dr stephanie

The Swine Flu & You, Part 2

In the past weeks, I have literally been inundated with Swine Flu/ H1N1 Questions from patients, friends, and family.  Perfectly normal considering it is something that threatens what we value most - our health.

This post is designed to answer some of the questions I have been receiving, and to educate you without the sometimes (ok, always) confusing lingo that epidemiologists usually speak in. And I have friends who are epi's so I can say that :)

I think it is important to understand what the virus is, and how it can or cannot potentially affect you.

I want to be clear that I am not expressing an opinion to get vaccinated or not to get vaccinated, or my thoughts on vaccines in general.  This is done from a standpoint of education so that you can make the appropriate decision for yourself.

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Q1: Why is the H1N1/swine flu getting so much hype?

So, you need a wee history lesson on this. A short, but fascinating history lesson.

In 1918, there was a H1N1 swine flu showed up in the spring time, with little to nada impact.  Then, it showed up again in the fall of 1918, and by the end of it, the death toll was somewhere around 50 million people.  To put this is in perspective, that is more than 1.5 x the Canadian population.

So really - this is why everyone is paying attention to it - because there is a historical, well-documented, devastating pandemic that initially appeared similar to this current strain.

*However* : The strain we are talking about now, in 2009, has a few very important distinctions from its 1918 cousin.  I will discuss these in a minute.

I think it is also important to point out that in 1957 and 1968, similar strains also caused pandemonium.  This is because the viruses of these years underwent a makeover (called 'subtype changes' - eg - where an H1 changes to a H3) so that the immune systems of the people did not recognize it ...hence the pandemics in those years. 

In 1976 - there was another small H1N1 scare (4 soldiers) and in the US, over 40 million people were vaccinated for a H1N1 strain because one of the soldiers died.  This particular vaccine was stopped abruptly after people started suspecting that more people died from the vaccine than from the virus itself.

The important differences between the 2009 strain and the 1918 strain are the following:

1st - the 1918 flu virus went batsh*t in the colder months of the year.  As do most influenza strains.  Winter months = flu season most of the time.  This 2009 strain did not apparently get that memo: we have been hearing of cases turning up all summer in Mexico, in the USA, etc.

2nd - (and imo the most fascinating) is that is seemingly has a much bigger impact on younger kids, not the older population. Typically most influenzas seem to like innocent, sweet, older people.  With the 2009 H1N1 strain, the older the person is, the more immunity they seem to have!

So, epidemiologists and the like are worried that this flu might have the same kind of impact as the 1918, 1957, and 1968 strains.  Some media channels have locked onto this as they sometimes do, and are talking about it on a daily basis. 

While it is a good thing to have people aware of it, I saw on the news this morning that hospitals in Toronto (my home town) have been swamped with concerned mothers and fathers with children with the sniffles, thinking it is swine flu.  It may be over-cautiousness.  It may be sensationalization by the media gone amuk.

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Q2: Is this a mild flu, or is it something to be scared of?

I think no one would disagree with me if I said "It's anyone's guess".

From the data that I have read - here is how it can become significant (without relapsing nightmares of biochem class):

Situation 1

The current 2009 strain would need 3 separate mutations in a specific area of the genetic code of the virus' DNA in order to look like the 1918, 1957, and 1968 strains.  This is extremely extremely rare.  One in a quadrillion, according to Peter Palese (head of microbiology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine).

Situation 2

Something called "reassortment".  Which is basically when 2 virus strains occupy the same cell and then swap genes which each other to acquire a more potent combo of genes.  Similar to when you borrow your friends [insert something you want from your friend : shoes, bags, etc] to look more 'potent' yourself.

All jokes aside, this is actually far more common and can easily happen.  But, like your friend, if you are a size 9 shoe and she is a size 7, you may be able to get the shoe on, but there is no way you are walking in them all night.  The virus works in much the same way - it may be able to swap genes with another virus - but there is no guarantee that it will work.

This is why you may hear the 2009 H1N1 virus strain being referred to as "The 0.5 Pandemic". Meaning, not really one.

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Q3 : How can I avoid getting sick?

Well, if you follow my blog - you will know I am a huge advocate for taking responsibility for your own health.  Not in a self-consumed, hypochondriac kind of way, but in an easy, logical, and daily thing.  Prevention is the key. Always.

First : read this. 

Second: the same kind of prevention practices you should be doing anyway for flu season:

• take multi-vitamins that contain Vitamin C, and Vitamin D
• wash your hands
• don't sneeze into the open air
• exercise regularly
• stay away from excessive sugars, and dairy (which temporarily depresses the Immune System)
• stay home if you feel sick (and sleep and rest!!!)
• drink lots of green or white tea
• have probiotics (either in supplement form, through yogurt or kefir)
• wash your bed sheets at least once/week

There is one final thing that you can or cannot do - which is get vaccinated.  I think this is a highly personal choice and you need to weigh the risks out with the benefits.  Are you healthy?  Do you or one of your loved ones fall in the demographic that is most susceptible? 

This year's H1N1 has really revived the debate of whether or not to be vaccinated.  I recommend you speak to a few different kinds of practitioners that you trust: medical doctors, naturopaths, chiropractors, etc.  Weigh out the benefits, and make the decision which is appropriate for you. 

Be Healthy.

Dr. Stephanie

The Swine Flu & You

Ok, yes, fine. My title du jour sounds like a bad government campaign.  But, the flow of creativity is kinda waning today and I am putting together today's post in between patients. 

That's how much I want you to be healthy: to get this info before the weekend so you can either get what you need from the grocery store this weekend, and get your ducks in row with your supplements.  You can thank me later. ;)

Ah, Swine Flu.  Media hype or massive cover-up attempt?  Frankly, who knows.  All we do know (and therefore care about) is that fall & winter are flu season.  This year there is not only regular (dreadful, vile and horrible) flu...this year we have to deal with H1N1 as well.  Effing great.  

So this year I want you to be extra mindful to beef up your immune system.  Here's how:

There are 3 main lines of preventative defense I am going to talk about today:

1. Diet

2. Supplements

3. Stress Management through a Healthy Spine 

Diet

Most of our immune system lives in our gut.  That is to say, the large and small intestines.  Actually, 80% of our immune system lives there - so what you eat (and the chemical reactions your body goes through to extract nutrients) is beyond important here.

The obvious thing here is don't eat something that can either a) kill the precious little bacteria that live in your gut or b) distract them by eating crap.

Mother Nature is a smart little minx.  In the winter time, when Canadians are sun-starved, and pale (and therefore low on Vitamin D) most of the seasonal produce is rich in Vitamin D and Beta-Carotene - natural flu-fighting stuff. 

Dr. Stephanie strongly recommends chowing down on the following:

• Kefir
• Orange Stuff :
• • Carrots
  • Sweet Potatoes / Yams
  • Pumpkins
  • Butternut / Acorn / Spaghetti Squashes
  • Turnips
• Red Stuff:
• • Beets
  • Pomegranate
  • Apples
• Non -Vegan Vit D Sources
• • Cod liver oil
  • Salmon
  • Herring

For vegans, it will be necessary to supplement your diet with a Vitamin D, because, other than the sun making it right on your skin - there are unfortunately no good sources for Vit D that are vegan.

Supplements

Sometimes, you need a little help with your diet.  Here are a few specific supplements that will help you this year to boost your immune system

1. Vitamin D

Lots of reports detailing the link between deficient Vitamin D levels and the onset of the flu in both in children and adults.  The link is so potent between Vitamin D and Flu (that is to say - more Vitamin D usually results in less incidences of the flu), that the Canadian Government is going to start investigating their relationship. 

I usually recommend a minimum of 1000 IU of Vitamin D through the winter time for adults (obviously see your chiropractor, naturopath, or medical doctor if you have questions, and to go over your personal health history and recommendations).

2. Thymus Spray

The thymus is a beautiful butterfly-shaped organ sitting behind your sternum.  It is where your T-cells (part of your immune system) go to mature.  Kind of like a member's-only club where only the elite get in. 

You see Gorillas -when they beat their chest before fighting -  literally stimulating the thymus - to show courage and strength.  It reminds me of my very loved (and missed) NYU Greek Class, as we had an extensive discussion about the Ancient Greeks who thought this is where our emotions and courage come from. Completely fascinating.

Thymus Spray can help stimulate the thymus through thymus-friendly proteins and peptides. 

3. Probiotics

Although slightly less preferred to the probiotics found in Kefir or Yogurt (for a quick review click here), a good quality probiotic supplement will give you healthy little critters that boost your immune system. 

Stress Management through a Healthy Spine

This one can be sometimes hard for people to see the link to.  Basically, your body has to deal with stresses all the time - the stresses of work, personal relationships, what you eat, what you breathe, etc. 

The cumulative effect over time of these stresses is what wear the body down, and weaken the immune system.   Your spine, muscles, and joints all have to deal with these stresses every day- and figure out what to do with them.

Imagine a car that you never brought in for an oil change, or got a car wash, or had regular tune-ups.  It would be a sad, rickety, old car. Now imagine your body going through life without regular tune-ups!  Same deal. 

The take home message is this: getting regular tune-up treatments (my recommendation is some lovely combination of chiropractic and massage, and acupuncture) helps keep your amazing body in shape, and is a preventative approach to a strong immune system.