AntioxidantsandFlu

Antioxidants & H1N1 Swine Flu
Scientists Discover Influenza's Achilles Heel: Antioxidants As the nation copes with a shortage of vaccines for H1N1 influenza, a team of Alabama researchers have 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 (The Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology) , 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.  Additionally, our research shows that antioxidants may prove beneficial in the treatment of flu." (emphasis added)
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 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. Antioxidants were able to prevent the M2 protein from damaging the epithelial cells.
This study used antioxidant-like drugs to stop the destruction of epithelial cells. However, it offers an intriguing glimpse into how dietary antioxidants probably work naturally.
Highest Ranking Antioxidant Food Sources The most potent and active antioxidants come from fresh fruits. Given that most Americans fail to get even 3 servings of fruit per day, you will have to focus particularly well upon high-antioxidant fruits and other foods. Excellent food sources of antioxidants include: Fruits: Acai (freeze-dried only), wild blueberries, cranberries, and blackberries
Spices: Ground cloves, ground cinnamon and oregano Vegetables: Beans, artichokes Nuts: Pecans, walnuts and hazelnuts
References:   Science Daily October 30, 2009 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091029125538.htm   FASEB Journal October 30, 2009 http://www.fasebj.org/cgi/content/abstract/fj.09-135590v1?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&author1=Matalon%2C+Sadis&author2=Lazrak%2C+Ahmed&andorexacttitle=and&andorexacttitleabs=and&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=rel

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Mitch Kennedy, ND, P.C.