We’re heading quickly into the cold & ‘flu season now – have you thought about how you will avoid getting the ‘flu this winter? The New Zealand Ministry of Health estimate that up to 20% of NZ adults will contract the ‘flu virus each year.
The annual Seasonal Influenza Immunisation Programme began a couple of weeks ago with the slogan “Don’t let the ‘flu get you”. There are a number of people that fall into various ‘high risk’ groups which means that if they get the ‘flu it will have a significant impact on their health. These people are the main target of the programme and usually don’t have to pay for vaccination, but it is also recommended and available for everyone.
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand have released a press statement “Vital pregnant women with asthma are immunised” because pregnant women are one of the ‘high risk’ groups. As such the influenza vaccination is free for pregnant women and the NZ Ministry of Health (MOH) state that it provides clear benefits for both mother and baby.
The vaccination for 2010 has only been tested on 779 people in Europe with side effects only monitored for 3 days post vaccination. The most common side effects noted over this period were injection site pain, asthenia (general body fatigue/weakness) and headaches.
Perhaps more interesting is the lack of data on the MOH and Medsafe websites about how much protection the annual ‘flu vaccination provides.
So is the influenza vaccine your best protection?
A study published by Cesarone et al. (2007) tested a group of ‘very high risk’ adults by giving some of them the standard commercially available influenza vaccination and some of them 400mg of colostrum daily for two months. What they found was that the colostrum proved to be at least 3 times more effective at preventing ‘flu than the vaccination.
Colostrum, the first milk given to new born mammals is a non-toxic, natural product that has no known negative interactions with drugs, food or other supplements. Colostrum contains: the immunoglobulin’s, growth factors, antibodies, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and other substances designed to help provide the body with the ability to face a lifetime of invasion by micro-organisms and environmental exposures.
Colostrum: designed by nature for infants, it is naturally safe for all ages including mums-to-be and breastfeeding mothers.
As well as taking a daily colostrum supplement other factors that will help you to stay on top of your health include:
- Ensure that you’re fighting fit so your immune system can tackle any viruses that it comes into contact with
- Make sure you are getting essential nutrients – particularly vitamins A, C, D, E, the B group vitamins and the mineral zinc;
- Provide additional support with the use of supplements e.g. RDA and King C
- Get quality sleep, between 7-8 hours of undisturbed sleep each night
- Minimise stress – chronic stress causes the release of cortisol which suppresses the immune system
- Don’t overdo it – this includes too much work, stress or play, moderation is key
To book a live blood analysis to view the state of your immune system or to find out how natural therapy can help you with your immunity contact Julie by email [email protected]
Cesarone MR, et al ‘Prevention of Influenza Episodes with Colostrum Compared with Vaccination in Healthy and High-Risk Cardiovascular Subjects: The Epidemiologic Study in San Valentino’, Clinical and Applied Thrombosis / Hemostasis, April 2007; 13(2):130 – 136
