Influenza

Influenza (commonly known as the flu) is one of the most feared and deadly infectious diseases. The severity of the infection and duration of illness, however, depend on several factors, including, resistance of the respiratory tract to oxidative stress associated with influenza infection, ability to mount a local immune/inflammatory response and ability to manufacture and secrete antibodies. In addition :

•  Level of immunity against that particular strain of influenza
•  Overall health of the person’s immune system
•  Antioxidant status.
•  Overall nutritional and general health status.

Nutrition has recently been singled out as the most important factor in resistance to influenza infection.

Role of Noni

There are two main types of flu viruses: influenza A and influenza B. The most serious and deadly flu outbreaks are caused by influenza A because of its ability to genetically shift into new forms against which no person has developed immunity. Infection with the flu begins with exposure of the upper respiratory tract to the virus. In infected cells, viral replication occurs 4 to 6 hours after infection, after which time the infected cell bursts, spreading the virus to nearby cells. The cycle then repeats, infecting more and more cells each time. This accounts for incubation period for the flu, which ranges from about 18 to 72 hours, depending on strain and the effectiveness of the body’s immune response. The more virulent the strain, and/or the weaker the host’s immunity, the sooner the cycle of cell death and viral spread produce noticeable symptoms. People who have weak immune systems, like the elderly, sick people or young children, can therefore be quickly overwhelmed by strong strains of the virus.

Noni is a great immune enhancer. Noni stimulates release of various cytokines mediator of the immune system of our body like

•  Interleukin
•  Interferon – gamma
•  Nitric oxide
•  Tumour necrosis factor
•  Natural killer cells

At the same time that this nonspecific response occurs, the body creates specific antibodies to recognize and destroy that particular strain of flu virus in future. The body’s immune system relies on T-cells and B-cells, which are coded to identify specific antigens (invaders) and stimulate a more effective and rapid immune response in the event of future infection. In influenza virus, antibodies against the flu are detected in second week after primary infection. These antibodies protect against similar strains of flu in future. New strains, such as those created by genetic shifting, retain their full power.

Antioxidant property of Noni

Endogenous antioxidants and role of Noni : Our body has evolved with endogenous defense mechanisms to protect against free radical induced cell damage. Glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and Superoxide dismutases are three primary antioxidant enzymes in our body, which involved in direct elimination of free radicals or reactive oxygen species from our body. They require micronutrients like selenium, iron, copper, zinc and manganese as cofactors for their formation and optimum catalytic and effective antioxidant activity. Noni contains all the the trace minerals that help optimum catalytic activity of those three important antioxidant enzymes for an effective antioxidant defense mechanism.

Glutathione, ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, bilirubin, selenium, dihydrolipoic acid, reduced CoQ10, melatonin, uric acid etc., as a whole play a homoeostatic or protective role against ROS produced during normal cellular metabolism and after active oxidation insult. Noni contains all the above phyto chemicals and vitamins in abundant quantity. Glutathione (GSH) is the most significant component which directly quenches Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) such as lipid peroxides and plays major role in xenobiotic metabolism. Glutathione is a tripeptide made up of amino acids gamma-glutamic acid, cysteine and glycine. Noni contains all those glutathione making amino acids in abundant quantity. Noni increases the body’s glutathione level. Noni stimulates more melatonin secretion from pineal body.  It also maintains ascorbate (vitamin C) and alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), in their reduced form, which also exert an antioxidant effect by quenching free radicals.

Exogenous antioxidants : A number of other dietary antioxidants known as phytonutrients or phytochemicals are being increasingly appreciated for their antioxidant activity. One example is flavonoids which are a group of polyphenolic compounds. They are responsible for different brilliant colors like blue, scarlet and orange. Noni contains 150 and above phytochemicals including all flavonoids. Flavonoids exhibit several biological effects such as antitumoural, anti-ischaemic, anti-allergic, anti-hepatotoxic, anti-ulcerative and anti inflammatory activities. Noni is rich in many flavonoids.

Noni has antiviral, antimicrobial, anticancer and immune-enhancing effects. Noni stimulates macrophages, which in turn induce cell-mediated immunity. Noni inhibits bacteria and viruses and stimulates immune system.

Recommended Dosage

Divine Noni Concentrate

5ml morning and 5ml evening for 3 days. Then

10ml morning and 10ml evening for next 3 days. Then

15ml morning and 15ml evening for next 8 months.