October 2012

The Flu Vaccine: Does it do More Harm than Good? :: Quick Tip – Music Makes You Move! :: Someone You Should Know – Meridian Acupuncture:: Events

The Flu Vaccine: Does it do More Harm than Good?

Before running out to get your flu shot this year, do a little research. What you may not know is that the vaccine often does not protect people from getting sick, it is loaded with mercury which, among other things can lead to Alzheimer’s, and that there are other, safe and natural preventative measures you can take against the flu at home.

Does the Flu Vaccine Work?

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is currently looking at whether or not the flu vaccine is effective. Their preliminary results suggest that you will get just as sick with a cold, flu, or flu-like illness whether or not you get the vaccine.

The reason for this is that a flu vaccine is designed to protect against only the strains of flu which are expected to be most common and most serious each season. When you are injected with the vaccine, you are being injected with an inactive form of the virus. When the virus part contacts a chemical ‘match’, it stimulates the body to produce the cells and antibodies that can remove this particular intruder. The problem is that an antibody for one type of flu won’t necessarily bind to a virus part of another type of flu. This means that since there are many more types of flu than those in the vaccine, vaccinated people are still very susceptible to getting a strand of the flu virus.

What’s in a Flu Shot?

Anyone considering a flu shot should become informed about the substances coming through the needle, and should also be concerned about determining the safety of those ingredients.

The influenza virus is grown in “specific pathogen-free” eggs. Eggs are tested for a variety of agents- usually between 23 and 31- to confirm the absence of those specific pathogens. Labs limit the number of agents tested for because of the exorbitant amount of potential viruses and bacteria to choose from, and to keep costs low. If none of the tested agents are detected, the vaccine is reported as “pathogen free”. However, understand that there is big difference between “pathogen free” and “specific pathogen-free”.

During the manufacturing process, antibiotics are added to eliminate stray bacteria. The final mixture can contain any number of the following additives: polysorbate (a potential carcinogen), gelatin, Triton X-100 (a detergent), formaldehyde, and residual egg proteins. In addition, many influenza vaccines contain large amounts of Thimerosal (mercury) as a preservative, which has potential links to brain injury, autoimmune diseases, and Alzheimer’s.

What Threats do those Ingredients Pose?

As of March 2003, the original recommendation of flu vaccinations for children ages 2-18 was extended to include children ages 6-23 months. The most common flu vaccine that is given to children is Fluzone® which is grown in chicken eggs and harvested with formaldehyde. It also contains 25ug of mercury per dose. The CDC recommends giving this to children beginning at six months, and then annually for the rest of their lives.

Dr. Boyde Haley, Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Kentucky has done extensive research on mercury toxicity and the brain. His research has established a likely connection between mercury toxicity and Alzheimer’s disease saying that “seven of the characteristic markers that we look for to distinguish Alzheimer’s disease can be produced in normal brain tissues or cultures of neurons, by the addition of extremely low levels of mercury” (nmaseminars.com). Dr. Hugh Fundenberg, an immunogeneticist and biologist has also reported on this correlation, and found through his research that if an individual had five consecutive flu shots during a ten year period, his or her chances of getting Alzheimer’s Disease became ten times higher than if they had had zero, one, or two shots.

What Are Natural Options for Flu Prevention?

If you choose not to get the flu vaccine, here are some simple things you can do to help protect yourself.

  1. Stay away from white sugar
  2. Exercise regularly
  3. Get adequate sleep
  4. Eat a healthy diet
  5. Drink plenty of purified water
  6. WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY

If, for some reason you do come down with a bug, the best thing you can do is nip it in the bud with Artificial Fever Therapy. The minute you start feeling sluggish or get the feeling that you might be coming down with something, flush it out of your system by following these steps:

  1. Drink several glasses of warm water or a hot tea before beginning,
  2. Get into the bath and add hot water until you get it as hot as you can stand it (Be careful if you’re doing this for a child, regularly test the water or get in the bath with your child)
  3. Cover knees and shoulders with a hot, wet towel so that the entire body is hot
  4. Record initial oral temperature
  5. Check temperature every five minutes, at 100 degrees Fahrenheit place a cold wash cloth wrung from ice water on the forehead and keep it cool
  6. When oral temperature of 101-102 degrees has been reached, maintain that temperature for the duration of the treatment. Most people find that 15 minutes of sustained artificial temperature will eradicate most colds and flues
  7. After 15 minutes, dress quickly in a big robe or sweats and immediately get to bed and cover with blankets to continue the fever treatment
  8. Keep the head cool in bed until the oral temperature is below 100 degrees
  9. After 30-60 minutes and having sweat profusely, the body will have boosted the immune system and the white blood cell count will jump from just a few thousand to 10-15,000
  10. Once body temperature has returned to normal, take a neutral shower and change into clean clothes

Quick Tip

Music Makes You Move!

Research has shown that when people exercise by walking, they walk 30% longer if they walk to music. Add some music to your workout and see how far YOU can go!

Someone You Should Know

Meridian Acupuncture

Meridian Acupuncture has very capable, friendly staff, and is located just down the street from Dr. Beebe’s office! Their goal is to provide you with a safe, comfortable and positive therapeutic experience while working with you to design an individual treatment plan. If you are looking to supplement your care here at Dr. Beebe’s with acupuncture, Meridian is the place to go!

Acupuncture is a time-tested, safe, renowned, and natural, effective way to treat pain. It provides pain relief and management for injury and illness recovery. When suffering from pain, it is important to get treatment early so it doesn’t become worse or chronic. Acupuncture can address the root cause of pain and help the body heal itself.

Meridian Acupuncture Clinic
12005 SW 70th Avenue
Tigard, OR 97223
(503) 692-9680
getwell@meridianacupuncture.com
http://www.meridianacupuncture.com

Events

Tues. 23 October
West Hills Christian School
Massage-A-Teacher ProgramWed. 24 October
West Hills Christian School
Massage-A-Teacher Program

Thurs. 25 October
Catlin Gabel Upper School
Massage-A-Teacher Program

Fri. 26 October
Catlin Gabel School
Massage-A-Teacher Program

Mon. 29 October
Mountain View Middle School
Massage-A-Teacher Program

Tues. 30 October
Mountain View Middle School
Massage-A-Teacher Program

Mon. 5 NovemberDinner Discussion with Dr. Beebe
Free Dinner & Priceless Info
Call the Office to Register

Wed. 7 November
Epiq Systems
Health & Wellness Fair

Thurs. 8 November
Hazelbrook Middle School
Massage-A-Teacher Program

Thurs. 8 November
Epiq Systems
Health & Wellness Fair

Fri. 9 November
Hazelbrook Middle School
Massage-A-Teacher Program

Call Beebe Chiropractic today at 503.620.1280
to schedule your initial consultation!