IN 2004, the World Health Organisation (WHO) called a meeting of top medical scientists and researchers. In that meeting, WHO made some startling announcements that many people still have not yet heard.
The organisation stated that the next global flu pandemic was fast approaching, possibly as soon as 2005-2006, and if that happened, literally 30 per cent of the world's population would become infected with influenza.
The particular influenza strain being watched is the bird flu virus. Should an outbreak occur, the total deaths expected around the world, according to WHO, is in the tens of millions. Furthermore, WHO says that there is currently no vaccine to distribute to the population that might offer protection from the flu epidemic.
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF
In his book, Beat the Bird Flu Virus, Mike Adams points out that modern medicine is largely helpless against such outbreaks. Throughout history, they have devastated populations. The 1918 Spanish flu pandemic killed 20 million people across the world. The 1956 Asian flu claimed hundreds of thousands. Between 2002 and 2003, SARS very nearly became a global pandemic, and it killed 10 per cent of those infected.
Adams suggests that we are poised for another major outbreak. In many ways, the world today is even more conducive to the spread of killer viruses than in the past. There is a higher global population density than ever before, which means viruses can spread more easily. Today, we have faster worldwide travel than ever before so diseases can be contracted in a matter of hours.
According to WHO, "Given the high level of global traffic, the virus can spread rapidly, leaving little or no time to prepare."
On top of that, we have a medical system that is actually breeding superbugs in hospitals, where the misuse of antibiotics encourages the mutation of extremely aggressive infectious strains with resistance to every known antibiotic.
The world also has bizarre animal-rearing practices where cows are being fed chicken litter, containing chicken dung and feathers. We have cows being fed the ground-up, remains of other cows and animals, including brain tissue, thus creating an environment for the rapid mutation and distribution of aggressive viral strains. This is partly what has caused mad cow disease to be such a concern, and it could also play a hand in the next global pandemic.
This all leads to the humbling realisation that anyone who wishes to prepare for the coming flu pandemic is going to have to take personal responsibility and stop relying on governments and the 'system' to save them. So what should we do?
Here are some natural ways to strengthen your immune system and enhance your body's natural resistance to viral infections and flu.
DIET
Emphasise fresh fruit and vegetables. Aim at seven or more for women, nine or more for men and five or more for children. Have a variety of different coloured fruit and vegetables. Eat the rainbow. Berries, cruciferous vegetables and the spices garlic, onion and ginger are particularly powerful for the immune system as also is a special mushroom called Shiitake mushroom. A nutritional supplement called immunucal has also been shown to improve immune function.
VITAMINS & MINERALS
The vitamins A, C and E and selenium, which I call the ACES, are potent immune stimulants. You will need to take several times the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of these agents to really boost your immune system.
Last week's article dealt at length with the power of selenium to ward off viral infections. Zinc is another important mineral that research has shown will enhance your resistance to colds and flus.
HERBS
Herbs have been traditionally used for increasing the resistance to infections. Modern research is now validating the usefulness of many of them. Green tea, aloe vera. echinacea, schizaandra, rosemary, astragalus, grapefruit seed extract, olive leaves, lemon balm, cat's claw, St. John's wort and licorice are some with which I am familiar.
Many companies now produce products that combine several of these herbs into a single tablet, tea or liquid. Appropriate combinations create a synergistic effect that makes the blend even more powerful than the individual herbs.
Neocozul, a natural medicine from Cuba, is not a herb but rather a homeopathic product that has proved useful in the treatment and prevention of many immune system disorders, including viral infections. It is now available in Jamaica.
Finally, a healthy lifestyle, developed around a good exercise regimen and stress management, will boost immunity.
Email Dr. Tony Vendryes at Vendryes@mac.com or visit the website www.anounceofoprevention.org. You may also listen to 'An Ounce of Prevention' on Power 106 FM on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.
