By Paula Chilson

District Manager of Nutrition Works Inc.

The swine flu or H1N1 vaccine became available this month. President Barack Obama and his team of advisers reported H1N1 could infect 30 to 50 percent of America and is expected to peak in mid-October.

In the past years, less than half of all health care providers got the annual flu shot. This is thought to be a good indicator of how many may get the H1N1 vaccine. Doctors and nurses have been encouraged to “sell” the vaccine, although it will be a hard sell to make if the health care providers do not believe in the vaccine.

One side effect everyone will be watching for is Guillain-Barré syndrome. It is a disorder that creates numbness in your extremities. These sensations can spread quickly, eventually paralyzing your whole body. Cases in which death occurs are low, although the syndrome can affect one or two people in 100,000.

Because of the expected outbreak, the making of the vaccines has been pushed forward for faster production. This provides less time for proper testing and leaves us all wondering about long-term side effects. Well, we are soon to find out if all the excitement about H1N1 will become a reality.

If you are not in the risk category or plan on saying no to getting the H1N1 vaccine, there are some steps you can take to enhance your immune system.

Giving your body the proper foods can help maintain its own defense system. Be sure to avoid any soft drinks; these make you more dehydrated.

Studies have shown herbs, vitamins and minerals can help improve the body’s immune system. A good “whole food” multiple vitamin on a daily basis can give essential nutrients needed to promote healing. A study on the herb echinacea has been published in the British journal of medicine as a product that can decrease the occurrence and duration of the common cold. Also, echinacea is very effective at enhancing the body’s own natural defenses. Black elderberry extract has antiviral properties and reduces flu symptoms. Vitamin C is commonly used for colds by increasing the number of white blood cells, therefore increasing immunity. There are also “immunity” blends that have multiple products all in one product.

Nutrition Works carries a variety of products including the items listed in this article. See the coupon on page B1 for more details.

This article is only to help inform you, and I encourage everyone to take a personal interest in his or her own health. If your doctor does suggest the vaccine, weigh your options and become informed before making a final decision. These statements have not been approved by the FDA. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease. If you have the flu or any disease, see a doctor as soon as possible. H1N1 and the flu can be life-threatening for some individuals.

From the October 28-November 3, 2009 issue