Graph 4
O’Brien, Kathleen and Ian G. Barr. “Annual Report of the National Influenza Surveillance Scheme, 2006.” Department of Health and Ageing 20 July 2007. 3 May 2008 <http:www.health.gov.au>.
Graph 5
“Influenza Graphs 07/08.” Health Protection Agency. 28 Apr. 2008
<http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1194947338975>.
<http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1194947338975>.
Graph 6
“FluView.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2 May 2008. 28 Apr. 2008 .
In addition, charts inspected for temperature and precipitation for the United States by week, compared to the flu reports for the same week showed no correlation to temperature and only a small correlation could be seen in the increase of illness with more than two inches of rain or rain in excess of 100% of normal rainfall for the week (Charts not included in this report) (“FluView”; Climate). Inspection of charts published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show the American flu season has three to four peaks in illness followed by less illness. These peaks happen at the forty-fourth week (Halloween), the fifty-second week (Christmas), the sixth week of the following year (Valentine’s Day), and also at the twelveth to fourteenth week (Easter) (“FluView”). The age groups most afflicted are 0 – 4 year olds and 5 – 17 year olds, those most likely to be out trick-or-treating or be the recipients of Christmas candy and Easter baskets. It can also be noted that there is a huge difference in doctor visits for these two age groups in comparison to the remaining three groups consisting of ages 18 and older. However, the same peaks for the same weeks prevail in all age groups (See Graph 6) (“FluView”).
Obviously there must be a reason that the flu season lasts so long in America and peaks around holidays that involve the consumption of sweets, and also correlates with the age groups that it does in such a huge way. Could the answer lie in the amount of sugar that is consumed by the people? Some additional statistics and studies must be considered to wager such a notion. In May of 2006 the TNS Electronic Share of Intake Panel released a study revealing children’s soda consumption, and also explained how in spite of schools banning the sugared drinks from vending machines, soda consumption is being perpetuated by the parents (“School”). Figures from the report are as follows:
Among 6 – 10 year olds more soda is consumed at dinner than at any other time of day (35%). 13 % of CDSs [soda] consumed by children under the age of five are drunk before lunchtime. 11 – 14 year olds drink almost twice as much CDSs [soda] as water (24% to 12%). The most heavily consumed beverage among 6 – 14 year olds is soda (“School”).
In the family nutrition section of AskDr.Sears.com sugar is discussed in detail and notes that current research “suggests that children are more sugar sensitive than adults, and the effects are more pronounced in younger children, according to Dr. Keith Conners” (“Family”).
Without a doubt, the medical professionals have something to say in regard to the consumption of sugar on one’s health. In the Wellness Directory of Minnesota, sugar is discussed as an immunosuppressive (it suppresses the immune system) in the processed form (“Your”). Testing carried out in the early 1970s revealed the ability of a person’s white blood cells to eat up bad bacteria was hugely reduced after the consumption of sugar in numerous forms when taken as a beverage (Sanchez). This reduction in function reached its lowest point around two hours after ingestion and continued suppression of immune function even at the five-hour mark post-consumption. These scientists also studied the effects of starch on the white blood cells’ immune function, only to find that starch did not change the white blood cells’ ability to function in any way. The test was expanded to include a fasting test of thirty-six hours and sixty hours. The results where conclusive, that white blood cells regained their full function in the absence of elevated blood glucose (Sanchez).
So what affect do these findings have for the average American on the average American diet? The one who consumes carbohydrate-based snacks and meals containing processed sugars, “could lose up to half their immunity to disease for much of the waking day” (“Carbohydrates”). It also means that after the average American eats the average American dinner, that individual “loses more than 90% of his or her immune function within 15 minutes and [it] lasts for two more hours” (Stoll). The suppression of the white blood cells’ function barely returns to normal by the time the average American consumes breakfast, which leaves the individual exposed to extended periods of suppressed immunity.
Since sugars reduce immunity, has sugar intake increased along with the flu season? The answer is yes. The amount of sugar intake per capita including all added sugars in 1999 was 64 pounds per person (“America: Drowning”). As mentioned earlier, sugar consumption in 2007 was 142 pounds of sugar and 61 pounds of high-fructose corn syrup for an annual total of 203 pounds per person (“One”). Considering that the consumption rate of sugar stayed the same for the year 2000, the 2000-2001 flu season has same graphical form as do the other countries considered earlier, and the length of the season is between fourteen and sixteen weeks. The flu season graph for 2000-2001 is shown below (See Graph 7) as charted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“Flu”). If all successive graphs where viewed for each year until 2007 the reports show a lengthening in the flu season to the current 2007-2008 flu season. Since the current flu season is still in the charting phase the graph for 2006-2007 is shown below (See Graph 7). Also to be noted, in 2000 the flu season did not have the peaks at candy holidays, small peaks began forming in the 2001-2002 flu season, and continued to grow to the current peaks of 2007 (See Graph 6 previously). In addition the length of flu season has expanded along with the increase of peaks (See Graph 7).
Obviously there must be a reason that the flu season lasts so long in America and peaks around holidays that involve the consumption of sweets, and also correlates with the age groups that it does in such a huge way. Could the answer lie in the amount of sugar that is consumed by the people? Some additional statistics and studies must be considered to wager such a notion. In May of 2006 the TNS Electronic Share of Intake Panel released a study revealing children’s soda consumption, and also explained how in spite of schools banning the sugared drinks from vending machines, soda consumption is being perpetuated by the parents (“School”). Figures from the report are as follows:
Among 6 – 10 year olds more soda is consumed at dinner than at any other time of day (35%). 13 % of CDSs [soda] consumed by children under the age of five are drunk before lunchtime. 11 – 14 year olds drink almost twice as much CDSs [soda] as water (24% to 12%). The most heavily consumed beverage among 6 – 14 year olds is soda (“School”).
In the family nutrition section of AskDr.Sears.com sugar is discussed in detail and notes that current research “suggests that children are more sugar sensitive than adults, and the effects are more pronounced in younger children, according to Dr. Keith Conners” (“Family”).
Without a doubt, the medical professionals have something to say in regard to the consumption of sugar on one’s health. In the Wellness Directory of Minnesota, sugar is discussed as an immunosuppressive (it suppresses the immune system) in the processed form (“Your”). Testing carried out in the early 1970s revealed the ability of a person’s white blood cells to eat up bad bacteria was hugely reduced after the consumption of sugar in numerous forms when taken as a beverage (Sanchez). This reduction in function reached its lowest point around two hours after ingestion and continued suppression of immune function even at the five-hour mark post-consumption. These scientists also studied the effects of starch on the white blood cells’ immune function, only to find that starch did not change the white blood cells’ ability to function in any way. The test was expanded to include a fasting test of thirty-six hours and sixty hours. The results where conclusive, that white blood cells regained their full function in the absence of elevated blood glucose (Sanchez).
So what affect do these findings have for the average American on the average American diet? The one who consumes carbohydrate-based snacks and meals containing processed sugars, “could lose up to half their immunity to disease for much of the waking day” (“Carbohydrates”). It also means that after the average American eats the average American dinner, that individual “loses more than 90% of his or her immune function within 15 minutes and [it] lasts for two more hours” (Stoll). The suppression of the white blood cells’ function barely returns to normal by the time the average American consumes breakfast, which leaves the individual exposed to extended periods of suppressed immunity.
Since sugars reduce immunity, has sugar intake increased along with the flu season? The answer is yes. The amount of sugar intake per capita including all added sugars in 1999 was 64 pounds per person (“America: Drowning”). As mentioned earlier, sugar consumption in 2007 was 142 pounds of sugar and 61 pounds of high-fructose corn syrup for an annual total of 203 pounds per person (“One”). Considering that the consumption rate of sugar stayed the same for the year 2000, the 2000-2001 flu season has same graphical form as do the other countries considered earlier, and the length of the season is between fourteen and sixteen weeks. The flu season graph for 2000-2001 is shown below (See Graph 7) as charted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“Flu”). If all successive graphs where viewed for each year until 2007 the reports show a lengthening in the flu season to the current 2007-2008 flu season. Since the current flu season is still in the charting phase the graph for 2006-2007 is shown below (See Graph 7). Also to be noted, in 2000 the flu season did not have the peaks at candy holidays, small peaks began forming in the 2001-2002 flu season, and continued to grow to the current peaks of 2007 (See Graph 6 previously). In addition the length of flu season has expanded along with the increase of peaks (See Graph 7).
Graph 7
Flu Activity & Surveillance.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 9 May 2008. 11 May 2008
Graph 7
Flu Activity & Surveillance.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 9 May 2008. 11 May 2008
Therefore, with the two to five day incubation period of the flu virus, it is no wonder that sugar plays a major role in lengthening the flu season in the U.S. because of the extended periods of immune suppression (DeNoon; “Your”). The candy holidays, Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter, all have sugar bug connections in regards to the masses of sugar entering the bodies of the American people, especially those under the age of 18. The length of America’s flu season is unique to America. Sugar consumption rates in America are the highest in the world, and have prevailed since 1913, according to many sources reviewed for this topic (“America Uses”). Can there be any doubt that the American people perpetuate the flu, by the sugar they consume under the influence of the sugar bug? Indeed not.
Works Cited
“America: Drowning in Sugar.” CSPI Newsroom. 3 August 1999. 13 May 2008 <http://www.cspinet.org/news/sugar.html>. Path: Added-Sugars Consumption.
“America Uses Most Sugar.” The New York Times. 19 Apr. 1913. 7 May 2008 <http://www.newyorktimes.com>. Path: Search: NYT Archive 1851-1980; Search: April 19, 1913 Sugar; Select article.
“Carbohydrates and Immune Function.” Second Opinions. 12 Apr. 2002. 28 Apr. 2008 <http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/leucocytic_index.html>.
Climate Prediction Center Internet Team. National Weather Service Prediction Center 7 Apr.
2008. 25 Apr. 2008 <http://www.cpc.noaa.gov>. Path: site map; United States Climate
Maps; Archives; Select category, month and year to view data.
Dadisman, Sally. “Candy Quiz.” The Monitor (McAllen, TX) 15 Oct. 2007. Newspaper Source.
EBSCOhost. Shasta Coll. Lib., Redding, CA. 24 Apr. 2008 <http://www.ebscohost.com>.
DeNoon, Daniel J. “Raise Your Flu IQ: Your Flu Questions Answered.” Web MD. 5 Dec.
2003:1-2. 27 Apr. 2008 <http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20031205/raise-your-flu-iq>.
“Did You Know?” Scholastic News—Edition 5/6 13 Feb. 2006: 2. MasterFILE Premier.
EBSCOhost. Shasta Coll. Lib., Redding, CA. 24 Apr. 2008 <www.ebscohost.com>.
Echeandia, James. “Candy review: holiday candy sales insights courtesy of the Hershey
Company; Seasonal candy sales for 2007 grew at Valentine and Easter in spite of short
selling seasons.” Confectioner. 1 May 2007. 15 Apr. 2008 <http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-6798763/Candy-review-holiday>.
“Family Nutrition.” Ask Dr. Sears.com 2006. 17 Apr. 2008 <http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T045000.asp>.
“Flu Activity & Surveillance.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 9 May 2008. 11 May
2008 <http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivity.htm>. Path: Past Weekly Surveillance
Reports; Select year.
“FluView.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 02 May 2008. 28 Apr. 2008 <www.cdc .gov/flu/weekly>. Path: scroll down report to view charts, graphs and Weekly Influenza
Activity Estimates… an interactive may to view weeks for current flu season.
“How Much Soda Do We Drink?” CNSNews.com 27 Apr. 2008 <http://www.cnsnews.com/facts/2006/facts2006428.asp>.
“Influenza Graphs 07/08.” Health Protection Agency. 28 Apr. 2008 <http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1194947334770>.
--- Health Protection Agency. 28 Apr. 2008 <http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1194947338975>.
“Nielson Takes the Mask Off Candy Sales.” Nielson Company. 22 Oct. 2007. 16 Apr. 2008
<http://us.nielson.com/news/20071022.shtml>.
O’Brien, Kathleen and Ian G. Barr. “Annual Report of the National Influenza Surveillance Scheme, 2006.” Department of Health and Ageing 20 July 2007. 3 May 2008 <http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/cdi3102>. Path: Annual Reports 2006 pdf.
“One sweet nation.” U.S. News and World Report. 20 Mar. 2005. 4 May 2008 <http:health.usnews/health/articles/050328/28sugar.b.htm>.
Sanchez, Albert, et al. “Role of sugars in human neutrophilic phagocytosis.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 26. (1973): 1180-1184. 28 Apr. 2008 <http://www.ajcn.org.pdf>.
“School Nutrition Efforts Undermined By Parents.” TNS NA 3 May 2006. 14 Apr. 2008 <http//:www.tns-global.com>.
Stoll, Dr. Walt. “Sugar and Immunity.” Ask Dr. Stoll. 1998. 16 Apr. 2008 <http://askwaltstollmd .com/body_sugarimm.html>.
“Winter Confections: ‘Tis the Season…for Shopping.’” Confection & Snack Retailing March
2008. 17 Apr. 2008 <http://cs-retailing.come/content.php?p=4>.
“Your Immune System.” Wellness Directory of Minnesota 22 Dec. 2007. 17 Apr. 2008 <http://www.mnwelldir.org/docs/immune/immune1.html>.
Works Cited
“America: Drowning in Sugar.” CSPI Newsroom. 3 August 1999. 13 May 2008 <http://www.cspinet.org/news/sugar.html>. Path: Added-Sugars Consumption.
“America Uses Most Sugar.” The New York Times. 19 Apr. 1913. 7 May 2008 <http://www.newyorktimes.com>. Path: Search: NYT Archive 1851-1980; Search: April 19, 1913 Sugar; Select article.
“Carbohydrates and Immune Function.” Second Opinions. 12 Apr. 2002. 28 Apr. 2008 <http://www.second-opinions.co.uk/leucocytic_index.html>.
Climate Prediction Center Internet Team. National Weather Service Prediction Center 7 Apr.
2008. 25 Apr. 2008 <http://www.cpc.noaa.gov>. Path: site map; United States Climate
Maps; Archives; Select category, month and year to view data.
Dadisman, Sally. “Candy Quiz.” The Monitor (McAllen, TX) 15 Oct. 2007. Newspaper Source.
EBSCOhost. Shasta Coll. Lib., Redding, CA. 24 Apr. 2008 <http://www.ebscohost.com>.
DeNoon, Daniel J. “Raise Your Flu IQ: Your Flu Questions Answered.” Web MD. 5 Dec.
2003:1-2. 27 Apr. 2008 <http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20031205/raise-your-flu-iq>.
“Did You Know?” Scholastic News—Edition 5/6 13 Feb. 2006: 2. MasterFILE Premier.
EBSCOhost. Shasta Coll. Lib., Redding, CA. 24 Apr. 2008 <www.ebscohost.com>.
Echeandia, James. “Candy review: holiday candy sales insights courtesy of the Hershey
Company; Seasonal candy sales for 2007 grew at Valentine and Easter in spite of short
selling seasons.” Confectioner. 1 May 2007. 15 Apr. 2008 <http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-6798763/Candy-review-holiday>.
“Family Nutrition.” Ask Dr. Sears.com 2006. 17 Apr. 2008 <http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T045000.asp>.
“Flu Activity & Surveillance.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 9 May 2008. 11 May
2008 <http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivity.htm>. Path: Past Weekly Surveillance
Reports; Select year.
“FluView.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 02 May 2008. 28 Apr. 2008 <www.cdc .gov/flu/weekly>. Path: scroll down report to view charts, graphs and Weekly Influenza
Activity Estimates… an interactive may to view weeks for current flu season.
“How Much Soda Do We Drink?” CNSNews.com 27 Apr. 2008 <http://www.cnsnews.com/facts/2006/facts2006428.asp>.
“Influenza Graphs 07/08.” Health Protection Agency. 28 Apr. 2008 <http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1194947334770>.
--- Health Protection Agency. 28 Apr. 2008 <http://www.hpa.org.uk/web/HPAwebFile/HPAweb_C/1194947338975>.
“Nielson Takes the Mask Off Candy Sales.” Nielson Company. 22 Oct. 2007. 16 Apr. 2008
<http://us.nielson.com/news/20071022.shtml>.
O’Brien, Kathleen and Ian G. Barr. “Annual Report of the National Influenza Surveillance Scheme, 2006.” Department of Health and Ageing 20 July 2007. 3 May 2008 <http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/cdi3102>. Path: Annual Reports 2006 pdf.
“One sweet nation.” U.S. News and World Report. 20 Mar. 2005. 4 May 2008 <http:health.usnews/health/articles/050328/28sugar.b.htm>.
Sanchez, Albert, et al. “Role of sugars in human neutrophilic phagocytosis.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 26. (1973): 1180-1184. 28 Apr. 2008 <http://www.ajcn.org.pdf>.
“School Nutrition Efforts Undermined By Parents.” TNS NA 3 May 2006. 14 Apr. 2008 <http//:www.tns-global.com>.
Stoll, Dr. Walt. “Sugar and Immunity.” Ask Dr. Stoll. 1998. 16 Apr. 2008 <http://askwaltstollmd .com/body_sugarimm.html>.
“Winter Confections: ‘Tis the Season…for Shopping.’” Confection & Snack Retailing March
2008. 17 Apr. 2008 <http://cs-retailing.come/content.php?p=4>.
“Your Immune System.” Wellness Directory of Minnesota 22 Dec. 2007. 17 Apr. 2008 <http://www.mnwelldir.org/docs/immune/immune1.html>.