Can Drinking Green Tea Prevent The Flu?

by Marcus Stout

In the U.S. alone, between 25 and 50 million people get the flu each year. 150,000 people are hospitalized and 30,000-40,000 die. So, it's clear that getting the flu is a significant health concern.
Most of those who are hospitalized or die from the flu are the very young and the very old; so flu prevention is even more essential for this population group. If you're concerned about preventing the flu virus this year, here are some things you can do to reduce your risk.

Flu-related deaths usually result from pneumonia and from complications of cardiopulmonary conditions and other chronic diseases. Deaths of older adults account for more than 90% of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza.

Get a Flu Shot - Flu shots are highly effective at preventing the most prevalent strain of flu virus each year. For anyone who interacts regularly with the public, and particularly for school age children who are exposed to all sorts of germs each day, this is an important step in staying healthy throughout the flu season. It is a necessary step for the elderly and children three years old and under, who are those most likely to develop serious complications from the flu.

Wash Your Hands - The single most important thing you can do to prevent catching a contagious illness is to keep your hands clean. Wash your hands frequently, using warm water and anti-bacterial soap.

Use Tissues - When you sneeze or cough, be certain to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Let the tissue catch the germs and throw it away immediately.

Use an Anti-viral medication - If you find yourself coming down with the flu, see your doctor and get a prescription for an anti-viral medication. These medications are effective at shortening the duration of your symptoms. In addition, some anti-viral medications can prevent you from getting the flu.

These medications are great for those who have a close family member who has contracted the flu, and are certain they have been exposed. They should not be considered a replacement for the flu vaccine, but can be used as an emergency preventer if you didn't get the flu vaccine and know you're at particular risk.

Eat healthy - Keeping your immune system strong is critical to disease prevention. A healthy diet, full of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with plenty of rest will help your body be more able to fight off germs that come your way.

Drink green tea - One little known secret about preventing the flu is adding green tea to your diet. Research has shown that green tea is extremely effective at preventing the flu, when consumed regularly. One study, reported by the UK Tea Council showed that green tea can protect in two ways. First, green tea suppresses the growth of influenza cells. Secondly, green tea actually kills off the influenza cells.

And, one thing that's so great about green tea - it can protect against many strains of the flu virus. The flu vaccine each year just protects against that year's most prevalent strain.

Green tea has recently garnered much attention for its ability to prevent disease and protect health. Research has shown that green tea's powerful anti-oxidants are the key to preventing serious illnesses like cancer and cardiovascular disease.

In addition, it's been shown to regulate blood sugar, which means it may have significant potential in controlling diabetes. And, it has many anti-microbial properties, and may have the ability to kill or prevent other viruses besides the flu.

Anti-oxidants are powerhouses for our health. Each day, as our body converts the food we eat into energy, free radicals are created. These free radicals damage our cells and DNA, creating a process called oxidation throughout our bodies.

If this oxidation is allowed to continue over the years, it leads to disease and early aging. But, anti-oxidants neutralize these free radicals, preventing them from doing their damage.

So, eating a diet rich in anti-oxidants is one of the best things you can do to protect your health. And, green tea is one of the best sources of anti-oxidants around. In addition, anti-oxidants can be found in fruits, vegetables, coffee, red wine and dark chocolate.

If you're interested in maximizing your anti-oxidant intake, stick to those foods and beverages that have the most potent anti-oxidants. The best sources include:

* Tomatoes * Artichokes * Blueberries * Pomegranates * Green Tea * Asparagus

We're learning that protecting our health and preventing disease is really more in our hands than we've previously realized. We have the power to keep our bodies young and healthy far into our old age, and we have the power to prevent short term illnesses, like the flu.

The flu season is a nasty period of winter - and often wreaks havoc on many families. However, with some careful attention to your health, you can prevent the flu and have a healthy and happy winter this year.

About the Author
Marcus Stout is President of the Golden Moon Tea Company. For more information about tea, green tea and wu long tea go to http://www.goldenmoontea.com

What to expect if we see a Pandemic Influenza in our lifetime (I)

by Cyros Steven

What to expect if we see a Pandemic Influenza in our lifetimeAs you and your family plan for the potential of an influenza pandemic, think about the challenges you might face, particularly if a pandemic is severe. You can start to prepare now to be able to respond to these challenges. The following are some challenges you or your family may face and recommendations to help you cope.

ESSENTIAL SERVICES YOU DEPEND ON MAY BE DISRUPTED;

Plan for the possibility that usual services may be disrupted. These could include services provided by hospitals and other healthcare facilities, banks, restaurants, government offices, telephone and cellular phone companies, and post offices.Stores may close or have limited supplies. Taking stock of the items you and your family require now on a daily basis will help you determine what items you should stockpile to help you manage without these servicesTransportation services may be disrupted and you may not be able to rely on public transportation. Plan to take fewer trips and store essential supplies.

Public gatherings, such as volunteer meetings and worship services, may be canceled. Prepare contact lists including conference calls, telephone chains, and email distribution lists, to access or distribute necessary information.

Consider that the ability to travel, even by car if there are fuel shortages, may be limited.You should also talk to your family about where family members and loved ones will go in an emergency and how they will receive care, in case you cannot communicate with them.In a pandemic, there may be widespread illness that could result in the shut down of local ATMs and banks. Keep a small amount of cash or traveler's checks in small denominations for easy use.

FOOD AND WATER SUPPLIES MAY BE INTERRUPTED AND LIMITED;

Food and water supplies may be interrupted so temporary shortages could occur. You may also be unable to get to a store. To prepare for this possibility you should store at least one to two weeks supply of non-perishable food and fresh water for emergencies - more if you have the room and the budget for it. Here's a basic guide for what you should plan to have on hand;

FOOD

-Store two weeks of nonperishable food.-Select foods that do not require refrigeration, preparation (including the use of water), or cooking.
-Insure that formulas for infants and any child's or older person's special nutritional needs are a part of your planning.

WATER

-Store two weeks of water, 1 gallon of water per person per day. (2 quarts for drinking, 2 quarts for food preparation/sanitation), in clean plastic containers. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles.

BEING ABLE TO WORK MAY BE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE;

-Ask your employer how business will continue during a pandemic.
-Discuss staggered shifts or working at home with your employer.
-Discuss telecommuting possibilities and needs, accessing remote networks, and using portable computers.-Discuss possible flexibility in leave policies.
-Discuss with your employer how much leave you can take to care for yourself or a family member.
-Plan for possible loss of income if you are unable to work or the company you work for temporarily closes.

What to expect if we see a Pandemic Influenza in our lifetime (II)

by Cyros Steven

SCHOOLS AND DAYCARE CENTERS MAY BE CLOSED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME;

-Schools, and potentially public and private preschool, childcare, trade schools, and colleges and universities may be closed to limit the spread of flu in the community and to help prevent children from becoming sick.
-Other school-related activities and services could also be disrupted or cancelled including: clubs, sports/sporting events, music activities, and school meals. School closings would likely happen very early in a pandemic and could occur on short notice.
-Talk to your teachers, administrators, and parent-teacher organizations about your school's pandemic plan, and offer your help.
-Plan now for children staying at home for extended periods of time, as school closings may occur along with restrictions on public gatherings, such as at malls, movie theaters.
-Plan home learning activities and exercises that your children can do at home. Have learning materials, such as books, school supplies, and educational computer activities and movies on hand.
-Talk to teachers, administrators, and parent-teacher organizations about possible activities, lesson plans, and exercises that children can do at home if schools are closed. This could include continuing courses by TV or the internet.
-Plan entertainment and recreational activities that your children can do at home. Have materials, such as reading books, coloring books, and games, on hand for your children to use.

MEDICAL CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS COULD BE DISRUPTED;

-In a severe pandemic, hospitals and doctors' offices may be overwhelmed.
-If you have a chronic disease, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, or depression, you should continue taking medication as prescribed by your doctor.
-Make sure you have necessary medical supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment.
-Talk to your healthcare provider to ensure adequate access to your medications.
-If you receive ongoing medical care such as dialysis, chemotherapy, or other therapies, talk with your health care provider about plans to continue care during a pandemic.

About the Author
About the author; Steven Cyros pens for www.MREdepot.com , a disaster preparedness website specializing in canned butter, cheese, freeze dried foods and MRE's for long term storage. You can find more information and products to help your family prepare at http://www.MREdepot.com . Disaster Preparedness at www.MREdepot.com