Swine Flu: What you can do about it
Most of us didn't get past our morning coffee (or chai) today without hearing a news update on the outbreak of swine flu. We are told that the threat of a pandemic is real, and the topic has saturated the airwaves and the internet, becoming the number one topic on Twitter, and causing the US government to declare a public health emergency.
From the Himalayan Institute Total Health Centers, pioneers of holistic and preventative medicine in the United States, here is some helpful information about swine flu and what can be done to prevent it. Here are the facts.
Swine flu is a novel strain of the H1N1 influenza virus. It is named for its unusual genetic makeup - a combination of traits from earlier swine and avian flu virus strains - rather than for being spread through pigs or pork products. Symptoms are similar to those of the seasonal flu, and the infection appears to be spread person-to-person through respiration.
The first cases of swine flu were reported March 18th in Mexico's Federal District. Since then, 149 deaths have been attributed to the disease and cases have been confirmed in Canada, Spain, and five US states. This morning, there were reports of more than 2,000 unconfirmed cases.
As public health organizations around the world continue to monitor the outbreak, it's important for each of us to take precautions against the spread of the disease.
1. Fortify your immune system. Give your body every advantage in fighting infection bygetting adequate sleep, plenty of fluids, and 2-5 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables daily. When lifestyle or chronic illness weakens your immune system, consider adding a supplement. Chyawanprash is a new product offered by the Himalayan Institute. (We offer it here and it is delicious!) Using a precise, 2,000 year-old recipe of 36 herbs and 4 food ingredients, this nutritionally rich tonic enhances general health and supports the body's natural resistance to disease. The principle herb in Chyawanprash, Amla fruit, is one of the world's most concentrated sources of naturally occurring Vitamin C. The product is so popular in India that it accounts for approximately half of all herbal supplements sold.
You can also use other Ayurvedic formulations. We have several that stimulate and improve the function of your immune system., including two from Banyan; Immune support and Organic Greens. For more information or specific recommendations confer with Jackie. (Remember that Ayurvedic remedies are WHOLE FOODS, not extracted, re formulated concoctions that the body now must struggle to find the nutrients it is needing.
Finally, from the world of Homeopathy, Kali Muriaticum is a great remedy for weakened immune systems and is often helpful when taken at the first sign of a cold or flu. It is available at a 6x potency at your local health food store.
2. Use a Neti Pot & Nasal Wash. Long before symptoms arise, flu viruses incubate on the exposed epithelial tissue in the nose, throat, and lungs. A nasal wash helps to flush out harmful microbes from the nasal passages before they have a chance to penetrate the nasal lining and cause symptoms to develop. Using the Himalayan Institute's Neti pot & Neti Wash Plus combines zinc and a formula of herbal extracts proven to inhibit the growth of pathogens. (More info on the amazing neti pot from Dr. Oz on Oprah May 15th!)
3. The Law of Attraction. Remember that worrying is creating! Whenever I start to worry about things out of my control I think back to a lecture years ago where Dr. Deepak Chopra spoke of a study done @ Harvard medical school when he taught there where Flu virus was introduced directly to the mucous membrane in the participants, all medical students, and only 10% actually contracted the virus. Interestingly, this number increased around the time of exams due to the increased stress in the participants.
Also there are three things unequivocally proven to strengthen your immune system by 30-40%;
1. yoga
2. meditation
3. massage
REMEMBER…PUT YOUR ATTENTION ON WHAT YOU WANT AND WHERE YOU ARE GOING. THE MEDIA CAN BE HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH! Three times more people have died from hospital and drug mistakes than have died from this virus since March!
4. If you do get sick, know your options. If you or a loved one comes down with flu-like symptoms, and especially if you live in an area where swine flu has been confirmed, see a doctor. Your doctor will be able to evaluate whether further testing or treatment is required. If you are sick, stay home from work or school, and avoid unnecessary contact with people.
For further reading, see the CDC's Swine Influenza FAQ's
