The Swine Flu: Hysteria vs. Reality
The media’s attention to the swine flu has created somewhat of a mass hysteria. Before you freak out about the dreaded swine flu pandemic, educate yourself on the facts related to this virus by reading the following article:
http://www.newsmax.com/health/vaccine_swine_flu/2009/07/07/232717.html
The statistics here will reorient you to the reality that the swine flu causes normal flu like symptoms and causes about the same number of worldwide fatalities annually.
Why am I feeling more than a little chapped about this issue? Take a look at the media hype surrounding the swine flu. First, the media is usually quick to report “deaths” related to the swine flu and slow to provide the facts surrounding these cases. I recently read and heard about a child dying from the swine flu, only to research the issue further and learn that the child had cerebral palsy. While each and every death is a tragedy and not to be minimized, omitting the important details surrounding swine flu deaths is an intentional effort to mislead the public into mass hysteria surrounding the swine flu.
I have yet to read or hear about any media reports providing substantial information on how to prevent the flu by strengthening one’s immune system. You will find that information here, and I invite you to share it with others. You can strengthen your immune system by improving your lifestyle habits on a consistent basis, and this is your greatest protection against any cold or flu:
1. Take at least 2000-3000 mgs of Vitamin C daily. Ascorbic acid is best. More is better. Yes, yes, I know it gives you the squirts sometimes. Just stop taking it when that happens. You’ll build a tolerance to it over time.
2. Take extra Zinc, Selenium, and Echinacea when you feel something coming on.
3. Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night. This should not be considered a luxury. Sleep is a basic need. Do this regularly, not 2-3 times per week.
4. Exercise almost daily. Don’t get me started on the issue of sedentary lifestyles and the obesity epidemic. Just do it. Break a sweat and stop complaining about it. I could write all day long on the benefits, but I’ve already done that.
5. Consider using high quality colloidal silver. One of the best I’ve seen is a prescribed colloidal silver at:
6. Manage your stress effectively in ways that improve your health. Most people use unhealthy coping skills such as drinking too much, eating unhealthy foods, staying sedentary, smoking nicotine, or doing street drugs. Needless to say, these behaviors will lower your immune system. The more healthy ways to cope with stress are physical exercise, meditation, behavioral relaxation exercises (PMR, guided imagery, diaphragmatic breathing), cognitive behavioral therapy, social support, laughing, reading, sex (yes, sex), and self nurture (massages, pedicures, anything that you enjoy).
Research has suggested that 80-85% of all hospital and medical visits are stress related. This is largely due to the fact that chronic stress has long been known to suppress the immune system, leaving one more susceptible to colds and flus.
7. Excellent daily antioxidants to buffer the harmful effect of free radicals released due to emotional and physical stress, foods, toxins, sleep deprivation, medications, alcohol, etc. You can access those that I use at greenhealth.usana.com, or you can view the top five supplements in a book called Nutrisearch: The Guide to Nutritional Supplementation.
*Avoid using those supplements purchased in stores. You are wasting your money and worse, likely ingesting harmful fillers. These products will not contain the ingredients listed on the label and may contain ingredients not listed on the label (like lead, as evidenced by this FDA report): http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/pbvitami.html
7. Eat a healthy diet consisting of organic fruits and vegetables, lean meats (organic, no skin), and whole grains. Cut out “enriched flour” (the nutrients are stripped from the product and then two of them are added back, so these products are white flour plus two nutrients). Lower or reduce your alcohol levels to 6-7 drinks weekly if you drink alcohol.
8. Find a physician who practices Functional Medicine who can help you strengthen your immune system and work with you to prescribe an antiviral should you come down with a cold or flu virus. You can do so at: yourmedicaldetective.com
Functional medicine includes preventive medicine to help you prevent illness. This is the new medical model which was recently proposed to Congress by Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Andrew Weil, and a few other notables. Get familiar with the functional medical model at Dr. Mark Hyman’s blog post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-mark-hyman/how-to-fix-obamas-health_b_217053.html This is, by the way, the only answer to the healthcare debate that makes sense, but I digress.
9. Increase your social support and connections within your community. Research has shown that being a part of a community has positive effects on one’s immune system.
10. Go on a media diet. Cut off the news and minimize your media exposure. It’s all hype, and it will likely increase your stress levels about the economy and the swine flu “pandemic.” There are more fruitful ways to spend your time, like spreading awareness on how to strengthen your immune system.
That’s all from the South Carolina coast this evening, kids. Stay well, get some sleep….tomorrow is another day of swine flu hysteria.
