3ac Health Tips

 

Flu Resistance

If you pick up a flu virus, you won't necessarily come down with the flu. Whether or not you become ill will depend on how well your immune system deals with the virus. So you might say that a virus doesn't give you the flu - an immune system that doesn't defeat the virus is what gives you the flu. The key is immunity.
 
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) - an amino acid that naturally stimulates your body to produce glutathione - is a powerful antioxidant enzyme. Previous studies have shown that patients with ailments associated with a breakdown in the immune system are often deficient in their levels of glutathione. NAC has been used for many years to treat chronic respiratory ailments with its ability to break up and dissolve the mucous that contributes to pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma and sinusitis.
 
And just a few years ago, an Italian study found that supplementation with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) significantly increased immunity to flu infection. Over a six-month trial, only 29 percent of those taking NAC developed symptoms of the flu versus 51 percent of those taking a placebo. Of the 262 people taking part in this study, three-quarters were over the age of 65. 300 mg of NAC per day is probably both effective and safe for most people. But it's always a good idea to consult a trusted health care provider before beginning any new supplement regimen.
 
In addition to NAC supplements, there are a number of other supplements that may help keep the flu away from the door. Vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene have all been shown to help fight colds and flu. Selenium - a naturally occurring mineral with antioxidant properties may stop viruses from mutating and becoming more potent.
 
And finally, we have echinacea - the herb that's become so well known in recent years for its apparent ability to help reduce the length and severity of colds and flu. How this is done is not yet known, although some studies have indicated that echinacea may stimulate the production of white blood cells that are necessary to effectively manage viruses. The effectiveness of echinacea may lie in its ability to strengthen a specific part of the immune system that is known to attack viruses.
 
You can also enhance your resistance by getting the right amount of sleep, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a light to moderate exercise regimen, and supplementing your diet where necessary.