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Cold & Flu Season | Flu Shot or Not?

Yep, it's that time of year again. Cold and flu season.

Many health conscious people are not in favor of flu shots and look to more alternative and natural ways to support their immune systems during this vulnerable time of year.  There are others who do get the flu shot, but still want to add a little more protection with natural preventative products over the winter months.  An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Despite your best efforts, if you do happen to get sick over the winter months and you're looking for active relief, there are many all-natural herbal and nutritional products available that provide powerful antimicrobial activity and support the body in bouncing back sooner.

Take a look at some helpful natural Cold and Flu products. Click here.

In Health,
Naturally Botanicals Team
www.naturallybotanicals.com

Summer Seasonal Allergies | The Allergy Epidemic

SUMMER SEASONAL ALLERGIES
The Allergy Epidemic

It used to be that allergy sufferers were affected by pollens only in early spring when most flowers and grasses begin blooming after a long cold winter, creating a massive pollen storm.
While this is still true, it is also true that the seasonal allergy season has become a year-long event affecting more people, and even pets, all summer long and well into the fall.  It has been referred to by numerous medical experts as an allergy epidemic brought about by climate change and increased temperatures.  Dr. Oz and leading New York allergy specialist, Dr. Clifford Bassett, admit that allergies and allergy seasons are getting worse and lasting longer.

If you suffer from repeated sinus and allergy problems, you are not alone.  The U.S. National Center for Health Statistics reports that sinus and allergy problems are the number one chronic health complaint across the country, with over 60 million sufferers.  * Annual U.S. Prevalence Statistics for Chronic Diseases


SEASONAL ALLERGY OR YEAR ROUND?
Some allergies are considered more “seasonal” while others are on-going and can bring misery to the sufferer all year round.  “Seasonal” allergies (also called “seasonal allergic rhinitis” [SAR], “hay fever,” or “nasal” allergies) occur when allergens that are commonly found outdoors are inhaled into the nose and the lungs causing allergic reactions. Examples of commonly inhaled outdoor allergens are tree, grass and weed pollen and mold spores. The allergic reaction to all plants that produce pollen is commonly known as hay fever.

Symptoms include eye irritation, runny nose, stuffy nose, puffy eyes, sneezing, and inflamed, itchy nose and throat. For those with severe allergies, asthma attacks, chronic sinusitis, headaches and impaired sleep are symptoms. Warm weather also brings some not-so-welcome visitors in the form of stinging insects. For most people, these small creatures are an annoyance that threaten to ruin outdoor fun. But for some 2 million Americans, these insects pose a far more serious threat of a life-threatening allergic reaction. Other allergens existing outdoors are poisonous plants, and these, as well as insects, are considered “contact,” “skin” or “insect” allergens rather than “inhaled” allergens.

Year round allergies include indoor allergies (“perennial allergic rhinitis” [PAR], often called “nasal” allergies). These occur when allergens that are commonly found indoors are inhaled into the nose and the lungs causing allergic reactions. Examples of indoor allergens are airborne cat or dog dander, dust mite feces and mold spores. Other year round allergies are food allergies and allergic reactions to certain drugs. They are characterized by a broad range of allergic reactions to ingredients in the foods we eat or the medications we take. Food allergy is an overreaction of the immune system, different than food intolerance or food sensitivity. The U.S. Food Allergy Labeling Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) now requires food labels to clearly identify all allergen ingredients (even if it's a spice or flavoring), and to discourage labels with ‘may contain' statements.

An allergy is characterized by an overreaction of the human immune system to a foreign protein substance (“allergen”) that is eaten, breathed into the lungs, injected or touched. This immune overreaction can result in symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose and scratchy throat. In severe cases it can also result in rashes, hives, lower blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and asthma attacks.

The job of immune system cells is to find foreign substances such as viruses and bacteria and get rid of them. Normally, this response protects us from dangerous diseases. People with allergies have specially-sensitive immune systems that react when they contact certain harmless substances called allergens. While there are no cures for allergies, they can be managed with proper prevention and treatment. Allergies have a genetic component. If only one parent has allergies of any type, chances are 1 in 3 that each child will have an allergy. If both parents have allergies, it is much more likely (7 in 10) that their children will have allergies. More Americans than ever before say they are suffering from allergies. It is among the country's most common, yet often overlooked, diseases.

Here are some facts on the prevalence of Allergies:

•        Allergies are the most frequently reported chronic condition in children, limiting activities for more than 40% of them.
•        Each year, allergies account for more than 17 million outpatient office visits, primarily in the spring   and fall; seasonal allergies account for more than half of all allergy visits. [3]
•        Skin allergies alone account for more than 7 million outpatient visits each year. [4]
•        Food allergies account for 30,000 visits to the emergency room each year. [5]
•        Exposure to latex allergen alone is responsible for over 200 cases of anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions) each year. [6]

[3] “CDC Fast Facts A-Z,” Vital Health Statistics, 2003

[4] “In Allergy Principles and Practice,” 5^th Edition, 1998
[5] “Anaphylaxis in the United States,” Archives of Internal Medicine, 2001
[6] “Anaphylaxis in the United States,” Archives of Internal Medicine, 2001

© Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)

                http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=30

THE MOST COMMON ALLERGIC SUBSTANCES:

POLLEN: Pollen is a very fine powder released by trees, weeds and grasses. It is carried to another plant of the same kind, to fertilize the forerunner of new seeds. This is called pollination. The pollen of some plants is carried from plant to plant by bees and other insects. These plants usually have brightly colored flowers and sweet scents to attract insects. They seldom cause allergic reactions. Other plants rely on the wind to carry pollen from plant to plant. These plants have small, drab flowers and little scent. These are the plants that cause most allergic reactions, or hay fever.

When conditions are right, a plant starts to pollinate. Weather affects how much pollen is carried in the air each year, but it has less effect on when pollination occurs. As a rule, weeds pollinate in late summer and fall. Weeds that cause allergic reactions are ragweed, cocklebur, lamb's quarters, plantain, pigweed, tumbleweed or Russian thistle and sagebrush. Trees that pollinate in late winter and spring, ash, beech, birch, cedar, cottonwood, box, elder, elm, hickory, maple and oak pollen can trigger allergies. Also Grasses which pollinate in late spring and summer including Kentucky bluegrass, timothy, Johnson, Bermuda, redtop, orchard, rye and sweet vernal grasses. Much pollen is released early in the morning, shortly after dawn. This results in high counts near the source plants. Pollen travels best on warm, dry, breezy days and peaks in urban areas midday. Pollen counts are lowest during chilly, wet periods.

RAGWEED: Ragweed’s are weeds that grow throughout the United States. They are most common in the Eastern states and the Midwest. A plant lives only one season, but that plant produces up to 1 billion pollen grains. Pollen-producing and seed-producing flowers grow on the same plant but are separate organs. After midsummer, as nights grow longer, ragweed flowers mature and release pollen. Warmth, humidity and breezes after sunrise help the release. The pollen must then travel by air to another plant to fertilize the seed for growth the coming year. Come late summer, some 10 to 20 percent of Americans begin to suffer from ragweed allergy, or hay fever. Sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, itchy eyes, nose and throat and trouble sleeping make life miserable for these people. Some of them also must deal with asthma attacks. Of Americans who are allergic to pollen-producing plants, 75 percent are allergic to ragweed. People with allergies to one type of pollen tend to develop allergies to other pollens as well.

MOLD: Mold and mildew are fungi. They differ from plants or animals in how they reproduce and grow. The "seeds," called spores, are spread by the wind. Allergic reactions to mold are most common from July to late summer. Although there are many types of molds, only a few dozen cause allergic reactions. Alternaria, Cladosporium (Hormodendrum), Aspergillums, Penicillium, Helminthosporium, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Mucor, Rhizopus and Aureobasidium (pullularia) are the major culprits. Many molds grow on rotting logs and fallen leaves, in compost piles and on grasses and grains. Unlike pollens, molds do not die with the first killing frost. Most outdoor molds become dormant during the winter. In the spring they grow on vegetation killed by the cold. Mold counts are likely to change quickly, depending on the weather. Certain spore types reach peak levels in dry, breezy weather. Some need high humidity, fog or dew to release spores. This group is abundant at night and during rainy periods.

PET DANDER: People with pet allergies have supersensitive immune systems that react to harmless proteins in the pet's dander (dead skin that is shed), saliva or urine. These proteins are called allergens. Dander is the culprit; actual pet hair is not an allergen. Pet hair collects dander, which can also harbor other allergens like dust and pollen. Dogs and cats secrete fluids and shed dander that contains the allergens. They collect on fur and other surfaces. The allergens will not lose their strength for a long time, sometimes for several months. They appear to be sticky and adhere to walls, clothing and other surfaces. Cat and dog allergens are everywhere. Pet dander is even in homes never occupied by these animals because it is carried on people's clothing. The allergens get in the air with petting, grooming or stirring the air where the allergens have settled. Once airborne, the particles can stay suspended in the air for long periods of time. Six out of 10 people in the United States come in contact with cats or dogs. The total pet population is more than 100 million or about four pets for every 10 people. Allergies to pets with fur or feathers are common, especially among people who have other allergies or asthma. From 15 percent to 30 percent of people with allergies have allergic reactions to cats and dogs. People with dog allergies may be allergic to all dogs or to only some breeds. Cat allergies are about twice as common as dog allergies.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OTC, MEDS AND HERBAL REMEDIES
So what do those who suffer from watery eyes, wheezing, sneezing, headache, runny nose, and an itchy throat, and who feel miserable much of the year, do to get some relief from their symptoms?

Allergy medications are available as pills, liquids, inhalers, nasal sprays, eye drops, skin creams and shots (injections). Some allergy medications are available over-the-counter, while others are available by prescription only. These many varieties of over-the-counter drugs as well as stronger prescription medications are widely advertised and purport to give the user their life back and freedom from symptoms. However, antihistamines and other treatments often cause other unpleasant side effects such as feeling exhausted, wanting to do nothing more than sleep and feeling “spacey”. There are also lists of unpleasant side effects.  For example: “Side effects can include unpleasant smell or taste, nasal irritation and nosebleeds”, “may include bitter taste, dizziness, drowsiness or fatigue, dry mouth, headache, nasal burning, nosebleed, nausea, runny nose, sore throat, and sneezing,” “can cause a number of side effects, including irritability, fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, insomnia, headaches, anxiety, tremors, and increased blood pressure.”

HERBAL REMEDIES
Herbal Remedies, on the other hand, do not cause side effects like the medications lists above. They also are designed to address the cause of the body’s elevated response, reduce the inflammation, strengthen the immune system and support it in remaining free from infections.

Common Herbs used to deal with allergies the natural way are:

BITTER ORANGE EXTRACT (CITRUS AURANTIUM): Over the centuries bitter oranges have been highly valued for their food and medicinal properties. Bitter orange contains important neuroactive amines such as synephrine, octopamine and tyramine. Synephrine and octopamine are similar to the catecholamines, noradrenaline and adrenaline found in the sympathetic nerve fibers. The most active constituent of Citrus aurantium L. is synephrine. Synephrine works as an anti-inflammatory to the respiratory mucosal lining. It has also been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat chest congestion.

QUERCETIN: A bioflavonoid, Quercetin taken daily can stabilize the white blood cells that are responsible for the release of histamine that accompanies allergies. Quercetin has antioxidant properties that can stabilize a hyper immune system along with a respiratory tract that has been invaded by toxins, viruses, and bacteria which lead to allergy attacks. The flavonoids found in Quercetin work an anti-inflammatory, which is useful in supporting lung health during a variety of breathing issues. The benefits of Quercetin are not limited to allergies and asthma as it is also known for supporting the body as it deals with hives, which often accompany allergic reactions. Quercetin has been experienced by many people to effectively reduce allergy attacks, hives, and other respiratory ailments that run with inflammatory immune and lung diseases.
Quercetin works by inhibiting the synthesis of enzymes that can cause allergic reactions. Quercetin has demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity because of its ability to directly inhibit several initial processes of inflammation. For example, it inhibits both the manufacture and release of histamine and other allergic/inflammatory mediators. Quercetin has been shown to have antiviral properties.

GUARANA (PAULLINIA CUPANA): A study published in the Journal of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry demonstrates that guarana seed extract can be used in allergy therapy. The study revealed that guarana inhibits an allergic reaction through preventing hives. Guarana helps reduce allergic reactions induced by increases in mast cells and immunoglobulin E, IgE. Part of the normal immune system, mast cells are rich in histamine, which is the substance responsible for the allergic reactions of watery eyes, stuffy nose and inflammation. IgE is from the class of blood proteins called antibodies. This plant of many legends from Brazil contains natural caffeine and is known as a physical and mental energizer. Taken daily by millions in Brazil, Guarana is known as a blood cleanser and intestinal detoxification agent as well as an energy booster.

FENUGREEK (TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM): Fenugreek is an annual plant in the family Fabaceae. Fenugreek is one of the oldest plants recorded as having medicinal purposes. It supports people with allergies by soothing the membranes of sinuses.  It aides the body in getting rid of mucous, by working as an expectorant, which supports people with asthma and respiratory discomfort  Beneficial for lung disorders, It also aids in reducing inflammation and fever.

GOLDENSEAL ROOT (HYDRASTIS CANDENSIS): A bitter herb that strengthens the immune system, acts as an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial, cleanses mucus membranes, soothes inflamed tissues, and stimulates the central nervous system. It is good for colds, flu, inflammation, and glandular swelling. Because of its hydrastine alkaloid, it is a specific for healing the mucus membranes or inflamed tissue in the body.

EUCALYPTUS LEAVES (EUCALYPTUS GLOBUS): The eucalyptus tree is native to Australia. The oil was used in traditional Aboriginal medicines to heal wounds and fungal infections. Teas made of eucalyptus leaves were also used to reduce fevers. Eucalyptus is also used in other traditional natural healing systems, including Chinese, Ayurvedic, Greek and European. In 19th-century England, eucalyptus oil was used in hospitals to clean equipment. Laboratory tests have shown that eucalyptus oil contains substances that kill bacteria. It also may kill some viruses and fungi. Studies in animals and test tubes also found that eucalyptus oil acts as an expectorant, meaning it loosens phlegm and has decongestant properties.

Click here to see all Sinus Allergi products

Sinus Allergi | Lungs Mucus | Co-Resist | ZNAC | Immune Response Pack

Dec Gift | 25% Off Plus FREE Shipping

Happy Holidays!  Here's our gift to you. Our Gift to You! 25% Off Plus FREE Shipping COUPON CODE: FS25 About This Offer: Offer valid on all products, including products on sale. Orders will be shipped USPS ground service. Some restrictions apply. Not valid on international or wholesale orders. May exclude heavy products, such as liquid vitamin formulas. We reserve the right to change the terms of this offer at anytime. Offer good through Midnight (PST) December 26, 2012.  Get 25% Off Plus, Free Shipping Valid on All Products Includes Sale Products Expires 12/26/2012 COUPON CODE: FS25         Happy Savings! Happy Holidays from Naturally Botanicals. www.naturallybotanicals.com

The Oiling of America | Good Fats vs Bad Fats & Cholesterol

A Repost from the ANH Europe Team

Doesn’t it seem odd that many of the fats predominant in a traditional or even hunter-gatherer diet are now touted by conventional medicine and dietetics as unhealthy?  Naturally-occurring, stable, saturated fats from animals and some plants, that we've evolved with for hundreds of thousands of years, now come with a health warning.  But new-to-nature, highly processed, easily oxidised polyunsaturated vegetable oils that have been part of the human food supply for a fraction of that time are touted as the holy grail of fats.  These modern, refined, chemically extracted and heat-treated oils were unavailable to our ancestors and when you read on you'll realise that nature knows what it's doing and it's not the animal fats that should be carrying the health warning.

Refined vegetable oil

Animal fat – friend or foe?

Cholesterol, demonised over the last two decades and widely viewed as the smoking gun of chronic disease has turned up the fear factor on simple, healthy foods like eggs and animal fats.  It's no secret that the drug industry has profited massively from the sale of statins to lower our 'dangerously high' cholesterol, but without making much of dent in chronic disease rates, which continue to spiral out of control whether your cholesterol is low or not.  The so-called cholesterol/lipid hypothesisproposed by Dr Ancel Keys has now been thoroughly debunked scientifically, yet mainstream medicine and the food industry carry on as if nothing has changed. 

Put simply, cholesterol is your friend.  It's a key component of every cell membrane in the body, is the precursor for all your steroid hormones and is the main energy powerhouse for your immune system.  It's so important that your body makes the stuff! And the rest (around 25%) comes from animal food sources e.g. saturated fat and eggs. 

It's common knowledge that our ancestral diets contained high amounts of animal fats and fish oils (omega 3 fats), but very little vegetable fat (omega 6 fats).  These ratios remain in the diets of those few indigenous populations today who have yet to be impacted by the industrial food revolution.  Chronic diseases so prevalent in the West, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes and obesity are rarely seen in these indigenous populations, such as the Inuit, who are still eating high amounts of saturated animal fats and very little vegetable fat. 

Emerging science now demonstrates that even when we're eating omega 3 fats, if we have too many omega 6 fats in our diet, the body will prioritise the omega 6 pathway and make even more.  This is not how nature intended it.  We evolved with a fat intake of around 1:1 omega 3 to omega 6, but today it's more like 1:20!  The gross lack of omega 3 fats creates huge problems for us in terms of inflammation, brain and neurological function, let alone cell membranes and our immune systems. In extremely simplified, crude terms; the omega 6 pathway is pro-inflammatory and the omega 3 pathway, anti-inflammatory. 

Vegetable oils - terminology 101

Vegetable oils are basically fats extracted from plant material, usually fruits (olive; coconut; palm; soy), seeds (rapeseed; grapeseed; pumpkin; sunflower) or legumes/nuts (peanut; macadamia; walnut) that are liquid at room temperature.  You often see these oils referred to as polyunsaturatedor monounsaturated fatty acids, with the latter being attributed as more healthy e.g. olive oil.  But why? 

Coconut oil, an extremely stable oil choice for cooking

Without delving too deeply into complex fatty acid science, it's all about the vulnerability an oil has to oxidation through free radical damage because of the number of unbound carbon atoms in the fat's 'backbone'.  A monounsaturated fat is more stable because there is less carbon available for free radical damage than a polyunsaturated oil that has many.  One of the main ways in which oils are damaged by free radicals is through light and heat.  Once they've been oxidised, it means that they turn rancid, which you can immediately taste and is an indication that the oil is going to do more harm than good in your body.

In contrast to saturated animal fat that is solid at room temperature, mono and polyunsaturated fat is liquid – so where does hydrogenated fat fit in and what is it?  Hydrogenation describes the process developed in the late 1800's to make artificial fat through adding hydrogen to vegetable oil in order to make it solid e.g. margarine.  Whilst it's easier for the food companies to use and cheaper than animal fat, don't be fooled by the 'better for you label' slapped all over hydrogenated fats — it's actually one of the most unhealthy so-called foods you can put in your body!  Whether an oil is partially or fully hydrogenated, you can be sure of one thing; it's full of harmful trans fats that negatively affect your body’s fat-handling and alters your natural cholesterol ratio for the worse. 

Hydrogenated fat - margarine, far too prevalent in the modern day diet

The rise of refined vegetable oils

The production of vegetable crops for oil production has burgeoned rapidly in the West over the last few decades.  Seed and nut crops such as sunflower, safflower, peanut, cottonseed and grapeseed are a common sight on land subjected to monoculture.  And lately, more worryingly, the advent ofGM varieties of soy, corn and canola.  But what does 'refining' actually mean?  The following is a brief introduction that illustrates what goes on before you see that bottle of yellow oil sitting on the supermarket shelf:

1. Pressing – crushing the seeds, heating to a high temperature (which damages the fat) and pressing, then bathing them in a hexane bath or other solvents made from crude petroleum. Once the oil is separated from the seed residue, phosphate is added.
2. Neutralisation, bleaching and deoderisation – given the damage done to the oil in step one from the high heat, the oxidised (rancid) oil now needs bleaching to get rid of the odour and bad colour.  Once this has been done, it's then subjected to extremely high temperatures, way beyond the smoke points of the oils, to remove the final residues of substances causing the poor colour, taste or odour.  This final stage of 'deodorisation' is extremely damaging to the delicate polyunsaturated fatty acids and causes extreme oxidation through free radical damage.  The oil is now completely unrecognisable as a food substance to our DNA.
3. The final yellow, purified and refined vegetable oil that you buy from the supermarket is oxidised and weakened from the processing it's been through and vulnerable to further free radical damage through heating when you cook with it.

Safe vegetable oils?

As we've established, refined polyunsaturated oils are highly unstable.  As soon as you heat or hydrogenate them they change from their natural ‘cis’ (isomeric) form to an unnatural ‘trans’ form.  And trans fats then promote inflammation in tissues and arteries, and — in the absence of diets rich in natural antioxidants from a variety of plant sources  — may even promote cell mutations. 

Olive oil, enjoy the extra virgin, cold-pressed variety

In contrast, cold pressing vegetable oils to extract the oil produces a very different product.  Here the seeds, fruit or nuts are pressed or ground and whilst there is heat produced by the friction, it must not go above 49oC (120oF) to be labelled cold pressed.  Cold pressed oils retain their natural flavour, smell and nutritional value, but with the exception of monounsaturated olive, macadamia and avocado oils and saturated coconut oil, they are still a very potent source of omega 6 fatty acids – to which we are over-exposed in modern life. 

Maintaining healthy fat handling in the body is as much about consuming undamaged fats as it about re-establishing a fatty acid ratio akin to the 1:1 we've evolved with. 

Leave the vegetable oils for fuel

Animal and vegetable fats were used as lamp fuels by the ancient Egyptians, and later the Greeks and Romans.  Much later, Rudolf Diesel travelled to England to source peanut oil to run his first diesel engine in 1912.  Exactly one hundred years on (yes, this year!), a Quantas Airbus 330 has made its first commercial flight on a blend of refined vegetable oil.  That says it all, in our view: let's leave the refined vegetable oils for those who wish to use them as fuels and get back to consuming fats as nature intended.

Call to Action

Avoid (in any significant quantity):

• The following vegetable oils: Soy, canola, corn, sunflower, safflower, cottonseed, grapeseed, peanut (a leguminous vegetable seed, not a tree nut!)  and tree nut oils.
• Foods containing such oils, including: Margarine and butter substitutes, powdered milk substitutes and coffee creamers, snack foods, salad dressings and mayonnaise, ready meals and sauces, crisps, fries or chips, processed fatty food, cookies, pastries, cakes and biscuits, crackers.

Note that whilst flax/linseed oil is can be converted to omega 3 fats in the body, you must have abundant zinc levels in order to make the conversion, but it has a very short shelf life and is easily damaged so must not be exposed to light or heat. In addition, some people fail to make the conversion and others suffer from poor absorption.

Enjoy:

• Free range, preferably organic, grass-fed and game meats, eggs, and unpolluted oily fish, which are all sources of omega 3 fats.
• Cook with virgin coconut oil which is extremely stable, even at higher cooking temperatures and use plenty of extra virgin, unrefined olive, macadamia and avocado oils on your salads.

In Health,

Naturally Botanicals Team

www.naturallybotanicals.com

Officials Predict Worse Flu Season in Years!

Flu season could be a bad one, health officials say

Video repost from Brian Williams Nightly News on NBC
The 2012 flu season got off to a slow start until the number of cases spiked last week, prompting officials at the Centers for Disease control to urge people to get their flu shots now. Currently, the highest level of flu activity has been reported by states in the South. NBC's Robert Bazell reports.


By JoNel Aleccia, NBC News

This year’s flu season has kicked in early, with activity up significantly across the nation, particularly in the south and southeast, federal health officials say.
"It looks like it's shaping up to be a bad flu season," said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The percentage of aching, feverish folks who went to the doctor with influenza-like illness had reached the national baseline of 2.2 percent, the earliest that has happened in the regular flu season in nearly a decade, the 2003-2004 season. Flu season may start as early as October, but typically peaks in January or later.

Michael Patrick / AP file

Linda Howard, 66, of Knoxville, Tenn., gets a flu shot from

nursing student Elizabeth Wallace at free flu shot clinic in October.

Five states reported high levels of flu activity -- Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. Widespread activity was reported in four states, regional activity was seen in seven states and 19 states reported local flu activity, CDC officials said. That was up from eight states that reported local flu activity the previous week.


By contrast, last year's flu season started late, with an uptick in cases not starting until February.
Health officials are urging people to get their flu shots now, including babies older than six months, and all adults and children. Every year, about a quarter of the U.S. population gets the flu and an average of about 36,000 people die.

The strains making people sick are influenza A -- both H3N2 and the 2009 H1N1 or pandemic swine flu strain -- and influenza B. So far, the vaccines manufactured for this season appear to be a good match, health officials said.

But the H3N2 virusmay typically cause more severe symptoms than the other flu bugs, noted Dr. William Schaffner, chairman of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Vanderbilt University. His staff has already started seeing flu patients in Tennessee.

"We're all a bit antsy," he said.

About 120 million doses of flu vaccine are available this year, Frieden said. About 112 million people have received their flu shots so far, officials said.

The key to avoiding the flu is getting the shot, the experts emphasized. "We are particularly encouraging people who haven't gotten vaccinated to do it," said Dr. Melinda Wharton, acting director of the CDC's Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

Natural Alternatives
The best defense from the flu is strong immune system. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Fortifying your immune system naturally before your catch a cold or the flu is the best way to ensure that you have a healthy flu season. However, if you do happen to get sick there are still many natural alternatives to help you shorten the duration of the illness and get back on your feet and back into your life quicker.

Click here to check out all natural pharmaceutical-grade supplements to help you and your immune system.

In Health,
Naturally Botanicals Team
www.naturallybotanicals.com

From "Daisy's Reviews"...her spin on the Prep Tonic Detox Pack

Repost from "Daisy's Reviews"...her spin on the Prep Tonic Detox Pack. She loved it! She want she had to say.

I had this wonderful opportunity to review Prep Tonic Detox Pack 30 Packets, 10 Days Supply and 5 Samples of Vitamins of Alive, Sinus Allergi, Mental Clarity Extra, Energi and Relaxall. The detox is a 10 day supply and for the 10 days that i had been reviewing the detox i can't express how happy i am for the first day i taken the detox i noticed that it didn't give my any reaction nor any after taste also within the first hour i was already feeling the effect of the detox i first through out gas and then straight to the bathroom it unbelievable how this detox works so fast unlike other detox that i had tried before that would take me weeks just to get effects but with Prep tonic detox it was right away that it started working, within the first day it started working i felt lighter not sluggish nor fatigue i had lots of energy before i tried Prep tonic detox pack i was always constipated and when i tried Prep tonic detox pack within the second day my bowl movements are smoother than ever i didn't have to push it out it just came out naturally smooth i really love this detox the third day my bloating that i had in my stomach was going down i was feeling more uplifted the fourth day i was like a flush i was in and out of the bathroom the detox was flushing out all the junk that i eat but the detox was detoxing my body naturally which i love it was detoxing for all the days then the last day which is the tenth day of my detox i can't express how much energy i have now, how much better i look and feel im not fatigue no more. The detox naturally detox me that now my bowl movements are coming out naturally im not pushing out im not constipated no more i truly believe in this detox pack its like no other detox that had ever used before. The 5 samples of vitamins i received works very well they each provide the vitamins that i need for during the day that i needed it the most they all don't give my stomach aches like other vitamins does the 5 samples don't even leave any after taste like other vitamins that i had tired before does.
Im very pleased to review Prep Tonic Detox Pack 30 Packets, 10 Days Supply and 5 samples of Vitamins

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I was not compensated for this product however I did receive this product to try and review all opinions are my own. (Daisy's Disclaimer)

In Health,
Naturally Botanicals Team
www.naturallybotanicals.com