Scientists Discover Achilles Heel : Antioxidants
As the nation copes with a shortage of vaccines for H1N1 influenza, a team of Alabama researchers has raised hopes that they have found an Achilles' heel for all strains of the flu -- antioxidants. In an article appearing in the November 2009 print issue of the FASEB Journal, they show that antioxidants -- the same substances found in plant-based foods -- might hold the key in preventing the flu virus from wreaking havoc on our lungs. "The recent outbreak of H1N1 influenza and the rapid spread of this strain across the world highlights the need to better understand how this virus damages the lungs and to find new treatments," said Sadis Matalon, co-author of the study. Here’s yet another indication that conventional medicine simply does not have it all figured out, and that vaccines are not the sole solution to influenza epidemics. I’ve already posted numerous articles about the benefits of vitamin D and C to combat the flu, and this latest research adds to my previous recommendations for proper diet and sunshine exposure, especially prior to- and during flu season. Why You Need Antioxidants It is generally recognized that antioxidants are powerful nutrients that protect your health by fighting against free radicals in your body, preventing damage from oxidation. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules, typically some oxygen derivative in human systems, with unpaired electrons. These unpaired electrons cause them to be highly reactive and can damage your DNA and other important tissues of your body. As this free-radical damage continues, cells can no longer perform properly, and hence, tissues begin to degrade and disease sets in. In this study, the researchers found that the flu virus damages your lungs through a protein called M2, which attacks the cells that line the inner surface of your lungs (epithelial cells). They discovered that the M2 protein disrupts your epithelial cells' ability to remove liquid from inside of your lungs, which can lead to pneumonia and other lung problems. However, antioxidants were able to prevent the M2 protein from damaging the epithelial cells. Now, in this study they actually used antioxidant-like drugs to stop the destruction of epithelial cells, however, it offers an intriguing glimpse into how dietary antioxidants probably work naturally. As I’ve mentioned several times before, the vast majority of flu deaths are actually caused by such secondary infections such as pneumonia, and your diet has a lot to do with how well your body can combat this disease process as well. Highest Ranking Antioxidant Food Sources Ideally, you’ll want to get your antioxidants from your food. Your next best bet is from whole food supplements. Excellent food sources of antioxidants include: Fruits: Cranberries, blueberries and blackberries Vegetables: Beans, artichokes Nuts: Pecans, walnuts and hazelnuts Spices: Ground cloves, ground cinnamon and oregano Vitamin C – Potent Antioxidant Already Shown to Be Effective Against Flu Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, and as you may recall, I recently published a case study from Dr. Thomas Levy, whereintravenous vitamin C was used to save the life of a man with swine flu. In one of his articles, Dr. Levy describes the mechanics of vitamin C, and how it works to treat infectious diseases such as the flu. In addition, the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service has published findings showing that vitamin C is effective against a broad range of viral infections, including bird flu: “High dose vitamin C is a remarkably safe and effective treatment for viral infections. In high doses, vitamin C neutralizes free radicals, helps kill viruses, and strengthens your body's immune system. The Avian Flu (or Bird Flu), so often mentioned by newspapers, magazines and other news sources, is a particularly severe form of influenza. Interestingly, the symptoms of avian flu include hemorrhages under the skin, and bleeding from the nose and gums. These are also classical symptoms of clinical scurvy, which means a critical vitamin C deficiency is present. This means that vitamin C (ascorbate) is needed to treat it. Severe cases may require 200,000 to 300,000 milligrams of vitamin C or more, given intravenously (IV) by a physician.
"Additionally, our research shows that antioxidants may prove beneficial in the treatment of flu."
Sources:
FASEB Journal October 30, 2009
Taking supplemental vitamin C routinely helps prevent viral infections.
This very high dosing may be needed since the Avian Flu appears to consume vitamin C very rapidly, similar to an acute viral hemorrhagic fever, somewhat like an Ebola infection.”