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Well, it looks like they're going to make this swine flu thing an epidemic one way or another... If you and your family are concerned about getting sick, there are things you can do besides washing your hands often, wearing a mask or staying home! You can improve your immune system to prevent your getting sick in the first place. Not to brag... but I've not had a cold, flu, fever, ear or sinus infection in 2+ years... (watch me get the swine flu now...;) and NO, I will not take the vaccine.
So - Four things you can do: 1. Eliminate sugar - sugars are proven to reduce your bodies immunity. 2. Eliminate all soda - regular or diet - in addition to the sugars, a soda makes a body acidic (due to the sugars and phosphoric acid). An acidic body is more prone to getting ill. 3. Start probiotics daily. If already taking, double up for the duration of the outbreak. *** If nothing else, at least take probiotics! *** 4. Drink more water! 1. Eliminate sugar - ALL sugars, including hfcs, artificial sweeteners and even natural sugars (honey, agave nectar, brown rice syrup) reduce the bodies immunity by increasing acid levels in the body. Simple carbohydrates convert to sugars very easily, so one could also argue to stay away from white flour and pasta as well.
"...in adults, cell mediated immunity is significantly depressed after sugar ingestion (75 grams). A 100g portion of sugar can significantly reduce the capacity of white blood cells to engulf bacteria. Maximum immune suppression occurs one to two hours after ingestion and remains suppressed for up to five hours after feeding." http://www.chronicprostatitis.com/sugar.html In other words, drinking one Coke OR eating a candy bar can partially knock out your immune system for up to 5 hours. hmm..
Can sugar help make you sick? http://www.htrnews.com/article/20091012/MAN04/910120432&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL 2. Eliminate all soda - compound what sugar, hfcs and/or artificial sweeteners do to your body by adding phosphoric acid. Not a pretty thing. It takes anywhere from 8 to 32 glasses of good (preferably alkaline) water to return your body to a normal ph after drinking just one soda. Do yourself a favor and stop soda - for good if you can! but especially now, during this outbreak! Your chances of staying healthy will improve. (I was so tickled, my brother just said he'd stopped soda 6 months ago, decided to have one the other day and it almost made him sick! Success!!!!) http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/115671/why_drinking_soda_can_destroy_your.html?cat=5 3. Probiotics! Please take one daily - or two during the 'outbreak.' Probiotics strengthen your body's immune system. Go to a health food store or or natural foods market and ask for a recommendation. I prefer refrigerated ones like Natrens Healthy Trinity or Renew Life's Ultimate Flora. Just having a yogurt w/ probiotics added (and sugar no less) will not really improve your odds.
http://www.med.umich.edu/opm/newspage/2006/hmprobiotics.htm http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FDN/is_2_8/ai_103377069/ 4. Drink water. Yes... you've heard this a thousand times... Consider that there is valid reason for its repetition! Drinking water moves toxins out of your body. Your body naturally tries to eliminate the toxins you ingest/absorb but when hampered by being dehydrated, your body simply cannot do its job. No - milk, soda, black tea, coffee, etc. do not count as water! General rule: 1/2 your body weight in ounces per day. So, if you're 150lbs, you want to drink 75 oz or 9 glasses of water per day. Speaking of milk... As this swine flu is a respiratory ailment, you may also want to consider eliminating milk and reducing other dairy products as well. Milk is mucous forming and contributes significantly to respiratory conditions. Almond milk is a wonderful substitute!
and yes, please do remember to wash your hands well and often, the virus can survive on people and things for hours. |