Posts Tagged ‘Bird Flu’

Author: Byron J Richards

Our government is trumpeting how on the ball it is to get its strategic stockpile of Tamiflu out to the public. What they aren’t boasting about is that their supply is about ready to expire. The other thing they aren’t explaining to the public is the risk of delirium and suicide for children taking Tamiflu.

During 2006 our government received at various points in the year 20 million doses of Tamiflu at a cost of 2 billion dollars to prepare for the avian bird flu pandemic that never came. The product has a three year shelf life, though I would wonder a little bit about how good it is that close to expiration.

Regardless, Tamiflu will only work, if it works at all, on the first wave of individuals taking it. After that, the Swine flu will mutate around it. This resistance to Tamiflu or other anti-viral drugs will occur relatively quickly, and long before any vaccine is developed. Our government is very poorly prepared, contrary to their assertions.

It should be pointed out that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added a warning label to Tamiflu back in November of 2006, based on numerous reports of delirium and suicide mostly in children under 17. Side effects occurred within 24-48 hours of taking the drug and included panic attacks, delusions, delirium, convulsions, depression, loss of consciousness, and even suicide.

Back in 2006 the FDA said ““We are concerned that when/if the use of this drug increases in the U.S. … there may be increasing cases of adverse consequence in the U.S.” That time appears to be now.

The revised FDA warning states, “People with the flu, particularly children, may be at an increased risk of self-injury and confusion shortly after taking Tamiflu and should be closely monitored for signs of unusual behavior.”

That is a very weak warning considering that three normal children jumped/fell to their death after taking the drug – one even leaving a suicide note. Other children were struck with psychosis, delusions, and paranoia – all in formerly normal children.
Our government is planning to push widespread Tamiflu use for millions of Americans, including children – and so far I haven’t heard one warning to parents about the actual risks of giving this drug to their children.

About the Author:

What you need to know – Swine Flu Podcast & Articles Byron J. Richards, Founder/Director of Wellness Resources, Inc, is a Board-Certified Clinical Nutritionist and a world renowned natural health expert.Tamiflu Causes Delirium and Suicide in Children

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Tamiflu Causes Delirium and Suicide in Children

Author: Sandor Cruz

Simple and Healthy Ways to Beat the Swine Flu

Swine flu, influenza A, h1n1 flu, whatever it’s called, this latest flu pandemic sure is scaring a lot of people out of their wits.

But should you be afraid of the big bad swine flu?

The swine flu scare has spawned different reactions from different countries, some expected, some extreme. In Mexico, swine flu masks have become part of the usual fashion. Even if it didn’t have a single case of swine flu, Egypt slaughtered some 300,000 pigs.

In the U.S., President Barack Obama has mobilized substantial federal resources to fight swine flu, saying that since little is known about the latest flu strain, the government should take all necessary precautions in the event that the virus turns into something worse.

Among the measures taken included asking schools with confirmed cases of the flu virus to close for up to two weeks and to distribute 25 percent of the country’s 50 million courses of antiviral treatment to all states.

Obama also asked Congress for $1.5 billion if additional measures need to be taken to prevent the spread of swine flu.

Though the Centers for Disease Control described the status of swine flu in the U.S. as being in the “prepandemic period,” acting CDC director Dr. Richard Besser said he expects more deaths as the disease moves forward.

So far, ONLY three persons have died in the U.S., the latest being a Texas man with an underlying heart condition.

The Great Bird Flu Hoax author Dr. Joseph Mercola believes that this is not the first time that the U.S. is overreacting on a flu outbreak. Do you remember the 1976 swine flu outbreak at Fort Dix, New Jersey? Hundreds were infected and a soldier died but was it enough to justify then President Ford’s mass vaccination response? Thirty ended up dead after taking flu shots while many others were paralyzed due to Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Maybe 1976 is too far off. How about the Bush government’s warning that bird flu will kill two million Americans? So far, less than 300 people have died worldwide from avian influenza.

Dr. Mercola isn’t trying to say that these deaths were meaningless; every doctor’s goal is to save lives and help people become as healthy as possible. What he is saying is that oftentimes, the response in situations like this is almost always motivated by fear.

The fear that will result in massive flu shot and flu drug sales for big pharmaceutical companies.

Despite its ineffectiveness as an antiviral, the CDC recommends the use of popular flu drug Tamiflu, which is banned in Japan after being linked in the deaths of 14 children.

Studies show that Tamiflu can only reduce flu symptoms by 24 to 36 hours, and even increases the risk of secondary bacterial infections for some patients on it.

Tamiflu ingredients include saccharin sodium, a chemical sweetener linked to cancer; sodium benzoate, which, when combined with vitamin C, forms the carcinogen benzene; and propylene glycol, a food grade antifreeze.

By the way, Tamiflu costs over $100 and its reported side effects include convulsions, cough, delirium, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.

On the other hand, if you were to use the regular flu shot, it also contains dangerous substances, including mercury, formaldehyde and phenol.

But there’s no need to put your health at risk. Dr. Mercola has never used any anti-flu medication in his life yet he has never gone down with the flu in over 20 years. Here are his simple ways to avoid all types of flu:

* Optimize your vitamin D levels – Mercola believes that vitamin D deficiency is likely the real culprit behind the seasonal nature of the flu. If you experience flu-like symptoms, you can take 50,000 units of vitamin D3 per day for three days to help treat the infection.

* Optimize your intake of Omega-3 fats – The omega-3 fats DHA and EPA help enhance your immune system and are crucial in maintaining good health.

* Avoid Sugar and Processed Foods – Sugar is a natural enemy of your immune system. It may be present in foods you may not suspect, like processed fruit juices, so it would be wise to avoid processed foods of all kinds.

* Beat Stress – Manage your stress levels because stress wears out your body physically and emotionally, leaving you susceptible to disease.

* Rest – Don’t take your body for granted. It will be harder for you to beat the flu if you’re always tired or fatigued.

* Wash your hands regularly – Proper washing of hands will help reduce your risk of getting sick from communicable diseases like the flu. Avoid touching your eyes and nose when your hands are dirty or if you’ve come in contact with a sick person.

* Exercise – Your circulation and blood flow increases when you exercise and allows the components of your immune system to spread out better, increasing its chances of detecting and fighting an infection before it spreads.

* Eat garlic – Garlic has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.

About the Author:

Sandor Cruz is a runner, swimmer and active sports enthusiast. He keeps fit and healthy by following a natural and organic lifestyle. He is a big fan of the works of New York Times Best-Selling Author Dr. Joseph Mercola.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Simple and Healthy Ways to Beat the Swine Flu

Author: Sandor Cruz

Simple and Healthy Ways to Beat the Swine Flu

Swine flu, influenza A, h1n1 flu, whatever it’s called, this latest flu pandemic sure is scaring a lot of people out of their wits.

But should you be afraid of the big bad swine flu?

The swine flu scare has spawned different reactions from different countries, some expected, some extreme. In Mexico, swine flu masks have become part of the usual fashion. Even if it didn’t have a single case of swine flu, Egypt slaughtered some 300,000 pigs.

In the U.S., President Barack Obama has mobilized substantial federal resources to fight swine flu, saying that since little is known about the latest flu strain, the government should take all necessary precautions in the event that the virus turns into something worse.

Among the measures taken included asking schools with confirmed cases of the flu virus to close for up to two weeks and to distribute 25 percent of the country’s 50 million courses of antiviral treatment to all states.

Obama also asked Congress for $1.5 billion if additional measures need to be taken to prevent the spread of swine flu.

Though the Centers for Disease Control described the status of swine flu in the U.S. as being in the “prepandemic period,” acting CDC director Dr. Richard Besser said he expects more deaths as the disease moves forward.

So far, ONLY three persons have died in the U.S., the latest being a Texas man with an underlying heart condition.

The Great Bird Flu Hoax author Dr. Joseph Mercola believes that this is not the first time that the U.S. is overreacting on a flu outbreak. Do you remember the 1976 swine flu outbreak at Fort Dix, New Jersey? Hundreds were infected and a soldier died but was it enough to justify then President Ford’s mass vaccination response? Thirty ended up dead after taking flu shots while many others were paralyzed due to Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Maybe 1976 is too far off. How about the Bush government’s warning that bird flu will kill two million Americans? So far, less than 300 people have died worldwide from avian influenza.

Dr. Mercola isn’t trying to say that these deaths were meaningless; every doctor’s goal is to save lives and help people become as healthy as possible. What he is saying is that oftentimes, the response in situations like this is almost always motivated by fear.

The fear that will result in massive flu shot and flu drug sales for big pharmaceutical companies.

Despite its ineffectiveness as an antiviral, the CDC recommends the use of popular flu drug Tamiflu, which is banned in Japan after being linked in the deaths of 14 children.

Studies show that Tamiflu can only reduce flu symptoms by 24 to 36 hours, and even increases the risk of secondary bacterial infections for some patients on it.

Tamiflu ingredients include saccharin sodium, a chemical sweetener linked to cancer; sodium benzoate, which, when combined with vitamin C, forms the carcinogen benzene; and propylene glycol, a food grade antifreeze.

By the way, Tamiflu costs over $100 and its reported side effects include convulsions, cough, delirium, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.

On the other hand, if you were to use the regular flu shot, it also contains dangerous substances, including mercury, formaldehyde and phenol.

But there’s no need to put your health at risk. Dr. Mercola has never used any anti-flu medication in his life yet he has never gone down with the flu in over 20 years. Here are his simple ways to avoid all types of flu:

* Optimize your vitamin D levels – Mercola believes that vitamin D deficiency is likely the real culprit behind the seasonal nature of the flu. If you experience flu-like symptoms, you can take 50,000 units of vitamin D3 per day for three days to help treat the infection.

* Optimize your intake of Omega-3 fats – The omega-3 fats DHA and EPA help enhance your immune system and are crucial in maintaining good health.

* Avoid Sugar and Processed Foods – Sugar is a natural enemy of your immune system. It may be present in foods you may not suspect, like processed fruit juices, so it would be wise to avoid processed foods of all kinds.

* Beat Stress – Manage your stress levels because stress wears out your body physically and emotionally, leaving you susceptible to disease.

* Rest – Don’t take your body for granted. It will be harder for you to beat the flu if you’re always tired or fatigued.

* Wash your hands regularly – Proper washing of hands will help reduce your risk of getting sick from communicable diseases like the flu. Avoid touching your eyes and nose when your hands are dirty or if you’ve come in contact with a sick person.

* Exercise – Your circulation and blood flow increases when you exercise and allows the components of your immune system to spread out better, increasing its chances of detecting and fighting an infection before it spreads.

* Eat garlic – Garlic has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.

About the Author:

Sandor Cruz is a runner, swimmer and active sports enthusiast. He keeps fit and healthy by following a natural and organic lifestyle. He is a big fan of the works of New York Times Best-Selling Author Dr. Joseph Mercola.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Simple and Healthy Ways to Beat the Swine Flu

Author: Byron J Richards

Up to this point most deaths from the new swine flu have occurred in Mexico, striking indiscriminately at young and old. What alarms health officials is the ability of this flu to kill seemingly healthy young adults, which is a prerequisite for a pandemic. I have received a number of questions from concerned individuals wondering if boosting their immune system would make them more susceptible to a problem, a question I will cover in detail.

First, let’s put what we do know in perspective. Many of the Mexicans who have died are lower income individuals living in unsanitary and crowded conditions which are ideal breeding grounds for germs. It has been reported that they cannot afford to take time off work to seek medical care. Their diets are often lacking in key nutrients that would help the immune system behave normally. Nevertheless, there is still serious and legitimate concern that young adults can be killed by this flu.

The first death in the U.S. occurred in a 23-month-old Mexican infant who was in Texas at the time of outbreak. What has concerned health authorities here is that they were unable to save the child despite the use of anti-viral drugs, breathing assistance, and the best care that could be mustered.

The flu pandemic of 1918, also a swine flu, struck many young adults. Only recently did scientists figure out that this earlier swine flu was able to hijack the host’s own immune response and ramp up the inflammatory aspect of that immune response and thereby increase its level of attack in a healthy person.

It is important to understand that your immune system is not just one type of response, it is many. If you get the flu you absolutely must have the energy and nutrition to be able to make antibodies. The speed and efficiency you can do this will determine the severity of infection and your odds of survival.

For example, in cases where humans contracted the bird flu in Asia, if they began making enough antibodies to the infection by day 7 they lived, if they didn’t start mounting an effective response by day 9 they died. This pattern appears similar to the current reports of people dying in Mexico – by the 9th day of a significant battle it is too late unless your own immune system has kicked into gear. In this context you must have the nutritional horsepower to fuel antibody production or you could be in for a very unpleasant experience.

Another aspect of your immune response is its initial inflammatory reaction – which is of course normal. This is one aspect of immunity that occurs before antibodies are made, and is part of the process that leads to antibodies being made. It is possible for a younger or healthier person to have a more exaggerated inflammation response than an elderly person, infant, or person with compromised immunity. In this scenario, inflammatory cytokines may become their own problem – think of this as a “cytokine storm.” This was the case with the similar flu in 1918.

This problem does not mean that you should not attempt to naturally boost your immune system. It does mean that you should use nutrients as part of your immune support protocol that reduce inflammation so as to help “put a lid” on how much inflammation is generated. The single best nutrient for this is quercetin, which has been proven to help prevent the flu. However, there are many nutrients that are anti-inflammatory in nature and any of them would be helpful, including the fresh fruit and vegetables that should be part of your diet.

It is also important to understand that a younger adult who is stressed out, not sleeping enough, eating poorly, is too anxious or wound up, and is in a general trend of wear and tear has already primed the inflammatory pump. This means that a flu entering into such a person is much more likely to have a magnified inflammatory response because this person’s anti-inflammatory and relaxation reserves are already running on empty.

During the time of a potential flu pandemic the last thing you want to do is let yourself get worn down. Besides lifestyle management, any nutrients that help you sleep better, feel calmer, or manage stress better will also help your immune system not hyper-react to a problem.

While this may seem like common sense, there are many people out there who are generally healthy but are running their bodies into the ground trying to get things done. This is definitely a time to re-evaluate your priorities as doing so can put you into a high risk category if this flu begins to spread.

In my recent article, Tips for the Flu Season, I have given a thorough review of nutrition that can help you effectively boost and support your own immune system. You need to be able to make immune troops on demand, have them well armed, while at the same time minimizing the inflammatory aspect of fighting a bug. Of course, if you do develop a problem seek medical care.

About the Author:

What you need to know – Swine Flu Podcast & Articles
Byron J. Richards, Founder/Director of Wellness Resources, Inc, is a Board-Certified Clinical Nutritionist and a world renowned natural health expert. Richards is the first to explain the relevance of leptin and its link to solving obesity. For a fully referenced article:The New Swine Flu – Why Are Younger Adults Dying?

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – The New Swine Flu – Why Are Younger Adults Dying?

Author: Sandor Cruz

Simple and Healthy Ways to Beat the Swine Flu

Swine flu, influenza A, h1n1 flu, whatever it’s called, this latest flu pandemic sure is scaring a lot of people out of their wits.

But should you be afraid of the big bad swine flu?

The swine flu scare has spawned different reactions from different countries, some expected, some extreme. In Mexico, swine flu masks have become part of the usual fashion. Even if it didn’t have a single case of swine flu, Egypt slaughtered some 300,000 pigs.

In the U.S., President Barack Obama has mobilized substantial federal resources to fight swine flu, saying that since little is known about the latest flu strain, the government should take all necessary precautions in the event that the virus turns into something worse.

Among the measures taken included asking schools with confirmed cases of the flu virus to close for up to two weeks and to distribute 25 percent of the country’s 50 million courses of antiviral treatment to all states.

Obama also asked Congress for $1.5 billion if additional measures need to be taken to prevent the spread of swine flu.

Though the Centers for Disease Control described the status of swine flu in the U.S. as being in the “prepandemic period,” acting CDC director Dr. Richard Besser said he expects more deaths as the disease moves forward.

So far, ONLY three persons have died in the U.S., the latest being a Texas man with an underlying heart condition.

The Great Bird Flu Hoax author Dr. Joseph Mercola believes that this is not the first time that the U.S. is overreacting on a flu outbreak. Do you remember the 1976 swine flu outbreak at Fort Dix, New Jersey? Hundreds were infected and a soldier died but was it enough to justify then President Ford’s mass vaccination response? Thirty ended up dead after taking flu shots while many others were paralyzed due to Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Maybe 1976 is too far off. How about the Bush government’s warning that bird flu will kill two million Americans? So far, less than 300 people have died worldwide from avian influenza.

Dr. Mercola isn’t trying to say that these deaths were meaningless; every doctor’s goal is to save lives and help people become as healthy as possible. What he is saying is that oftentimes, the response in situations like this is almost always motivated by fear.

The fear that will result in massive flu shot and flu drug sales for big pharmaceutical companies.

Despite its ineffectiveness as an antiviral, the CDC recommends the use of popular flu drug Tamiflu, which is banned in Japan after being linked in the deaths of 14 children.

Studies show that Tamiflu can only reduce flu symptoms by 24 to 36 hours, and even increases the risk of secondary bacterial infections for some patients on it.

Tamiflu ingredients include saccharin sodium, a chemical sweetener linked to cancer; sodium benzoate, which, when combined with vitamin C, forms the carcinogen benzene; and propylene glycol, a food grade antifreeze.

By the way, Tamiflu costs over $100 and its reported side effects include convulsions, cough, delirium, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.

On the other hand, if you were to use the regular flu shot, it also contains dangerous substances, including mercury, formaldehyde and phenol.

But there’s no need to put your health at risk. Dr. Mercola has never used any anti-flu medication in his life yet he has never gone down with the flu in over 20 years. Here are his simple ways to avoid all types of flu:

* Optimize your vitamin D levels – Mercola believes that vitamin D deficiency is likely the real culprit behind the seasonal nature of the flu. If you experience flu-like symptoms, you can take 50,000 units of vitamin D3 per day for three days to help treat the infection.

* Optimize your intake of Omega-3 fats – The omega-3 fats DHA and EPA help enhance your immune system and are crucial in maintaining good health.

* Avoid Sugar and Processed Foods – Sugar is a natural enemy of your immune system. It may be present in foods you may not suspect, like processed fruit juices, so it would be wise to avoid processed foods of all kinds.

* Beat Stress – Manage your stress levels because stress wears out your body physically and emotionally, leaving you susceptible to disease.

* Rest – Don’t take your body for granted. It will be harder for you to beat the flu if you’re always tired or fatigued.

* Wash your hands regularly – Proper washing of hands will help reduce your risk of getting sick from communicable diseases like the flu. Avoid touching your eyes and nose when your hands are dirty or if you’ve come in contact with a sick person.

* Exercise – Your circulation and blood flow increases when you exercise and allows the components of your immune system to spread out better, increasing its chances of detecting and fighting an infection before it spreads.

* Eat garlic – Garlic has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.

About the Author:

Sandor Cruz is a runner, swimmer and active sports enthusiast. He keeps fit and healthy by following a natural and organic lifestyle. He is a big fan of the works of New York Times Best-Selling Author Dr. Joseph Mercola.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Simple and Healthy Ways to Beat the Swine Flu