Flu and the Immune System
Influenza ("flu") strikes every year and afflicts millions.
Under normal circumstances, flu is not considered a general
public health risk. Of course, any disease must be taken
seriously for two reasons.
First of all, any disease, including flu, can become dangerous
through complications.
But, let's also understand the far more important issue with
regard to flu (and not just avian flu)...but disease in general.
Every flu is a problem primarily because our immune system gets
compromised through life's stresses. Put bluntly, flu is
"caught" by people because their immune system is not
functioning well.
Immune system dysfunction and weakening occurs from constant
stress, constant threat of danger, constant deprivation of
nutritional needs, and constant exposure to vicissitudes of
life. Flu ...even deadlier strains such as avian flu, can be the
result.
Specifically, flu impacts us due to an under active immune
system. This is true of many diseases such as cancer, Hepatitis
B and C, TB, strep, shingles as well as flu. Other disease
conditions are the result of an over active immune system.
What makes this an issue of late is the fact that only recently
has science begun to understand the immune system, its
complications, its sheer power to fend off disease conditions
and its power to aid in the healing process.
Remember that as we introduce the potential of avian flu.
Avian Flu and Pandemics of the Past
To understand the avian flu threat, we need to understand flu
pandemics of the past. Flu epidemics have been explosive and
unusually deadly. In past centuries, flu probably spread so fast
due to humans and animals living in close proximity.
As you probably know, avian flu is a complex disease mutated
from flu that kills birds. But, avian flu has mutated
successfully to strike human life. Close proximity of animal and
human life allows for such mutations to develop and spread.
Flu can spread like wildfire. The pandemic flu of 1580 began in
Asia, spreading over all continents in less than a year. The flu
engulfed all of Europe in less than six months.
That's the problem with flu breakouts. Flu pandemics hit like
the proverbial flash flood. A highly contagious flu virus can
hit populations that have little or no specific antibody
immunities to the disease, infect a quarter of the population,
outstrip societal response capability, disrupting societal
health and economy.
The fear today is that avian flu will strike suddenly and will
spread globally in a matter of mere months.
There were three flu pandemics of the 20th century. They are
well documented as to origin, spread, and impact. Those flu
pandemics occurred in 1918-19, 1957-58, and 1968-69.
The flu pandemic of 1918-19 killed upwards of 40 million people.
No doubt, society did not have the tools nor understanding to
stop the plague. However, if ever there was an argument for
immune debilitation, it's war weariness.
Almost every author who writes about this flu pandemic notes the
fact the world was at war. But, that was not a mere footnote. It
was a major contributor to society's incapacity to restrain,
much less stop the flu plague.
War brings unique circumstances, to say the least. War brings a
strain to everything including the immune capacity of the
survivors. If flu occurs in compromised immune systems, war
guarantees the stress and deprivation which is often the prelude
to plague:
" soldiers live in horrid conditions and return to a disrupted
life but the effect on their immune system follows them into
peace time ...and plague,
" loss of loved ones brings its stresses to the emotions which
impacts the immune system,
" constant anxiety for soldiers and loved ones even though they
return safely, brings its emotional traumas and immune system
depletion, " loss of hygienic conditions weakens resistance and
breeds viral and bacterial conditions,
" depression economy brings poverty and its consequences to
human quality of life,
" uncertainty of safe living conditions (bombing, terrorism,
battle, mob actions) during war takes its own toll on the body
" disrupted economies, making recovery long, difficult and
uncertain,
" work hours longer and work conditions harsher, pay less,
" crime, destruction, barbarism frightening or actual,
" whole economies perish, trade and commerce uncertain,
" political uncertainties,
" peace often brings more severe dislocation and hardship (this
was especially the case after World War I),
" all populations suffer nutritional deprivation, with few
exceptions
When flu strikes after such conditions, scientists often
misjudge the fact that the victims, deemed "healthy", really
were compromised terribly throughout the war and peace time
consequences. The generation, which was victimized by the
"Spanish flu" of 1918-1919, was in the age range of 15 - 35 ...
the very age which includes:
" soldiers,
" single parents,
" factory workers,
" teens called upon to assume unusual responsibilities on the
home front
" workers in their prime, needed on all fronts...
" medical and other service personnel exposed to a constant need
for their services,
Their "after the war" physical let down is almost reminiscent of
what happens to people after particularly long periods of
stress...They fall prey to flu, colds, and infection.
Why the flu? To answer that question, consider the physical
impact upon athletes from their workouts.
It is now known that after a heavy workout, whatever other
benefits accrue to the body, there is one clear draw back. The
oxidized radicals thus formed take the body several days to get
over... leaving the body open to radical damage and some
internal harm. (See my article: "Antioxidants, Free Radicals,
and Sports Nutrition"
New research suggests glyconutritional supplementation taken
before, during, and especially after workouts helps the body get
over the radical burden in a matter of hours, not days.
Now, if recent research shows that athletic stress takes days to
get over, often leaving damage to organs and tissues in its wake
(especially if it is a habitual practice), why are we surprised
at the massive flu fall out following the First World War - a
war which was worldwide in its scope, as was the flu pandemic
which followed it?
Perhaps, before we consider avian flu in the second article, we
should realize there is strong scientific testimony that
recognizes glyconutrition is a way to prepare and deal with the
onset of deadly flu...and potentially other pandemic
possibilities.
Read the following testimony before Congress when doing further
research on flu, avian or otherwise.
"In instances of unusual, epidemic, or virulent infectious agent
exposure, glyconutrient supplementation has been found effective
for enhancing general immune functions and defense. When
supplied at higher levels than available in nature, sugars
needed for cellular synthesis can take innate defense systems to
a much higher level that are effective against infectious
agents."
-Dr. H. Reginald McDaniel, "Comprehensive Medical Care for
Bioterrorism Exposure" Congressional Hearing, November 14, 2001
(emphasis ours)
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