by Dr. Brownstein

drbrownstein.com

With the Ebola virus in the news, I thought it might be time to comment on what steps you can take to prevent becoming ill. Keep in mind that conventional medicine has no effective treatments for the Ebola virus. Due to a slow international response, Ebola has spread rapidly.

It is a scary infection as the death rate is very high—from 50-90%. Initially, the Ebola infection can mimic the symptoms from the flu or other upper respiratory infection. However, as it progresses, it can lead to very severe muscle aches, liver and kidney failure along with bleeding out of various areas of the body. Needless to say, Ebola is something to be taken very seriously.

As I previously stated, there is no conventional treatment for the Ebola virus. That does not mean that you are powerless to do anything to combat it. There are many effective natural anti-viral therapies that may prove effective against Ebola. It would be nice if the Powers-That-Be would begin testing these therapies. But, that would make common sense. Instead the Powers-That-Be are actively discouraging the use of alternative therapies even though they have nothing to offer. It is a sad situation.

Keep in mind that Ebola, like any viral infection, can only be cured by a strong immune system. We are designed with a powerful immune system that should mount a response to an infectious agent. However, the immune system can only mount a vigorous defense if it has the raw materials available to it. For over 20 years, I have been checking every patient for their nutrient status. Unfortunately, most are deficient in the basic raw materials that the immune system needs to function optimally.

I say, if you become ill with a viral illness, do the basics to help optimize your immune system. I will show you the four most important items you can use to aid your immune system to fight any illness.

The most important item is vitamin C. Humans are not able to manufacture vitamin C. Either we get enough vitamin C from our diet or the immune system will not function optimally and we will be more prone to becoming ill with various infections, Ebola included. Throughout the medical literature there are many case histories of vitamin C curing viral and other infectious illnesses. Vitamin C activates the immune system so that it can fight any infection. How much vitamin C should you take? I would suggest taking at least 5,000mg of vitamin C on a daily basis. If you become ill with any infectious agent, take more as the body’s requirements dramatically increase when it is confronted with an infectious agent.

Intravenous vitamin C should be given to all Ebola patients. Though it has not been studied, I have no doubt that IV vitamin C would be a great benefit to any patient suffering not only from Ebola but from any infectious agent. In my practice, I have used IV vitamin C for over 20 years. Anytime the body is stressed, vitamin C requirements are elevated. IV vitamin C achieves a much higher serum level as compared to oral vitamin C. IV vitamin C should be a standard-of-care treatment for all Ebola patients. In fact, it should be standard-of-care for any hospitalized patient.

What else can you take to prevent a viral infection? I would suggest taking vitamin A. Vitamin A is integral for the maintenance and functioning of the immune system. In acute viral illnesses, I have found short courses of vitamin A (not beta carotene) very helpful. From 10-100,000U of vitamin A per day for a few days to a few weeks can stimulate the immune system to fight viral infections.

Vitamin D is also important. Over 80% of patients are deficient in vitamin D. Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels helps lead to a strong immune system. For most patients, I suggest taking 2-6,000U of vitamin D3 per day. In times of acute illnesses, 50,000U of vitamin D3 per day for a few days has proven extremely helpful.

Iodine is essential. No virus, bacteria, or parasite has been shown to be resistant to iodine. Iodine levels have fallen over 50% during the last 40 years. Maintaining iodine sufficiency is one of the most important things you can do to help your immune system. For most patients, I have found 12-50mg/day can supply the body with the correct amount of iodine. More information about this can be found in my book, Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can’t Live Without It.

I do not suggest you try taking these large doses of nutrients without seeing a health care provider knowledgeable about natural agents. A competent health care provider can order the appropriate tests and guide you in which therapy is best for you.

There are many other natural therapies that may help fight Ebola and other infections including silver, alpha lipoic acid, medium and short chain fatty acids (found in coconut oil), minerals, and herbal therapies.

I would be remiss if I did not mention four other steps you can do at home which can help improve anyone’s immune system. First, it is important to maintain hydration. Next, eat healthy food. Eating too much sugar ruins the immune system. The ingestion of refined sugar has been shown to slow down the activity of the white blood cells for hours afterwards. Maintaining adequate salt levels is a must. Most people do not ingest enough salt. Unrefined salt should be the salt-of-choice. Infectious agents prefer a low-salt environment–that is why salt is used to preserve food. More information about salt can be found in my book, Salt Your Way To Health. Finally, I cannot stress enough the importance of exercise. Exercise stimulates the immune system.

Ebola should be taken seriously. It would be nice if the Powers-That-Be would investigate the natural therapies that I have outlined here. I have seen them work in many serious illnesses. I have no doubt they would work in a patient suffering from Ebola.

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