Featured Topic: Cold and Flu (4 slides)

Featured Topic: Cold and Flu (4 slides)

Viral Illnesses Influenza (the flu) and the common cold, as well as shingles, herpes, and some types of hepatitis and pneumonia are caused by viruses Did you know? The influenza virus can survive as long as 48 hours on stainless steel or hard plastic; survival on cloth, paper, or tissues is about 8-10 hours You should know: antibiotics DO NOTHING to stop cold and flu viruses However, several natural medicines have powerful effects against viruses

Elderberry is a natural antiviral drug Elderberry acts against viruses in two ways: PRIMARY: neutralizes virus particles so that they cannot enter host cells SECONDARY: causes the immune system to activate, which can help control the spread of a viral infection Specifically, elderberry has been found effective against Influenza Type A and B Herpes type 1 HIV BONUS: Elderberry has ALSO been shown to have some antibacterial activity

Elderberry protects against cold and flu A recent study in Australia found that taking elderberry while traveling cuts risk of colds or the flu in half 312 passengers flying from Australia to overseas destinations, economy class Half received Haschberg variety elderberry extract; half received placebo All passengers surveyed for cold and flu symptoms before, during and after their flights The elderberry group had half as many illness (cold or flu) as the placebo group For those in the elderberry group who did get sick, their illness lasted only 2/3 as long as the placebo group, and their symptoms were not as severe

Stop viral infections with elderberry Elderberry can be taken daily, especially during cold and flu season 200 mg daily, up to 1200 mg (when needed) Blend with other immune nutrients: Vitamins A, C and D Zinc, Calcium, Magnesium Mixed bioflavonoids from citrus Other ways to stop a virus: High dose vitamin D3 Supplemental vitamin D (1200 IU daily) in school children helped reduce the incidence of type A flu (influenza) by 8% Looking only at children who had NO supplemental vitamin D prior to the study, the risk of infection was reduced almost 60% Propolis extract (100-200 mg of concentrated propolis daily)

Kids Health News: Added Sodium and Sugar

Sodium intake In 2003, one in 20 kids had high blood pressure or prehypertension By 2013, this was true of one in 6 kids A recent study in JAMA finds that 98% of US households buy packaged foods containing excessive sodium levels The increase in high blood pressure may also be connected to childhood obesity the prevalence of childhood obesity in the US has tripled since the 1970s A 2010 study found that limiting use of electronic screens, getting enough sleep, and eating meals with the family could reduce prevalence of childhood obesity by 40%

48,485 In a publicity move, the KIND company recently dropped 48,485 pounds of sugar in New York s Time Square to represent the amount of added sugar US kids eat every day: 48,485 pounds The average nine year old child eats his or her body weight in added sugar in a single year KIND reported in their press release that in their market research on fruit snacks, they found that 9 out of the 10 leading brands of fruit snacks list added sugar as the first ingredient In 1994, less than 5% of kids diagnosed with diabetes had Type 2, now, up to 50% of childhood diabetes cases are Type 2

Dog Hair is Medicine? (1 slide)

Kids with Pets are Healthier Kids Researchers followed 474 children from birth to age 7 Children who spent the first year of life in a home that also had two or more dogs or cats had up to a 50% reduction in allergy risk pet allergies as well as allergies to pollens and mold had a 45% reduction in airway sensitivity, a risk factor for asthma Children raised in homes with pets have been found to have increased levels of two types of beneficial gut microbes that are associated with reduced risk of allergy (and obesity!) Having a pet has also been shown to reduce a child s anxiety and stress, and boost the social development of kids with autism

A Closer Look at: Gallbladder Attacks (2 slides)

Female, Fair, Fat, Fertile, and Forty This is how medical students are taught to remember the profile of a typical patient with gallbladder problems: female, fair, fat, fertile, and forty Abdominal pain associated with the gallbladder is more common in white women during their reproductive years High estrogen levels (which occurs in perimenopause and when women are overweight) is associated with gallbladder attacks - gallstones The gallbladder has receptors for estrogen and progesterone, which affect bile secretion and can inhibit gallbladder contractions, impairing gallbladder function The gallbladder contracts to release bile into the intestines; bile contains processed toxins that are ready to be released from the body as well as digestive enzymes that help break down food

Gallbladder Problem: Gallstone Prevention A recent study found that following a Mediterranean diet (fruit, legumes, oils (olive), and whole grains) was associated with up to a 27% decrease in risk of gallbladder surgery versus a Western diet, and especially versus regularly eating ham Also helpful curcumin and DIM: Although some sources recommend against curcumin for people with gallstones because it also stimulates bile flow, in two animal studies where gallstones were experimentally induced, the addition of curcumin significantly reduced gallstone formation One researcher speculated that this was because curcumin reduced the gallbladder inflammation associated with gallstone formation DIM helps keep estrogen and progesterone from converting to harmful forms, and restores estrogen and progesterone balance, which may help prevent gallbladder irritation

Quick Update: Roundup Lawsuit (1 slide)

Roundup and Cancer For the last two years, Monsanto, the makers of the herbicide Roundup, have been involved in a lawsuit regarding its potential to cause cancer The Wall Street Journal recently reported on 20 years worth of released Monsanto emails and documents that plaintiffs claim show how Monsanto hired scientists to skew research and hide Roundups cancer-causing potential One plaintiff s lawyer states that the documents show how Monsanto ghost writers created research, and then Monsanto cited it as if it were independent findings The case continues to work its way through the legal system