While folks who live in the Northern Hemisphere are now enjoying summer, those who live in the Southern Hemisphere are experiencing more cases of the H1N1 flu during their winter months. This development does not bode well for the Northern Hemisphere folks when summer ends, because it will be followed by autumn. When autumn arrives, the H1N1 flu may very likely start up again infecting even more folks than it did earlier. In terms of protecting senior health, now is the time to build up immunity against the very probable onset of H1N1 flu beginning in autumn and probably peaking in the winter months.
It turns out that there are a number of natural products that are proven to boost the immune system so that they will manifest antiviral activity. Vitamins known to boost immune system include the vitamins C and D, but several new members who have joined the immunity team are resveratrol, quercetin, N-acetylcysteine and green tea extract. Vitamin D both stimulates the immune system and reduces inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory activity may prove particularly important in the event that the H1N1 flu imitates the pattern of the 1918 influenza (A/M1N1) that killed very quickly by inducing a killer cytokine storm in its victims.

A new member of the immunity team, resveratrol, apparently interferes with the flu virus infection indirectly by modifying cellular pathways. In order for it to work most effectively, resveratrol must be in a person’s system when the flu infection is initiated.
The next new member of the team, quercetin, is a flavonid that is found in many fruits and vegetables. Quercetin is a neuraminidase inhibitor like the two prescription drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza. that are currently being used against the H1N1 flu. High amounts of quercetin are found in apples, blueberries, cranberries and onions. In addition, red wine, black tea and various fruit juices contain quercetin. Quercetin appears to work synergistically with another new member of the team, N-acetylcysteine. Together they double team flu viruses to guarantee their demise.
N-acetylcysteine works to insure that cells can manufacture the antioxidant glutathione that provides immune protection against viruses. Viruses increase the pro-oxidant state in cells of folks infected with influenza, unless they are countered by a strong antioxidant.
The last member of the team, green tea extract, has shown strong antiviral properties against a number of viruses, including several flu viruses. The catechins in green tea are the extract that manifests the antiviral properties. Catechins block viral replication and inhibit neuraminidase similar to the action of the drugs Relenza and Tamifu.
The six members of this immune team play very well together to strengthen folks immune systems. They are designed to support your immune systems natural defenses, but they will not necessarily make you invincible. As soon as a person detects symptoms of the flu, they should visit their doctor as soon as possible for treatment. The doctor can prescribe drugs such as Tamiflu or Relenza that are currently available. If it is ready in time, then the doctor could inoculate their patient with a vaccine against the H1N1 flu.
Much of the material for this post is appropriately credited to an article in Life Enhancement.

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