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?

Wouldn’t it be great if they walked into the doctor’s office, and had their up-to-date Google Health profiles– their records of prescriptions, supplementation, vaccines–on their I-Touch ready for the doc to download and view. And any additional services the doc provides would be added to the record at the time of service. This very simple information transfer could reduce the chance for diagnostic errors, drug interaction hazards or misappropriated diet and exercise recommendations.

After taking a few minutes to finally peruse Google Health, I’m wondering if this health service platform could not only be a difference maker in preventive health, but also a difference maker in health care cost reduction, outcome improvement and service delivery efficiency (er…commonly known as health care reform).

Google Health is much more than maintaining Web-enabled health records.  It’s a suite of services ranging from personalized consultation with world-class physicians to competitive drug pricing options, doctors on demand, even clinical trial participation opportunities for testing new drugs.

I’m sure these added service options will only expand. Wouldn’t it be great if there could also be a supplement advisory service, helping consumers sort out the good stuff from the bogus material, and providing personalized guidance on total nutrition and lifestyle. “Hmmmm, let’s see Mr. Maltby. Your serum results indicate you have an active, balanced immune response, a low level of inflammation, but you need to get off the couch more often, especially now that March Madness is over, and work up some sweat and pulse rate by walking or jogging a few times a week. And lay off the chocolate. I know the research says it has health benefits, but you’re overdoing it, according to your food diary and your blood workup I just viewed on your account profile. I’ll see you again online in 6 months.”

I’m sure that can happen now in many online locations. But when it’s all packaged under House of Google and linked to Google’s growing, distributed health databases, it could take cost-efficient, preventive health to a new level.

Still, it got me to wondering, what do those B vitamins do with regard to stress?  As you can imagine, there’s a lot of material to absorb.  There are several “kinds” of B vitamins: Thiamin (B1), Niacin (B3), Panothenic Acid (B5),  Pyridoxine HCL (B6) Folic Acid, Folate (B9), Cyanocobalamin (B12), and Biotin (Vitamin H which is a co-factor working in tandem with the B’s.

There are also a lot of interlocking functions among the B’s within various chemical processes with the body. One very good source for this kind of  B information is a site called Social Anxiety. It talks at length about the B’s roles in the central nervous system, their link with seratonin, cognitive function, neurotransmission paths and related brain health applications. One thing that is very important and well stated in this material is the warning that simply dosing up on any of these B-complex components beyond RDA limits is not wise. Several B-vitamins, if ingested in large amounts, can result in toxic responses. Lots of people load up on vitamin C, thinking megadosing every day will help prevent illness. There’s no real science behind that. Megadosing of B-vitamins simply because you think it will eliminate stress and even impart feelings of well-being or even mild euphoria is not only unfounded, but there is real science behind the dangers of doing so. That is, without close medical consultation.

If anyone is thinking about getting extra B-vitamins, I would consult a doctor who is well versed in macro and micro-nutrient health. I would also question the need to take anything more than 100% RDA contained in a quality, highly absorbable multi-vitamin. And if you’re pregnant, have a heart condition, mental health condition or neurological health issue, by all means, approach with caution. Just because something is a vitamin doesn’t mean it can’t do damage.

Your 21st Century immune system

The next-gen iPhone. The new Droid. The technology continues to bedazzle. We all know how the cell phone has evolved. First it was a clunky box you installed in the trunk of your car, wired to a hand set holstered in your center console. You could only use the phone to make and receive phone calls. Period. Now, many people use their mobile phones more than they use their laptop or desktop (do they still make those??) computers. And making phone calls may rank third or fourth in function usage.

This cell phone evolution might be analogous to the immune system. Much like the cellular transmission technology that is the heart of numerous mobile information features,  the immune “operating system” can be the fulcrum for many health experiences and conditions beyond the conventional cold and flu cycles. While the immune “technology” hasn’t changed per say, our understanding of the technology and how how to “deploy” it has change  markedly over the years

Take obesity, for example. We are now understanding how immune health can be hindered by obesity.  Anyone involved in obesity or body fat reduction can now presume that any improvement in BMI and weight may likely improve immune function as well.

Heart health is another immune connection. Research is now showing atherosclerosis may be influenced by immune response and its role in arterial inflammation rather than just build up of plaque in arteries.  And diabetes connects directly with immune function. Out-of-balance immune response may lead to immune cells attacking insulin producing cells in the pancreas.

And these are just a few examples. The entire field of stress and the immune system is almost another world unto itself.  Just as smart phone application builders are transforming the core of mobile technology, health science is transforming how we manage and enhance the core of our bio-engine:  the immune system.

Recently, I asked the forum about flu shots? Who is getting a flu shot? Why or why not? Some of the answers were very interesting and very genuine:

Janeen:  “I already got the regular flu shot. I’m not sure I can get the H1N1. Wasn’t there a restriction that pregnant women, babies and the elderly got it first? If not, then I’ll get it. My youngest has asthma and a severe egg allergy and is high risk. He can’t get it due to the egg allergy so the rest of us in the house get the shots to try and shield him the best we can. I’m not concerned for me. It’s my son that concerns me.”

Ellen S: “In the past we have gotten flu shots if my family’s autoimmune issues aren’t flaring badly. This year I’m not sure what we’ll do to be honest. With autoimmunity a real issue and much more of a battle I really want to know what I’m getting. I am not so worried about thimerosol preservatives, but the adjuvant controversies have got me concerned. I do NOT need a more tweaked out immune system hurting me further. Wish I was better informed about them to tell the truth.”

Dindin: “Sign me up, Dude (my WEGO handle is Immunedude). Give me any and all shots that are available. I’ve already had the seasonal flu (outrageously early this year!), and I have no desire to get another strain and/or H1N1.Not to be rude, but I honestly don’t understand those who don’t get shots. Can you explain your rationale a bit more?”

DK:  “Hubby and I got the regular shot three weeks ago. I have mild asthma and he had severe bronchitis this summer, still has a cough. Hubby is extremely healthy, but had five surgeries earlier this year after February’s horrific bicycling accident. Doctor says all the anesthesia made his broncial tubes susceptible, so i’m not messing around with flu this year. H1N1 is not yet here and, frankly, I’m a bit leary of it. There’s a big anti-vaccine movement here – and this is a big medical town! Scarier still, the movement is lead by healthcare workers! Don’t know what to think about that..”

As you can see, this is a complicated dynamic. I’m sure in earlier days, before the social media onslaught, many more people would be getting the shots simply because the public health establishment told them to. Not any more.  I guess that can be a good thing or a bad thing.

I was sitting next to two state economic development officers and two Iowa State University (host of the cloud conference) IT managers. We exchanged typical pleasantries and when it came my turn to tell what I do, I mentioned that I’m involved with a nutraceutical ingredient that has a steadily-building research portfolio showing how it imparts “balance” to the human immune system. What happened next seems to happen more and more, especially in the past 9 months or so. As they asked about their own health challenges and issues, and how immune health impacts them, they started writing down the immune balancer I mentioned (EpiCor) and how to get a hold of it.

The scribing gets especially furious when I tell folks that I, a lifelong ragweed/pollen allergy sufferer, have not taken a prescription or OTC allergy product now for two years. I don’t even mention my skating by two winter crud seasons now with only a scratchy throat and an extra nap here and there. Nor do I mention my baby boomer joints and muscles being able to handle a 6-month season (with 2 more months to go) of disc golf every 2 or 3 days with no inflammation-triggered arm or back strain.

This dialog is one sign of a growing interest in immune balance. This blog is now experiencing a 50- to 70-percent month-over-month increase in views, and is up over 1000 percent since this time last year. Wellsphere, one of the major online health portals, has added this blog to its “Top Health Blogger” roster.  Naturopathic physicians and wellness coaches seem to be seeking out online information on immune balance and the EpiCor ingredient (as has been confirmed to me by one of my Twitter followers). I think the concept of immune balance is forming a new cloud of its own… where information, consumer experience, research and movement of product all converge in a diffused, user-driven platform spreading across the country and in other global geographies. The only difference is that in addition to packets of data being stored and deployed, packets of immune cells are being studied, reorganized and redeployed for better health and quality of life.

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.

But back to food. An essay written by a physician (M.D.) ran in the Washington Post this week and offers some experience-based observations on nutritional approaches to health problems vs. conventional drugs and medications.  You could probably fill the Grand Canyon with all that’s been written just in the past 10 years alone about natural health and nutrition-based medicine. Yet it’s still interesting when a “conventional” M.D. offers up some new thoughts about her patient care results involving dietary regimens.

Mushrooms and immune health are featured in her piece. And, just to make sure we offer more value for your money, here’s a good reference on foods and immune health, and why certain foods help your immune defense.  The article also advocates for food over supplementation. But, as we all know, if a supplement product has solid, peer-reviewed science behind it, has extensive toxicity and safety data supporting it, and can demonstrate verifiable good manufacturing practices and quality assurance systems, there is place for it in a dietary health regimen.

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?

The Iowa Influenza Surveillance Network (IISN) is comprised of physicians, schools, child care centers, businesses, and long term care facilities who track the occurrences of influenza-like illness. For a week’s worth of data to be tabbed as “widespread,” outbreaks or increases in flu or IFI need to be present in at least half of the regions of the state. 

Another interesting tidbit:  Of specimens sent to CDC from states, approximately 98% of all specimens for influenza A(H1) have been reported as resistant to oseltamavir (Tamiflu). That drug may be running its course. Since week 1, 88% of subtyped influenza A viruses reported to CDC were influenza A (H1).

Makes me wonder what the data would look like if everyone had a balanced immune system.

Until that happens, watch this little vignette describing the “man cold.”  My wife is so lucky to have a sensitive, immune-balanced guy like me. Women, your work is never done.