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Influenza
Hormones That Enhance Immune Response
DHEA is an adrenal hormone with immune system–boosting effects that seems to protect against a variety of infections, including influenza, in animal models. It works by enhancing cytokine secretion. DHEA enhances the immune response and helps combat bacterial and viral infections, including influenza (Padgett DA et al 1997; Padgett DA et al 2000). The age-associated decline in its concentration correlates with a decline in immunity. DHEA supplementation has been shown to reverse the age-related decline in immunity and protect aged mice against influenza (Danenberg HD et al 1995).
Administering 50 mg of DHEA a day to elderly men resulted in the following immune enhancements compared to placebo (Khorram O et al 1997):
- An increase of 35 percent in the number of monocyte immune cells
- An increase of 29 percent in the number of immune B-cells
- An increase of 62 percent in B-cell activity
- An increase of 40 percent in T-cell activity (total number of T-cells not affected)
- An increase of 50 percent in IL-2
- An increase of 22 to 37 percent in the number of natural killer cells and an increase of 45 percent in natural killer cell activity
One reason that influenza can be so lethal to aging people is that their immune systems are weak. A deficiency in DHEA appears to be partially responsible for the age-related decline in immune function (Fulop T Jr et al 1999; Khorram O et al 1997). One study showed that a metabolite of DHEA augmented activation of T-helper cells and protected mice from a lethal influenza virus infection (Padgett DA et al 1997).
Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland that enhances the production of key components of the immune system, such as natural killer cells and several cytokines, including IL-1, IL-6, and IL-12, and interferons (Lissoni P et al 1994c; Lissoni P et al 1994a; Lissoni P et al 1994b; Lissoni P et al 1989; Maestroni GJ 1993; Maestroni GJ 1999). Melatonin is an antioxidant that amplifies IL-2's antiviral and anticancer effects.
The conclusion of one melatonin review article was: “The immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects of melatonin suggest that this indole must be considered as an additional therapeutic alternative to fight viral diseases.” (Maestroni GJ 1999).
Another study examined the immune function benefits of melatonin and found that melatonin activated IL-2 and gamma interferon, the body’s natural hormonelike agents that facilitate T-helper cell production (Bonilla E et al 2004).
Taking higher-than-usual doses (200 to 400 mg) of DHEA in the morning and higher-than-usual doses (10 to 50 mg) of melatonin before bedtime would appear to be logical approaches to battling a viral infection.
Ribavirin
Ribavirin is a broad-spectrum antiviral drug that was first synthesized in 1972 (Snell NJ 2001). It was approved in the United States in the late 1990s to treat the hepatitis C virus, and it is used in other countries to treatment influenza (Cianci C et al 1998). Ribavirin has been proved to be effective at limiting the duration and severity of viral illness. In France, ribavirin, administered by nebulizer, is successfully used to treat severe cases of influenza (Leophonte P 2005). Ribavirin works by inhibiting the replication of the virus’s DNA (Magden J et al 2005).
In a recent study, mice infected with influenza were given ribavirin at a dose between 18 and 37.5 milligrams per kilogram per day (mg/kg/day). The drug was shown to be highly effective in preventing death and reducing the presence of virus in the lungs (Sidwell RW et al 2005). Another study found that ribavirin was 90 to 100 percent effective at preventing death in mice infected with influenza B. The mice were simultaneously given a drug that boosted viral replication to enhance the lethality of the flu strain. Even when treatment with ribavirin was started 4 days after infection, ribavirin still produced a 40-percent survival rate (Smee DF et al 2004).
Other studies have also shown positive results. In one case study, three patients who had severe lower respiratory tract influenza or parainfluenza were treated with a continuous intravenous ribavirin infusion, at 5 mg/kg/hour for the first 8 hours, followed by 1.5 mg/kg/hour for 2 to 6 days. Researchers found the rate of viral shedding (a measure of viral activity) was diminished in one patient and ceased completely in the other two (Hayden FG et al 1996).
Some reports have linked the use of ribavirin to mild anemia. The Life Extension Foundation believes this anemia is linked to drug-related free radical damage that affects red blood cells. Take adequate antioxidants to provide protection against anemia if you take ribavirin for the flu. We recommend taking antioxidants during influenza infection even without ribavirin.
Life Extension Foundation Recommendations
The following doses are higher than the usual recommended doses for these supplements. These higher levels should not be taken constantly, or as a general prophylaxis. They should be taken to enhance seasonal support. This program should be followed for only a few days. At the first sign of flu symptoms, consider taking:
- Cimetidine—800 to 1000 mg/day
- Pure Gar brand garlic—9000 mg once or twice a day
- Kyolic aged garlic extract—3600 mg/day
- DHEA—200 to 400 mg in the morning
- Lactoferrin—1200 mg/day
- Zinc—Two 24-mg lozenges every 2 hours while awake. This is a very high dosage of zinc and is toxic if taken for long periods. Only take this much zinc for a few days.
- Melatonin—10 to 50 mg at bedtime
- Vitamin C—6000 mg/day (1000 mg every hour for the first 6 hours), then 3000 mg/day (1000 mg several hours apart).
- Vitamin E—400 international units (IU) daily
- Green tea—725 mg/day. A decaffeinated form is available for people who are sensitive to caffeine.
- Selenium—200 micrograms (mcg) daily
- Elderberry extract—Take lozenges as needed.
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Influenza Safety Caveats
An aggressive program of dietary supplementation should not be launched without the supervision of a qualified physician. Several of the nutrients suggested in this protocol may have adverse effects. These include:
DHEA
- Do not take DHEA if you could be pregnant, are breastfeeding, or could have prostate, breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer.
- DHEA can cause androgenic effects in woman such as acne, deepening of the voice, facial hair growth and hair loss.
Garlic
- Garlic has blood-thinning, anticlotting properties.
- Discontinue using garlic before any surgical procedure.
- Garlic can cause headache, muscle pain, fatigue, vertigo, watery eyes, asthma, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.
- Ingesting large amounts of garlic can cause bad breath and body odor.
Green Tea
- Consult your doctor before taking green tea extract if you take aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin). Taking green tea extract and aspirin or warfarin can increase the risk of bleeding.
- Discontinue using green tea extract 2 weeks before any surgical procedure. Green tea extract may decrease platelet aggregation.
- Green tea extract contains caffeine, which may produce a variety of symptoms including restlessness, nausea, headache, muscle tension, sleep disturbances, and rapid heartbeat.
Melatonin
- Do not take melatonin if you are depressed.
- Do not take high doses of melatonin if you are trying to conceive. High doses of melatonin have been shown to inhibit ovulation.
- Melatonin can cause morning grogginess, a feeling of having a hangover or a “heavy head,” or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.
Selenium
- High doses of selenium (1000 micrograms or more daily) for prolonged periods may cause adverse reactions.
- High doses of selenium taken for prolonged periods may cause chronic selenium poisoning. Symptoms include loss of hair and nails or brittle hair and nails.
- Selenium can cause rash, breath that smells like garlic, fatigue, irritability, and nausea and vomiting.
Vitamin C
- Do not take vitamin C if you have a history of kidney stones or of kidney insufficiency (defined as having a serum creatine level greater than 2 milligrams per deciliter and/or a creatinine clearance less than 30 milliliters per minute.
- Consult your doctor before taking large amounts of vitamin C if you have hemochromatosis, thalassemia, sideroblastic anemia, sickle cell anemia, or erythrocyte glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. You can experience iron overload if you have one of these conditions and use large amounts of vitamin C.
Vitamin E
- Consult your doctor before taking vitamin E if you take warfarin (Coumadin).
- Consult your doctor before taking high doses of vitamin E if you have a vitamin K deficiency or a history of liver failure.
- Consult your doctor before taking vitamin E if you have a history of any bleeding disorder such as peptic ulcers, hemorrhagic stroke, or hemophilia.
- Discontinue using vitamin E 1 month before any surgical procedure.
Zinc
- High doses of zinc (above 30 milligrams daily) can cause adverse reactions.
- Zinc can cause a metallic taste, headache, drowsiness, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea.
- High doses of zinc can lead to copper deficiency and hypochromic microcytic anemia secondary to zinc-induced copper deficiency.
- High doses of zinc may suppress the immune system.
For more information see the Safety Appendix |
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