RECENTLY, THE Jamaican health authorities announced their plans to deal with the threat of an epidemic of the avian influenza virus. Back in 2004, the World Health Organisation (WHO) called a meeting of top medical scientists and researchers who made some startling announcements.
The organisation stated that the next global flu pandemic is fast approaching, possibly as soon as 2005-2006, and if that happens, literally 30 per cent of the world's population would become infected with that influenza virus.
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 1918-1919 Spanish flu pandemic killed 20 million people around the world, and the 1956 Asian flu pandemic caused hundreds of thousands of deaths. In 2002 and 2003, SARS very nearly became a global pandemic, claiming 10 per cent of those infected.
Adams suggests that we seem poised for the next outbreak. In many ways, the world today is even more conducive to the spread of these dangerous viruses than in times past, with higher population density than ever before, more worldwide travel than ever before, so the virus can jump from city to city, country to country in a matter of hours.
On top of that, we have a medical system that is actually breeding super bugs in hospitals, where the misuse of antibiotics encourages the mutation of extremely aggressive infectious strains resistant to every known antibiotic.
We also have 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, and thus we are 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.
Here are some natural ways to strengthen your immune system and enhance your body's natural resistance to viral infections and flu.
DIET
Basic balanced cellular nutrition is essential for the immune system to function well. There is a packaged programme available that makes balanced nutrition simple. Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Aim at seven or more servings 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.
VITAMINS & MINERALS
Vitamins A, C and E and the mineral selenium are potent immune stimulants. They should be taken at several times the recommended daily allowance for these agents for you to really boost your immune system. Zinc is another important mineral that will enhance your resistance to colds and other viral infections.
HERBS
A host of herbs have been traditionally used for increasing our resistance to infections. The long list includes green tea, aloe vera. schizandra, rosemary, astragalus, echinacea, grapefruit seed extract, olive leaves, lemon balm, cat's claw, St. John's wort and liquorice. Companies now combine several of these substances into a single tablet, tea or liquid.
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
Regular exercise, deep breathing, fresh air, sunshine, laughter, stress management and the avoidance of toxins and pollution will all contribute positively to a healthy immune system capable of warding off dangerous viruses.
If the flu epidemic were to develop here and a vaccine becomes available, then take it, but I would not wait for that desperate situation. Act now to build up your resistance.
Email Dr. Tony Vendryes at Vendryes@mac.com, or visit our website at 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.
