IMMUNITION™ Report©

Volume II 1 

By Frank Jordan

The "Cold” Facts about the “Flu” and You!  

We Must Fight Back with an Immune System at Peak Through a Healthy Lifestyle and Nutritional Supplementation.  FDA Experts report OTC Cold and Flu Products do Not work for Children!

AP Associated Press (Oct 19, 2007): "FDA advisers: No cold meds for the young."

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ASHINGTON (AP)  "Widely used cold and cough medicines have not been shown to work in anyone younger than 12, government health advisers said. 'The data that we have now is they don't seem to work,' said Sean Hennessy,...one of the FDA experts gathered to examine the medicines sold to treat common cold symptoms. the recommendation applies to medicines containing one or more of the following ingredients: decongestants, expectorants, antihistamines and antitussives." These medicines are now used an astounding 3.8 billion times a year in treating cold and cough symptoms in children - and they don't work, with health dangers!

In The Beginning…

he congestion begins slowly with more labored breathing – nose begins to run -- a sneeze – the throat tickles with a nagging cough – another sneeze -- eyes water -- Oh no, I am miserable – aaahhhhhhhhh -- I have a Cold! 

   Or if you are less lucky, with alarming speed your body begins to ache – your brow and then your body heats up with a high fever – then a chill -- your strength fades and weakness overwhelms – your throat is raw -- the racking coughing seems to never end – It hurts all over -- You have the Flu!

   More than 200 different viruses are known to cause the symptoms of the 1 billion common colds suffered each year in the U.S. alone (3+ per person average) at a cost of about $80 per illness. The most common is the rhinovirus (from the Greek rhin, meaning “nose”), which causes about 35% of all “colds.”  Influenza, commonly called the flu, is an acute, contagious, respiratory tract infection caused by one of the influenza viruses.

   Hippocrates, the “Father of Medicine,” first described influenza in 412 BC, while the first known flu-like epidemic occurred in 1580 AD.  Today, flu outbreaks occur every winter without exception, with periodic epidemics – some severe.

   Influenza can strike entire populations who have inadequate immune protection, especially against a newly mutated virus.  During this century alone, the “Spanish flu” in 1918-19 caused 20 million deaths; the “Asian flu” in 1957-58 resulted in 500,000 deaths in the U.S. and the more recent “Hong Kong flu” caused 34,000 deaths in the U.S. in 1968-69. The U.S. Government now reports influenza deaths in the 1990's was 35-50,000 per year instead of the original estimates of 20,000.  In 2005-2006, 45,000+ are projected to die from influenza and a major pandemic of avian H5 flu is being prepared for by the Federal Health Agencies. 

   In recent statistics from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), 84% of colds in the U.S. occurred in children under 17 with 6 to 10 colds each year and appear to be related to the young’s immature immune systems and the contact with other children in schools and day care centers. The common cold annually in the United States results in 39 million doctor visits causing 22 million days lost from school according to the CDC. Colds are a serious health problem!  As stated in the opening, unfortunately the commercial remedies marketed have been found to be ineffective or even in many instances harmful to children.

How Do I “Catch a Cold” or “Come Down with the Flu”?

ost colds are contracted by breathing in virus laden droplets that have been sneezed or coughed into the air.  Or by rubbing the eyes and nose with our fingers that have come in contact with and then transfer the virus by hand to hand contact.  Also, the handling of objects contaminated with the virus such as food, door knobs, glasses, light switches and Kleenex, can transfer the viruses.  Flu viruses also enter the body through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and mouth. 

   The greatest risk of infection is in highly populated areas, where people live in crowded work, home and school conditions.  Airline travel and airports are also prime sources for virus transmission, as well as sporting and entertainment events.  Isolating people with flu symptoms is not an effective means of controlling the viral infection because flu can be spread by someone whose symptoms have not yet appeared.

   The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) takes exception to several common beliefs about colds,

  “Although many people are convinced that a cold results from the exposure to cold weather, or from getting chilled or overheated, NIAID grantees have found that these conditions have little or no effect on the development or severity of a cold.”

   While respecting the findings of the NIAID, the cold months have less sunlight and UV rays to diminish viruses. Lower winter humidity contributes to virus survival and drier nasal passages increase vulnerability to acquiring viral infections. We are also indoors more to escape cold and wintry conditions, which increases person to person exposure to carriers of cold and flu viruses.

   After a person has been infected with the flu virus, symptoms usually appear within 2 to 4 days.  The infection is considered contagious for another 3 or 4 days after the symptoms appear.  Body aches and fever rapidly assault the body and, in typical cases, the fever starts declining on the second or third day of the illness. 

   Then come the upper respiratory symptoms with acute nasal congestion, sore throat and cough.  Both colds and flu have a duration of from 4 – 14 days in normal conditions without complications. Note that flu almost never causes gastrointestinal symptoms and the “stomach flu” is a misnomer and not in fact viral influenza. 

   While colds without complications are not life threatening; flu, particularly in the elderly, is the cause of 20,000+ deaths annually and must be taken as a serious health threat.

   Flu complications generally result from bacterial infections in the lower respiratory tract.  Pneumonia that results is caused by pneumococcal bacteria, but infections with staphylococci and streptococci (strep throat) can occur.  These  secondary bacterial infections are often properly treated with antibiotics, but it should be repeated that antibiotics are ineffective in treating viral infections which cause the initial cold and flu.  Too many doctors prescribe, and too many patients or parents insist on, antibiotics to treat the cold and flu viruses when they simply will not work and can sometimes even slow recovery.

Is a New Flu Pandemic Near?

he Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Lee Jong-wook, stated in November of 2005, “A deadly new global pandemic of human influenza is inevitable and suffering will be incalculable unless the world is ready, noting that a changed avian flu virus caused the deadly “Spanish” flu pandemic that killed tens of millions of people in 1918-19.

From WHO also, “Avian influenza (H5N1) is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. H5N1 mutates rapidly and has a documented propensity to acquire genes from viruses infecting other animal species. Its ability to cause severe disease in humans has now been documented… .”

In March of 2006, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Michael Levitt, said, “The lethal avian flu that is spreading rapidly around the world could soon infect will birds and domesticated flocks in the United States… no one knows when or if the virus will pose a threat to people. But it’s just a matter of time – it may be very soon, when wild birds and possibly poultry flocks contract the disease.

The best solution is to be prepared and to keep your immune system in peak condition to fight the virus.  As to a vaccine, Ted Koppel on Meet the Press in December 2005 stated, “…the kind of vaccine that would be necessary to treat avian flu does not exist. It cannot exist until the strain of avian flu is developed and can be sampled.

Aren’t New Vaccines Making the Flu Threat Less and Less?  Think Again!

he Johns Hopkins Health Insider in a report dated November 1998 entitled, “Is a Flu Plague Coming?” stated,

   “The CDC [Center for Disease Control], the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other health agencies are currently collaborating to develop plans for dealing with a pandemic – an influenza outbreak occurring once every 20 to 30 years that defies all predictions and results in a huge and deadly epidemic. 

   In a pandemic year, the virus changes so dramatically that no one has developed immunity, with the result that many more people become sick and die.  There have been three pandemics this century [“Spanish,” “Asian” and “Hong Kong” flu]. If the disease cycle holds true, the next pandemic is due to hit any time: maybe next year, maybe five years from now…but soon.”

   Flu vaccines have helped many people.  However, each time science develops a new vaccine, the virus seems to mutate and create a new strain that is more powerful and resistant to treatment.  The best solution is to keep your immune system in peak condition to not get sick.

Current Popular Cold and Flu Medicines - Do They Work? We Know They Have Negative Side Effects

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he current OTC cold and flu products include decongestants to temporarily dry up runny noses, sto sneezing and relieve watery eyes.  Acetaminophen (Tylenol, etc), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc) and aspirin reduce body aches; while the latter two also bring down fever.  However, aspirin and ibuprofen can cause upset stomachs while acetaminophen taken in excess or over an extended period can cause live and kidney damage.

Decongestants can cause high blood pressure, heart palpitations, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, anxiety and insomnia. What can you do safely and effectively?

Your Immune System is Your Best Protection and Solution

r. James F. Balch and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C. in their best seller, “Prescription for Nutritional Healing” state,

   “If an adult gets colds often, it may be a sign that his or her immune system is not working properly. …Antibiotics are useless against viral illnesses like influenza. The best way to get rid of the flu or any other infectious illness is to attack it head-on by strengthening the immune system.”

Michael Murray, N.D. in his “Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine” tells his readers,

“Maintaining a healthy immune system is the primary way to protect yourself against getting an excessive number of colds.”

Gary Null, Ph.D. in “The Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing” sums it up by saying,

“Individuals with weak immune systems seem to catch every new bug around and to stay ill longer, while those with strong defenses remain healthy.”

How Do I Keep My Immune System at Peak Performance?

he answer is a combination of proper diet, adequate rest, reduction of stress, belief in a higher being, moderate exercise, hand washing and liquids in volume.  Most, if not all of us, are deficient in some aspect of keeping our immune responses optimized and can utilize nutritional supplementation of the immune response by such natural and non-toxic supplements as vitamins, MG Beta Glucan (a substance - not a product), Vitamin A, C and E as known anti-oxidants and immune system boosters, quercetin, olive leaf extract, grape seed extract, oregano extract, elderberry extract and zinc; but we need still more. 

   Flu vaccines can work in certain conditions; however the “American Medical Association Encyclopedia of Medicine” tells us,

   “Anti influenza vaccines containing killed strains of types A and B virus currently in circulation are available, but have only a 60-70% success rate in preventing infection.”

   James F. Balch, M.D. in his “Prescription for Nutritional Healing,” states his opinion as a doctor,

   “We do not recommend flu shots. Their usefulness is questionable, and the side effects may be worse than the flu would be.  Enhancement of the immune function is preferable and safer.”

   Consult your personal health care provider for advice on the flu shots and make an informed decision.  If you take the flu shots, you can still nutritionally supplement with MG Beta Glucan to nutritionally potentiate your immune response to enhance the ability of the immune cells to attempt  to keep you optimized in your ability to avoid negative respiratory situations.

   Dr. Donald J. Carrow M.D., in “The Townsend  Letter for Doctors” summarizes his clinical research involving Beta Glucan:

  “The following list benefits from the use of  Beta 1,3-glucan supplementation: People who have impaired immunity from any cause including, but not limited to …a high occurrence of infectious diseases; are over forty who are concerned about the natural aging process or might have noticed a slowing down of immune reactivity; who are geriatric patients; and others with compromised immune disorders.”

How Does MG Beta Glucan Work with My Immune System? 

G Beta 1,3/1,6 Glucan is micronized (small particle) into microparticulate (1-2 microns) after extraction from the cell walls of Baker's yeast. MG Glucan is then purified and processed to avoid reaggregation and to assure no harmful yeast proteins remain that might cause negative or allergic reactions. 

   Studies from Harvard Medical, Tulane, Baylor and others demonstrate the natural yeast Beta glucan extracted from yeast cell wall is safe, while nutritionally potentiating and modulating a hyper or suppressed immune response.  Research at the U. of Nevada School of Medicine has verified these conclusions for MG Glucan.

   U.S. Patented microparticulate MG Beta glucan activates immunity where it starts, at specialized immune cells called macrophages.  Activated and excited macrophages reach out with tentacle-like arms, physically pulling in infectious invaders to ingest, destroy and remove them with caustic enzymes. 

  The Beta glucan super-charged macrophage cells  activate your immune T-cells and B-cells, creating a chain reaction of activation, multiplication and mobilization of your entire immune response. This potentiation of the immune cascade involving macrophages, B-Cells and T-Cells has been conclusively demonstrated in 1999-2008 Research at the University of Nevada School of Medicine involving the patented MG Beta Glucan.  Dr. Nicholas DiLuzio, in research at Tulane University on Beta Glucan reported after numerous scientific studies,

   “The broad spectrum of immunopharmacological activities of glucan includes … the modification of certain bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic infections...”

   Colds and flu are a reality from which there is no escape and they can be dangerous if ignored.  If fever remains high, chills persist and coughing produces thick, yellow greenish sputum, call your health care provider immediately.

   Remember, your immune system in peak condition is the best answer to the cold and flu viral infections. Antibiotics do not work.  MG Glucan is a proven nutritional immune potentiator based on major medical school research in 1999-2007.

Reprinted with permission from Immunition Reports

Applicable Research from www.betaglucan.org - a non-commercial research reporting website:

Viral Diseases: Browder IW., Williams D., Pretus H., et al; “Beneficial Effect of Enhanced Macrophage Function in the Trauma Patients.” Ann. Surg.;  Vol 211: 605-613. Dept of Surg and Physiol, Tulane U Sch of Med, LA and Istituto Di Chirurgia D’Urgenza, U of Torino, Torino, Italy.* 1990. Quote: “Previous studies have demonstrated that glucan, a beta-1,3-linked glucopyranose polymer, isolated from the inner cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is a potent  macrophage stimulant and is beneficial in the therapy of experimental bacterial, viral, and fungal diseases.“

Viral Infections: Jamas S, Easson D, Ostroff G: "Underivatilized aqueous soluble beta (1,3) glucan, composition and method of making same." U.S. Patent Application 20020032170, March 14, 2002. Quote: "The use of soluble and insoluble beta glucans alone or as vaccine adjuvants for viral and bacterial antigens has been shown in animal models to markedly increase resistance to a variety of bacterial, fungal, protozoan and viral infections."

Viral Infections: Czop, Joyce K., “The Role of Beta.-Glucan Receptors on Blood and Tissue Leukocytes in Phagocytosis and Metabolic Activation”.  Pathology and Immunopathology Research; 5:286-296. Harvard Medical School. 1986. Quote: “…the presence of a particulate activator can rapidly initiate assembly and amplification of a host defense system involving humoral and cellular interactions with B-glucans. …Animals pretreated with purified glucan particles are subsequently more resistant to bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoan challenge, reject antigenically incompatible grafts more rapidly and produce higher titers of serum antibodies to specific antigens.”

Viral Infection: DiLuzio N.R.,”Immunopharmacology of glucan: a broad spectrum enhancer of host defense mechanisms,” Trends in Pharmacol. SCI., 4:344-347. Dept of Physiology, Tulane U, New Orleans, LA.* 1983. Quote: “The broad spectrum of immunopharmacological activities of glucan includes not only the modification of certain bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic infections, but also inhibition of tumor growth.”

Viral Pathogens: Hunter K, Gault R, Jordan F; “Mode of Action of B-Glucan Immunopotentiators-Research Summary Release,” Department of Microbiology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Jan 2001. Quote: “MG Glucan [micronized glucan insoluble particulate] has been shown to enhance the envelopment and digestion (phagocytosis) of pathogenic microorganisms [viral, bacterial, fungal, etc.] that cause infectious disease…Laboratory studies have revealed the new MG Glucan is significantly effective at activating Macrophages, and via the Macrophages, the entire immune cascade including T-Cells and B-Cells.”