Prevent the Flu with This! Plus, Pregnancy Information

Elderberries have been used for hundreds of years for their health benefits. Elderberries are the fruit of the Sambucus tree.

The plant, also known as black elderberry dates it’s discovery to 2000 B.C. in Switzerland, where there is evidence that the ancient Swiss cultivated it.

Recipes using elderberries for medicinal purposes have been recorded dating back to ancient Egypt, where they were used as a skin and burn potion.³ Historians generally credit Hippocrates as the first physician to use it, who described the elderberry as his "medicine chest."

There are several different types of elderberry plants, the most commonly known is the Sambucus nigra. Sambucus nigra is sold as a supplement in the form of syrup, gummies, lozenges, pills and tea. The Elderberry is high in antioxidants and supports the natural immune response.

In a recent study, researchers found compounds in the elderberry could directly inhibit the flu virus's entrance into cells and inhibit viral cell spread in the body.

The researchers used commercially cultivated elderberries, which were used for elderberry juice serum. They applied this to cells before, during and after they had infected them with the influenza virus. As expected, the juice was effective at stopping the virus from infecting the cells.

In addition, a surprising finding was that the elderberry juice effectively inhibited replication after the cells had been infected with the virus.  This is important news because blocking the virus at several stages increases the potential it may inhibit infection according to the author Fariba Dehghani, Ph.D.

Another study

 tested elderberry effectiveness on 312 overseas air travelers who cold and viral symptoms.  The researchers found those taking the elderberry syrup had a shorter duration and less severe cold symptoms than the control group.

The flu vaccine effectiveness percentage continues to hover around 40% according to published reports from the CDC.  That being said elderberry syrup, should be a part of your winter flu and viral protection arsenal.  A daily dose of elderberry helps to boost immune system function, helping to prevent colds and flu.  If a person does end up with symptoms of a virus, multiple doses of elderberry (3-4 x daily), prevents the viral cells from reproducing in the body, this has been shown to cut the duration of the cold or flu by 50% and help to prevent severe cases of the flu.

New Statistics on Covid-19:  In a pre-print medical study published on MedRxiv, the covid-19 infection fatality rate was reported.  The fatality rate from age birth to 19yrs old is 0.003% (3 for every 1 million people).  Age 20-29 is 0.003% ( 3 out of every 100,000 people), ages 30-39 – 0.011% (2 out of every 10,000 people), 40-49 -0.035% (4 out of every 10,000 people), ages 50-59 – 0.129% (1.3 out of every 1000 people) and ages 60-69 is 0.501% (1 out of every 200 people infected).  Ireland released their covid-19 fatality rate for 2020 and 2021 which showed that the fatality rate for age 50 and under was 0.002% which is 1 in 50,000 risk.  Under age 25 was 0.00018% which is 1 in 500,000 risk.  The highest risk age groups in both reports were age 59 and above.  In any age group, as mentioned in my health tip, elderberry extract could be used to lesson the risk due to its effect on preventing severe cases of viral load.

Pregnancy / Prenatal Chiropractic Info:  Here are 8 tips to do once you learn of your pregnancy.

• Avoid Caffeine. Drinking caffeine during pregnancy has some major health risks.  Caffeine has been shown to increase risk of miscarriage.
• Exercise Regularly. Having a baby is rough both physically and mentally.  Exercise will help you handle your pregnancy.
• Drink Plenty of Water. Your belly weight during pregnancy is primarily made up of fluid.  Water is essential for a healthy pregnancy.
• Take Naps. The body rejuvenates with power naps.
• Prenatal Massage.  Relaxing, increase circulation, stress reduction.
• Make a Birth Plan. Very important to know what and when to expect in your pregnancy and how you would like to be treated.
• Schedule with your pregnancy chiropractor.  Pelvic alignment is key for a healthy pregnancy.

Author

Dr J. Zimmerman, Chiropractor Dr. Zimmerman is a practicing chiropractor from Galloway, NJ with 30 years of chiropractic practice.