Is the Influenza Vaccine Effective?
According to a
study
in 2008, the influenza vaccine was only 59% successful and benefited
only 36% of the healthy children over the age of 2 who received it.
Another study
from 2008 indicated that the number of children’s doctor visits or
hospitalizations did not differ between vaccinated and non-vaccinated
children measured over two consecutive flu seasons, suggesting that the
influenza vaccine had very little effect on children’s overall health
status.
Additional studies show that flu vaccines do not prevent influenza transmission to the patients of healthcare workers.
What’s in a flu shot?
- egg protein (cell culture)
- sucrose (stabilizers)
- gelatin (stabilizers)
- polysorbate 80 (stabilizer)
- aluminum salts (adjuvants)
- formaldehyde (inactivating ingredient)
- thimerosal/mercury (preservative)
- penicillin/sulfa drugs (antibiotics)
The manufacturing of the flu vaccine begins with an
egg protein, which is used to grow enough virus to make the vaccine.
Next, formaldehyde is added to kill the virus, and small doses of
antibiotics are included to prevent any bacterial contamination of the
vaccine during the manufacturing process. Thimerosal is added as a
preservative to prevent any further contamination, and sucrose,
polysorbate 80, or gelatin is added to stabilize the vaccine for
transportation and storage. Finally, aluminum salts are added in order
to help stimulate an immune response to the “dead” virus.
Many of
these ingredients are known carcinogens and detergents that have harmful or unknown effects on the human body.
Package inserts
for Fluarix and Fluvirin even state that they are uncertain as to
whether or not your fertility will be affected by the vaccine.
Formaldehyde is a powerful chemical used as a
disinfectant and preservative in mortuaries and medical labs. It is
listed as a human carcinogen in the
12th Report on Carcinogens published by the National Toxicology Program.
Studies
have demonstrated that thimerosal can contribute to the development of
autoimmune diseases by suppressing the overall immune system and causing
system inflammation.
Polysorbate 80 is a detergent used to help drugs and
chemicals cross the blood-brain barrier. Unfortunately, this
stabilizer is also used to treat chronic kidney failure and can contribute to
liver toxicity. Polysorbate 80 was also shown to cause “severe non-immunologic anaphylactoid reactions” in
this study from 2005.
Aluminum is a recognized neurotoxin that can
adversely affect the central nervous system and cause cognitive
deficiency and dementia if it enters the brain. Numerous
studies have linked aluminum to Alzheimer’s disease.
The antibiotics hidden in the flu vaccine include
neomycin, streptomycin, or penicillin, which can cause severe allergic
reactions in many people. (Not to mention that the
overuse of antibiotics can increase your risk for gut infections, like
Candida overgrowth.)
Who may need a flu shot?
There is quite a quandary surrounding recommendations for immunocompromised individuals (such as those with
autoimmune diseases
who are on immune-suppressing medications). The original thought was
that they would be at higher risk of getting the flu and would benefit
from getting vaccinated.
However,
recent studies
have shown that the flu vaccine is less effective in these
immunocompromised individuals. Given that thimerosal has been
implicated in triggering autoimmune disease and that those with
autoimmune diseases are three times more likely to develop another
autoimmune disease, it would seem that the
risk of getting a flu vaccine far outweighs any potential benefits.
Certainly those with chronic lung diseases like
cystic fibrosis, asthma, or COPD may want to weigh the risk with the
benefits.
Functional Medicine Approach to Preventing the Flu:
1. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly.
This is the number one way to prevent the flu and
other respiratory infections. You must scrub your hands thoroughly with
soap and water for at least 20 seconds in order to kill viruses. Twenty
seconds is about how long it takes to sing the ABC’s one time through.
Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth without first washing your hands.
2. Heal your gut.
Your gut is the gateway to health, and 80% of your immune system is located in your gut. Make sure
your gut is in tip-top shape and take a high quality, multi-strain probiotic with at least 25 billion units. (
Here's the probiotic I sell at my clinic.)
3. Reduce alcohol and sugar consumption.
Even moderate alcohol consumption suppresses the
central nervous system, and therefore your immune system. Consuming too
much sugar can suppress the immune system and make it more difficult for
your body to fight off infections like the flu.
4. Reduce your stress.
Stress is known to suppress our immune systems.
Consider meditation, yoga, or acupuncture for additional relaxation
techniques.
5. Get 7-9 hours of sleep every night.
Your body relies on sleep to recuperate from daily
exposure to toxins. Chronic sleep deprivation can significantly reduce
immune function.
6. Consider supplementing your diet.
- Take glutathione, turmeric, and vitamin C
- Optimize vitamin D
- Consider a zinc supplement.
- Take an immune booster.
Glutathione, turmeric, and vitamin C are all powerful antioxidants
that support optimal immune function. Vitamin D is known to be a
powerful immune system modulator, and zinc is required for the gene
regulation and function of immune cells, like neutrophils, natural
killer cells, and lymphocytes. You can also enhance your immune system
by taking an Immune Boost supplement, comprised of immunoglobulins and
immuno-proteins to help your immune system fight off any kind of
infection.
In case you're wondering which specific brands I recommend to my patients, you can find them
here.
7. Get plenty of exercise.
Exercise can boost your immune system by increasing
your circulation and relieving stress. Increased circulation allows
antibodies to travel throughout your bloodstream faster, making it
easier for your immune system to fight off an illness. Exercise can also
enhance your immune system by relieving stress and slowing the release
of stress hormones in the body.
What about Vaccine Mandates?
Often employees and healthcare workers are told that
they must receive a flu vaccination. It is imperative that you
understand your legal rights concerning this issue. There are a number
of options available to you if you wish to oppose these vaccine mandates
from your employers.
Options for Opposing Vaccine Mandates:
- Ask to wear a mask instead
- Claim medical, religious or union exemption
- Sign a petition
- Write a persuasive letter
Dr. Tenpenny, an outspoken advocate for free choice
in healthcare, wrote a template letter explaining why flu vaccines
should not be mandatory. To view the full letter,
click here.
I personally was working as an emergency physician a
pediatric emergency department during swine flu and flu season. I was
told I was required to get both vaccinations. Knowing my history of
autoimmune thyroid disease and my MTHFR genetic mutations, I simply
asked my employer if there was an alternatives to the vaccinations.
Mutations on the MTHFR gene prevent the body from properly clearing out
toxins like mercury, which is found in the flu shot. (One mutation means
that your body can clear about half of the toxins that enter your body.
Two mutations mean that your body has a very difficult time clearing
toxins from your system.) This can lead to heavy metal toxicity or in
some cases, the development of an autoimmune disorder. We agreed that I
could skip the vaccination in exchange for wearing a respiratory mask
during all my shifts.
What now?
If you do elect to receive a flu shot, I highly
recommend a thimerosal-free vaccine, which are available in a limited
supply. If you don’t already know your MTHFR gene mutations, I would
definitely get them checked. If you have any mutations at this gene,
it's difficult for your body to eliminate mercury from your system, even
in trace amounts.
I'd also caution you against taking any over-the-counter pain
medications, such as Tylenol, Advil, or aspirin, in conjunction with
your vaccine. These have been
shown to reduce the effectiveness of vaccines by limiting your body’s proper immune response.
Once again, the decision to receive vaccinations of
any kind is highly individualized. My goal, as always, is to empower you
with the knowledge to make the best and most informed decision you can
for yourself and your health.
-MindBodyGreen.com
253-833-6655 FREE end_of_the_skype_highlighting | E: customerservice@gluten.net
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