A couple thousand years ago, the makers of Kimchi (a Korean pickled cabbage side dish), long before the onset of SARS and swine flu, would never have imagined that their staple food could prevent and possibly cure these viral infections.
In April 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) upgraded the influenza pandemic status to phase four warning.
What is the difference between the annual flu season and being infected with influenza A (H1N1)? According to the World Health Organization:
“Influenza A (H1N1) is a new virus and one to which most people have little or no immunity, and therefore this virus could cause more infections than are seen with seasonal influenza. Novel influenza A(H1N1) appears to be as contagious as seasonal influenza, and is spreading rapidly particularly among young people (ages 10-45).Illness severity ranges from very mild symptoms to severe illness that can result in death “Most people who contract the virus experience the mildest symptoms of illness and recover without antiviral treatment or medical care. Of the most severe cases, more than half of those hospitalized had underlying health problems or weak immune systems.” . [1]
“If there is any place in the world that has taken a beating from SARS, it was Hong Kong,” says Peter Cordingley, a spokesman for the World Health Organization (WHO) in Manila. “The lesson was learned.” Building on the past, Hong Kong has already issued travel advisories and increased screening at airports, including the use of infrared temperature scanners and stopping travelers arriving with flu-like symptoms. [2]
The countries and territories/overseas communities that reported their first Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 confirmed case(s) from the last web update (July 6, 2009) to July 22, 2009:
Afghanistan, Andorra, Belize, Bhutan, Botswana, La Réunion (French Overseas Community), Haiti, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Namibia, Saint Eustatius (Netherlands Antilles), Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles , American Samoa (USA), Solomon Islands, Sudan, Tonga, Guam (USA), Guam (USA), Solomon Islands (UK Overseas Territory) United Republic of Tanzania
As of July 22, 2009, the overall total of deaths attributed to swine flu is 1,154. For up-to-date information on reported cases, visit the WHO Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 site listed at the end of this article. The link below to a Google map shows swine flu outbreak areas and provides an accurate geographic picture of infection outbreaks.
How is it treated?
For suspected cases of the virus, a five-day course of zanamivir alone or a combination of oseltamivir and amantadine or rimantadine is started. For confirmed cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) or zanamivir (Relenza) may be given. [3]
Will a mask protect me from being infected?
We have very limited information on the effectiveness of masks and respirators in combating and controlling influenza. If used correctly, masks and respirators can help reduce the risk of contracting the flu, but they must be used in conjunction with other preventive measures, such as avoiding close contact and practicing good hand hygiene.
“Unless otherwise specified, “respirator” means an N95 or higher filtering facepiece respirator certified by the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in studies of respiratory infections; however, for For practical purposes, this distance can vary up to 6 feet. [3]
Any forecast for the future?
Approximately 90-95% of infected people recover despite severe symptoms including a temperature over 100 degrees. headaches, extreme fatigue, chills, diarrhea, sore throat, muscle pain, basically all the common flu symptoms.
To date, caution should be exercised as the swine flu (H1N1) is still spreading and may become a pandemic affecting entire regions or countries. Annual flu outbreaks are expected and predictable. However, this outbreak has not followed the usual patterns of flu. The speculated future forecast is split between those who believe the swine flu (H1N1) will wane and disappear this summer of 2009 and those who believe it will return to claim more cases similar to the 1918 flu pandemic.
So what is this potential wonder drug on the Korean table?
Since 2003, when SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) hit Asia, Koreans were mostly unaffected. Being the daily and national side dish that it is, kimchi was promoted to the status of a preventative and natural cure for SARS with virtually no scientific evidence to back up the claim. Trust me, as someone who eats kimchi daily and loves it so much, I run a site dedicated to kimchi and Korean cuisine, I accept and listen to suggestions, and hope that more scientific research will validate such claims. Imagine being obsessed with a food that suddenly finds itself saving lives in the face of a deadly new health threat.
Scientists from Seoul National University fed kimchi extract to thirteen chickens infected with bird flu. One week later, eleven of the thirteen chicks apparently recovered. To date, such studies remain unpublished and certainly not recognized by any medical or scientific community. Professor Kang from Seoul National University, who observed the 13 chickens, said that leuconostoc (lactic acid bacteria) found in kimchi had a positive effect on bird flu.
Hong Jong Hoon, a technical consultant at the Korea Institute of Agricultural Development, suggested that another possible connecting factor is the way Koreans eat most of their garlic.
Hong began his research studies on the website of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, where he found a connection between SARS and the corona virus. She then turned to the Stanford University site, which lists, in addition to reducing stress, getting more sleep and frequent hand washing, putting drops of garlic juice up your nostrils as a way to fight infection. Put it all together, she says, and you’ll see why South Korea has had only a handful of suspected SARS cases and no deaths, despite its proximity to China, where the virus originated, and to Hong Kong and Taiwan. Hong admits that many other countries make extensive use of garlic in their diets, including Italy and China. But they cook their garlic; Koreans eat theirs raw in kimchi. His theory may be hard to prove, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true, he says. [4]
Park Yong Woo, a family medicine doctor at Samsung Seoul Hospital, welcomes the necessary clinical tests and says he is convinced of its healing properties.
“I’d like to compare it to an orchestra,” says Park. “It’s made from cabbage. But inside there are a lot of healthy components, including garlic, ginger and chili peppers. It’s a very harmonious food.”
Kim Man Jo, a consultant to the food industry and the author of several books, including Kimchi, Kimchi, believes that Kimchi’s curative or control properties against some infectious diseases are created and found in the fermentation process: “They have not yet done experiments, but harmful diseases can be dominated by lactobacilli”. she says.
Depending on the variety, I know that the most common nappa cabbage kimchi variety has a strong combination of cabbage, red chili powder, fish sauce, lots of garlic, salt, green onions, daikon radish, sugar, and yes, even more garlic. . all fermented to perfection to deliver heavenly flavor and the strongest antimicrobial punch. Despite the lack of research on swine flu and kimchi as a preventative or cure, research has found that these friendly bacteria boost the immune system. Subsequent research has shown that live indigenous bacteria and the chemicals they produce can penetrate the intestinal wall and stimulate the growth and maintenance of immune cells. Lactobacillus strains can also stimulate defense cells and increase antiviral chemicals such as interferon.
To date, we have a specific medical treatment and course of action despite not having a vaccine. While I’m excited to discover that kimchi may possess fighting properties against certain viral strains, until the claims are subjected to the “scientific method,” it will remain a folk home remedy alongside chicken soup. Despite the lack of evidence, if a pandemic condition were to sweep through the area I live in, I would certainly heed western medical approaches and, more importantly, double my kimchi consumption. Do we tell each his own?
With the unfortunate number of people who have died from SARS or swine flu (swine flu killed more than 1,100 victims worldwide as of July 2009 and more than 700 claimed by SARS), perhaps need a pandemic and desperate condition to even consider researching these currently. unfounded beliefs and claims. Today, at least 168 countries and territories have reported confirmed cases of swine flu.
Ever since I first ate kimchi in 1990, it remains a favorite daily side dish that I always look forward to. Whether it cures anything or not, it certainly makes my taste buds and system in general feel great. I can’t sit down for dinner at home or in a Korean restaurant without it.
While these flu strains come and go or stay, those who enjoy eating kimchi (touted as one of the world’s five healthiest foods by Health magazine) continue to get more than their fair share of nature’s probiotics. that they may one day add new strains of flu to is a long list of enemies fought.
Meanwhile, for various strains of flu we have existing vaccines and for those we don’t have or other bugs still out there like the common cold, we have Gatorade, chicken soup and old fashioned but very effective rest.
[1] TIME – The Lessons of SARS – By Kayla Webley/Hong Kong – Monday, April 10-27, 2009
[2] What is the new influenza A(H1N1)? From the World Health Organization
[3] Swine Flu – Medicine.net
[4] The Daily Press.com – Hoping for a cure in kimchi – By Mark Magnier *Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 *Google map showing swine flu outbreaks
