Addressing the Canny Investor

Faced with a potential worldwide Avian flu pandemic, I surveyed
many health promoting aids available from which I could
effectively achieve a state of basic readiness, and in so doing,
pulled from obvious “traditional” approaches and looked towards
some of the most innovative products in supplement form for
popular distribution. By revealing the following diet related
options, I will show how even the so called “poor” can ready
themselves and their loved ones by practicing simple but
exceptional immune system care. Fresh, natural spring water (the
veritable source of life)

During my summer visits to the Appalachian region, I always
drank and bathed with fresh spring water. On occasion, I would
collect water from a free flowing source which originated from
deep within the earth. It was through these experiences that I
came to know the meaning behind the quote mentioned above.

In North America, it’s become rare for even rural populations to
have access to unpolluted ground water for domestic use which
would account for the almost total absence of knowledge of the
health benefits associated to the most fundamental dietary
component. By bathing in and drinking unprocessed freshly pumped
spring water, one absorbs minerals from the earth as well as
beneficial health promoting bacteria and it’s for this reason
that “spas” continue to enjoy popularity.

“In addition to bathing, guests at these spas also consumed
glasses of the spring water. It was believed that the water had
medicinal value and could cure many illnesses. Spas attracted
those afflicted with cholera, yellow fever, tuberculosis,
pneumonia, dysentery, gout, rheumatism, and other diseases…” -
2. A homeowner’s guide to the development, maintenance and
protection of springs as a drinking water source. Virginia
Water Resources Center, Blacksburg, Virginia link: “The waters
flow at a constant 74F from the base of Warm Springs Ridge. You
may still drink freely and fill your jugs at Lord Fairfax’s
public tap, and wade in the ancient stone pools in the Nation’s
smallest state park…” - 3. link *It is important to note that
uncompromised standards should be used in determining whether a
spring’s water is adequate for human consumption. If the
practice of bottling is used, the filled bottles must be
refrigerated and consumed within a maximum period of four days
or first frozen, then refrigerated etc. Bacteria which are
health threatening will eventually gain the upper hand in
unrefrigerated, fresh spring water. Serious attentiveness is
called for in this situation.

Through our minds and our personalities, we experience ourselves
as masters over the environment in which we live; we make
decisions over the fate of the earth’s environment, vegetation,
animal and our own communal life. But the reality is that our
very own bodies are made up of the substances which belong to
the earth and its atmosphere and because of this, we are
interconnected in most infinite ways with its ecosystem. In
order to restore and maintain health, our bodies require life
sustaining nutrients from within this very ecosystem, namely
vitamins, minerals and a strong presence of beneficial bacteria.
These substances are taken up readily by our bodies in their
most natural states as in the example of fresh spring water
because there exists an extremely complex affinity between our
natural environment and our bodies.

Obtaining beneficial bacteria through fermented foods

A secondary way of obtaining health promoting bacteria is
through eating traditional fermented foods found throughout the
world. By consuming these types of foods (basic yogurt, kefir,
sauerkraut, miso, etc.) on a daily basis, an individual not only
furnishes his/her body with important nutrients and specific
health promoting properties characteristic of these foods,
he/she takes an active therapeutic step towards good health.

“First, fermentation neutralizes unhealthy chemicals found in
grains and beans. Second, it adds a host of beneficial
micro-organisms to food, making them more digestible and
increasing the healthy flora in our intestinal tracts. link

These foods are generally inexpensive (go to a deli for cheap,
imported sauerkraut),can be easily created in the home and are
considered accessible to all.

Even today, we still detect feelings of reverence which various
cultures from around the world hold towards their traditional
recipes, preparations which were developed through and have
withstood the test of time. Who could possibly think of
discrediting the respect held towards these foods including
those fermented? Good health has evidently inspired humanity in
the past and today, those containing health promoting bacteria
are under the microscope.

“Some research also suggests that probiotics have a beneficial
effect on the intestinal micro flora, improving the functioning
of the intestinal lining while helping to regulate critical
components of the immune system such as lymphocytes, antibodies
and natural killer cells following probiotic-mediated signaling
in the gut…” - WOODCOCK et al., 2003; PARRA et al., 2004;
MARCOS et al., 2004; YASUI et al., 2003; CROSS, 2004.

“Researchers have launched the first scientific society and
established the first institute in North America dedicated to
studying probiotics–live microorganisms consumed or applied to
specific anatomic sites for their purported health benefits. The
International Scientific Association for Probiotics and
Prebiotics (ISAPP) held its inaugural conference 3-5 May in
London, Ontario, Canada, attended by 70 researchers from five
continents…”link

*It’s possible to obtain additional healthy bacteria through
dietary supplements and in this way, one can ensure that his/her
body contains a strong omnipresence of these beneficial types
exactly as they exist naturally within the earth’s soil and its
unpolluted, underground water systems. It’s in this manner that
those who don’t have access to fresh, vibrant spring water can
employ an old method for maintaining and restoring health while
using a new approach. In this way, we attune our bodies to the
wise design of an ecosystem in which we incidentally belong.

*There exists effective probiotics in supplement form, such as:
*Bio-K plus *CustomProbiotics *Complete Probiotic Blend with
soil based organisms

Antioxidants etc.

The following excerpts, written by Dr. Fuhrman, M.D. shed light
on some interesting facts:

“…Clearly, the concept that powerful and competent host
defenses are enabled by nutritional excellence is not merely my
opinion; rather it is the reality of human physiology supported
by hundreds of scientific studies…”

“…The most effective artillery we have to protect ourselves
against the potential damaging effects of influenza and other
infectious diseases is nutritional excellence.
Micronutrients–meaning vitamins, minerals, and
phytochemicals…”

“…The flu is a simple viral illness which a healthy body has
scores of adequate defenses against. No flu, including the bird
flu, is any match for a well-nourished immune system. A healthy
diet should include: At least four fresh fruits a day; four
servings of vegetables a day, of which at least two are green
vegetables; some raw nuts and seeds…”

“…In spite of the fear that the Avian Flu is an exceptionally
virulent strain, with about half of those humans infected having
died, it still stands little chance against a truly healthy
immune system…”

Read more from Dr. Fuhrman’s six steps to help protect your
family from Avian flu.

Dr Fuhrman may or may not be rightly estimating the Avian Flu’s
influence on truly healthy individuals but he undoubtedly
supplies excellent immune system care information. Check out
some of the research work he based his opinions on, and judge
for yourself.

An easy and excellent way to receive the health benefits of
fresh fruit, vegetables, greens and herbs is through drinking
their freshly made juice. I’ve found an inexpensive manual model
sold in the US, made in China, that costs approx. $20 and which
is also ideal for passing greens and herbs; the most robust
machines are not. This model is very good because it doesn’t
heat the juice and extracts most of the liquid. It takes more
time to make less but it’s accessible to many. (Use a large
carrot as a feeder and as with all juicers, include some lemon
to recipes to avoid rapid oxidization).

Among some of the most innovative nutritional supplement
products to appear in the last decade are the ‘natural whole
food concentrates’. Though not cheap, they are the answer to a
demand for ‘nutrient excellence’ and convenience. A wide variety
of quality foods are gathered together and maintained in food
form which allows their nutrients to be easily assimilated by
our bodies. These products can be used for daily health upkeep,
to boost immunity, to restore strength following illness or to
revitalize after a workout. If the threat of a pandemic
intensifies considerably, they could also be included on a list
of ‘items to stockpile’ since such a scenario could involve the
implementation of restrictions on the movement of peoples/goods
across borders, etc. *Sound digestion is considered fundamental
to a healthy body and the tips I’ve given, contribute directly
towards this function; probiotics restore health to the gut,
fresh fruits and vegetables contain fiber which assist
elimination and while some fresh juices have the property of
being diuretic, others assist in elimination. I feel compelled
to include that drinking clean water daily is a must and some
interest should be directed towards supporting the liver and the
lungs.

This article is inspired by knowledge gathered through
experience. It shows a laypersons first steps towards a state of
readiness in the event of a pandemic but they inevitably apply
to everyday living. Should the Avian flu manifest itself in my
vicinity, it’s my intention to increase intake of this basic
prescription and perhaps incorporate other products and
practices. I encourage you to investigate further and don’t
hesitate to consult a naturopath or medical doctor with your
health related questions.