In past weeks we have seen, both in-store and in our Naturopathy Clinics, an onslaught of acute viral attacks. These viruses are coming on fast. Symptoms are acute and recovery is slow. The symptoms being reported are headache, sore throat, muscle ache, chest pain & coughing, congestion and runny nose, nausea, dizzy spells, general malaise, loss of voice and a persistent post-viral dry cough.

Colds and Flu’s are caused by Viruses

Viruses are essentially strands of genetic material enclosed in a protein coat that penetrate, and literally hijack susceptible living cells within 10-15 minutes of exposure. By exploiting cellular machinery, viruses such as rhinovirus, and influenza rapidly replicate and multiply, and then depart the cell to infect surrounding cells. Symptoms do not occur until the infection reaches a critical threshold; however, it is the inflammatory immune response to viral invasion, as well as the virus itself, that causes the familiar symptoms of sore throat, nasal congestion, headache, cough and fatigue of colds and flu.

Even the healthiest among us may experience occasional viral infections, as viral strains are constantly mutating and easily evade immune memory and recognition.

There’s been a lot of noise in the media in recent weeks about the “deadly flu” hitting Australia... and it’s about this time every year that we see similar headlines.

The thing to remember though is that the flu is a virus that has been around for thousands of years and every year, at about this time, we are at a higher risk of infection from viruses because of increased exposure to them. We have no control over this exposure but we do have control over our immune system and we can support and optimise it so that it can “fight off” any nasties floating around.

We use supplements to help our body to not only cope with the side effects of modern day living but to help us live optimally.
And when our immune systems are at risk and need support it’s a great idea to supplement with immune tonics.

With all the marketing noise out there it’s difficult to know whether we should be taking Fish Oil or Krill Oil. Let’s have a look at the two…

Krill Oil

Krill oil is a relatively new supplement on the market and therefore has become ‘flavour of the month’. Krill are those tiny crustaceans at the bottom of the ocean which whales feed on. They are ‘bottom of the food chain’ which means they are less likely to be contaminated with mercury and other toxins.

There has been good research done on krill oil in terms of its effects on cholesterol. Because the EPA & DHA are bound to a phospholipid (as opposed to a triglyceride in fish oil), they are readily absorbed. Therefore Krill oil has not only shown to lower total cholesterol, it also lowers LDL’s (the bad cholesterol) and increase HDL’s (the good cholesterol).
To assist in the maintenance of normal, healthy cholesterol levels take 1000mg of Krill oil per day.

Channel 9 news recently reported (16/4/12) that each year 80,000 Australians will get the flu. 15,000 of these flu victims will end up in hospital with a further 2,000 deaths.

We have noticed in-store and in our clinics a much higher influx of clients and patients with colds, flu, gastro and viruses… and winter hasn’t even started yet!

The thing to remember though is that the flu is a virus that has been around for thousands of years and every year, at about this time, we are at higher risk of infection from viruses because of increased exposure to them. We have no control over this exposure but we do have control over our immune system and we can “prime” it so that it can beat off any nasties floating around.

It was reported in The Age (16/5/09) that a study has found Ginger reduced, by 40 per cent, the sick feeling of cancer patients taking chemotherapy. Julie Ryan, the study’s leading author, found that patients who took ginger with an anti-nausea drug reported improvement on the first day after chemotherapy, compared with patients who got the drug and a placebo. About 70 percent of chemotherapy patients experience nausea, even when they take anti-vomiting drugs.

Ginger is one of those most amazing herbs that has traditionally been used for a multitude of digestive complaints: colic, flatulence, cramps and spasms, nausea, travel sickness and chemotherapy.
It is also used for any poor circulation or insufficiency (eg cold hands and feet or chilblains). Ginger is also anti-inflammatory and so very useful for conditions like arthritis and rheumatism.

Ginger is most commonly drunk as a tea (you can boil up fresh ginger root or add water to the dried ginger root. It can also be taken in tablet or capsule form for convenience. I used to make up ginger toffees for my kids when they were little. They were useful for long road trips or if they had a stomach ache or a cough. I found that not only did the ginger settle and calm their stomach but it also preoccupied them for ages.