Interesting Article on Suggested Food Do's AND Don'ts for flu

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This was an interesting article for anyone that did not see link from Natural

Solutions site/or newsletter today from

Alternative Medicine health Gazette

(PRWEB) May 10, 2006 -- A Biology teacher from Australia, named ,

has done extensive research into the H5N1 virus and compiled a list of natural

foods that are effective against it and listed others that are detrimental.

The list may come as a surprise to many people since foods such as spirulina and

echinacea are listed as detrimental. This strange occurrence is largely due to

the fact that the virus is immune to 2 cytokines that the body produces (TNF-a

and IL-6). Cytokines are compounds produced by the body's immune system that

attack and remove foreign bodies. The problem is that when a foreign body is

immune to certain cytokines, the body sees that its immune response is not

working and tries even harder, which can lead to what is called a cytokine

storm, where the body becomes flooded with these compounds and they eventually

destroy the body itself. Foods such as Echinacea actually stimulate the

production of these specific cytokines; hence consuming it is not a good idea if

one suspects they may have the virus.

During the 1918 Spanish Flu many healthy young people died from cytokine storms

due to their immune systems overreacting. Consuming foods which suppress the

production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6 and enhance the production of the ones

that actually are effective against the virus will aid the patient greatly.

Other foods that create mucous in the respiratory tract, such as bananas, are

also listed as detrimental due to the fact that the predominant breeding ground

of the virus is the respiratory tract and another way in which a patient may

suffer is due to the body's over production of mucous in this area.

Folk Medicines and Herbs to use and avoid with Bird Flu

Below is a list of foods that are said to contain substances that are natural

antivirals, immune boosters or they decrease cytokines TNF-a and IL-6.

Alternative medications that are most likely to help us during a severe

pandemic:

Garlic (allicin) - Very effective antiviral. Best if fresh (raw) and crushed.

Must be consumed within 1 hour of crushing. Dosage is initially 2 to 3 cloves

per day but later reduce until no body odour occurs. No toxic effects noted.

(Pubmed PMID 9049657)

Vitamin C - Boosts the immune system and is an antiviral by blocking the enzyme

neuraminadase. Viruses need neuraminadase to reproduce. There are anecdotal

stories of people taking large amounts of Vitamin C (children ½) surviving the

Spanish Flu. Research shows that it may reduce the production of cytokines TNF-a

and IL-6. A study on 470 people involved giving the test group 1000 mg hourly

for 6 hours and then 1000 mg 3 times daily after reporting flu symptoms.

Symptoms decreased by 85%. (Pubmed PMID 10543583, 634178, 16169205, 12876306)

Green Tea (possible Tamiflu/Relenza alternative)- Very effective antiviral. Also

decreases the production of the cytokine (catechins) TNF-a. Inhibits

neuraminidase. May have antiviral activity that is equal to other antivirals

such as Tamiflu. (Pubmed PMID 16137775)

St s Wort (Hypericum) - Very effective antiviral. Also decreases the

production of the cytokine IL-6. Hypericum is an extract from St 's Wort.

There have been some very successful field trials in commercial flocks infected

with H5N1 in Vietnam. (Pubmed PMID 7857513, 11518071, 11362353, 7857513,

11518071)

Vitamin E - Immune booster. Also decreases the production of the cytokine TNF-a.

(Pubmed PMID 155882360, 10929076) Experiments involved using mice. Very suitable

for immune compromised people, especially the elderly. Effects enhanced when

taken with Vitamin C.

Apple Juice - Antiviral. Fresh apple juice including the pulp and skin has

greater antiviral activity than heated commercial apple juice. More research is

needed. Effectiveness on H5N1 is unknown. (Pubmed PMID 32832, 12452634)

Resveratrol - Antiviral. In addition to inhibiting neuraminidase, Resveratrol

also sends a message to cells to stop manufacturing viruses. This is a proven

antiviral found naturally in red wine, peanuts, mulberries, Japanese Knotwood

root (richest source), raisins and red grapes. Resveratrol supplements are

relatively inexpensive, are more stable than wine and is available in liquid

form for absorption in the mouth. No toxic effects noted. (Pubmed PMID 1583880,

12817628, 15985724)

Scuttellaria (Skullcap) - Antiviral. A herb used as a tea. It has no side

effects and is also a mild tranquilliser. Research suggests neuraminidase, which

is a substance needed by the H5N1 virus to reproduce, may be inhibited.

Cranberry Juice - Early research shows that it may be an antiviral, making

viruses less able to invade or multiply. Effectiveness on H5N1 is unknown.

(Pubmed PMID15781126)

Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) - Decreases the production of the cytokine TNF-a.

Also boosts immune system. The number of white blood cells was significantly

increased during treatment. No toxicity was noted.

(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=search & DB=pubmed) Active

constituents can be found in the leaves, bark, vine, and roots. Water extraction

from bark used. Children and pregnant women are to avoid. Has a potentially

damaging effect on the DNA of proliferating cells. (cancers, foetuses, growing

children)

Curcumin (Tumeric Spice) - Decreases the production of the cytokine TNF-a. This

is the yellow compound in turmeric spice. Research shows that this may be very

good for preventing a cytokine storm although this is not proven. Must be taken

with food or gastritis or peptic ulcers may occur. Pregnant women and feeding

mothers should avoid this. The medicinal properties of curcurnin cannot be

utilised when used alone due to rapid metabolism in the liver and intestinal

wall. When combined with Piperine found in black pepper the absorption is

increased with no adverse effects. Obtainable from health stores in tablets,

liquid, capsules already combined with piperine. Dosage is 500mg to 4000mg

daily.

Astragalus root (Astragali Radix) - Boosts immune system. (Pubmed PMID15588652)

Tea tree Steam Inhalation - Reduces the cytokine TNF-a. Add 2 drops of tea tree

oil in a bowl of steaming water. Cover head with a towel and inhale for 5 to 10

minutes. Relieves congestion and fights infection. Its effectiveness is unknown.

(Pubmed PMID 11131302)

The following substances may be best to avoid during a H5N1 pandemic

Elderberry juice (Sambucal) - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a

and IL-6. This substance is very effective against the common flu but may not be

desirable for the H5N1 virus. Increases in these cytokines may trigger a lethal

cytokine storm. (Isr Med Journal2002 Nov;4:944-6)

Micro Algae (Chlorella and Spirulina) - AVOID - Increases production of cytokine

TNF-a. (Pubmed PMID 11731916)

Honey - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. (Pubmed

PMID12824009)

Chocolate - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. (Pubmed

PMID 12885154, PMID 10917928)

Echinacea - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. Although

it is often used for normal flu, research shows that it may increase the chance

of cytokine storms for H5N1. (Pubmed PMID 15556647, 9568541)

Kimchi - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. (Pubmed

PMID15630182)

Dairy products & Bananas - AVOID - These foods increase mucous production.

References:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/ (search using Pubmed ID number listed after

each food)