Fw: Multi-D News Natural Antivirals (elderberry is not one of them)

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Natural Antivirals

Submitted by Health Gazette on Thu, 2006-05-11 08:55.

Alternative Medicine

 

Regular readers know that I have no time for the nonsense

relating to imagined bird-flu pandemics. However. I regarded

the following item of sufficient novelty to be of some

interest. You may judge its merits for yourself.

 

Research suggests certain natural foods may be as effective

against virus H5N1 as commercial antivirals.

 

(PRWEB) May 10, 2006 -- A Biology teacher from Australia,

named Stephen Jones, has done extensive research into the

H5N1 virus and compiled a list of natural foods that are

effective against it and listed others that are detrimental.

 

The list may come as a surprise to many people since foods

such as spirulina and echinacea are listed as detrimental.

This strange occurrence is largely due to the fact that the

virus is immune to 2 cytokines that the body produces (TNF-a

and IL-6). Cytokines are compounds produced by the body s

immune system that attack and remove foreign bodies. The

problem is that when a foreign body is immune to certain

cytokines, the body sees that its immune response is not

working and tries even harder, which can lead to what is

called a cytokine storm, where the body becomes flooded with

these compounds and they eventually destroy the body itself.

Foods such as Echinacea actually stimulate the production of

these specific cytokines; hence consuming it is not a good

idea if one suspects they may have the virus.

 

During the 1918 Spanish Flu many healthy young people died

from cytokine storms due to their immune systems

overreacting. Consuming foods which suppress the production

of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6 and enhance the production of

the ones that actually are effective against the virus will

aid the patient greatly.

 

Other foods that create mucous in the respiratory tract,

such as bananas, are also listed as detrimental due to the

fact that the predominant breeding ground of the virus is

the respiratory tract and another way in which a patient may

suffer is due to the body's over production of mucous in

this area.

 

Folk Medicines and Herbs to use and avoid with Bird Flu

 

Below is a list of foods that are said to contain

substances that are natural antivirals, immune boosters or

they decrease cytokines TNF-a and IL-6.

 

Alternative medications that are most likely to help us

during a severe pandemic:

 

Garlic (allicin) - Very effective antiviral. Best if fresh

(raw) and crushed. Must be consumed within 1 hour of

crushing. Dosage is initially 2 to 3 cloves per day but

later reduce until no body odour occurs. No toxic effects

noted. (Pubmed PMID 9049657)

 

Vitamin C - Boosts the immune system and is an antiviral by

blocking the enzyme neuraminadase. Viruses need

neuraminadase to reproduce. There are anecdotal stories of

people taking large amounts of Vitamin C (children )

surviving the Spanish Flu. Research shows that it may reduce

the production of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. A study on 470

people involved giving the test group 1000 mg hourly for 6

hours and then 1000 mg 3 times daily after reporting flu

symptoms. Symptoms decreased by 85%. (Pubmed PMID 10543583,

634178, 16169205, 12876306)

 

Green Tea (possible Tamiflu/Relenza alternative)- Very

effective antiviral. Also decreases the production of the

cytokine (catechins) TNF-a. Inhibits neuraminidase. May have

antiviral activity that is equal to other antivirals such as

Tamiflu. (Pubmed PMID 16137775)

 

St Johns Wort (Hypericum) - Very effective antiviral. Also

decreases the production of the cytokine IL-6. Hypericum is

an extract from St John s Wort. There have been some very

successful field trials in commercial flocks infected with

H5N1 in Vietnam. (Pubmed PMID 7857513, 11518071, 11362353,

7857513, 11518071)

 

Vitamin E - Immune booster. Also decreases the production

of the cytokine TNF-a. (Pubmed PMID 155882360, 10929076)

Experiments involved using mice. Very suitable for immune

compromised people, especially the elderly. Effects enhanced

when taken with Vitamin C.

 

Apple Juice - Antiviral. Fresh apple juice including the

pulp and skin has greater antiviral activity than heated

commercial apple juice. More research is needed.

Effectiveness on H5N1 is unknown. (Pubmed PMID 32832,

12452634)

 

Resveratrol - Antiviral. In addition to inhibiting

neuraminidase, Resveratrol also sends a message to cells to

stop manufacturing viruses. This is a proven antiviral found

naturally in red wine, peanuts, mulberries, Japanese

Knotwood root (richest source), raisins and red grapes.

Resveratrol supplements are relatively inexpensive, are more

stable than wine and is available in liquid form for

absorption in the mouth. No toxic effects noted. (Pubmed

PMID 1583880, 12817628, 15985724)

 

Scuttellaria (Skullcap) - Antiviral. A herb used as a tea.

It has no side effects and is also a mild tranquilliser.

Research suggests neuraminidase, which is a substance needed

by the H5N1 virus to reproduce, may be inhibited.

 

Cranberry Juice - Early research shows that it may be an

antiviral, making viruses less able to invade or multiply.

Effectiveness on H5N1 is unknown. (Pubmed PMID15781126)

 

Cat s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) - Decreases the production

of the cytokine TNF-a. Also boosts immune system. The number

of white blood cells was significantly increased during

treatment. No toxicity was noted.

(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=search & DB=pubmed)

Active constituents can be found in the leaves, bark, vine,

and roots. Water extraction from bark used. Children and

pregnant women are to avoid. Has a potentially damaging

effect on the DNA of proliferating cells. (cancers,

foetuses, growing children)

 

Curcumin (Tumeric Spice) - Decreases the production of the

cytokine TNF-a. This is the yellow compound in turmeric

spice. Research shows that this may be very good for

preventing a cytokine storm although this is not proven.

Must be taken with food or gastritis or peptic ulcers may

occur. Pregnant women and feeding mothers should avoid this.

The medicinal properties of curcurnin cannot be utilised

when used alone due to rapid metabolism in the liver and

intestinal wall. When combined with Piperine found in black

pepper the absorption is increased with no adverse effects.

Obtainable from health stores in tablets, liquid, capsules

already combined with piperine. Dosage is 500mg to 4000mg

daily.

 

Astragalus root (Astragali Radix) - Boosts immune system.

(Pubmed PMID15588652)

 

Tea tree Steam Inhalation - Reduces the cytokine TNF-a. Add

2 drops of tea tree oil in a bowl of steaming water. Cover

head with a towel and inhale for 5 to 10 minutes. Relieves

congestion and fights infection. Its effectiveness is

unknown. (Pubmed PMID 11131302)

 

The following substances may be best to avoid during a H5N1

pandemic

 

Elderberry juice (Sambucal) - AVOID - Increases production

of cytokines TNF-a and IL-6. This substance is very

effective against the common flu but may not be desirable

for the H5N1 virus. Increases in these cytokines may trigger

a lethal cytokine storm. (Isr Med Journal2002 Nov;4:944-6)

 

Micro Algae (Chlorella and Spirulina) - AVOID - Increases

production of cytokine TNF-a. (Pubmed PMID 11731916)

 

Honey - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a and

IL-6. (Pubmed PMID12824009)

 

Chocolate - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a

and IL-6. (Pubmed PMID 12885154, PMID 10917928)

 

Echinacea - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a

and IL-6. Although it is often used for normal flu, research

shows that it may increase the chance of cytokine storms for

H5N1. (Pubmed PMID 15556647, 9568541)

 

Kimchi - AVOID - Increases production of cytokines TNF-a

and IL-6. (Pubmed PMID15630182)

 

Dairy products & Bananas - AVOID - These foods increase

mucous production.

 

References:

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/ (search using Pubmed ID

number listed after each food)

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