NPR shared a story about scientists creating potential bio-weapons out of bird flu… read more about the story here.
With the winter season quickly approaching, keeping your immune system strong is important . There are several things you can do which will help minimize your risk of developing a cold or the flu over the next several months.
First, eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables will help optimize your immunity. Consuming plant based foods which vary in color, such as red tomatoes, purple grapes or orange carrots, can ensure a diverse intake of antioxidants. A healthy diet will give the body the tools necessary to fight off bacteria and viruses.
Sleeping at least 7 to 8 hours of each night is crucial for a healthy immune system. It is during the sleeping hours that the body repairs and heals itself from the damage done on a daily basis. Poor sleep contributes to poor health.
Keeping stress under control is also very important. When our body is mentally and physically stressed, cortisol, the primary stress hormone, is released in excess into the bloodstream. Cortisol, a natural steroid, suppresses the immune system making one more susceptible to infection.
Studies show vitamin C can reduce the duration of the common cold by up to 12% in adults and 21% in children. Supplementing with 500 mg to 1000 mg of vitamin C daily should be considered.
The Cochrane Collaboration, an independent research group, has shown that the mineral zinc reduces risk of contracting a cold when taken within 24 hours of exposure. Daily supplementation also appears to help prevent the need of developing an infection requiring antibiotic treatment.
Vitamin D supplementation also helps reduce the risk of developing influenza according to scientists. The lack of sunshine, and ultimately blood levels of vitamin D, likely accounts for the higher incidence of upper respiratory infections during the winter months. Ask your doctor to check your vitamin D levels before supplementing with doses higher than 2,000 IU per day.
Lastly, some people may also benefit from the influenza vaccine. Interestingly, the studies are not as overwhelmingly favorable as expected. However, the best evidence reports that between 33 to 100 people need to be vaccinated against the seasonal flu in order to prevent one extra infection with the virus. Even when vaccinated, one is never 100% protected from developing the flu.
As always, prevention is always the best medicine. Please talk with your healthcare provider before making and changes to your healthcare regimen.
Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, passed away today- October 5, 2011. He will be missed by all. Thanks for all you have done for us Steve.
Today I made this green smoothie drink using my Vitamix 5200. I was concerned about whether my kids would like it as the green drinks rarely make the top of their list.
To my surprise, they absolutely loved it. When we finished the green creation, I told them what was in it, spinach and cabbage are now top on their list of vegetables to eat (or drink)
Below are my ingedients for this smoothie recipe:
-2 bananas (105 calories each, rich in potassium and magnesium)
-crushed ice (1/3 to 1/2 of the blender) + some water
- about 1/4 of a head of cabbage (50 calories, tastes better than it sounds)
- 2 cups of spinach
-1 apple, cut in 4 pieces
-1 medium size orange, peeled.
- 1, 8 0z can of crushed pineapples (in its own juice). Pineapples are rich in Vitamin C and Bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory.
-Mix in Vitamix industrial blender for about 30 seconds
-Drink and enjoy.
I typically make an entire blender of smoothie drink with the above recipe. If too thick, add a bit more water.
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According to the FDA, the drug Chantix (varenicline) may increase the risk of heart attacks.
T
his result was seen in a study which compared rates of heart attacks in smokers who took either Chantix or a placebo.
Ironically, smoking in itself is a big risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. Tobacco related deaths in the USA alone are about 500,000 each year, ten times more than the US deaths in Vietnam.
For more information, talk to your doctor or visit the FDA
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