The study examined the body of published research for several nutritional supplement compounds – Lutein, Calcium, Vit. D, Fish Oil. Based on a well-described methodology, the study’s authors predicted the dollar savings based on preventive benefits that could be realized if people who were ideal candidates (based on health/demographic profiles) to benefit from these ingredients would consume them as recommended by manufacturers.

The most recent study update came out this summer. Total cost savings are now estimated to be $24 billion. Gosh, I wonder what would happen if an ingredient such as EpiCor were to be added to the study. Could there be a monetary metric applied to reductions in cold and flu symptoms that are evidenced in various clinical trials? Dollars saved through less sick time from school or jobs could be one measurement. Who knows?

Stuart will wrap the topic into an interesting package of anecdotes and examples that anyone can understand. He does this very well, despite the fact he’s a scientist and researcher. I’m sure he’ll also expand on some the newer research involving immune balance and EpiCor, which we’ve also touched on here. Yet, we have not had Stuart’s original prose so eloquently breaking down the data into compelling scenarios and illustrations that make the science of immune balance hit home.

So I recommend tuning in July 19 or downloading the podcast later. You’ll need to register (free) to use the site and access the audio programs, but it takes about 30 seconds to do that.

Dr. Stuart Reeves

Here’s a radio interview you’ll want to listen to. It’s an interview with Dr. Stuart Reeves of Embria Health Sciences, talking about the human immune system and how immune balance works. The interview was recorded on KSTE 650 in Sacramento. Stuart discusses how EpiCor was “accidentally” discovered as a natural immune balancing agent for human health.

Stuart goes into some interesting detail about the manufacture of EpiCor, and how it was essentially stumbled upon as a human nutritional ingredient after employees in a facility that was producing a more basic version of the material for entirely different applications realized they hardly ever got sick, compared to workers in other divisions of the company.

Give it a listen, and see what you think.

Jim Morelli

The tour is still happening (with updated appearance dates below), but the topic and featured expert are not what I originally wrote and posted. Here’s the real scoop.

The media tour will discuss the Medicine Cabinet Makeover. It’s an overview of what every medicine chest in American homes should have in it.  It will cover basic product needs involving kids health, nutritional supplements and natural alternatives,  year-round health and first aid, cold and flu remedies and more.  EpiCor, the immune balance supplement, may also be talked about.

Jim Morelli, a health journalist who does work for CNN and WebMD and  who is also a pharmacist, will be the featured interview source for the tour.

Here is the interview schedule:

• Mon., Feb. 8: Albuquerque, NM (KOB/NBC)
• Tues., Feb. 9: Milwaukee, WI (WTMJ/NBC)
• Wed., Feb. 10, Richmond, VA (WTVR/CBS)
• Thurs., Feb. 11: Washington, DC (NewsChannel8)
• Fri., Feb. 12: Hartford, CT (WTIC/FOX)
• Mon., Feb. 15: Grand Rapids, MI (WXMI/FOX)
• Tues., Feb. 16: Fresno, CA (KSEE/NBC)

Make sure to tune in if you live in these areas.

CDC’s Flu Site – Updates from front lines on what’s happening with H1N1.

New York Times Health Guide – Well sourced and interesting reads on immune health developments, plus a world of other health editorial.

Cleveland Clinic – Solid information portal, plus you can sign up for online health chats.

Easy Immune System Health – Produced by an RN/and self-described functional medicine practitioner. A lot of stuff worth reading and interestingly packaged.

Immune System Info – Good information, generally. The only problem is the blog hasn’t been real active lately.

Wellsphere – I like this health community not only becauase I am now a designated “Pro” blogger on the site and am building my community there, but it has a ton of content from both health professionals and activists  that’s always being updated and commented on.

Eating Well – Great balance (pardon the pun)  of innovative healthy recipes and nutrition instruction, all well packaged and organized with nice visual appeal.

If others have some quality sites to recommend, please do so.

Some archived information on this blog about inflammation and immune health is here.

It’s such a refreshing story to read when compared to the recent spate of trouble some prescription drugs have encountered when promoted or used for off-label applications to “treat” a variety of conditions for which the drug was not intended.

As the story points out, food and supplements don’t work the same as drugs. Drugs are created to provide a relatively fast therapeutic effect.  Food and supplement regimens can also make an impact on health conditions, but they take time and persistence and commitment to stick with the program. But the results can be compelling and even dramatic.

Many dietitians are proponents of  “food-only” solutions for condition-specific health problems. I remember Dr. Jeff Blumberg, a leading antioxidant researcher at Tufts University and a big food proponent as well, telling a conference of nutrition industry experts that “you need both. You need food and supplementation.”  To get enough of a certain nutrient to spur a change in serum content of that nutrient delivered to the body, one might need to eat 5 big servings a week of fish for DHA or 3 big bowls of romaine lettuce a day for chromium or manganese. That’s just not practical or real for the everyday Joe or Josephine.

See the Tribune/Times story here.

See the clip below. Does it remotely look  at all  like an ABC News health feature? I’m sure many people might think so. But I don’t. The company–makers of a drink with “limu moui” — spliced a little intro from ABC News into a promotional video of a so-called immune health product.  When attempting to go to the corporate web page associated with this “news story,” a message appeared that said the site had moved or was no longer existing. But after a bit of digging, I found the company at a different site: The Limu Company.

Notice how they portray their paid advertisements in magazines as “press” stories.  And they continue to refer to ABC–as well as Fox, CBS and NBC–saying all the big networks have jumped on this story. 

I’ve posted a message on the Yahoo site hosting the video that I will pass this along to ABC to at least try to provide a chance for them to give it a look. In fact, I think I’ll turn it in to the Council for Responsible Nutrition as well, who may have a more direct line to the news dept. at ABC. If we are to benefit from innovative, science-based, compliance-minded supplementation products, marketing practices like this have to change. 

Obviously, this bodes well for the nutritional supplement and preventive health world. However, it is a double-edged sword. Self diagnosis in the name of saving money can be a risky business. If someone is having unusual chest pain and thinks a few days’ worth of heart-healthy fish oil or asprin can make it go away, that’s potentially lethal. 

On the other hand, a job change or any other life change may motivate someone to think:  ”Hmmm, I think I’ll start doing some things in my daily life that could reduce my risk of health problems months or years down the road. I’ll begin a supplement regimen (including the multifacted benefits of an immune balancing supplement), get some exercise each day, change my diet and even take part in some mind/body wellness activities.  And I’ll do so in consultation with a health care professional.  It’s not a guarantee against illness or doctor’s visits, but it has great potential for fortifying my general health and reducing risk of developing health problems.”

Now that’s the ticket. 

Come to think of it, that’s a great attitude even if you’re gainfully employed and don’t have an economic care in the world. Warren Buffet, are you listening?

At quote from the story summarizes the familiar theme we’ve emphasized in this blog all along: “Stress also creates biochemical changes that can affect the immune system, making it underreact to viruses and bacterial infections, or overreact, which can set off allergies, asthma and skin disorders like psoriasis and eczema. And stress can raise the level of inflammation in the body, which has been associated with heart disease.”

Overract. Underreact. It’s the epicenter of the immune balance story.

We’ve posted several pieces here on the hygiene hypothesis; how exposure to everyday germs during infancy and early childhood is highly beneficial in developing a balanced immune system. That immune balance can be a huge health benefit for the rest of your life.

A recent CBS News interview with the author of a new book, “Why Dirt is Good,” is yet another great summary of how a lot of bacteria we encounter early in life can be our friend and should not be shunned.

It’s the basis for the immune balance story. Anything that can 1) keep your immune agents passive and under-reactive when beneficial, and also 2) help your immune system react aggressively when it needs to, will be highly favorable to your long-term health.

So what if you weren’t lucky enough to grow up living in a sod hut with a dirt floor with herds of pigs, sheep and wild dogs sleeping in the same room with you? Immune balancing supplementation in adulthood can carry on that microbial mission of helping your immune system operate the way nature intended. And you can still live a civilized life while you’re at it.

My next post will update you on the latest at my house during this winter crud season.  Meanwhile, here’s the CBS Story (pardon the chore of enduring the upfront ads).