AN APPLE a day could help keep the swine flu away, according to one of Bahrain's leading nutritional therapists. Author, lecturer and health expert Alia Almoayed says natural methods of boosting a person's immune system could prove far more effective than relying on medicinal cures packed with full of chemicals and preservatives.
She also believes that typical anti-flu medication such as Tamiflu and Relenza have the potential to do more harm than the virus itself.
Ms Almoayed said the hype surrounding swine flu often overshadowed the facts about the potentially deadly H1N1 virus.
"I think in Bahrain - more than any other country in the region - we've subscribed to this mass hysteria that seems to be gripping countries worldwide," she told the GDN.
"I'm not against what Bahrain's health service is trying to do, but I do think they've certainly contributed to the panic we're seeing at the moment.
"We seem to be making a huge deal over something which is ultimately a nasty flu virus and this doesn't do anything productive and just lowers immunity."
Ms Almoayed is currently writing a regular online blog about how people can help their families stay healthy during the pandemic.
The mother-of-three is keen to educate parents who may be tempted to wrap their children in cotton wool, rather than risk giving them access to the outside world.
"There are so many things that you can do to keep children healthy and happy without resorting to Tamiflu," explained Ms Almoayed.
"Parents have a responsibility to keep their children healthy - not just during a pandemic like a swine flu outbreak - but throughout their lives.
"We see parents being so strict about academic work or behaviour, yet they do not feel it is important to regulate what a child eats.
"It isn't difficult; you just need to set some rules and children will follow them."
Ms Almoayed has a three-step programme to help parents naturally boost their children's immune system and keep them fit.
"First, they need to stay active - the lymphatic system which helps fight infection works on muscle movement - so ditch the Playstation and dust off those bikes," she said.
"Second, avoid breathing in toxins such as smoke, paint fumes or bukhoor (incense) which make you ill.
"Most importantly, however, regulate what you eat and cut out junk foods and sugary sweets that put a huge strain on your immune system."
Ms Almoayed advises people to stock up on green vegetables, fruit and wholegrain foods while avoiding dairy products (the build-up of mucus delays body's response in getting rid of viruses).
She also urged people to stay away from stimulants (such as coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate) and meat products (which are full of antibiotics and hormones).
Natural remedies such as multivitamins, vitamin C supplements, pro-biotics, echinacea, lomatium root and olive leaf extract are also recommended as natural cures which should be taken at the first sign of swine flu or any other illness.
The GDN reported earlier that Bahrain was in the process of importing a million doses of the swine flu vaccine, with 40,000 due to arrive early next month.
But Ms Almoayed said she and her family would not be on any waiting lists for the new drug.
"I am generally of the opinion that vaccines are a bad idea but in this case, I can't possibly warn people enough," she declared.
"To vaccinate children, the elderly and pregnant women with a relatively untested drug, which could have serious side effects to people that will probably not even catch the infection itself, is ridiculous.
"Even the mass prescription of these anti-viral medications is excessive, we've survived for long enough without them and in many cases these drugs have even worse side effects than the flu itself."
Ms Almoayed writes articles for various publications, holds lectures and seminars on health and nutrition and heads a number of weight loss projects.
She is the author of I Want Healthy Kids, a book on how to raise healthy children, and The Dream Body Eating Plan, a weight-loss guide.
She also co-authors 101 Ways to Improve Your Health.
danm@gdn.com.bh
