By Dr. Miranda Fellows

With all the sensationalized news about the so-called Swine Flu flying around, I figured we'd better set all the facts straight.

The swine flu virus has already been identified as a new virus, with genes from human and avian flus as well as the swine variety. It is causing large-scale outbreaks in Mexico, along with separate confirmed cases in the U.S. (one of the 40 cases identified in the U.S. so far has been fatal) and Canada and suspected cases in other countries. The influenza virus is constantly mutating, but every once in awhile, the virus shifts its genetic structure so much that our immune systems are challenged. (This usually happens when a flu virus found in animals - like the avian flu still circulating in Asia - swaps genes with other viruses in a process called reassortment, and jumps to human beings.)

Flu pandemic occurs when a new flu virus emerges for which humans have little or no immunity and then spreads easily from person to person around the world. The avian flu is not easily spread. In the 20th century we had two mild flu pandemics, in 1968 and 1957, and the severe Spanish Flu pandemic of 1918, which killed an estimated 40 to 50 million people worldwide (Reuters News Release April 27, 2009, by Bryan Walsh).

1. So far, only 82 cases of so-called swine flu have been definitively identified worldwide, mostly in Mexico (26 confirmed, 7 deaths) and the U.S. (with 40 confirmed, no deaths). (Though about 1600 suspected cases, including 159 deaths, are reported in Mexico.) That does not add up to a pandemic swine flu outbreak.

2. This virus has nothing to do with swine. In fact, it hasn't been seen in a single animal. And you can't possibly get it from eating pork.

3. No existing vaccines can prevent this new flu strain. So no matter what you hear don’t get a regular flu shot. They rarely work against seasonal flu…and certainly can't offer protection from a never-before- seen strain.

4. Speaking of this strain, it doesn't seem to have come on naturally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this particular strain has never before been seen in pigs or people. And according to Reuters, the strain is a 'genetic mix' of swine, avian and human flu. Was it created in a lab? We don't know yet.

5. The drug companies are getting excited…and that's never a good thing. According to the Associated Press at least one financial analyst estimates up to $388 million worth of Tamiflu sales in the near future – and that's without a pandemic outbreak.

6. Let's not forget that Tamiflu comes with its own problems, including side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, cough…the very symptoms you're trying to avoid. And let's not forget that Japan banned this drug for children back in 2007, after links to suicidal behavior.

7. Vaccines for this flu strain probably won't have to jump through all those annoying hurdles like clinical trials for safety and effectiveness. That won't, however, stop the US government from mandating the vaccine for all American citizens – a very likely scenario. And if the vaccines are actually harmful…killing people, for example…the vaccine makers will be immune from lawsuits.

Your best defense – your only real defense in any flu season – is a bulletproof immune system.

What can you do to strengthen the immune system?

Getting adequate rest, managing stress with positive lifestyle modifications such as exercise, meditation and prayer. Getting plenty of fresh water, sunlight and air. Making sure meals are made from fresh wholesome ingredients with plenty of brightly colored vegetables. Eating local fruits in season and staying away from refined, sugar laden and processed foods. Getting chiropractic adjustments on a preventative maintenance basis to keep your spine in alignment also boosts your immune system.

Powerful Nutritional Therapy:

Nutri-West’s Total Virx: (Olive leaf powder and extract, elderberry extract, astragalus, glycerol monolaurate, lysine, vitamin C, etc.). Olive leaf extract and elderberry extract are strong immune support nutrients. Researchers report that a female, taking no HIV drugs, used an elderberry extract with olive leaf extract and experienced a viral load drop from 17,000 to 4,000, and also that a placebo-controlled double-blind study demonstrated that elderberry extract led to a rapid recovery from influenza and inhibited replication of nine other strains of the flu virus. A theory is that elderberry renders viruses nonfunctional by staining and coating them” (Konlee, M. A new triple combination therapy. Posit Health News. 1998 Fall;(No 17):12-4.) Other well-controlled trials also report that a “complete cure was achieved within 2 to 3 days in nearly 90% of the elderberry extract-treated group (Zackay RZ et al. Inhibition of several strains of influenza virus in vitro and reduction of symptoms by an elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra L.) during an outbreak of influenza B Panama. J Altern Complement Med. 1995 Winter;1(4):361-9.) The other immune nutrients in Total Virx combine to make a powerful formula.

“Take 2 tablets of Total Virx and Total Multimune initially, then one per hour for the first day, and then lower the dose. Flu symptoms are usually better in six hours. If vomiting is present, add L-Glutamine Plus, 4 tablets initially and then one per hour; if throat is scratchy, add Throat Spray hourly; if bowel disturbance, add Total Probiotics, one capsule every four hours; Drink plenty of filtered water and rest.” – Dr. Ben Markham (D.C.)

Nutri-West’s Sago-C 500 (Includes 500 mg Sago palm vitamin C with bioflavonoids, propolis, and synergistic immune ingredients) OR C-1000 TR (1,000 mg vitamin C with bioflavonoids):

Thousands die every year from flu/flu complications, most often pneumonia in the elderly. In a controlled trial of over 700 students, the vitamin C-treated test group (showing flu/cold symptoms) given 1,000 mg every hour for the first six hours (and three X daily afterwards) vs. the control population (reporting symptoms) who were treated with pain relievers and decongestants showed an 85% reduction in symptoms. Vitamin C “administered before or after the appearance of cold and flu symptoms relieved and prevented the symptoms in the test population compared with the control group” (Gorton HC. The effectiveness of vitamin C in preventing and relieving the symptoms of virus-induced respiratory infections. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1999 Oct;22(8):530-3.)

Nutri-West’s Total Flu-Cld #1 Nasal Spray (homeopathic)

Homeopathic remedies have been found to be useful in conditions of flu (Jaber R. Respiratory and allergic diseases: from upper respiratory tract infections to asthma. Prim Care. 2002 Jun;29(2):231-61.) Gelsemium and Byronia, for instance “are the two most frequently indicated homeopathic flu medicines used to treat the flu… and homeopathy carries the potential to make a dramatic difference in any flu epidemic without the risk of drug side effects” (Randall Neustaedter OMD, Flu: Alternative treatments and prevention. North Atlantic Books, 2005). Eupatorium Perf is a well-known homeopathic remedy for flu-like symptoms (Jaric S, et al. An ethnobotanical study on the usage of wild medicinal herbs from Kopaonik Mountain (Central Serbia). J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Apr 20;111(1):160-175.) It is especially good for relief of headache, violent chills, and bone-pains. Echinacea Purp homeopathic has been found to “modulate peritoneal inflammatory reaction and have a cytoprotective action on leukocytes” (Pedalino CM, Effect of Atropa belladonna and Echinacea angustifolia in homeopathic dilution on experimental peritonitis. Homeopathy. 2004 Oct;93(4):193-8.) It is particularly helpful in controlling fever and lymphatic inflammation.

Take heed from Louis Pasteur’s revelation on his death bed “The pathogen is nothing. The terrain is everything”, Father of the “Germ Theory”, -1895

This statement means that if the immune system is healthy (the terrain), then the foreign invader, be it virus, bacteria, fungus or protozoa (pathogen), is insignificant!

Make an appointment at Carib Wellness today to make sure your immune system is bullet proof! Nutri-West prescription nutraceuticals are only available at Carib Wellness Herbal pharmacy. Do take advantage of our Mother’s Day special offer between the 5th and 8th of May. Call 469 2147 or 466 9355.