SECRETS TO AVOIDINGTHE FLU THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Before You Get the Flu Shot … Do Your Homework

It’s becoming increasingly difficult to separate the facts from the hype created by the media and government officials. In order to make an informed decision on whether or not to get the flu shot, it is important to do your own homework. Review current research on the safety issues surrounding the flu vaccination (including the H1N1 vaccination) and then practice preventative measures against getting the flu in the first place.

A CBS investigative report included state-by-state test results that revealed some VERY different facts from what the US Centers for Disease Control have been telling the American public. The CBS report found that H1N1 flu cases are not as prevalent as feared. The CBS article even states:

If you’ve been diagnosed “probable” or “presumed” 2009 H1N1 for “swine flu” , odds are you did NOT have H1N1 flu.

In fact, you probably didn’t have the flu at all.

“The results reveal a pattern that surprised a number of health care professionals we consulted. The majority of cases were negative for H1N1 as well as seasonal flu, despite the fact that many states were specifically testing patients deemed to be most likely to have H1N1 flu, based on symptoms and risk factors, such as travel to Mexico.”

“In most states the percentages ranged from 83 to 98 percent NOT BEING H1N1 or influenza.  Most cases were some type of cold or upper respiratory infection that looks like influenza but is caused by another type of virus or bacteria!”

Surprising?  Now let’s look at the next question…

Does the Flu Vaccine Actually Work?

Not only are the vaccines loaded with toxic chemicals including mercury and aluminum, but many people get the flu shortly after receiving the shot. This is because it actually weakens the immune system, making you more predisposed to the illness.

It is also important to note that the majority of flu shots contain 25 micrograms of mercury; an amount considered unsafe for anyone weighing less than 550 pounds!

So remember…If you get a flu shot, you can still get the flu (or flu-like symptoms). This is because it only protects you against certain strains, and who knows which flu viruses are circulating in your area this winter.

 8 Ways to Avoid the Flu…

Now that you know what harm vaccines can do, the following are some simple things you can put into practice to avoid catching the flu or any other viruses passing around.
1.  Daily Vitamin D.  Supplementing with Vitamin D each day will help to keep the flu away!  Getting enough Vitamin D is a key preventative strategy against the cold and flu, as it has an immense strengthening effect on your immune system.  Nearly all Americans are vitamin D deficient in the winter and spring when the sun is farthest away. Vitamin D levels in your blood fall to their lowest point during flu season and it has been shown that a person with a low vitamin D blood level is more vulnerable to contracting colds, influenza, and other respiratory infections.

During the winter months with no or very limited exposure to sunshine, 3,000-5,000 units per day is appropriate for most adults. If you are very heavy you may need to double that dose, and for children the dose can be one third to half that.

2.  Avoid Sugar. Since sugar breaks down the functions of the immune system, it is very important to eliminate it from your diet in order to keep your immune system running strong and capable of fighting viruses such as the flu.

3.  Get Enough Sleep. Getting the proper amount of sleep will help build up your resistance against any circulating invaders. When your body becomes fatigued by not enough sleep, it’s more difficult to fight the flu. In order for your body to receive proper rejuvenation, you should be getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

4.  Address Stress. Everyone deals with varying amounts of stress on a daily basis. Our bodies lose the ability to fight off the flu and other illnesses when we let stress overwhelm us. As a matter of fact, reports show that up to 90 percent of illness and disease are stress-related!

Eating small, frequent meals that are rich in fruits and vegetables help your body deal with stress a lot easier.  Meditation and yoga also help to combat stress. If you are under a lot of stress, I recommend you check your adrenal hormones through specialized saliva tests.  Your adrenal glands are your stress control centers and if they are not working well, you should be supporting them with high quality adrenal supplements.

3.  Exercise. Exercise helps boost your immune system by improving circulation and lymphatic flow throughout your body.  Regular workouts helps the immune system detect an illness before it gets a chance to spread. Be careful though…if you feel as if you are coming down with a cold, light exercise is the best.  Do not over-exert yourself because this will lower your resistance and you will get sick.

4.  Eat Garlic Regularly.  Fresh garlic is better than garlic supplements because the antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal components of garlic are destroyed within one hour of smashing the garlic. Therefore it is best to eat fresh garlic, as garlic pills don’t work.

5. Wash Your Hands Regularly.  Washing your hands will help decrease the likelihood of spreading viruses to your nose, mouth or other people. If your immune system is strong, it should be able to fight off a virus if it does enter your body, but washing your hands provides that extra barrier of protection.

6.  Consume a high quality Omega 3 Fish Oil daily.  Fish oils improve the structure of your cellular membranes which increases communication between the cells and therefore enhances your overall immune system.

7.  Limit your intake of processed foods and preservatives.  Overloaded with chemicals, processed foods burden our intestinal tract, liver, immune system and overall health.  It is wise to stay away from these toxic foods which give you zero nutritional value and only drain your immune system.

8.  Get Regular Chiropractic Adjustments!  Lastly, but most important is to get adjustments on a regular basis.  Enhancing your nerve system through adjustments will boost your immune system.  This is because your nerve system controls everything in your body, including your immune system!

A chiropractor is similar to a mechanic for the body.  Every person is like an automobile.  Whether it is a Ford or a BMW, you must keep that car tuned up so that it will run more efficiently.  By receiving adjustments and relieving pressure from the central nervous system, the chiropractor assists the body to run more efficiently.  It allows the body to adapt more easily to our ever changing environment.  This includes all the viruses and pathogens that plague us during the flu season. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t know what it feels like to have a healthy running body, because they have never been worked on.  Instead they live a life of daily stress without any tune-ups and wonder why their body “breaks down” with the cold, flu or other illness.

Unlike vaccinations, Chiropractic adjustments are natural, safe and best of all…they work!!

So there you have it…my secrets to avoiding the flu during the holiday season.  Follow these preventative actions and you will not be disappointed!

You may want to check out The  National Vaccine Information Center (www.nvic.org). They are our premier watch-dog and vaccine-safety advocates, and the NVIC web site offers invaluable guidance to help keep yourself and your family safe and healthy this winter.

Remember, knowledge is power.  It will allow you to make the best decisions for better health.  I advise you to continue to educate yourself, your family and your friends about how to enhance your immune system and how to prevent the flu.  I wish you all a very healthy and happy holiday season!

Dr. Desiree Edlund

OC Back & Body Doctors