Fruit baskets > How You Can Support Your Immune System

How You Can Support Your Immune System

Media coverage of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has incited fear among the American public, emptied Chinatowns all over North America and stopped much of the travel between the U.S., Toronto, Canada, China, Taiwan and southeast Asia. While SARS is an urgent concern for the World Health Organization, a larger worry on the horizon for the world health agency is the flu?the long awaited influenza pandemic.The flu pandemic has historically occurred at 25-30 year intervals and its destruction has been cataclysmic. The Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, for example, killed more than 40 million people worldwide (670,000 Americans alone). The most recent flu pandemic struck 35 years ago and killed more than 4 million people. SARS, by comparison, has caused less than one thousand deaths and is much less infectious.

Dr. Klaus Stohr, the head of the influenza program at the World Health Organization who is also leading the agency's fight against SARS said in a Wall Street Journal interview, "We are not prepared for the devastation of a flu pandemic? SARS will be something to smile about," he said.Regarding the likelihood of a major flu pandemic striking in the near future, Albert Osterhaus, a Dutch scientist involved in pandemic preparedness in Europe said in the same Wall Street article, "It's not a matter of if, but when, this will happen. I am far more scared of a flu pandemic than I am of SARS." The flu, SARS and other communicable diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis are the twenty-first century's major heath challenges.Overcrowding and global travel have increased the risk of diseases spreading unchecked. However, the real threat lies in a virus's ability to undergo small changes or mutations that evade people's natural immunities or commercial vaccinations. Similarly, the widespread use of antibiotics in poultry and meat producing industries has enabled bacteria to become stronger and more resistant.

According to some critics, even our current medical practices of over-prescribing antibiotics may contribute to the rise of "super-bugs"!When these "new" microbes strike, they move quickly and wipe out victims, leaving a wide path of destruction. The West Nile and Ebola viruses, for example, both have at least a 90% mortality rate.Don't panic. You can prevent or minimize your chance of contracting infectious diseases both at home or while traveling. Some of my recommendations are common sense:

Wash your hands frequently Avoid touching your face Eat well-cooked foods Maintain a distance from someone who is sick Avoid crowded and poor ventilated places Sometimes you cannot help but travel on airplanes, meet with someone who may appear to be sick, eat out at a restaurant or be in a crowded place. Therefore you must make sure that your immune system is functioning at a peak level.

This involves avoiding activities that would weaken or deplete your immune system and engage in immune strengthening and supporting actions. Below I have outlined a checklist of things to avoid:

Stress and negative emotions Sleep deprivation Overwork and over-exhaustion Diet high in sugar, caffeine and refined products Under or over-exercise Frequent use of antibiotics, steroids or immuno-suppresant drugsMany people who were exposed to SARS, Ebola, the West Nile virus or the flu virus never came down with the infection. The reason is simple: Their immune systems are much stronger and better equipped to fend off the viruses than those who came down with the illnesses. I have outlined below actions to strengthen your immune system: Reduce stress and maintain equanimity Get plenty of rest and sleep Pace yourself at work and in your life Eat a healthy diet consisting of high fiber, low fat and at least nine servings of vegetables and fruits each day Moderate daily exercise including cardiovascular and light weight training Avoid drugs and chemicals whenever possible Take herbs and vitamins that have been shown to optimizing the immune system Extensive studies of ways to strengthen the human defenses have been carried out for centuries in China, producing a wealth of knowledge on Chinese herbal medicine and its effect on the immune system. While there is currently no cure for SARS, the Chinese Government Health Authority recently released its recommendations for preventing SARS.

These recommendations consist of Chinese herbal medicine formulations as prophylactic agents against SARS. They are herbs that have been found to contain anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties and have immune boosting qualities. Some are effective in increasing the white blood cell production in your body (they are your defense troops), while others increase lymphocyte activities such as killing foreign invaders, etc. Fundamental principles of Chinese medicine are, of course, "Treating disease before its occurrence", and "Strengthen the defenses to prevent sickness."The recommendations are listed below:Lu Gen (reed root), Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle flower), Lian Qiao (forsythia fruit), Chan Yi (cicada shell), Jiang Chan (silkworm), Bo He (peppermint), Gan Cao (licorice) Cang Zhu (Chinese atractylodes rhizome), Bai Zhu (white atractylodes rhizome), Huang Qi (astragalus root), Fang Feng (siler root), Huo Xiang (patchouli), Sha Sheng (silver beech root), Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle flower), Guan Zhong (dryopteris root) Guan Zhong (dryopteris root), Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle flower), Lian Qiao (forsythia fruit), Da Qing Ye (Isatis leaf), Zi Su (perilla leaf), Ge gen (Kudzu root), Huo Xiang (patchouli), Cang Zhu (Chinese atractylodes rhizome), Pei Lan (ornamental orchid), Tai Zi Sheng (pseudostellaria root)Persons whose jobs (health workers) or relations may bring them into contact with someone with potential SARS are advised to take the following formula:Da Huang (Chinese rhubarb root), Jin Yin Hua (honeysuckle flower), Chai Hu (bupleuri root), Huang Qing (skullcap root), Ban Lan Gen (Isatis root), Guan Zhong (dryopteris root), Cang Shu, Yi Yi Ren (Job's tears), Huo Xiang (patchouli), Fang Feng (siler root), Gan Cao (licorice)We cannot rely on the government or a world health body to protect us from communicable diseases, nor should we. In a world grown ever more connected and fast-paced, the risks of disease transmission are greater with each passing day.

However, individuals have the ability to protect themselves and loved ones by being proactive in ensuring optimal health and immune function. As frightening as the prospects of SARS and the flu pandemic are, we are far from being helpless. With the steps that I outlined above you can take minimize weakening your immune system and increase your immune functions. You do not have to be a sitting duck waiting for the inevitable to happen..

Dr. Maoshing Ni, a Licensed Acupuncturist and a Diplomat of Chinese Herbology, is currently in general practice at the Tao of Wellness Clinic in Santa Monica, California. The Tao of Wellness Clinic is one of the oldest in Los Angeles, established in 1976. (310) 917-2200. Dr. Maoshing Ni is also the publisher of Points Newsletter, found at http://www.acupuncture.com.info@taoofwellness.com

Be a Realtor with Curb Appeal

Are you a realtor with curb appeal or are you more of a fixer-upper needful of updating? How you present yourself
to colleagues, buyers and sellers, from the very first moment, will influence your sales records as well as the confidence and satisfaction your new clients feel.
Even if you're a Realtor in demand, with more listings than hours in a week, you may well find areas that you can polish.
Read on to make doubly sure you are a realtor with curb appeal and then watch your business grow!Image is EverythingLike it or not your
competence on the job will be judged by the first impression you give your new or prospective customers.
Make sure they leave every meeting with you feeling confident, informed and satisfied with your ability to give them the service they want.In order to leave a polished, professional impression you must excel in several key areas. Let's take a closer look at these.

Courtesy LivesAsk anyone what trait they...

Be a Realtor with Curb Appeal

Fruit baskets > Be a Realtor with Curb Appeal

Network Marketing Training -- Arm Your New Distributors for Success

"Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them."

- William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act III, Scene i (58-90)

Hamlet may not have been talking about network marketing, but his words do apply. Almost every network marketer has experienced the "slings and arrows" of the naysayers, those often well-meaning friends and relatives that stand in the way of our making an "outrageous fortune!" Experienced network marketers, clothed in the armor of past success, are less vulnerable to outside influences. The new distributor, however, is vulnerable, and that "sea of troubles" can act as a barrier to reaching their true potential.

What did the knights of old do to prevent an injury? That's right ? they armed themselves. Their armor was heavy and cumbersome, and they needed a squire to help them prepare for battle. Well,...

Network Marketing Training -- Arm Your New Distributors for Success

Fruit baskets > Network Marketing Training -- Arm Your New Distributors for Success

Update of Send.com Gift Services

SendAfrican.com offers selections of sculpture, fabric and arts from Southern Africa. Because all products are hand-made, no two items are alike. Each is a unique creation of high quality. A note telling the story behind the object and its motifs, as well as a biography of the artist accompanies each product. A percentage of all sales are put into the Artists Trust, established to help individual artists to develop their skills and businesses.

SendAirplanes.com is an online model airplane site, providing the customer with the highest quality model airplanes hand-carved out of rich mahogany wood. This site offers a product line of over 400 model planes from Civilian/ Business/ Unusual Aircraft (1918 - Present), Commercial Airlines from Around the World (1918 - Present), Foreign Military Aircraft (1903 - Present), NASA (NACA) Aircraft/ Spacecraft/ Missiles (1945 - Present), U.S. Air Force Aircraft (1947 - Present), U.S. Army Air Corps & Army Air Force Aircraft (1903 - 1946), U...

Update of Send.com Gift Services

Fruit baskets > Update of Send.com Gift Services

Update of Send.com Gift Services

Update of Send.com Gift Services

Fruit baskets > Update of Send.com Gift Services

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FITUR 2005 Hotel Booking Website Launched by Area Hotels in Support of FITUR - The International Tourism Trade Fair in Madrid, Spain

Madrid, Spain (ContentDesk) June 24, 2004 -- Area Hotels today launched a comprehensive listing of Hotels within applicable distance of the 2005 Fitur event. Discounted rates are available on all selected hotels How You Can Support Your Immune System
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Cash Til Payday Loans - When Is The Best Time To Get A Quick Cash Loan

There are times when a cash advance loan or payday loan may be a good way to get you out of a tight, financial scrape. There are times when a payday loan may be a wise decision. Keep in mind, this is assuming that you definitely have the ability to pay back the loan right away. Here are some examples of times when using a payday loan might be a good idea:1. If the late fee on not making the payment that you would need to make, would be more than the fee for taking out a payday loan.2.

When,...

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Fruit baskets > Cash Til Payday Loans - When Is The Best Time To Get A Quick Cash Loan

Cash Back Credit Card: Earn While You Spend!

Copyright 2006 Edward Vegliante

Cash back credit cards are an excellent way to earn money while you spend! Instead of making purchases with standard credit cards, you might want to consider applying for cash back credit cards because such cards reward you with cash back on every purchase you make! Further, in addition to cash back on all of your purchases, cash back credit cards offer you the opportunity to afford additional savings, in ways you might not have imagined possible. cash advance
Fruit baskets > Cash Back Credit Card: Earn While You Spend!