photo credit: photographerpandora

 

People who follow a diet rich in the mineral Selenium, which is found naturally in Brazil nuts, cereals, meat and fish, could be less likely than others to experience severe influenze H1N1 (Swine Flu) symptoms. Studies suggest that viruses become more virulent in those who are selenium-deficient, causing more severe, longer-lasting symptoms (1).

 

Unfortunately, the UK’s Selenium intake has fallen well below the Government’s reference level of 75mcg/day for men and 60mcg/day for women. Average UK intakes are in the region of 34mcg/day (2). This raises fears that Britons are at increased risk of experiencing more severe influenza H1N1 (Swine Flu).

 

Medical nutritionist and independent advisor to Healthspan, Dr Sarah Brewer suggests that people can potentially reduce the severity of viral infections by increasing their intake of Selenium-rich foods or by taking a *Selenium supplement. If choosing a Selenium supplement Dr Sarah recommends finding a selenium yeast supplement which is widely regarded as the international gold standard quality due to its high bioavailability.

 

Dr Sarah Brewer comments: “I believe that the reason why the severity of Swine Flu infections in the US is reduced could be attributed to the fact that, as a nation, their Selenium intake levels are adequate. Lack of Selenium is now recognised as a ‘driving force’ for influenza virus mutations (3), which may explain why so many new, pathogenic influenza viruses emerge from Asia, where Selenium intakes are among the lowest in the world.”

 

Henrietta Norton, Healthspan’s senior nutritionist, said: “Selenium is often referred to as the ‘miracle mineral’ and although it’s only required in very small amounts, it’s vital to our health being essential for the body’s antioxidant enzyme defences. Of course, nothing will truly guarantee protection against a severe infection such as Swine Flu, however supplementing the diet with Selenium could enhance the body’s immune system, helping fight against infection as well as potentially reducing the severity of an infection.”

 

* Healthspan’s Selenium Yeast Tablets 200mcg with Vitamins A, C & E, offers a powerful antioxidant combination that can help the body combat the cell damaging effects of free radicals attributed to an influenza/flu infection.  These are available on www.healthspan.co.uk or by calling freephone 0800 73 123 77. They cost £5.45 for 180 tablets and £9.95 for 360.

 

References

(1) M.A. Beck et al. 2001. Selenium deficiency increases the pathology of an influenza virus infection, FASEB J. 15:1481–1483.; H.K. Nelson et al. 2001. Host nutritional selenium status as a driving force for influenza virus mutations, FASEB J. 15:1846–1848.

(2) Rayman MP 1997. Dietary selenium: time to act. BMJ 314:387-388

(3) Beck MA et al. 2004. Host nutritional status: the neglected virulence factor. Trends in Microbiology 12; 9:417-423

 

About Healthspan:

 

Healthspan was established in 1996 and is the UK’s leading home shopping supplier of vitamins, minerals and health supplements. Based in Guernsey, Healthspan offer pure, pharmaceutical grade vitamins and supplements, at permanently low, tax-free prices, direct to your door at no extra charge.

Every Healthspan product is formulated to the highest pharmaceutical standards and produced using only the purest (pharmacist approved) ingredients, in independently inspected and approved premises. For further information please visit www.healthspan.co.uk or freephone their customer service number on 0800 73 123 77.

 

Technorati Tags: Conditions and Diseases, Health, Immune system, Infectious disease, Influenza, Influenza A virus subtype H1N1, Swine influenza, Virus

It seems that one could get as many as 8 common cold infections a year but how many times can you get influenza?

You shouldn’t get the same ’strand’ of influenza more then once. If your immune system is working properly, it would learn how to fight that strand and offer immediate protection if it comes again..

The only problem is that there are many different strands of the flu and getting one version of it will not necessarily make you immune to another.

Technorati Tags: Common cold, Conditions and Diseases, Health, Immune system, Infectious disease, Influenza, Medicine, Supplements and Vitamins

Everyone has their own idea of how to go about easing a sore throat, which can often be the first sign of the onset of a heavy cold or possibly flu. Of course it could be a bacterial infection or perhaps infected tonsils which are causing the condition.

Generally the advice is to get lots of vitamin C. There is a difference of opinion in what level of the vitamin C. is effective, however a recent US study indicates that around 200mg of vitamin C. a day is perhaps more effective than the recommended daily amount. Personally I’m not sure because the body can only use whatever amount of vitamin C. it needs.

The remainder of the vitamin C. is passed from the body in urine.

If you don’t consume the vitamin C. in tablet form then you should be able to get it by eating at least two servings of fruit and five servings of vegetables daily.

Also several studies have shown that the zinc lozenges can help shorten the duration of the symptoms of a sore throat. Taking zinc supplements for a cold, providing of course you don’t exceed 40mg per day, has also shown to be effective. If you take excess zinc it only serves to weaken the body’s immune system.

Eating bio yoghurt also seems to help protect against side-effects of antibiotics.

Alcohol should be avoided because it reduces your immunity and also irritates already inflamed mucous membranes.

Because a sore throat generally makes swallowing uncomfortable I personally prefer to soothe sore throat with a lemon drink made from the juice of a lemon put into a cup of boiling water with a teaspoonful of honey.

Tags: sore throat, colds, flu



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Technorati Tags: colds, Common cold, flu, Immune system, sore throat