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Stay on top of your game this Rugby Season - About Health | Blog

Stay on top of your game this Rugby Season

With the opening game kicking off next month, the eyes of the world will soon be on our country. New Zealand will be welcoming an expected 85,000 international visitors throughout the duration of the tournament. While the increased tourism will provide a great boost for New Zealand’s economy and businesses, an increase in visitors also brings with it an increased risk of illnesses and infection.

International tourism blamed for new ‘superbug’

It is believed that international travel and medical tourism is to blame for the rapid and global spread of drug-resistant bacteria. A new enzyme found in bacteria is responsible for a recent outbreak in the UK, which saw 50 cases of infection in people who had contracted a bug after travelling to India or Pakistan to receive treatments, such as cosmetic surgery. The new enzyme triggered an alert among scientists as it could make antibiotics become useless. It is also thought that it could be copied between different bacteria. "It is absolutely staggering," says Professor Tim Walsh of Cardiff University, who discovered the gene. "Because of international travel, globalisation and medical tourism, [the gene] now has the opportunity to go anywhere in the world very quickly." Scattered cases have also been reported in the US, Canada, and Australia. Many human illnesses are caused by infection with either bacteria or viruses, and symptoms commonly include; fever, chills, sore throat, rash, headache and muscle ache. To cause an infection, bacteria have to get into your body. This usually happens through close contact with an infected person and this can easily be done by breathing in droplets from coughs or sneezes, or indirectly, by touching objects that have been contaminated and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Both viral and bacterial infections cause sickness, and in some cases it may be difficult to determine whether it is bacteria or a virus that is causing your symptoms. Perhaps the most significant distinction between bacteria and viruses is that antibiotics can be used against bacteria, but are not effective in treating viruses. Unnecessary use of antibiotics can weaken the immune system, which can then increase our chances of contracting another infection. It is widely known that antibiotics have been over-prescribed and should only be given to people with bacterial infections. The inappropriate use of this medication, coupled with people not completing their full course of antibiotics (usually because they feel better)  has helped played its part in creating strains of bacteria that are resistant to treatment with antibiotics. The important thing to remember here, is that when your are prescribed antibiotics… always use the full course!

Stay on top of your game with these quick tips!

While the risk to Kiwis is very small, and certainly not a reason to avoid the festivities of this fantastic event, here are a couple of tips to help you enjoy the rugby season:

 

Limit Alcohol Consumption- Even in moderate amounts, alcohol can deplete the important B complex vitamins - in particular B1, B3, B12, B6 and folic acid. B vitamins have a major role in the functioning of enzymes responsible for chemical reactions throughout our body including correct digestive processes - turning food into energy, red blood cell production and nervous system activities.  It is no wonder we feel so wretched after a glass or two too many - almost every aspect of how we function is affected by these vitamins.

 

Get enough sleep - Healthy sleep is incredibly important. Sleep deprivation decreases our natural immunity and leaves us vulnerable to infections. If you've had a late one the night before, taking a snooze in the afternoon can help to boost your immune system.

 

Take good quality supplements - Supplementation can help to support daily wellness and stress defences during the Rugby Season and beyond. About Health's multivitamin, Multiva provides an excellent supplemental source of those all important B-Complex Vitamins, while Oli-Resist is a great immune support formula.

 

 

References: http://www.seraphus.com/new-enzyme-brings-a-threat-of-more-bacteria-becoming-antibiotics-resistant/74367/ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infectious-disease/AN00652 http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/aug/11/antibiotics-efficiency-drug-resistant-bacteria Ryle PR, Thomson AD. Nutrition and vitamins in alcoholism. Contemp Issues Clin Biochem. 1984;1:188-224. Irwin M, Mascovich A, Gillin JC, Willoughby R, Pike J, Smith TL. Partial sleep deprivation reduces natural killer cell activity in humans. Psychosom Med. 1994 Nov-Dec;56(6):493-8. Faraut B, Boudjeltia KZ, Dyzma Met al. Benefits of napping and an extended duration of recovery sleep on alertness and immune cells after acute sleep restriction. Brain Behav Immun. 2011 Jan;25(1):16-24. Epub 2010 Aug 8.