1.03 - October 15, 2009

In The News: H1N1 (Swine Flu)

The H1N1 influenza A virus strain (also commonly referred to as Swine Flu) has become one of the most virulent influenza viruses in history. As of October 4, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) had confirmed over 375,000 cases of Swine Flu worldwide – making it a global pandemic – and over 4,000 deaths from infection.

As is the case with other viruses, the most common way to prevent H1N1 infection is through vaccination. One problem, however, is that production and distribution of the vaccine have been slow, and the best estimates put first year production at around 3 billion doses (that’s less than half of the Earth’s population). Another problem with vaccines is their questionable safety and efficacy. Just 33 years ago, influenza vaccines were causing Guillain-Barré syndrome at a rate of about 10 cases per 1 million vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the WHO claim that the H1N1 vaccine is safe and effective. If catching the virus isn’t a serious threat for you and you generally have a healthy immune system (i.e., you don’t usually get sick), getting the vaccine might not be worth the risk. On the other hand, if you are part of a high risk group – pregnant women, first line health care workers, the immuno-suppressed or immuno-deficient, etc. – you might consider getting the vaccine

Regardless of what you decide, there are a number of other ways to help prevent infection. First and foremost is the obvious, practical advice to stay away from sick people, and to make sure you’re practicing proper hygiene (e.g., wash your hands after you use the bathroom and before you eat, keep your fingers out of your eyes and nose, etc.). Some other effective ways to prevent getting sick are to exercise, eat right, and take immunity-boosting and anti-viral supplements.

It has been well-established for some time that exercise boosts immune function. Thirty to sixty minutes per day of moderate physical activity is enough to keep you well. Exercise may even directly increase the effectiveness of immunizations, especially in the elderly. Eating a healthy diet is also an effective way to boost immune function (in addition to all the other great benefits it provides). Deficiencies in certain nutrients not only make you more susceptible to viral infections, they also increase the chances of viral mutations that can increase the virus’ replication and severity. Supplementing with certain nutrients can help prevent infection, decrease the severity of symptoms, and help you feel better faster. The following is a list of some of those supplements and the ways in which they help keep you healthy:

• Geranium sanguineum extract – Restores and enhances immune function.

• Selenium – A deficiency leads to greater susceptibility to infection and viral mutations.

• N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) & glutathione – N-acetyl-L-cysteine is a precursor to glutathione. Glutathione helps prevent viral replication, especially in the respiratory system (where influenza viruses flourish).

• Resveratrol – Inhibits viral replication and reduces production of inflammatory chemicals.

• Quercetin – Protects the lungs from free radicals produced during an influenza infection.

• Vitamin E – Lowers virus levels in the lungs during an influenza A infection (H1N1 is an influenza A strain). It also helps maintain body weight after infection.

• Curcumin – Induces synthesis of glutathione in the body, inhibits inflammation, and stimulates production of monocytes and macrophages (the organisms in your body that fight viruses).

• Elderberry – Inhibits H1N1 activity. It’s effectiveness is similar to the anti-viral drugs Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Amantadine.

• Vitamins A, C, D, E, B6, B9, and B12, and trace elements selenium, zinc, copper and iron work in synergy to boost immune response. Vitamin B6, selenium, copper and zinc increase viral antibody production. Vitamins A, D and E promote immunity by stimulating Th2 lymphocytes.

These supplements can be taken as part of a preventative program, or if you get sick they can be administered intravenously to eliminate the virus, enhance recovery, and prevent future infection. Exercising, eating right, and being diligent about basic preventive practices will also go a long way in helping you avoid getting sick. For more information about the H1N1 virus, visit the CDC, WHO, or Flu.gov.

Childhood Obesity: Sugar, schools, and scholastic performance

There’s an old fable about a priest who, week after week, keeps preaching the same sermon. Eventually, a few of the parishioners gather up the courage to approach the priest and explain to him that his sermon has been the same for the past several weeks. The priest responds that he is well aware of that, and that he is going to continue to give the same sermon until the parishioners actually listen to what he’s saying.

For the past several years, nutritionists, exercise gurus, health experts, and even government organizations have been preaching the same sermon: if you want to lose weight you have to improve your diet and be more active. We haven’t listened. Year after year, Americans have gotten fatter and fatter, and the parallel rise in childhood obesity indicates that this trend won’t be ending anytime soon.

One of the most alarming aspects of this trend is that children being born today have a lower life expectancy than their parents. That’s sad! Another alarming statistic is the rise in adolescents with attention and learning disorders. A number of theories exist about the relationship between a high sugar, low nutrient diet and the emergence of learning disabilities, and at the very least this type of diet impairs cognitive function, diminishes concentration, focus and creativity, and reduces overall scholastic performance (see the table below).

As an adult, if you are overweight or obese there is really only one person you can blame (hint: look in the mirror). That’s not to say that there aren’t extenuating circumstances, complications, or personal issues that can make losing weight difficult, it’s just that when we see “CiCi’s buffet pizza” on a diet record it usually leaves us shaking our collective heads.

When it comes to childhood obesity, however, you can rightfully place the blame on any one of several groups including parents, the food industry, the government, and even schools. If you’re a parent, you have a duty to ensure the health of your child(ren). It has been well documented that a child’s food choices are heavily influenced by their parent’s food choices. If you want your kids to eat healthy, you have to eat healthy.

The food industry also plays an important role in childhood obesity, especially when it comes to advertising. Commercials aired during children’s television programming are usually for one of two things: toys or junk food. Unfortunately, you will probably never see a commercial for a fruit or vegetable (unless it’s dipped in chocolate or coated in sugar). The government becomes an accomplice by allowing these practices to carry on. If they banned TV ads for cigarettes, why can’t they ban ads for junk food during children’s programming?

The award for worst offender of all, though, has to go to schools. The minimum nutrition standards for school foods are pathetic, and the only vegetables served are usually stuffed in a calzone or topped on a cheeseburger. Some schools are wising up, but potatoes and corn continue to be the most common vegetables served, and the main dishes are still seriously lacking in nutritional value. See for yourself: Elementary School breakfast and lunch menu. The snack options aren’t much better. (A frosted brown sugar cinnamon Poptart is an allowable snack in school stores? Puh-leaze!)

The road to improving your children’s health can be a rough one. Getting them to be more active is usually the easy part – sign them up for youth sports programs, get them outside and playing with their friends, or start some habitual family activities focused around exercise. Getting them to eat better will probably be a bit more challenging. The most important thing you can do is lead by example; when you eat fruits and vegetables, your kids will be more likely to do the same. If their school doesn’t offer healthy choices, pack their lunch. You can also get involved in improving the quality of school foods through programs like California’s Project LEAN and Teachers for Healthy Kids. These organizations are pushing for healthier foods in schools, and there’s no reason you can’t do the same in your own community.

Six Common Health Myths Debunked

Myth: The more times you lose weight, the easier it becomes.

Fact: The opposite is true: the more times you lose weight – and then regain it – the more difficult weight loss becomes. One simple explanation is that your body recognizes dieting as starvation, and in order to survive improves its ability to hold on to fat. The primary way it does this is by increasing the number of available fat cells (adipocytes), so every time you lose weight your ability to store fat literally increases. That explains why people typically regain all the weight they lost and then some.

Myth: Everyone is allergic to the same foods (e.g., wheat/gluten, dairy, peanuts).

Fact: Food allergies are specific to an individual. There are also varying degrees of sensitivity to foods, and reactions can vary accordingly in severity, symptoms, onset, and length. We recommend food sensitivity testing for all of our patients to pinpoint their specific contraindicated foods and then prescribe a rotational diet that reintroduces these foods at the appropriate times.

Myth: You don’t need any supplements, you only need to eat a balanced diet.

Fact: The large majority of the population (more likely everyone) is deficient in at least one vitamin, mineral, amino acid, or neurotransmitter. On top of that, very few people eat a wide enough variety of foods day in and day out to cover all of their nutrient bases, and simply swallowing a cheap multivitamin isn’t a sufficient remedy. While correcting a nutrient deficiency is one of the best ways to improve your health and energy levels, the only effective way to do it is through comprehensive testing and precise treatment.

Myth: The age-related decline in cognitive function is unavoidable.

Fact: Deteriorating brain function as we age – forgetfulness, an inability to concentrate for long periods, etc. – is not only preventable, it may also be reversible. In fact, there are many ways to maximize brain function throughout your life and well into old age, including exercise (both physical and mental), stress reduction (e.g., meditation, yoga, adequate sleep, etc.), proper nutrition, and proper supplementation (like Neuropath).

Myth: Low hormone levels require hormone replacement therapy.

Fact: There are several minerals that help the body manufacture hormones. If you are low in any one of these minerals, your ability to make hormones will be compromised. As I previously mentioned, the only way to know if you’re deficient in a mineral is to have your levels tested. By supplementing with the appropriate mineral, hormone levels often return to normal without the need for hormone replacement therapy.

Myth: You have to cut carbs to lose fat.

Fact: Cutting carbs may be an effective way to lose fat, but it’s also a miserable way to do it. A better strategy is to focus on the type of carbs you eat. It is best to eat low Glycemic Index, nutrient dense whole foods like fruits (especially berries), sweet potatoes, rice, quinoa, oatmeal, and multigrain or sprouted grain breads (with at least 2 g of fiber per slice).