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Build Immune System - Use NAC For Enhanced Immunity
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Many are looking for natural methods to build immunity to
such things as the Flu. "The flu" is most often a reflection
of what is going on inside the body. Build health and immunity
against such things as viruses and bacterias by using alternatives
to antitbiotics.
Antibiotics Are Overused
Antibiotics are used heavily in health care and day care centers,
and farms regularly use them on crops and vegetables. |
In addition, farm animals are given antibiotics for therapeutic
purposes and for growth promotion.
People and animals that pass through these areas or live in
these areas can show resistance even without deliberate exposure
to the drugs.
Dangers of Overuse
By using such large quantities of antibiotics there has been
a real increase in antibiotic resistance in certain bacteria.
Certain bacteria either have a pre-existing inherited resistance,
or they gain such genes through mutation or genetic exchange
with other bacteria. By killing susceptible bacteria, antibiotics
can increase the number of bacteria that are resistant to the
drugs. More-resistant bacteria develop as antibiotic exposure
increases.
Currently, three types of life-threatening bacteria are not
affected by more than 100 known antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance
is also thought to play a role in the increasing death rates
of certain communicable diseases like tuberculosis.
About 90 percent of certain bacteria were resistant to the
antibiotics amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ampicillin
and cefuroxime. Fourteen to 76 percent were resistant to tetracycline,
and zero to 67 percent were trimethoprim resistant, depending
on the type of bacteria. Twelve to 33 percent were resistant
to apramycin.
On the other hand, more natural substances are being monitered
for Effects on building health
Health Benefits of NAC As An Immune Builder
Coming down with the flu? Besides the Zinc and Vitamin C and
Echinacea or Goldenseal that most people are aware of to build
your immune system, consider this research on NAC.
Supplementing with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can dramatically
reduce the frequency and severity of flu-like symptoms in elderly
high-risk individuals, according to a study by Italian researchers.
Two hundred and sixty-two men and women were asked to take
600 mg of NAC or a placebo twice daily for six months covering
the peak wintertime flu season. NAC is a well-absorbed and safe
form of the amino acid cysteine.
Each of the subjects was given a diary and asked to make note
of such symptoms as fever, muscular weakness, loss of appetite,
headache, aches and pains, nasal discharge, sore throat, and
cough. Researchers defined "influenza-like episodes"
as when two or more of the symptoms occurred at the same time.
"The overall frequency of patients suffering from influenza-like
episodes...was significantly lower in NAC-treated subjects than
in placebo-treated subjects," wrote S. De Flora, MD, of
the University of Genoa in the European Respiratory Journal.
Of those subjects with laboratory-confirmed flu antibodies, only
25 percent of the NAC group developed symptoms, compared with
79 percent of the placebo group.
Similarly, of the "flu-like" cases among people
taking NAC, 72 percent were mild, 26 percent were moderate, and
2 percent were severe. In the placebo group, 48 percent of the
infections were mild, 47 percent were moderate, and 6 percent
were severe.
"An additional criterion for evaluating the severity
of influenza-like episodes was the length of time in bed which,
irrespective of the age of patients, was remarkably shorter in
NAC-treated subjects," De Flora wrote. "In fact, in
the 10 subjects suffering from influenza-like episodes who were
not bedridden, nine were under NAC treatment."
N-acetylcysteine also increased the activity of the immune
system, encouraging a more vigorous response to infection, according
to De Flora.
Continue to focus on building health, so that you become ill
less and less often. A strong immune system can handle most things.
A strengthened immune system is very important in the times that
we live in.
You may want to consider adding NAC at times. NAC has helped
some people have a stronger immune sytem, without burdening their
system further with antibiotics.
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Article written by Jeannie Crabtree C.Ac. Jeannie Crabtree
has been a Health Practitioner for the last 20 years and is a
Certified Acupuncturist and Total Body Modification Practitioner.
Jeannie publishes Healthy Living newsletter. She shares health
answers that work, tips, nutrition suggestions and research.
You can subscribe To Healthy Living by visiting http://www.health-doc.com
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