SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2000

Flu, blood types and elderberry Since the publication of "Eat right 4 your type", the authors Peter J. D'Adamo and Dr. Greg Kelly N.D. have made important discoveries on elderberries, as a flu remedy. Many medical experts consider the influenza virus (the virus which causes the flu) as the most dangerous virus in the world. In a typical year, the influenza virus is associated with 20,000 deaths, especially in seniors whose immune systems are weak or those who have a medical condition such as asthma, diabetes or cardiac problems. Even for those of us who are healthy, the flu can slow us down and make us feel miserable for several days. Several medical experts believe that it is only a question of time before a new world flu epidemic strikes again. In fact, they think that it should have happened already! The flu has been able to rapidly kill numerous persons in the past. And it's reason is simple: the influenza virus is able to mute and re-infect you year after year. There are three types of viruses: A, B and C. When a subject has had a type C flu, he develops antibodies which confer a permanent immunity against this type of virus. Infected subjects by a virus type A or B acquire an immunity towards that type but the virus type may evolve to create new sub-types able to outsmart or surmount the acquired immunity from a past episode and provoke a new infection. Usually, this is a slow and very gradual process. However, the type A virus can abruptly change its protein. Hence, new sub-types constantly appear in the world. Those sub-types are responsible for this century's pandemic. The Spanish flu of 1918, the Asian flu of 1957 and the Hong Kong flu of 1968. A large number of researchers have studied the blood types reactions while being exposed to the influenza virus. Here is how each blood type reacts: Type A: Great capacity to generate a fast and substantial antibody response against type A influenza. The reaction against type B influenza is not as spectacular. Type B: Moderate immune observation with little ability to generate an antibody response towards type A influenza. In fact, it is the slowest and may take up to three to five months. However, against type B influenza, this blood type has a major advantage since it reacts differently than the other blood types. Its immune response occurs much quicker and last much longer than the other blood types. Type O: Relatively acceptable ability to generate an antibody response towards type A influenza. The reaction towards type B influenza is not as important as those of type B blood. Individuals are susceptible to influenza infections during periods of virus circulation. Therefore, during the years when the virus affects people the most, type O subjects are the most affected. Type AB: Relatively weak immune observation for the ability to generate a high level of antibodies towards all types of influenza viruses. Above all, the influenza infection is probably the most problematic one for AB blood type subjects. Generally, these subjects are the most susceptible to the virus infection. They are affected faster and most severely than subjects from other blood types. So, we know that subjects from different blood types react differently towards the influenza virus. But what about elderberry and the flu? The influenza virus cause hemaglutinins (agglutinated proteins) which release an enzyme called neuraminidase which spreads to the other cells and infect them. In a study, an extract of elderberry has demonstrated its effectiveness in the treatment of type B influenza. The research has demonstrated that the subjects health statuses have rapidly improved while taking elderberry. 70 % of the subjects felt better two days after and 90% of them had completely fought the infection in three days. Why does elderberry work? For two reasons: taking elderberry enables a greater production of anti-hemaglutinins against type B influenza. The immune system works better and there is a greater level of recognition of the virus. The second reason is that elderberry fights neuraminidases (the same neuraminidases against which scientists spend millions of dollars to create new medication). Dr. Greg Kelly advises that: "when using elderberry daily, a greater quantity does not necessarily mean a better result. If you want to avoid the flu, a small dose taken daily could help you". Sonia Faggion References: proberry3-elderberry et la grippe by Dr. Greg Kelly N.D. Encyclopédie médicale de la famille.