Doctors Urge Precaution to Shield Against...( BLAUVELT N.Y. April 28 /- As wor...),Health

BLAUVELT, N.Y., April 28 /PRNewswire/ -- As world health authorities debate how to stop the new strain of potentially deadly swine flu spreading quickly across the globe, medical options are limited. The current strain is a mutant of H1N1, containing a unique combination of pig, bird and human DNA, that current vaccines don't work against, and according to CDC acting director Dr. Richard Besser, a new vaccine will take 6 months or more to develop, test and deploy. In addition to recommending frequent hand washing and avoiding exposure to those already infected, doctors and other experts have urged extraordinary measures, including closing schools, businesses and curtailing travel. Many are also recommending proven strategies to boost the natural defenses of the body's immune system against strains of influenza.

Scientists predict that the aspect of immune defense called "acquired immunity" will also be challenged by the new mutant strain of swine flu. It is so radically different from prior strains that antibodies produced by previous flu illnesses, and stored in the immune system's memory, will be ineffective. Therefore, preventing infection and immune response in the first few days of infection will depend almost entirely on "innate" immune defenses, and specifically on the strength and activity of white blood cells called Natural Killer (NK) cells. NK cells identify and kill any non-self cell, foreign invader or abnormal cell, without prior exposure. Research shows that the strength of NK cells can fluctuate from individual to individual. People with lower NK cell function are shown to develop more frequent and severe illnesses. Research also shows that various nutritional strategies, including specific dietary supplements, can support peak NK cell function and defend peak health.

One such compound, a fermented mushroom extract known as Active Hexose Correlated Compound (AHCC), is standardized, has been
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