Watson Announces New Program to Help Promote Good Bone Health in Advanced Prostate Cancer Patients on Long-Term Androgen Deprivation Therapy

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: WPI) today announced a new program encouraging health professionals to help maintain the bone health of prostate cancer patients who are on long-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Nearly two million men are receiving ADT, a palliative treatment for prostate cancer that, while highly effective and considered the "gold therapy," can cause bone loss and increase a man's risk for osteoporosis.

As part of the program, Watson is providing urologists, oncologists and other health professionals with free 30-day supplies of calcium and vitamin D supplements along with educational patient brochures on how to help maintain bone health in men with prostate cancer on ADT.

Each supplement tablet contains 600 mg of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D, and when taken twice daily, can help prostate cancer patients meet the daily amounts recommended by the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) for adult men 50 years of age or older.

"The bone health side effects of long-term ADT are a serious issue, yet few cancer patients are being informed about this risk or about the lifestyle changes and drug therapy that can help prevent bone loss," said Neal Shore, MD, FACS, CPI, Medical Director at the Carolina Urologic Research Center. "Because men with prostate cancer are more often receiving their care from a urologist or oncologist, it is important that specialists are educating their male patients about bone health rather than assuming it is the responsibility of the general practitioner."

Androgen deprivation therapy - the use of synthetic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogs (LHRH) therapy - is an effective and commonly used long-term therapeutic option for treating localized and advanced prostate cancer. LHRH therapy slows the growth of prostate cancer by suppressing the production of testosterone in the testicles. Over time, this decreased level of testosterone can, however, cause bone loss. Men, on average, lose about 0.5 percent to 1 percent of their bone mineral density every year. That loss can increase to about 4 percent to 13 percent per year in men on long-term ADT.

Given the risk of bone loss with ADT therapy, NCCN recommends that men with prostate cancer discuss the risk with their oncologist and personal physician as well as undergo frequent monitoring for osteoporosis using the NOF's guidelines for the general population. The guidelines include recommendations for calcium supplements (1200 mg daily) and vitamin D (800-1,000 IU daily) for all men over age 50 years and additional treatment for men who have a greater than or equal to 3 percent likelihood of suffering a hip fracture or greater than or equal to 20 percent likelihood of suffering a major osteoporosis-related fracture within the next 10 years.

Along with getting the daily recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D, the NOF also recommends older men protect their bone health by exercising regularly (weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises), avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol, and talking to their doctor about a bone mineral density test. Prescription medication that helps protect against bone loss also might be an option for patients at high risk for fracture.

"Watson is committed to urologic health," said Fred Wilkinson, Executive Vice President, Global Brands at Watson. "Our new supplement program will help physicians encourage their prostate cancer patients who are on long-term androgen deprivation therapy to make a commitment to good bone health."

About Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a leading global specialty pharmaceutical company. The Company is engaged in the development and distribution of generic pharmaceuticals and specialized branded pharmaceutical products focused on Urology and Women's Health. Watson has operations in over 20 countries including many of the world's established and growing international markets.

In the U.S., the Watson portfolio includes RAPAFLO, GELNIQUE, Oxytrol®, TRELSTAR® LA and TRELSTAR® Depot, Ferrlecit®, and INFeD®. In addition, Watson markets the following brands under co-promotion agreements: AndroGel®, with Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Femring®, with Warner Chilcott Limited. The Watson pipeline portfolio includes a number of products, including a six-month formulation of TRELSTAR®, for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer which is currently under review by the FDA; URACYST®, under development for cystitis; and a novel new oral contraceptive.

For press release and other company information, visit Watson Pharmaceuticals' Web site at http://www.watson.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Statements contained in this press release that refer to Watson's estimated or anticipated future results or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Watson's current perspective of existing trends and information as of the date of this release. For instance, any statements in this press release concerning prospects related to Watson's strategic initiatives, product introductions and anticipated financial performance are forward-looking statements. It is important to note that Watson's goals and expectations are not predictions of actual performance. Watson's performance, at times, will differ from its goals and expectations. Actual results may differ materially from Watson's current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Watson's business. These factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainty associated with financial projections; successful integration of the Arrow acquisition and the ability to recognize the anticipated synergies and benefits of the Arrow acquisition; the impact of competitive products and pricing; the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of litigation; variability of revenue mix between the Company's Brand, Generic and Distribution business units; periodic dependence on a small number of products for a material source of net revenue or income; variability of trade buying patterns; changes in generally accepted accounting principles; risks that the carrying values of assets may be negatively impacted by future events and circumstances; timely and successful consummation and implementation of strategic initiatives; the timing and success of product launches; the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of product development efforts and FDA or other regulatory agency approvals or actions; the uncertainty associated with the identification and successful consummation of external business development transactions; market acceptance of and continued demand for Watson's products; costs and efforts to defend or enforce intellectual property rights; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; the availability and pricing of third party sourced products and materials; successful compliance with FDA and other governmental regulations applicable to Watson's and its third party manufacturers' facilities, products and/or businesses; uncertainties related to the timing and outcome of litigation and other claims; changes in the laws and regulations, including Medicare and Medicaid, affecting among other things, pricing and reimbursement of pharmaceutical products; and such other risks and uncertainties detailed in Watson's periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Watson's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2009. Except as expressly required by law, Watson disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.



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Vitamin C Is Good But Vitamin D Is The Key

We’ve always been told Vitamin C is best for colds. More and more studies show Vitamin D in boosting the immune system and preventing chronic disease. Vitamin D deficiencies play a major role in most diseases.

To understand what Vitamin D really does we must first understand what it is.

“It’s not just a vitamin,but rather the only known substrate for a potent, pleiotropic (meaning it produces multiple effects), repair and maintenance seco-steroid hormone that serves multiple gene-regulatory functions in your body.

Just one example of an important gene that vitamin D up-regulates is your ability to fight infections. It produces over 200 anti microbial peptides, the most important of which is cathelicidin, a naturally occurring broad-spectrum antibiotic.”

The human body has over 30,000 genes and vitamin D positively affects 2000 of them. Long story short the positive affects of Vitamin D on the body are numerous. Did you know the sun is a major source of Vitamin D? Do you think it’s a coincidence that dermatologist and sunscreen manufactures spend so much time trying to keep you out of the sun?


Vitamin D is know to prevent numerous chronic diseases such as:

Caner, Heart Disease, Autism, Obesity, Diabetes, Cohrn’s Disease, Muscle Pain, Signs Of Aging, Multiple Sclerosis, Tuberculosis, Imflammatory Bowl Disease, Eczema, Dementia, Migranes, Cavities and Peridontal Disease.

To give you another idea of the importance of Vitamin D. “Researchers have calculated that simply increasing levels of vitamin D3 could prevent diseases that claim nearly 1 million lives throughout the world each year!” Here’s another interesting statistic that involves the sun. There is overwhelming evidence which shows the further you live from the equator the higher your risk of dying from cancer. Many of us are deficient in vitamin D, the question now is how do we address it.

According to Dr. Mercola, exposure to sun is the best source of Vitamin D. Secondly, Vitamini D3 is the best supplement. Before you run out and get your share of the sun and start taking Vitamin D3 make sure you have your Vitamin D levels checked so you will know where you are currently. For information on Vitamin D intake click here. Look into Vitamin D on your own and I look forward to hearing what you find.



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'Tis The Season for Vitamin D

My favourite time of year is summer: the sun shining on my skin, a warm breeze through my hair and the health benefits of vitamin D flowing through my veins. Sunshine is absolutely the best way to obtain vitamin D, but during the approaching winter months, the suns’ rays aren’t powerful enough to produce an ample amount.

Vitamin D plays a vital role in sustaining healthy bones and teeth — by helping to absorb calcium. And without it, bones can become weak and brittle. It is also an integral part of boosting the body’s immune system to ward off any seasonal colds or flus. The “sunshine vitamin” is even a beneficiary tool in reducing the risk of cancer.

So, in order to get the lowdown on vitamin D, I went to my local health store and asked the woman behind the counter what she recommended. The most efficient choice would be to take daily vitamin D supplements, she suggested. But if you’re one of those people who can’t remember where your shoes are in the morning — let alone systematically taking a vitamin supplement — there are other ways to get your daily-D fix.

Foods rich in vitamin D, like salmon, tuna, mushrooms, soymilk, eggs and fortified cereals, are sensible sources as well. These foods will also help to increase serotonin levels, which will help stabilize your mood and energy. Mushrooms are the only food that darkens when exposed to sunlight, and is therefore able to produce vitamin D on its own.

She also suggested I go to a tanning salon as a solution to up my vitamin D intake. Now, I’m not one to bake myself in a burning cauldron of cancer, so I did some extra research on that subject. And what I learned is that the sun emits two types of ultraviolet rays: UVA and UVB. When braving the tanning bed, one must make sure the lamps are those of medium pressure, which are jam-packed with UVB rays. UVB will ensure that you don’t burn, but that you will still get loads of vitamin D.

So, whatever method you choose, make sure you stock up on vitamin D… until next summer of course, when we’ll be able to reap the benefits of sunshine once more.

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The Importance of Multivitamins

Dr. Michael Roizen knows your secret. You're not eating enough fruits and veggies.

That's why most Baby Boomers need a multivitamin, said the chairman of the Wellness Institute at the Cleveland Clinic.

When it comes to opinions about the need for multivitamins, there seems to be, ahem, one a day.

Mount Sinai School of Medicine's Dr. Victor Herbert famously fell on the side of the skeptics, declaring, "supplements help some, harm some, and do nothing for most, so the bottom line is a wash," in the book Total Nutrition: The Only Guide You'll Ever Need, first published in the mid 1990s.

Until recently many doctors sided with Herbert, telling their patients that spending money on vitamins amounted to creating expensive urine.

But as Boomers have aged, nutrition science has advanced as well.

Studies are increasingly showing large gaps between optimal nutrition and what typical Americans are taking in from food, gaps that are easily surmounted with vitamins.

Roizen has data to prove it.

Co-author of You: The Owners Manual, Roizen is also the co-creator of the Web site RealAge.com . On that Web site, people report on their health status, including diet, to learn whether their "real age" is younger or older than it should be, and to glean wellness tips.

Based on users' responses, Roizen says he's certain about most adults' need for a multivitamin.

"We've had 27 million people take the RealAge program," Roison says. "A little less than 1 percent can get the right vitamins and minerals from their diet alone. It's possible, but it isn't done commonly in America. We just don't eat right."

For once, Boomers are following their doctors' advice.

According to Nutrition Business Journal estimates, U.S. consumer sales of dietary supplements reached $25.2 billion in 2008 on 6.2 percent growth. The multivitamin category accounted for $4.7 billion of these sales in 2008, on 4.3 percent growth.

But it's not necessary to go broke buying fancy brand-name vitamins, Roisen said. He tells patients at the Cleveland Clinic that a low-cost multivitamin will meet their basic needs. Grocery store brands are usually fine, he said. They're often manufactured by the same companies as the expensive vitamins, using the same basic ingredients.

But there are some other vitamins he suggests adding to the multivitamin.

His tips:

"You want to look for a multivitamin that has less than 3,500 international units of vitamin A," he said.

Buy a pill splitter, and take part in the morning, part at night, to improve absorption, he said.

Most Boomers need extra vitamin D, in the form of D3, as well, he said. Those under age 50 need around 1,000 IUs, while those over age 50 should get 1,200 IUs.

Two hours after taking their multivitamin and extra D, he recommends taking 600 mg of calcium two times a day, plus 200 mg of magnesium two times a day.

Last, he wants most of his adult patients to take fish oil, for the omega 3 fatty acids which benefit heart, brain and vascular health. Look for ones that offer 600 mg of DHA, he said. In his books, Roizen cautions patients to stay within his guidelines, and not fall for the "if a little is good, a lot must be better" mentality.

"There is toxicity from too much of some of the vitamins and minerals, so you want to make sure you stay within the guidelines of what we write," he said.

In Boynton Beach, internist Dr. Stacey Shinder has her patients bring in their vitamins, to ensure they're taking the right amounts, and not taking anything that might interfere with their prescription drugs.

Niacin, for example, can affect liver function, she said, and high doses of that and selenium can pose problems. Fish oil and blood-thinning drugs may be a bad combination.

Shinder, part of the MD VIP concierge group, charges members $1,500 a year for the extra attention. But she doesn't just go over vitamins with her patients. She orders blood tests to assess their levels of vitamin D, iron and other nutrients.

And she wants to hear about their diet.

"I often will have patients keep food diaries for me. Especially when we have weight management issues."

While she prefers good diet to vitamins, she's realistic.

"I am more of a believer in getting people to eat more fruits and vegetables, more colors, more varieties," she said. "No vitamin is a magic pill."

Rich or poor, the advice is similar.

Sue Grammond, registered dietitian at the Palm Beach County Health Department, also encourages clients to take a multivitamin. But she tells them if money is short, it's most important to eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, and go for frozen veggies if fresh are difficult to keep, she tells them.

"One of the mantras in nutrition is food first," Grammond said. "It comes with the vitamins, the fiber, the whole package when you eat the whole thing."

Dr. Roizen's vitamin advice for Boomers:

1. Take a multivitamin that contains no more than 3,500 IUs of vitamin A. Buy a pill splitter, and take half the multivitamin in the morning, half at night.

2. Take additional vitamin D3. Those under age 50 need around 1,000 IUs a day, while those over age 50 should get 1,200 IUs a day.

3. Add calcium two hours after your multivitamin. Aim for 600 mg of calcium two times a day, plus 200 mg of magnesium two times a day.

4. After checking with your doctor, take a fish oil capsule with 600 mg of DHA per day.

5. Beware mega doses of vitamins. Too much vitamin A, niacin, vitamin E, and other nutrients can cause health problems, so talk to your doctor about what you're taking.

The buzz word is phytonutrients. The claim is that hundreds of plant compounds are still unknown, and benefit the immune system, the vascular system and general health.

But can they be turned into juice, freeze-dried, pressed into a capsule, and still offer health benefits? Top brands promising whole-food benefits include Juice Plus+, Nutrilite, Dr. Mercola's Whole Food Multivitamin and GNC's Maximum Greens, among others. These supplements can be much more expensive than a multivitamin.

A 31-day supply of Nutrilite's Double X multivitamin/mineral and phytonutrient pack costs a whopping $71.41. A month's supply of Juice Plus+ is $41.75. And a month's supply of GNC's Maximum Greens Ultra Mega Green Vitapak costs $35.99.

But are they worth it?

Nutrition Professor Susan Percival thinks it's likely.

At the University of Florida's Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, in Gainesville, she is studying the effect of several natural food compounds on immune system cells called gamma delta T cells.

The cells play a dual role, first by attacking germ invaders, then by dialing down the inflammatory response after infection has passed.

Mounting an immune attack requires just about every nutrient there is to produce armies of these immune cells, she said. Several plant compounds that are not found in multivitamins play an important role in priming the immune cells, she said.

Those compounds include catechins, found in green tea, cocoa and grapes, and anthocyanins, found in blueberries, Concord grapes and cranberries.

For research published in 2006, she enrolled 59 UF law school students in a study on Juice Plus+ capsules. She found those who got the real capsules and not the placebo had increased blood levels of nutrients and antioxidants, fewer DNA strand breaks, and an increase in circulating gamma delta T cells.

Many of the beneficial food compounds are in their pigments, the chemicals that make them colorful. Eating colorful fruits and vegetables is best, because you get the fiber, she said. But the capsules she studied had definite benefits.

"I cannot generalize to all whole food capsules except to say the ones I know take very good care to preserve much of the nutritional value that the whole fruit and vegetable had," Percival said.

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Top 12 Foods for Healthy Immune Response

Editor's note: Flu vaccine may help some people, but there is no guarantee for a specific individual to get the benefits because the efficacy of a flu vaccine is often lower. Regardless, food consumers need to take care of their diet and lifestyle to maintain adequate immunity so that they may prevent most if not all of the flu viruses.


The 2009 flu season is upon us, and it appears to be hitting hard -- and early.

Staying well while those around you sniffle and sneeze requires that you extract as much nutrition from your diet as you can, loading up on the foods that pack the biggest nutritional punch.

Avoiding processed foods, grains and sugar will go a long way toward strengthening your immune system. However, you can do even more by selecting foods that are loaded with the specific immune boosting nutrients.

Eating a diet rich in the following foods will be far better for your health than loading up on handfuls of supplements, or worse yet, falling victim to vaccines that expose you to health risks far worse than influenza.

Below, I have outlined what I consider to be the absolute best foods you can eat to prepare yourself for the season, although the list is certainly not exhaustive.

1. Unpasteurized Grass-Fed Organic Milk

Raw organic milk from grass-fed cows contains beneficial bacteria that prime your immune system and can reduce allergies. It is an outstanding source of vitamins, especially vitamin A, zinc, and enzymes. Raw organic milk is not associated with any of the health problems of pasteurized milk such as rheumatoid arthritis, skin rashes, diarrhea and cramps.

Raw milk also contains beneficial fats that will help your immune system.

Although raw milk availability is limited in the US depending on where you live, you can locate the source closest to you at RealMilk.com.

Whey Protein

Even if you don’t have access to raw grass-fed milk, you can use a high-quality whey protein that comes from grass-fed cows to receive much of the same health benefits.

The protein in milk is whey protein. Whey is the liquid that separates from the curd during the production of cheese. When the liquid dries into powdered whey, the nutrients become concentrated, and it can be packaged and used in that form.

Whey protein can help you fight off colds and flu because it contains beta-glucans and immunoglobulins, which protect your immune system and support your body’s natural detoxification processes.

2. Fermented Foods

If you are serious about boosting your immunity, then adding traditionally fermented foods is essential.

One of the most healthful fermented foods is kefir. Kefir is an ancient cultured, enzyme-rich food full of friendly microorganisms that balance your “inner ecosystem” and strengthen immunity. Besides kefir, other good fermented foods include natto, kimchee, miso, tempeh, pickles, sauerkraut, yoghurt (watch for sugar), and olives.

Friendly bacteria have a powerful, beneficial effect on your gut’s immune system, your first line defense against pathogens, and aid in the production of antibodies.

3. Raw Organic Eggs From Free-Range Chickens

Before you wrinkle up your nose, raw eggs are an inexpensive and amazing source of high-quality nutrients that many people are deficient in, especially high-quality protein and fat. I am a proponent of raw eggs because they have been so helpful to my own health.

As long as you have a good source for fresh, organic raw eggs, you need not worry about salmonella. To find free-range pasture farms, try your local health food store, or go to http://www.eatwild.com or http://www.localharvest.com.

4. Grass-Fed Beef or Organ Meats

Grass-Fed beef comes from cows that eat what they were meant to eat—grasses, not corn or grains. This results in far greater health benefits for you the environment[i].

Grass-fed beef is very high in vitamins A and E, omega-3 fatty acids, beta carotene, zinc and CLA. CLA (conjugated linoleic acid, a fatty acid) is three to five times higher in grass-fed animals than grain-fed animals and is an immune system enhancer.

Don’t confuse “organic” with grass-fed, since many organically raised cows are still fed organic corn, which you don’t want. However, most grass-fed cows are raised organically. And if you can find organic AND grass-fed, that’s ideal.

5. Coconuts and Coconut Oil

Besides being excellent for your thyroid and your metabolism, coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which converts in your body to monolaurin. Monolaurin is the actual compound found in breast milk that strengthens a baby’s immunity.

A great deal of research has been done establishing the ability of lauric acid to enhance immunity. This medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) actually disrupts the lipid membranes of offending organisms.

When selecting coconuts and coconut oil, make sure you choose organic ones that are unrefined, unbleached, made without heat processing or chemicals, and non-GMO.

6. Locally Grown Organic Vegetables Appropriate for Your Nutritional Type

When it comes to fighting off pathogens, you simply can’t do any better than eating a variety of fresh, organic and preferably raw vegetables for the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes they contain. However, the amount and type of vegetables you should eat daily will depend on your nutritional type.

Make sure the veggies you choose are fresh. The nutrient value drops to practically zero once a fruit or vegetable is canned. For example, take a look at the ORAC value of peaches.

ORAC Values

ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, and an ORAC unit or ORAC “score” is a standardized method of measuring the antioxidant capacity of different foods and supplements. The higher the ORAC score, the more effective a food is at neutralizing free radicals. The less free radicals you have, the healthier you will be.

Back to peaches.

A raw, fresh peach has an ORAC score of 1,814. A can of peaches in heavy syrup has an ORAC score of 436, meaning that more than 75 percent of the antioxidants are lost in the canning process.

You can check the ORAC score for many different things at www.oracvalues.com. The higher the score, the better. Please be aware, though, that the total antioxidant capacity of a food alone does not determine its health benefit, which depends on how it is absorbed and utilized by your body. ORAC score is a useful guide, but it is only part of the picture.

7. Blueberries and Raspberries

Blueberries and raspberries rate very high in antioxidant capacity (ORAC of 6,520), compared to other fruits and vegetables. Wild blueberries in particular are potent immune boosters. They contain powerful phytochemicals, such as anthocyanin, which is the pigment that gives blueberries their color. And they are lower in sugar than many other fruits.

8. Mushrooms

Mushrooms strengthen your immune system because they are rich in protein, fiber, vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium and other minerals, and even vitamin D -- one of the only foods that can provide you with this essential immune strengthener.

Mushrooms make up a large part of the fabric of the earth. According to Paul Stamets, one of the world’s leading authorities on the health benefits of mushrooms, one cubic inch of soil can contain eight miles of mycelium.[ii]

Mushrooms also contain powerful compounds called beta glucans, which have been long known for their immune enhancing properties. The beta glucans in medicinal mushrooms (especially Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake) are notable for their ability to activate/modulate the immune system.

Beta glucan[iii] enhances immunity through a variety of mechanisms, many of which are similar to those of echinacea or astragalus root. For example, it binds to macrophages and other scavenger white blood cells, activating their anti-infection activities.[iv] Numerous studies support this.

9. Chlorella

As foods go, chlorella is nearly perfect.

Chlorella is a single-cell freshwater algae that acts as an efficient detoxification agent by binding to toxins, such as mercury, and carries them out of your system. It is the chlorophyll in chlorella that makes it so powerful. Chlorophyll helps you process more oxygen, cleanses your blood and promotes the growth and repair of your tissues.

For a full review of all the benefits of this superfood, go to my chlorella page.

10. Propolis

Propolis is a bee resin and one of the most broad-spectrum antimicrobial compounds in the world, if not the broadest spectrum, according to master herbalist Donnie Yance. Propolis is also the richest source of caffeic acid and apigenin, two very important phenolic compounds that aid in immune response.

11. Teas

The two best types of tea for fending off microinvaders are Matcha green tea and tulsi tea.

Green Tea and Matcha

Matcha is the most nutrient-rich green tea and comes in the form of a stone-ground powder, completely unfermented. The best Matcha comes from Japan and has up to seventeen times the antioxidants of wild blueberries, and seven times more than dark chocolate.

Green teas are rich in polyphenols, in the form of natural chemicals called catechins. The most powerful catechin in tea is epigallocatechin (EGCG), which was found in one study to be 25 to 100 times more potent than antioxidant vitamins C and E. And Matcha is more than 100 times as potent in EGCG as regular brewed green tea.

Tulsi

Tulsi tea, coming from the holy basil herb, has been used for thousands of years in the Ayurvedic medicine of India. Not only is this tea loaded with antioxidants, but it has multiple positive health benefits, including supporting your immune health, memory, heart health and vision.

12. Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices are at the top of the list of high ORAC value foods on planet Earth[v]. There are simply too many good ones to summarize here! So I will simply highlight a few that deserve special mention.

Garlic

Garlic, although not at the top of the ORAC chart (5,346), is incredibly beneficial to your immune system because it offers a triple-whammy: it’s antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal. You should be eating garlic every day. One of the best things about garlic is that bacteria, viruses, and yeast build up no resistance to it, unlike with synthetic antibiotics.

For optimal benefits, garlic should be fresh since the active ingredient is destroyed within one hour of smashing the garlic cloves. In other words, garlic capsules are basically useless.

Garlic contains allicin, a chemical that is anticarcinogenic. It also has been shown to lower LDL, lower total cholesterol, lower blood pressure, reduce your risk of blood clots and stroke, lower homocysteine, and even prevent insect bites -- including mosquitoes and ticks.

Herbs and Spice and Everything Nice

Immunity from common infections involves not only preventing pathogens from taking hold, but also moderating the immune response to invading pathogens.

Complications arise when you experience an over-response to the infection, which is why H1N1 is taking its toll on healthy young adults. Their bodies are over responding -- something called a “cytokine storm.” It’s basically a severe inflammatory response.[vi]

One wonderful thing about plants (and herbs especially) is that they don’t all stimulate the immune system—some modulate it, or act as a buffer.

Here are some of the best herbs and spices for building a strong immune system that functions correctly:

*
Honeysuckle and chrysanthemum: good antivirals
*
Artemisia: antimalarial
*
Andrographis, aka “King of Bitters”: antiviral, and helps modulate inflammatory response[vii]
*
Licorice: buffers the inflammatory response by increasing steroid output by the adrenal glands; a good buffer if your immune system is over responding to the flu.
*
Turmeric: ORAC score of 159,277; general immune system booster due to its high antioxidant capacity, and an anticancer agent as well; turneric is 5 to 8 times stronger than vitamins C and E, and even strong enough to scavenge the hydroxyl radical, which is considered by some to be the most reactive of all oxidants
*
Black Pepper: Increases the bioavailability of just about all other foods--herbs and other things
*
Oregano: ORAC 13,970; active agent is rosmarinic acid, a strong antioxidant; one tablespoon of oregano has the antioxidant capacity of one medium apple
*
Cinnamon: ORAC 267,536; powerful antimicrobial agent—found to kill E. coli and many other bacteria; also has antiinflammatory compounds
*
Cloves: THE BIG ORAC GRAND PRIZE WINNER AT 314,446, highest of all foods tested! Contains eugenol; its mild anaesthetic benefits are useful for toothaches and sore throats; good antiinflammatory[viii]

Finally, I recently had a fascinating interview with herbalist Donnie Yance, who shared his basic remedy for flu, should you come down with one.

Make this special tea from a combination of herbs that synergistically cause your body to sweat -- which is very desirable if you want to eradicate a virus from your system. And then drink it hot and often:

1. Elderflower (this has been used for hundreds of years for flu)

2. Boneset (eupatorium)

3. Yarrow

4. Linden

5. Peppermint

6. Ginger

By incorporating some of these fantastic foods, you’ll not only evade the circulating viruses but improve your overall health and longevity at the same.



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Vitamin D is ‘nature's antibiotic’

Vitamin D is being appreciated as "Nature's Antibiotic" as a string of recent discoveries about the multiple health benefits of this nutrient have come to the fore.

Right from the health of your immune system to prevention of heart disease and even vulnerability to influenza, vitamin D is now seen as one of the most critical nutrients for overall health.

But it is also one of those most likely to be deficient – especially during winter when production of the "sunshine vitamin" almost grinds to a halt for people.

Analogs of the vitamin are even being considered for use as new therapies against tuberculosis, AIDS, and other concerns.

And federal experts are considering an increase in the recommended daily intake of the vitamin as more evidence of its value emerges, especially for the elderly.

"About 70 percent of the population of the United States has insufficient levels of vitamin D. This is a critical issue as we learn more about the many roles it may play in fighting infection, balancing your immune response, helping to address autoimmune problems, and even preventing heart disease," said Adrian Gombart, a principal investigator with the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.

Among other findings about benefits of Vitamin D is the ones made by OSU scientists that it induces the "expression" of cathelicidin, an antimicrobial peptide gene.

This explains in part how it helps serve as the first line of defense in your immune response against minor wounds, cuts, and both bacterial and viral infections.

Experts believe advances in the use of cathelicidin may form the basis for new therapies.

"Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency is a world-wide, public health problem in both developed and developing nations. Nearly one billion people world-wide are deficient," the new report concluded.

The new report found that low levels of circulating vitamin D are associated with increased risk and mortality from cancer.

Vitamin D plays an important role in activating the immune system, fostering the "innate" immune response and controlling over-reaction of adaptive immunity, and as such may help control autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The regulation of cathelicidin by vitamin D, a unique biological pathway for the function of vitamin D that could help explain its multiple roles in proper immune function, is so important that it’s only known to exist in two groups of animals - humans and non-human primates - and has been conserved in them through millions of years of evolution.

Epidemiological studies show a link between vitamin D deficiency and increased rates of respiratory infection and influenza, and it has been hypothesized that flu epidemics may be the result of vitamin D deficiency.

Higher levels of a protein linked to vitamin D have been associated with reduced infections and longer survival of dialysis patients.

Vitamin D has important roles in reducing inflammation, blood pressure and helping to protect against heart disease.



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Vitamin D: key to preventing cancer and heart disease

Make sure you're drinking your milk because it gives you a strong healthy heart?

It's the latest in research about vitamin D that's linking it to everything from protecting you against heart disease to preventing cancer.

And with nearly 60 days cloudy days on average during the winter, it's no wonder so many of us are vitamin D deficient, and that's not a good thing.

Recent studies on the vitamin have found it might be more important to the body than any other, "It is represented in over 13 different organ systems in our body. Our central nervous system, our pancreas, our intestines, our muscles our bones." Dr. Mark Gostine with Michigan Pain Consultants in Grand Rapids has been studying the affects of vitamin D on the body for nearly a decade.

"What we're finding out is vitamin d has tremendous impact on multiple diseases."

Gostine says it can aid in preventing cancer and protecting you against heart disease, "Vitamin D can dampen the inflammation that leads to the hardening of the arteries and that of course can lead to heart failure."

That's a theory that's recently been supported by the American Heart Association. A recent study of nearly 28,000 patients showed that those who were deficient in vitamin D were twice as likely to have diabetes and high blood pressure.

But it's not just heart disease where doctors are discovering the benefits of vitamin D, Dr. Gostine believes it may even help in the prevention of certain cancers like breast and prostate, "The immune system is probably the common denominator here with vitamin D."

Vitamin D is actually a hormone steroid not a vitamin. So the body uses it to regulate the immune system which helps the body in the fight against cancer. "By up regulating the immune system it can help the white cells and all the immune components that are looking for the cancer trying to stamp out the cancer when it's very small when it can still be treated by the bodies immune system.", says Gostine.

So how much vitamin d should we get every day?

Dr. Gostine believes that the 400 units in your multi-vitamin aren't nearly enough because the recommended daily allowance for vitamin D supplements was based on a child's dosage in the 1940's

Dr. Gostine would like to see adults get at least 4,000 units a day or more depending on your level of deficiency.

Melissa Cooper has suffered with back pain for nearly a decade undergoing two unsuccessful surgeries before being recommended to Dr. Gostine. The first thing he did was check to see if she was vitamin d deficient, "I just couldn't believe it when they said my vitamin d level was so low."

In fact it was one of the lowest levels Dr. Gostine had ever seen and immediately placed her on 50,000 units of vitamin D a week. It took more than three months to get Melissa up to normal levels.

Once she was, she endured a third back surgery, this time it was more than successful.

A side by side comparison shows that Melissa actually grew bone in her spine.

Dr.. Gostine is a firm believer vitamin D made the difference, "I don't think there was any question that that was the reason."

Is it the next miracle vitamin? - that's yet to be determined.

But in the meantime it never hurts to soak up the sun when you get the chance.



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