Avian flu has still not mutated so that it can spread from human to human.? In fact, avain flu has infected a little over 100 people since 1997 and has not mutated.? Though the severity of the H5N1 strain is undeniable in humans, birds frequently carry it in their intestines without significant illness.? The only way that people have gotten the flu so far is from handling infected birds or raw and/or eating partially cooked birds or their blood.? The World Health Organization has five keys for avoiding avian flu and foodborne diseases in general.

5 Keys to Safer Food and the Bringing Food Safety Home

1. keep clean (wash your hands thoroughly)
2. separate raw and cooked food
3. cook food thoroughly
4. keep food at safe temperatures (refrigerate raw poultry)
5. use safe water and raw materials

It almost seems silly to have to say it but staying healthy at this point requires simple hygienic measures.? Someday in the future we may need to be worried about avian flu spreading from person to person.? Who's to say that the mutation won't render the particular H5N1 strain harmless?? No one knows exactly what to expect.? I think that it is likely that we'll still need to take care of our health through immune-boosting strategies like those listed in the previous note.? The news seems to point to the need for better cleanliness to control the flu outbreaks, not more drugs!

Whether or not you like immunizations the news out of Sweden should make everyone sit up and pay attention.? Today Reuters reported the results of a study that?gave a?"probiotic" bacteria?drink for 80 days?to employees and studied the number of sick days.? The ones who drank the good bacteria had many fewer sick days than those who drank the plain drink.? The effect was even more noticeable in the night shift workers.? What this means to you and me is that taking probiotics in a capsule form or in a drink may provide us with some protection against infections.? While the world fearfully anticipates the next pandemic flu you can be building immune power by taking good bacteria in your diet.? Good sources of probiotic bacteria include:

• Kefir

• Organic yogurt

• Probiotic capsules and powder

• Fermented vegetables

A company called body ecology has a great website http://www.bodyecologydiet.com/?on the benefits of kefir and fermented products.? I recommend probiotic capsules to most of my patients because they're so convenient.? Some can be stored at room temperature until they're opened but I think it's always best to refrigerate them to assure maximum potency.? A good dose is 2 billion to 40 billion units per day.? If you tend to have problems with your digestive tract it's probably a good idea to see a health professional who understands which probiotic to use in your circumstance.

Immunizations are offered as "the" preventive for infectious disease by traditional medical practitioners and most public health authorities.? I believe that everyone needs to become informed about what immunizations can do and when they're appropriate.? There are times when they make sense and there are times when they are clearly not a logical choice.? They can cause serious problems and may be at the root of many immune illnesses.? We will learn more about this controversy in the coming years.? Safe and reasonable measures to reduce the likelihood of infectious illness include:

1.????? Probiotics (of course)

2.????? Selenium (at least 100 micrograms daily)

3.????? Check thyroid status http://www.centeru.com/tools/Thyroid/thyroid.php

4.????? Regular exercise

5.????? Remove all chronic infections (Candida, parasite, etc.)

6.????? NO SUGAR OR HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP!!!

7.????? Consider Shitake and Maitake mushroom extracts

8.????? Vitamin C 1-2 grams daily? (more when ill)

9.????? Have fun as often as possible-[don't take yourself too seriously)

There's lots more that you can do including cleanses and juicing and other support products.??It just makes sense to do the simple things that you can to avoid illness instead of wringing your hands worrying about problems you're unlikely to ever experience!