Recently president Obama stated the risk of Ebola here in the US is "extremely low..." Ironic considering Ebola can be spread by contact with bodily fluids (even nasal secretions) and the current exponential growth of the virus in Africa... Troubling indeed because not even a presidential executive order will stop most sneezes, "nose pickings," and other routes of virus transmission... Wouldn't it make more sense, in preparation for such a pandemic, to become a more health conscious nation?

Ever heard of the "hundred year's flu?" Statistically speaking, approximately every hundred years the influenza virus mutates into an extremely deadly form. Experts predict that, at any time now, an upcoming strain of Avian-type influenza (aka "bird flu") will kill up to 360 million people worldwide. Unfortunately, most Americans are basically preparing their bodies as a suitable abode for the new virus. The key factor: temperature...

It turns out that the Influenza Virus is host-specific, meaning that it is well suited to live and reproduce in a particular animal's bodily environment. Birds are vastly different from humans (wings, feathers, etc) but one of the most pertinent differences, in terms of influenza, is the internal body temperature. A bird’s average temperature ranges from 105-106. The avian or "bird" influenza virus is thus used to thriving in a hot environment. Normal human influenza is effectively shut down by temperatures over 95 degrees F. This is why mild fevers are helpful in eliminating the virus. However, avian type influenza welcomes the heat (increases ability of the virus to replicate).

The bottom line is this: the western lifestyle induces a feverish state thus making the human body a more apt host for mutated bird influenza. Take home prevention: stay cool (with a normal temperature trend). Here are some helpful guidelines....

1) If overweight - lose weight (extra body fat = extra insulation).
2) Stop caffeine - increases body's heat production (thermogenesis).
3) Eat less than 3 meals per day (eating too frequently and too large of quantity increases thermogenic response).
4) Get off the high protein diet! Studies have shown this kind of diet to increase thermogenic, or internal heat producing, response by approx 100%.
5) Stay hydrated with earth's most prolific liquid - water (dehydration can cause overheating - think of your car's radiator).
6) Try a vegan plant based diet (shuts down feverish response, arthritic pains, lung and bronchial inflammation, etc).
7) Think positive! - Joyous, benevolent thoughts slow the body's heat production response (reversing sympathetic nervous system activation).

Several years ago I had the opportunity to spend some time researching caffeine, the most widely used drug in the United States. In fact, over 90% of Americans consume at least 200 mg per day (equivalent to two 8 ounce cups of coffee) of this seemingly beneficial compound. But there is much much more than meets the eye relating to this insidious chemical. The landmark study I would suggest you study for further insight is linked here.

Although it has been shown that many individuals cannot tell the actual taste difference between a caffeinated and non-caffeinated beverage, the beverage industry insists that these studies are "unscientific" and continues to include this physiologically stimulating and psychologically ensnaring compound in their concoctions.

What are these companies trying to do to us? Many of us are being downright "mugged." Once again, the Bible tells us that "the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." Please take some time to read the post below. This was part of the original 7 article manuscript that I submitted for the Amazing Health Facts Magazine in 2008.

Caffeine – The real energy crisis?

Is caffeine addictive?

By definition, an addictive substance must trigger the secretion of dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in reporting pleasurable activities. To classify as an addictive substance, this increase in dopamine occurs in a portion of the brain known as the nucleus accumbens (48, 49). This increased dopamine secretion begins a cycle that builds up tolerance to the substance (50). Studies have shown that caffeine in its isolated form does not trigger this kind of response (51). However, caffeine does satisfy the criteria for the second phase of addiction: dependence. In fact, caffeine is the most widely used dependence-creating substance in the United States (52). Caffeine withdrawal can produce headaches, fatigue, irritability, and other adverse physical and mental symptoms (53).

To classify caffeine as a non-addictive substance is correct. However, if caffeine is combined with a dopamine stimulating substance or event, the results can be addictive (54, 55, 56, 57, 58)! Sugar (59), fat (60), carbonation (61), intense flavors and aromas, pleasing sights and sounds (62, 63), all have the potential to trigger the release of significant amounts of dopamine. What are some of these potentially addictive combinations? Beverages containing carbonation, sugar, and intense flavor could stimulate a large dopamine response. Coffee, especially “specialty coffee” often contains large amounts of sugar, fat, appealing flavor and aroma. They may even be aesthetically pleasing: for example, with whipped cream, and shaved chocolate on top! Can you think of products and or environments combining all of these components (64)? Chances are they would be wildly profitable due to all the loyal, albeit addicted, repeat customers (65, 66).

Can caffeine use affect judgment?

Since caffeine binds itself to receptors that serve to inhibit certain impulses (adenosine receptors), the activity of stimulating neurotransmitters such as dopamine and glutamate, are increased (54, 58). Neurotransmitter imbalance can be a serious issue. Several severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, are associated with an increased amount of the neurotransmitter dopamine (67).

Is caffeine bugging your sleep?

Caffeine actually comes from a family of chemicals called methylxanthines (naturally occurring plant insecticides). In high doses caffeine is lethal to humans. In low doses, caffeine has been shown to be beneficial for reducing fatigue, improving circulation, and many other stimulating effects. However this extra stimulation comes at a high cost (68).

The term homeostasis describes the body’s attempt to maintain balance and health. Naturally, periods of stimulation should be accompanied with periods of adequate rest. In fact, the body has several defense mechanisms to help maintain an optimal balance between stimulation and rest (69). Caffeine removes these defense mechanisms and allows the body to continue in a state of increased stimulation… even while sleeping. In fact, studies have shown that as little as 200 mg of caffeine in the morning can impact sleep at night (70). Caffeine especially affects the deeper stages of sleep (stage 3 and 4), in which the brain is normally in a state of decreased activity (71, 72, 74).

Is caffeine really that much of a headache?

Actually, both routine caffeine intake and caffeine withdrawal can trigger headaches (75). This is part of caffeine’s dependence promoting effect. Surprisingly, caffeine is one of the active ingredients in many pain relievers, especially those marketed for headache relief. Thus, many are causing future headaches while presumably treating present aches and pains (76, 77).

Caffeine, especially in high doses, increases the amount of adenosine in the brain (78, 79, 80). High levels of adenosine cause blood vessels to widen excessively (81, 82, 83, 84), a process that has been linked with the development of aneurysms (85). An aneurysm is a bulging defect in the wall of a blood vessel that has the potential to rupture. Excessive artery dilation, especially combined with increased blood pressure can cause the rupture of these defects (86, 87, 88). Not surprisingly, one study found that young people who consumed more than 5 caffeinated beverages a day had almost twice the odds of developing a hemorrhagic stroke (a stroke related to artery rupture) (53). The same study, which looked at adults aged 18 to 49 years old, found that those who took higher amounts of caffeine (in the form of caffeine containing drugs) had almost 4 times the odds of hemorrhagic stroke! Hemorrhagic stroke occurs in almost 60,000 Americans every year and has an approximate 50 percent mortality rate (ibid). Logically, with the rise in popularity of super caffeinated products, this number could rise substantially (89).

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Researchers are finding out that truly "a merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones" (Proverbs 17:22). Oxytocin, a hormone related to feelings of love, joy, peace, etc. has been found to increase production of cells (osteoblasts) that build bone density (1). Furthermore this "love hormone" also increases the number of bone re-finishers (osteoclasts) yet keeps them from burrowing into the bone to mine out calcium (an action associated with development of osteoporosis). Beware: the lack of love activates the osteoclasts to "dry out the bones." Truly, love is the foundation for our physical lives as well as our spiritual well being (1 Corinthians 13).

Research Cited:

1) Oxytocin is an anabolic bone hormone. Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy.