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Influenza - The Flu

influenza

“influenza vaccines are only 30-40% effective in preventing clinical illness among the elderly” [1]

"The outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza ... are historically unprecedented in their scale..." [2]

Protective Effect Beta 1,3-D Glucan.

Despite the widespread use of flu vaccines and antiviral drugs people still die every year in the United States from complications of the flu. Flu (short for "influenza") is a very contagious disease of the body's respiratory (breathing) system. Flu symptoms include sudden fever, cough, muscle aches, headache and general weakness and can include a runny nose and sore throat. These symptoms can range from very mild to very severe.

Beta glucan has shown to provide a protective effect* against influenza in a pre-clinical study. Click here to review the independent test results of the most popular Beta glucan products.

People with a weakened immune system are more susceptible to the flu. A quick scan of related articles on any new or established disease bare this out[4],[5],[6],[7]

A weakening of our immune system can occur from a wide variety of issues. Some of these issues may surprise you. This article details some of these little known factors that can weaken your immune system and what you can do about it.

The latest worry, Avian influenza (bird flu) is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. The disease (H5N1), which was first identified in Italy more than 100 years ago, occurs worldwide.

H5N1, an A type virus, mutates rapidly and has a documented propensity to acquire genes from viruses infecting other animal species.

All type A influenza viruses, including those that regularly cause seasonal epidemics of influenza in humans, are genetically labile and well adapted to elude host defenses. Influenza viruses lack mechanisms for the “proofreading” and repair of errors that occur during replication. As a result of these uncorrected errors, the genetic composition of the viruses changes as they replicate in humans and animals, and the existing strain is replaced with a new antigenic variant.

Influenza viruses that include H5N1 and subtypes from different species, can swap or “reassort” genetic materials and merge. This reassortment process, known as antigenic “shift”, results in a novel subtype different from both parent viruses...

Populations will have no immunity to the new subtype, and as no existing vaccines can confer protection, antigenic shift has historically resulted in highly lethal pandemics. [3], [1]

In addition, laboratory studies have demonstrated that isolates from this virus have a high pathogenicity and can cause severe disease in humans. [5] .

The National Center for Health Statistics reports that more than 90 out of 100 Americans suffer a cold or flu every year.

Some of the little known daily factors that can contribute to a weakening of your immune system are;

Stress[8]. I'm sure we are all well aware of this issue. With today's fast paced living standards many suffer from this condition.
Allergies to foods[9]. Food allergies can divert some of your immune systems resources away from preventing and fighting adverse conditions your body maybe exposed to.
Overtraining[10]. Are you athletic? Do you enjoy working out and staying in shape? This can depress your immune system.
Chemotherapy side-effects[11].
Mercury toxicity and amalgam fillings[12]. In vitro studies that low relevant exposure to "non-toxic" levels mercury contribute to immune system dysfunction (Scand J Immunol 50(3): pp. 233-241)

Are you exposed to any of the above mentioned factors?

In today's environment a majority of the American population is exposed to one or more of these factors.

Science has focused on this weakening of the immune system issue.

Recent advances in technology have created a superior class of dietary supplements called immunomodulators (ih-mew-no-MAJ-uh-lay-tor)[9].

The results immunomodulators have been accomplishing at prestigious medical laboratories and universities worldwide have been astounding.

Immunomodulators are substances that have been shown to modify the immune systems response to a threat upon it. They modulate and potentiate the weapons of your immune system keeping them in a highly prepared state for any threat your immune system may encounter. It turns your "98 pound weakling" white blood cells into a fine tuned S.E.A.L. team keeping them in a highly prepared state for any threat our immune system may encounter. With this balancing effect, all subsequent immune responses improve.

When your immune system is in this highly prepared state, the invading organisms do not have the time to build up force and strength before the immune system attacks, destroys and/or weakens the invader.

This is where a major problem arises. There are many products floating around out there claiming to be immunomodulators, yet they do not provide any proof of there effectiveness. However there is one. Lab quality Beta 1, 3-d glucan and the results it has be achieving is amazing. As one research stated "it's as safe as eating a piece of bread."

Pre-clinical Test Results

Lab quality Beta Glucan has been shown in a pre-clinical study to provide up to a 48% protective effect against influenza. Beta 1, 3-D Glucan is not a treatment for influenza or any other disease or condition. It is an immunomodulator that has been shown to support immune system function.

Immunoactivation occurs via secretion of soluble beta 1,3 glucan degradation products of Lab Quality Beta Glucan. Specifically, VHMW (Very High Molecular Weight) -glucans retain a specific subset of immunological properties common to .beta.-glucans but uniquely do not induce the production of detrimental pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-.alpha., IL-1.beta. and IL-6. Further, VHMW-glucans have been shown to accelerate bacterial clearance and increase platelet counts in both rat and mice infection models [13].

Beta Glucan is not a treatment or cure for any disease or condition. It is a immunomodulator and helps support immune system function.

These factors result in enhancements in innate immune cell (macrophage, neutrophil and natural killer cell) function, including mobilization, phagocytosis, production of killing factors (reactive oxygen intermediates, nitric oxide, enzymes) and lead to enhanced microbial or tumor cell killing.

To order whole glucan products with a 30 unconditional money back guarantee click here.
Rated #1 Against over 400 other Immune Support Products in Independent Testing. General immune enhancement
Read important information you need to know concerning the effectiveness of Beta Glucan products. Don't purchase any product until you know the facts click here.
For more information on the influenza study click here.
Find out if you are more susceptible to flu - click here.

[1]Vaccine. 2003 Mar 7; 21 (11-12): 1180-6. ; J Med Virol. 2003 Apr; 69(4): 560-7.; Hum Immunol. 1994 Jul; 40 (3): 202-9.
[2] http://www.who.int/csr/don/2004_02_09/en/
[3] http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets
/avian_influenza/en/index.html
[4] Public Health Fact Sheet - Flu http://www.state.ma.us/dph/cdc/factsheets/fsflu.htm
[5] A Weakened Immune System, CDC, http://www.bt.cdc.gov/
[6] The Immune System… http://www.doh.wa.gov/hanford
/publications /overview/immune.html
[7] A Healthy Immune System is Defense Against Illness. Oct. 23, 2001, L AAnderson, http://agnews.tamu.edu/dailynews/stories/NUTR/Oct2301a.htm
[8] Mild Depression Breeds Prolonged Inflammation In Caregivers. October 13, 2003, E Holland, OSU http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/kgil6.htm
[9] Lymphatic System and Immunity. M.J. Farabee, EMCC http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/
BIOBK/BioBookIMMUN.html
[10]Among Distance Runners, P Bird, http://www.hhp.ufl.edu/keepingfit/ARTICLE/excolds.HTM
[11] Chemotherapy and You, http://www.nci.nih.gov/
[12] Amalgams and the Immune System, Eggleston,D. J Prosthetic Dentistry, Vol 52, No.5 (May 1984)
[13] Patent 7022685