200 mcg of a premium form of selenium known as selenomethonine, 150 mg of quercetin, 100 mg of standardized green tea extract and a host of other important nutrients. 

For those of you that want to add some extra immunity protection, NSI has recently released an AHCC product. In addition to the above information, AHCC may also possess antioxidant properties, increase macrophage activity and support healthier functioning of the liver. A study from the December 2003 Life Sciences medical journal showed that supplementation with AHCC could reduce oxidative stress-particularly to the liver and kidneys.26 Sixty 500 mg capsules cost less than $40. If you compare similar products on the market, you will see that this price might be tough to beat. I also recommend CoQ10 for immune system and overall health benefits in a dosage range of 100-400 mg per day. The NSI CoQ10 from Japan is a superior natural, "trans form" of the anti-oxidant that is identical to the form produced naturally in our bodies.. 

We also offer an interesting homeopathic product called Oscillococcinum®. There have been some studies in the homeopathic literature indicating that this remedy taken early may effectively reduce flu symptoms.27 Another excellent product that has shown potential to be clinically effective for reducing the symptoms of flu is elderberry extract with Nature's Way's Sambucol® being superior.28 

And by the way, please don't forget your small children. If you are giving them Flintstones® or a similar supermarket vitamin, I would strongly recommend you switch to PediaPower®, a new addition to the NSI family. I recently did a newsletter on this excellent pediatric multi-vitamin, which I believe is second to none. For more information Click Here

One last thing: I recommend that you and your family consider having a supply of 3M's N100 surgical masks on hand; these are the masks the Centers for Disease Control recommend based on their studies for effectiveness. They are vastly superior to the N95 masks. Vitacost will soon be carrying the N100 masks... please check back to see when they will be available.I know a lot of people that are planning the worst while hoping for the best by stocking up on several months-supply of food, water, supplements, etc. 

Sales of all of these products are already starting to increase at a rather significant pace, and we are starting to suffer short-term out of stocks. Should the worst happen and there is a pandemic outbreak of the bird flu or just influenza A, there is a likelihood that the demand will so outpace the supply, and these products will not be available. I certainly don't mean to create a panic, but following these steps could potentially save your life and the lives of your family members. 

To review all of your Synergy multi-vitamin options: Click Here

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