Fear and the Flu Part Three

     Every flu season it never fails. Drive by any medical clinic, hospital, pharmacy or senior center and the signs are everywhere; FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE HERE.  Seniors as well as children are lining up to receive their flu shot.  Then, I think to myself, I never have had a flu shot, neither has my wife and kids.  And, come to think of it, we have never had the flu.  Even with more and more people every year getting the flu shot.  36,000 Americans die each year from the flu or complications related to the flu.   The numbers are the same year after year.   I did a little research, it turns out, the flu vaccine is not all it's cracked up to be.  Below is some highlights from the research of Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, an authority on vaccines.

     * In 2006, scientists conducted a large-scale, systematic review of 51 studies that involved 260,000 children age 6 to 23 months.  They found no evidence that the flu vaccine is any more than the placebo.  This was published in the Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews.

     * In October of 2008, the Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine reported that vaccinating young children against the flu had no impact on flu-related hospitalizations or doctor visits during two recent flu seasons.  The researchers concluded that significant influenza vaccine effectiveness could not be demonstrated for any season, age or setting.

     * In 1980, only 15 percent of seniors in the US received flu vaccination.  Today, the rate has increased to 65 percent. Yet two studies published in earl 2009 in The Lancet and American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care both noted that there has been no decrease in deaths from influenza or pneumonia during that period.

     * Adults are also not protected by flu vaccine. In a review of 48 reports including more than 66,000 adults, "Vaccination of health adults only reduced risk of influenza by 6%, and reduced the number of missed work days by less than one day (.16).  It did not change the number of people needing to go to a hospital or take time off work." ( Vaccines for preventing influenza in healthy adults."  The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2008. 

     The only ones benefiting from the flu vaccines appear to be the pharmaceutical companies.  They rake in billions every year, pushing what appears to be a product who's efficacy comes into question.

     

Love, Light & Laughter

     Dr. Corey

Fear and the Flu Part 2

     The two most important things one can do for beating the flu is avoiding sugar and staying properly hydrated.  It is no mystery that flu season typically occurs between Halloween and Easter.  What are most people doing between those holidays?  They are consuming lots of sugar and drinking either soda pop, energy drinks or alcohol.  Sugar suppresses the immune system and creates an open invitation for the flu to set in.  Proper hydration should be in the form of water.  Unfortunately, coffee, tea, juices, sodas and alcohol do not count as water.  Optimal water intake should be 25 ounces for every 50 pounds of body weight.  Sugar in any processed form, white flour, white sugar, corn syrup etcetera, should be avoided as much as possible.  Avoiding sugar and staying properly hydrated are a must for avoiding the flu.

     From a supplementation standpoint, Vitamin D3 is a wonderful addition to combating the flu.  Typically, 1000 to 2000 international units a day are optimal.   Vitamin D3 supports the immune system.  Study after study is now confirming that Vitamin D3 is one of the most important nutrients we should be taking.  Vitamin D suppresses inflammation, regulates hormones, boosts the immune system by activating white blood cell production and activity. Vitamin D also has anti-biotic and anti-viral applications that are now just coming to light.  Vitamin D also helps elevate and normalize neurotransmitter production.

     In addition to Vitamin D, oil of oregano and grapefruit seed extract are very powerful anti-viral supplements.  Typically, in my office, when a patient has a virus, bacteria, fungus or parasitic infection, oil of oregano or grapefruit seed extract are my first to choices for eliminating the flu.  

     From a holistic/natural modality standpoint, two of my favorite modalities for eliminating the flu is TBM(Total Body Modification) and Neurolink.  TBM and Neurolink are non-invasive, hands on, systems of healing that help restore the body to optimal function.  Both systems utilize soft tissue manipulation and acupressure/reflex point balancing in their procedures.  For a TBM or Neurolink practitioner near you, contact tbmseminars.com or neurolinkglobal.com.  

     In part 3, I will report on the effectiveness of flu vaccines.

Love, Light & Laughter

Dr. Corey

FEAR and the FLU Part ONE

There has been a lot of coverage in the news regarding the Swine Flu Pandemic. The media does a wonderful job of spreading fear, making a mountain out of a mole hill. To date, it is estimated that 2800 people have died world wide from the Swine flu. What most people do not realize is that the regular flu kills 36,000 Americans every year and approximately 250.000 world wide. You don't hear any of that in the news. Fear sells plain and simple. Think back over the last few years. Remember the West Nile virus, SARS virus, Avian Bird flu. You don't hear much about them anymore. They are still around, but, since they did not kill millions and millions of people like they were predicted, they are no longer news worthy. You would think that 250,000 deaths a year would be front page news. The regular flu, like the late comedian, Rodney Dangerfield just don't get any respect. The good news is, we don't have to be powerless against any type of flu. In part TWO for FEAR and the Flu, I will be discussing ways to beat the flu from a natural/holistic standpoint. Stay tuned for details.