With all the recent hype about the latest strain of the influenza virus (aka "Swine Flu"), I thought it would be an opportune time to remind you how fear can upset your body's balance, and then give you some tips on practical things you can do to protect yourself from catching the flu. I'm no longer amazed at how the media takes a story and latches onto it to create as much hype and fear as possible. The people running the networks are smart. They know that people are most easily manipulated by fear.

They want you to be afraid of getting the flu. That way, you'll watch TV more to see what is happening. Their ratings go up, their advertisers pay more, and... you get the picture.

You can choose not to listen to the media hype, which is largely driven by the profit motive. Instead, let's just get the facts. When we know the truth, fear becomes less powerful.

According to the CDC, EVERY YEAR in the United States 36,000 people die from the flu or flu-related complications. In other words, people die and have died from the flu every year, and, thankfully, so far neither you nor I have succumbed.

Another fact is that just about any new strain of influenza virus has its origin in animals. Why? In order for a virus to be "new", it must have a "signature" that is unknown to human immune cells. The way a virus creates this new signature is by infecting animals, incorporating some of the animal's DNA into itself, then reinfecting humans. Since we have no antibodies to the new virus with its entirely new DNA signature, we are more likely to get sick.

But, if your immune system is strong, you may not even get symptoms. Unless you are old, in very poor health, or an infant or young toddler, chances are you will be able to fight off the virus even if you do get sick. This is no different for the "Swine Flu".

So, the concerns about Swine Flu are the same concerns raised anytime a new human influenza virus is discovered.

Hence, the precautions are exactly the same, and the likelihood of your demise is just as remote.

Hopefully the facts I listed above will ease your mind if you were seriously concerned. Now, let's get to some simple things you can DO to help yourself avoid catching the flu.

A nice side-benefit is that these things will help you year-round, whether there is an epidemic or not. They will help you be strong, healthy, and vital no matter what the season or circumstance.

1. Get plenty of rest every night - Your body does most of its self-repair at night. When it gets behind on this task, your immune system becomes overworked during the day trying to assist in "catching up". Additionally, not getting enough rest puts metabolic and oxidative stress on your cells, causing them to age faster. There's more to it, but these two things alone are enough to cause a significant reduction in immunity.
2. Drink plenty of water - Water is the medium your body uses to transport every substance it needs for healthy function. Additionally, water is used as a waste-removing mechanism. The more you drink a sufficient amount of water, the more healthy your cells become. Not drinking enough leaves toxic wastes in the system that damage cells. This makes it more difficult for your immune system to operate because, again, it is busy trying to clean up and repair the damage to healthy cells from the extra toxins.
3. Don't panic - Fear not only dulls the rational mind, it also alters the immune system in ways that are detrimental to fighting off infection. The "fight or flight" response actually supresses the immune system. This is an intelligent attempt by the body to marshal all possible resources toward running from or fighting off an imminent physical threat, such as an attacking animal or an approaching tornado. During this time the immune system is "switched off" for the most part. This is how steroid medications such as prednisone work. Steroid medicines mimic the body's fight or flight response, shutting down the immune system, and this reduces inflammation. To reduce fear, simply do 50 gentle, deep, belly breaths each night as you go to bed. Also, if you have a habit of staying up late and watching the evening news, you may want to change that habit. Again, news outlets make money by scaring people. Don't bring that energy into your mind and body just before sleep.
4. Supplement with Zinc and Vitamin C - These are two "super-nutrients" for the immune system. Don't supplement with more than 2 grams (2000mg) of Vitamin C and more than 30mg of Zinc daily. These are sufficient amounts to give your immune system an extra charge of energy. Both of these nutrients energize and potentiate the immune cells responsible for destroying bacteria and viruses.
5. Exercise regularly - Exercise is the #1 stress-reliever. It also helps your body detoxify itself. By reducing stress you are increasing your immunity to both emotional AND physical diseases (including the flu). By increasing circulation of lymph and body fluids, you are helping flush out any pathogens including viruses and bacteria that may be trying to attack you, along with toxins that dampen your body's healing response.

Viruses and bacteria are OPPORTUNISTIC organisms. They LOVE to infect hosts that are not healthy because unhealthy hosts are easiest for them to feed on. Keep yourself healthy and strong, and you are unlikely to be compromised by any pathogenic organism. You may still get sick, but your ability to fight off disease and recover from it will be strong.

Until next time, I wish you a happy, healthy, and safe journey.

Sincerely,
Chris Axelrad, M.S.O.M., L.Ac., FABORM
Director, The Axelrad Clinic for Natural Women's Healthcare