Some good tips about H1N1 (Swine Flu)

This message, currently in circulation, is written by a world renowned medical doctor who visited last week to lecture on the topic H1N1 (SWINE FLU),its origin and precautions. He is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in and contributed to in several world renowned institutions.

The Message...........

"Thanks to media hype about H1N1, several people who trust me

have either approached or called me for advice. The hype in the

media about the utility of face masks and N95 respirators as

a tool for general protection against H1N1 can't be deplored

enough. Yesterday, a friend who listened wanted me to write

down briefly what I advised so that he could tell others in

similar words. Hence this short email to friends whom I have

advised recently (and others whom I haven't yet). Please

realize that this is not an official advice, especially the

one about face masks or N95.

Most N95 respirators are designed to filter 95% particulates

of 0.3µ, while the size of H1N1 virus is about 0.1µ. Hence,

dependence on N95 to protect against H1N1 is like protecting

against rain with an

umbrella made20of mosquito net.

Tamiflu does not kill but prevents H1N1 from further

proliferation till the virus limits itself in about 1-2

weeks (its natural cycle). H1N1, like other Influenza A

viruses, only infects the upper respiratory tract and

proliferates (only) there. The only portals of entry are the

nostrils and mouth/ throat. In a global epidemic of this

nature, it's almost impossible not coming into contact with

H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not

so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of

H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation,

aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary

infections, some very simple steps - not fully highlighted

in most official communications - can be practiced (instead

of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official

communications).

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to

touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or *slap).

* Don't you love that one?

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine

if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial

infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and

show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents

proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the

same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an

infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive

and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once

every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good

at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean

nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and

swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt

water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*

5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in

Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to

supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also

has Zinc to boost absorption.

6.* Drink as much of warm liquids as you can. *Drinking warm

liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse

direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the

throat into the stomach where they cannot survive,

proliferate or do any harm.

All these are simple ways to prevent, within means of most

households, and certainly much less painful than to wait in

long queues outside public hospitals."

-- Really try to pay attention to these tips. Simple things can keep maintain your health infinitely better than complex things.

Fit2You, Fitness LLC
Philadelphia's premier provider of in-home, corporate, and residential fitness services.

Hydration Equation:

The other day, between training sessions, I watch as a steady stream of exercisers paraded past the front desk; most of them purchasing one sport drink or another. Often Gatorade, of Powerade, or Propel. It really is astonishing how many members purchased these drinks...some even had two or three! I'd be willing to bet sports drinks outsold water by 2-to-1!

The desire to consume a beverage like this is likely fueled by smart marketing, and savvy advertising - the average recreational exerciser is making a mistake by drinking these; for several reasons.

First, these drinks are often laden with sugar, or sugar substitutes. Both of which are equally bad for you, for a variety of reasons. Sugar is a HUGE enemy in the fight to lose weight, and maintaina healthy weight. Sugar substitutes are little more than laboratory chemicals, whose long term effects we're not just beginning to understand.

Also, many sports drinks have sodium in them. This added sodium is actually there for a good reason: It induces thirst, so you drink more water. However, few actually drink water - they simply reach for another Gatorade.

I'm sure this all sound confusing...so let me explain. Sports drinks are designed for athletes exerting themselves at an extremely high level. These drinks include sugar for fast energy, sodium to induce thirst (and thus more water consumption for hydration), and electrolytes. The electrolytes are there to replace what is lost through sweat.

The issue with recreational exercisers drinking these sports drinks is that many simply don't exert themselves at a level necessary for a sports drink. The sugar only adds calories, making weight loss and weight maintenance more challenging.

So? What should you drink? Water. And for those of you who insist on replacing lost electrolytes, there are electrolyte enhanced waters (Smartwater). These enhanced waters give you the hydration benefits of the sports drink without any sugar, and without any calories.

Now I'm sure people will argue this point with me, and that's fine. Please feel free to email me: Info@fit2youfitness.com. I'm always up for a lively debate.

As always - If you've got it, flaunt it. If you don't, get it with us! Now get up, get out, and get fit!

--The Fit2You, Fitness team - Philadelphia's premier provider of health, wellness, and personal training...we come to you!