Shannon Feely, BSc, ND

QUICK FACTS

• HINI influenza pandemic = swine flu = new strain of Influenza A virus
• Transmitted from person to person in the same way as common flu viruses.
• The Spanish Flu of 1918 was also an H1N1 virus (possibly of avian origin), and targeted young people with healthy immune systems. Similarly, the 2009 H1N1 pandemic flu occurs primarily in younger, healthy people.
• The main theory about why the virus targets younger and healthier people, is because the immune system of young people overreacts to the virus (called a “cytokine storm”), and causes more damage than the virus itself.  This may happen because the younger person has had less exposures with similar viruses, and so this may allow the virus to modify itself and become stronger.

PREVENTION

The common sense approach: H1N1 flu prevention starts with the same prevention basics you would use for avoiding any flu:

• Cough or sneeze into the sleeve of your bent arm, not your hand, if caught without a tissue.
• If you blow your nose, cough or sneeze into a tissue, throw it away and wash your hands, or use alcohol hand gel if no soap and water available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
• Always wash your hands after being out in public, especially public transport.
• Take your shoes off when indoors.
• Clean hard surfaces such as door handles and light switches using a normal cleaning product.

Live healthily and listen to your body. It cannot be stressed too highly how important basic lifestyle is in the function of our immune system.  This includes keeping stress moderate, eating healthy every day, and getting enough sleep (8 hrs/day).

Sleep is medicine; it is when the body heals. Sleep is vital to health, and research shows that not only does sleep disturbance increase colds, it also increases pro-inflammatory chemicals released by the body, which contribute to atherosclerosis, allergies and other inflammatory conditions.

Digest.  A large part of your immune system is in your gut.  Taking care of your digestive system is one of the best things you can do for your immune system.  If you have constipation, diarrhoea, lots of gas/bloating, and less then 1 bowel movement per day and would like some guidance for sorting out your digestive problems, please call the Greenwich Natural Health Centre to make an appointment with Shannon.

Three top nutritional strategies for boosting your immune system are:

• Avoid excess sugar.  A sugary diet suppresses important immune system cells responsible for fighting infections. Read the label: 10g of sugar per 100g of food is a lot, and 2g of sugar per 100g of food is a little.
• Eat 2 veggies with lunch, 2 veggies with dinner, and 2 veggie based snacks throughout the day. Eat a rainbow of colours!
• Drink 1.5 -2 L of water per day.  Water is essential to immune system function.

Give an extra boost with supplements: Here are two natural immune modulators that may be supportive for the immune system, in addition to your healthy lifestyle and common sense hygiene.  Take throughout the flu season. (Adult doses).

• Vitamin D: 1000 IU per day.
• Vitamin C: 1000-2000mg per day. Work up to this dose over a few days as too much Vitamin C too quickly can cause loose stools.  The human body also only absorbs 250mg at one time, so take the doses throughout the day.

Try the Immune Booster Program: There are herbs and additional nutrients that show promising preliminary research for supporting the immune system, which may help with swine flu and the common influenza viruses.

The Immune Booster Program contains products that can be taken throughout the influenza session.  To start the Immune Boost Program, please call the Greenwich Natural Health Centre and book an appointment with Shannon.

Be aware: Recently there have been many products claiming to prevent the common flu and/or swine flu; but there is not enough research for anyone to tell you they can prevent or cure the common flu and/or swine flu; a single study is not enough evidence.  It’s fine if you want to try the various supplements available, with the guidance of a knowledgeable health care practitioner, as long as you are aware of the possibilities for lack of effectiveness and safety.  That being said, many people do find significant improvements from nutritional supplements, along with dietary and lifestyle changes.

VACCINATION

• The swine flu vaccine is not the same as the seasonal flu vaccine; and the seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against swine flu.
• There are two choices of vaccinations for swine flu: Pandemrix (prepared using egg; contains an adjuvant) or Celvapan (no egg used; mercury free; adjuvant free).
• Adjuvant: a pharmacological agent added to a drug that aids the action of the drug’s active ingredient.
• Celvapan is recommended for pregnant women as it contains no adjuvant.  Adjuvant vaccines have not had enough research on pregnant women.
• The swine flu vaccine is not live and cannot cause swine flu.
• Right now in the UK people in the high-risk groups are being offered the vaccination.  The NHS states that people who are not in high priority groups will be offered the vaccine at a later stage.  Although there are enough vaccines for everyone in the country if the situation arises.
• The side effects listed by the NHS for the vaccines: All vaccinations can produce side-effects such as redness, soreness and swelling at the site of the injection. Flu vaccines can cause symptoms like fever, headache and muscle aches, but they are much milder than the flu itself and only last a day or so.
• There are reports of more serious side effects such as neurological damage.  These have been associated with the vaccine that contains an adjuvant.
• In general, mercury free vaccines are available if you choose the single vial vaccines, which do not need any preservation.

Decisions: Deciding whether to get the swine flu vaccine is a difficult one for many because there just isn’t enough definitive research for any one to confidently say the benefits outweigh possible side effects in every case.  What you can do, is research the facts that we do know, and discuss it with your doctor based on your unique health history.

Differing opinions. Below are two reputable opinions that raise some important but opposing issues:

• This is an interview by Tom Jefferson, MD who states the swine flu is not a major threat.  He has co-authored over 10 Cochrane reviews to answer a wide range of questions such as: do flu vaccines reduce the chance of getting influenza or reduce the risk of complications, hospitalizations and deaths in elderly people, children, healthy adults and asthmatics?
• This is a blog entry on why you should get the swine flu vaccine.  It’s by the editors of the Effect Measure website, who are senior public health scientists and practitioners.

To book an appointment with Shannon

at the Greenwich Natural Health Centre

please call 020 8691 5408.