Tips for Preventing H1N1 Swine Flu

***UPDATED 10.27.09 TO INCLUDE THE ORIGINAL SOURCE FOR THE FORWARDED EMAIL.***

I get a gajillion FWD emails from my Aunt Pat (thanks, Aunt Pat!). But this one (quoted below) sparked my curiosity and seemed legit (who knows, right?). I did search Snopes and didn’t find a matching hit; so if it’s a myth, it hasn’t come to the attention yet of the folks at Snopes.

Anywho, I figure if you follow his advice, you’re only out a few minutes a day of gargling with salt water.

Also, if you do not have a good multivitamin, talk to me. I DO take a great multivitamin that—I’m convinced—contributes to my overall health and well-being. Melaleuca’s vitamins have a special delivery system**. We also have an immunity booster supplement. I promise you that Chris and I have both taken Activate at the FIRST sign of a throat tickle or yucky feeling and we rebound like that (*snapping fingers*).

Another boost to your immune system is to GET THE TOXINS OUT OF YOUR HOME. When your immune system is continually assaulted with chemicals (they’re in many household cleaners and personal grooming products, including shampoo, even kids’ so-called “gentle” and “pure” products!), it becomes taxed and compromised. Then, when the REAL germs come along, your immune system has little to nothing left with which to fight. I can help you convert your home to a more natural, healthier, safer environment using Melaleuca products. Leave a comment below or email me if you’d like to learn more (maryb1517 [at] gmail [dot] com).

clip art: royalty-free image from dreamstime.com

Preventing Swine Flu – Good Advice

By Dr. Vinay Goyal. Dr. Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial etc.. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).

***The following information was compiled from notes taken at a lecture by Dr. Goyal in August 2009.***

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it’s almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. “Hands-off-the-face” approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don’t trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don’t underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*

5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

**Explanation of Melaleuca vitamins’ special delivery system: The minerals in some supplements crystallize during digestion, which inhibits absorption. In addition, minerals also tend to trigger free radicals during digestion. This cascade of free radicals can “use up” the antioxidants in your multivitamin (vitamins A, C, and E), rendering them nearly useless.

Oligofructose Complex binds minerals to organic compounds (oligofructose and amino acid) to mirror the way minerals are naturally found in fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods. This binding process not only keeps the minerals more available for the body to absorb, it also guards the minerals—disarming their ability to generate massive amounts of free radicals. As a result, more of the critical nutrients you need for better health are available for use every day. (Source: Melaleuca)