Avian Flu Alerts Newsletter 1/29/2006

Contents in This Issue:
Trouble In Turkey
The Bad News
The Good News
Immunity Booster: Lactoferrin

Bird Flu: Trouble in Turkey

Turkey has been a focal point of the avian flu fight this month. It started with Turkey being home to the first avian flu victims of 2006. Since that ominous beginning, a sizable outbreak has developed there. A total of 21 human cases and 4 deaths have been reported so far.

The Bad News

From the Turkish avian flu outbreak, two mutations in the H5N1 virus have been found. Scientists believe these mutations make the virus more prone to human infection. One of these mutations was identified as one of the 10 genetic mutations that made the infamous 1918 Spanish flu so deadly. These are not good indications.

The Good News

The mortality rate of the Turkish outbreak appears to be dramatically lower than previous outbreaks. While still a serious threat at a 20% mortality rate, it is nowhere near as vicious as the previous mortality rate experienced elsewhere at over 50%. Additionally comforting it the fact that no evidence of human-to-human transmission has been found there.

Read more:
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/jan2706avian.html
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/jan1906mutations.html

Immunity Booster: Lactoferrin

Until an effective vaccine is widely available to the general population of the world, the best chance of surviving an avian flu outbreak appears to be by strengthening our immune system. I will try to profile a different immunity-boosting supplement in every newsletter issue. This time it is Lactoferrin.

Lactoferrin is a substance found in milk. Researchers believe it is one of the factors that provide the immediate boost to newborn's immune system. Studies show that it has anti-microbial, anti-viral, and anti-tumor properties. While its anti-viral properties are not a strong as its anti-microbial properties, at least one study shows it can play a vital role in the survival rate of influenza infection. This is mainly through its significant reduction in serious lung complications such as pneumonia.

Read more about this study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lactoferrin is currently mentioned in over 4600 studies at Pubmed.gov. Pubmed.gov

Buy lactoferrin at great prices.

Sincerely,
Clint Fountain