With winter cold and flu season fast approaching, you may be looking for an edge in boosting immunity.
While there is no guarantee that any product--drug, vitamin or supplement--will prevent the flu, there is a lot of very interesting research on how dietary supplements could help reduce the chances of getting flu symptoms.
I believe that the knowledge scientists have discovered about how dietary supplements can help build immune function is quite compelling, and should be made more widely available to the public.
But according to a recent article in The American Journal of Medicine, most doctors still need more education on the use of dietary supplements. So here is a jumping off point to start the conversation with your doctor.
5 Supplements That Could Help Ward Off the Flu
1) NAC (N-acetylcysteine)
An amino acid and an antioxidant, NAC is sold as a nutritional supplement. NAC has also been used medically for the past 50 years to loosen mucus in patients with chronic bronchitis and to protect the liver in cases of poisoning with acetaminophen (Tylenol and other brands). NAC is needed for production of glutathione, the most important antioxidant produced by the cells of your body.
NAC was shown in an Italian study to help prevent symptoms of H1N1 flu in almost two-thirds of the people taking it, when compared to a placebo. (1)
In the Italian study, people received either a placebo or NAC 600 milligrams twice a day for six months. During this time, a little over a quarter of all these people developed antibodies to the H1N1 flu strain in circulation, indicating that they had become infected with the virus.
Among the people receiving the placebo, 79 percent developed symptoms of flu. Among the people taking NAC, only 25 percent developed symptoms.
In addition, the symptoms that developed were significantly milder in the group taking NAC. And there was a significant improvement in measures of immune function in the NAC group compared to the placebo group over the 6 months of the study.
NAC is one of my favorite supplements, not only for flu prevention and improving respiratory health, but for supporting the actions of medications.
When I started working on a web application that highlights drug-supplement interactions, I found that NAC has been shown to enhance effectiveness of several types of medication, including drugs used in treating high blood pressure, depression and inflammatory bowel disease.
To learn more about how drugs and supplements interact, access the web application I created at www.pilladvised.com.
2) Vitamin D
Not only important for calcium absorption and bone health, Vitamin D also stimulates your immune system to produce factors called defensins and cathelicidins that kill viruses.
Most of the Vitamin D in our bodies comes from sunlight, so there is marked seasonal variation in Vitamin D levels, with higher levels occurring during the summer and lowest levels in winter.
Many researchers have speculated that the increased risk of colds and flu in winter is due to the decline of Vitamin D levels that accompanies the decrease in sun exposure.
In one controlled study, use of Vitamin D supplementation by postmenopausal women helped to prevent the usual winter increase in cold and flu symptoms. (2) The dose used was 800 or more international units a day of vitamin D3. In this study, the protective effect of 2000 IUs/day was greater than the effect of 800 IUs a day.
3) American Ginseng (Panax cinquefolium)
American ginseng (Panax cinquefolium) is an herb with immune stimulating effects.
According to research, taking an extract of American ginseng during the winter could help decrease the development of colds and other respiratory symptoms.
In a controlled study among elderly adults, taking an extract of American ginseng, 200 milligrams twice a day, for three months, decreased acquisition of influenza infection by 84 percent. (3)
In the placebo group, 7 percent developed a new influenza infection (confirmed by laboratory testing); in the American ginseng group only 1 person out of 97 (1 percent) developed an influenza infection. American ginseng also decreased the development of other respiratory viral infection in the study participants.
Note: All these people had been vaccinated for influenza.
4 and 5) Zinc and Selenium
The minerals zinc and selenium have significant effects on immune function.
A study done in France found that seniors who took 20 milligrams of zinc and 100 micrograms of selenium each day had an increase in their antibody response to the flu vaccine and were less likely to develop a respiratory infection over a two-year period. (4)
However, people in this study taking a combination of Vitamin E, Vitamin C and beta-carotene actually had an undesirable decrease in their antibody response when compared to placebo. When the two were combined, the negative effect of the vitamins was offset by the positive effects on the minerals.
All these studies were done in elderly individuals, because this is the group at greatest risk of serious illness or death from influenza. But the benefits of these supplements for preventing winter respiratory infections are likely to occur for adults in other age groups.
Staying Healthy This Winter
The results of these controlled clinical trials published in mainstream medical journals indicate that judicious use of nutritional supplements could help decrease the risk of getting sick with flu this winter. According to the research sources, they exert a protective effect above and beyond the potential benefits of the flu vaccine in preventing symptoms of flu.
Now I'd like to hear from you...
What do you do to stay healthy in the winter?
Do you take dietary supplements, and do they help?
Does your doctor provide good advice for prevention?
Please let me know your thoughts by posting a comment below.
Best Health,
Leo Galland, MD
Leo Galland, M.D. is an internist practicing in New York City and the Director of the Foundation for Integrated Medicine. Dr. Galland is the founder of Pill Advised, an online health application for learning about medications, supplements and food. Sign up for FREE to discover how your medications and vitamins interact. Watch his videos on YouTube and join the Pill Advised Facebook page.
References:
1) Eur Respir J. 1997 Jul;10(7):1535-41. Attenuation of influenza-like symptomatology and improvement of cell-mediated immunity with long-term N-acetylcysteine treatment." De Flora S, Grassi C, Carati L.
2) Epidemiol Infect. 2006 Dec;134(6):1129-40. "Epidemic influenza and vitamin D" .Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Umhau JC, Holick MF, Grant WB, Madronich S, Garland CF, Giovannucci E.
3) J Am Geriatr Soc. 2004 Jan;52(1):13-9. "A placebo-controlled trial of a proprietary extract of North American ginseng (CVT-E002) to prevent acute respiratory illness in institutionalized older adults." McElhaney JE, Gravenstein S, Cole SK, Davidson E, O'neill D, Petitjean S, Rumble B, Shan JJ.
4) Arch Intern Med. 1999 Apr 12;159(7):748-54."Impact of trace elements and vitamin supplementation on immunity and infections in institutionalized elderly patients: a randomized controlled trial. MIN. VIT. AOX. geriatric network." Girodon F, Galan P, Monget AL, Boutron-Ruault MC, Brunet-Lecomte P, Preziosi P, Arnaud J, Manuguerra JC, Herchberg S.
This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not intended to constitute (i) medical advice or counseling, (ii) the practice of medicine or the provision of health care diagnosis or treatment, (iii) or the creation of a physician--patient relationship. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, contact your doctor promptly.
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Follow Leo Galland, M.D. on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Pilladvised/
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Someone posted here -that their low carb diet - and exercise helps them- and I recalled the 4 factors involved in neuronal regrowth - one was exercise- and of all things - Circumin
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-david-perlmutter-md/neurogenesis-what-it-mean_b_777163.html
A REAL intersting read - I wonder - if it would be a good idea to get pro-active and try and encourage all with Alzheimers to get more active in exercise - I think it said 8000% increase ? something like that in memory - this was just a REAL neat story I thought.
Off subject - I know - from this one on helpful ways to battle infleunza.
I JUST saw an article last week about a break through in UK on a cure for the rhino virus- had to do with some protein being added - I will try and find that link - said it could be ten years before they have the ability to get it to people.
Oh well- I got rid of my cable TV service- so - this is IT ! heh- ok ok - sorry if I flooded the boards with too many comments- but I really did try to remain germane to the subject and I also have an 'arm chair' interest in matters of influenza - SEEMS one can read of all kinds of success stories ? I still settle with - I am not SO sure.
Check this out: Pomegranate (Punica granatum) purified polyphenol extract inhibits influenza virus and has a synergistic effect with oseltamivir.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19586764
I do say- I like the looks of this one - inhibits reproduction.of influenza.
Thought I'd share - might help someone.
http://www.cocoscience.com/pdf/larryking_cnn_testimonies_and_info_lauricidin_monolauri.pdf
BOTH shown with antiviral properties against influenza-
National Institute of Health:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18973021
and http://en.cnki.com.cn/Article_en/CJFDTotal-ZCYO201002026.htm
Latter states it showed an obvious anti-viral activity.
Too much time on my hands.
So much to learn though - and in cases of medicine ? So much to UNLEARN at times.
I've thrown plenty out the window over the years - I hold onto common denominators that I witness multiple resources settling on empiraclly.
I do not recommend anyone take any of these - just research them yourself and make your own decision as to why a population over 1 billion would rely on Hu Zhang - as the #1 flu response thearpy.
It would be in grave error I think to ignore Harvard's research on Resveratrol- to which I discovered co-ioncidentally ? #1 source for extraction ? IS Japanese knotweed- grows all over here- they put it in on sides of railraod tracks- it has these gigantic leaves over 1 foot across - perhaps you've seen it - red stem - I buy mine from an online Chinese apothecary.
Thank GOD the FDA doesn't acknowledge or monitor those herbs - or I'd be screwed.
So would most China Towns in the US ! lol Not that they aren't pretty isolated anyway- almost as if not even part of the US in some cities- it's as if it's firewalled- culturally - to which I respect.
But I share Hu Zhang because in China ? the #1 tea they drink in the winter ? to ward off the flu ? the BASE ingredient is Hu Zhang.
Hu Zhang has proven to have serious anti-viral properties.
Go figure- St. Johns Wort - Hypericum - ALSO has anti viral properties against strains of the flu- PLENTY of research out there- you'll find Hu Zhand at NIH iirc - it's bizarre FDA says NO to any plants or eastern medicine ? but here is National Institute of Health testing away.
In fact, I saw the NIH Chair once speak and say - St. Johns Wort was the first herb they ever tested. Now, they were testing for clinical depression - NOT the anti-viral properties- I share this for two ways I know to help ward off the flu./
I also take d-3 for immune response - it's killer- literally- lo.
Those 4 are my staple anti virals - Hu Zhang - Hypericum - Fo Ti and D-3.
Hu Zhang also has anti-bacterial ? but that's not influenza or rhino related- that's something else. Rosemary beats Hu Zhang on anti-bacterial anyway. So does Oregano.
Oh well-
I've been wondering lately if taking vitamin D supplements during winter times could actually be a negative thing in the long run since our bodies might be accustomed to this seasonal variation...but also I'm thinking that maybe are bodies are still used to getting alot of vitamin d from sunlight back when we lived closer to the equator(at an evolutanary standpoint maybe we haven't evovled past the need) ...and the whole reason are skin has turned pale is to compensate for this lack of sun hence allowing us to absorb sunlight more effiecently...anyways I'm supplementing vitamin D during the winter just to play it safe.
I've been reading in First magazine - a sample of US doctors taken ? average daily dose of D-3 YEARLY - is 5,000 IE - some start at 2,000 - some take up to 10,000.
I read 15 to 20 minutes of sunlight generates up TO 10,000 IU - but we often use sun block now- clothing - etc- so I supplement- HAS to be D-3 - not D for better absorption.
I'd research Harvard / Mass Gen on their D-3 breakthrough on large cell lung cancer- let alone immuno-deficiencies from low D-3. D-3 is a HOT topic in the news- look around, I ALWAYS try to keep to academic resources, but I CERTAINLY go global on research.
D-3 retains calcium I read- alas - why it would be good for bones ? But I read taking calcium WITH d-3 can be dangerous - can cause kidney stones- can cause hardening of the arteries - so I'm careful ot to take calcium with D-3 - even THOUGH it needs it to do it's work - I rely on serum levels from diet alone. I firgure why play around with chances of hardening of arteries- or kidney stones. I read Boron is necesssary for D-3 to to it's work too- again - these are JUST SEEDS for you to research - I'm just passing on what I've distilled. People trying to sell you things ? always unreliable in my view- but
"I believe that the knowledge scientists have discovered about how dietary supplements can help build immune function is quite compelling, and should be made more widely available to the public. But according to a recent article in The American Journal of Medicine, most doctors still need more education on the use of dietary supplements."
Amen. It's surprising how ignorant many doctors still are regarding the therapeutic value of supplements.
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History says 2010-2011 influenza should just be 2009 H1N1. That's not happening.The percentage of infections of Influenza A (2009 H1N1) and a new H3N2 type where the vaccine is a great match for infecting strains and Influenza B where there is a very good match isn't clear. Good for the young, bad for the elderly.
"The MMWR study also found that during seasons when influenza A (H3N2) viruses were prominent death rates were more than double what they were during seasons when influenza A (H1N1) or influenza B viruses predominated. In addition, the study confirmed previous findings that about 90% of influenza associated deaths occur among adults 65 years and older."
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/us_flu-related_deaths.htm
The 90% figure did not apply last year or for 2010-2011 to infection from 2009H1N1.
Here's how it breaks down. The elderly were protected last year because they had either vaccine or natural infection protection against 2009 H1N1. But they don't have protection against a type of H3N2 that's new this year. So much more so than last year, they need to be vaccinated.
For those who aren't elderly and didn't get infected last year, they should get vaccinated because 2009 H1N1 is more dangerous to them. Getting vaccinated also makes it less likely you will get sick and helps protect the elderly, those with weakened immune systems and the very young.
I hear that 80% of the ingredients in our medicines and supplements come from overseas industries that don't have FDA inspectors. These are for-profit entities.
Seems scary enough to me that I'll pass on them.
Bayer - Baxter- Pfizer - Roche and hmm- what was that other one...
Pfizer rought us the Panama City bad Benadryl -
Baxter brought us the bad Heparin iirc
Bayer - oh - it's been a while - but EACH ONE of them has had problems with their Chinese outfits.
FDA in one case I read ? Couldn't even FIND the manufacturing plant.
I am HIGHLY sketchy on pharms from CHina - asking my pharmacist ? and masters in chem friend ? I said - how can I know what prescriptions I get are from CHina - he said "you can't".
Now - THAT alone is a health crisis in waiting baed on China's track record.
Too BAD US FDA doesn't provide for US citizens - that information - you'd think freedom of information act or something should let you KNOW if your product is from China.
IN FACT? IT JUST OCCURRED TO ME - Just about EVERYTHING from China says Made in China or that CE mark on it - well now - EXCEPT the pharmaceuticals from Roche, PFizer, Bayer and Baxter.
Well well now - I never realized this until I just typed
Tom's of Main toothpaste has GFS extract in it.
I have a bottle ? BE VERY CAREFUL with that - ONE DROP AT A TIME - never straight - can close the throat as it did for me.
I used to work in shipping in this 25,000 plus vitamin/herb warehouse, and I was craving grapefruit one day- seeing that product ? the ONE product I was told to ALWAYS include the paper warning labels - which I never read ! I went out to the front- got a small bottle of Probiotic Grapefruit Seed Extract and proceeded to squirt it into my mouth - my throat closed instantly- I could barely breath - THEN I learned- it's HIGHLY aggitating to the skin - BUT it DOES kill E Coli- does kill many unwanted bacteria. I once thought - this would be great to spray on fruits and vegetables etc- lightly -go figure- I now see products in the store that have this very ingredient in it for that purpose. I PRETTY much have ONE use anymore - every new bottle of dish soap I get- I add about 40 drops - foams it up REAL nice with micro foam bubbles- but - I figure- why not add some serious anti-bacterial to the soa- I READ it is also anti--viral as to salmonella ? but I've not verified that.
People take it for Candida kill off- can be dangerous if candida has produced
Seems it causes diahrea (spelling) too - NOT KNOCKING Xylitol- I prefer it in say- gum for kids like Trident over aspartame- but go figure- they STILL put acusulfame K and Aspartame into Trident now - even THOUGH they have their time tested standard of xylitol - most unnerving to see kids get aspartame- that was Rumsefd's work under Reagan. Aspartame was approved after A DECADE of FDA panel rejections the DAY Reagan was elected- and Rumsfeld said he'd pull some strings for the pharm corp he was made CEO of - for that very reason -he could pull strings.
Must unsettling - kids get Wood Alcohol - OR if they drink NORMAL COKE ? According to EPA - 50% of ALL High Fructose Corn Syrup contains mercury - President Obama before presidency passed a law stating by 2012- the 3 sources of Caustic Soda that are responsible for the mercury ? will no longer be allowed to use a chlorine based process from the 1800's that brings mercury into the process. Wow - we have to wait until 2012 JUST to get mercury out of HFCS.
You HAVE to educate yourself - you can NOT rely on the FDA or anyone else.
They are not looking out for YOU - they are looking out for PHARM CORPORATIONS and lord knows what kind of backroom payoffs.
I could argue being around kids gets your immune system strengthening - getting all those viral footprints for T-cells to go after.