i read an article yesterday that a strip club in florida is offering free flu vaccines to their patrons. just last weekend when i was in tustin, mom and i stopped in walgreens for baby shower candy and the checker not only asked us if we wanted the flu vaccine, but continued on for nearly 2 minutes about its health benefits. afterwards, i thought to myself, 'i wonder if he gets some sort of commission for sending people over to the pharmacy'.
i personally, cannot remember the last time i got a flu shot. similarly, i cannot remember the last time i had the flu. now, this isn't some tangent about how vaccines as a whole can be harmful to the body, but just consciously thinking about the flu vaccine itself.
the vaccine is created based on the strain of flu that is in the southern hemisphere (where its winter during our summer) along with the strain from the previous year and this year they were so clever to just go ahead and throw in the H1N1. that sounds like an all in one deal. pretty good, huh? well, if you had a time machine and were able to go back to winter 1 year ago, then yeah you would probable be coasting, flu free. however, that alone makes me personally question the application to the current years flu strain.
additionally, the vaccine contains a number of 'fillers' if you will, including: "The final solution can contain additives such as Triton-X 100, a detergent; polysorbate 80, an emulsifier that is a potential carcinogen; and additives such as formaldehyde to inactivate the virus as well as gelatin and residual egg proteins used to nourish the cultures. Additionally, "many influenza vaccines still contain thimerosal,” Tenpenny says, which is being investigated for its link to brain injury and autoimmune disease. Several studies have found significantly increased odds of neurodevelopmental disorders—including autism, mental retardation, speech disorders, personality disorders and thinking abnormalities—in children (not adults) following thimerosal-containing vaccines. (naturalsolutionsmag.com)
to elaborate some more, in order for a new vaccine or medicine to be released to the public, the law states it must be tested with randomized controlled trials. the flu vaccine, when tested with its placebo, had a 1% efficiency rate! 1%!! not to mention, the pharmaceutical companies have generated 146 million vaccines for this year and with their financial ties to the government, thats well over 146 million dollars in profit. it all sounds a little fishy to me..
further, there is always a push for people under certain categories to get the flu vaccine, especially pregnant mothers. however, there have been many studies that have linked vaccines in pregnant women to miscarriages. not only that, but that lovely list of preservatives and potential carcinogens that is injected into the mother, goes directly to the growing fetus.
obviously though, for anyone including pregnant women, the flu is not desirable. what i feel is good to think about though, is what other methods of prevention and care we can take as caregivers of our own bodies. first off, eating foods that nourish the body systems: vegetables, fruit, nuts, whole grains. additionally, supporting the body system with applicable vitamins. just one (1000mg) vitamin c a day not only supports the immune system, but the liver too which is the main filter for the body. zinc and echinacea are also great supports. garlic too, mmmm. swallow it like a pill!..if the stomach can tolerate it. there are so many ways to naturally take care of the body, both in preparation for the winter and exposer to bacteria, to heal it if bacteria makes its way in, as well as just support the body systems as a whole.
yoga, especially sweating out toxins can prove to be so beneficial as well. another thing to maybe think about, is how terrible it would be to get a little flu. if you're willing to put the flu virus in your body with a vaccine, what is so terrible about maybe letting the body takes its natural course if you do contract the virus? maybe you miss a couple days of work? whenever i feel my body is run down and perhaps trying to fight off a bug, it is usually a red light that i need to give my body rest. its my own intelligent system telling me its time for a break.
a naturopathic physician at bastyr university in seattle says this, "there may even be an advantage to getting the flu while you’re relatively healthy because it may make you more resistant to the flu later in life. 'Exposure to germs when you’re healthy is a good thing,' Brammer says. “When I’m 70 and not as healthy, I’ll be glad I had some of these influenzas when I was 23 and got the flu. My body would know that flu. Even though viruses change and mutate, new viruses will come along that are similar to past ones, offering some limited immunity.” Brammer also says that getting the flu is an opportunity for the body to detoxify. “It’s a good way to exercise the immune system and tells us how well it’s working,” she says.
so, maybe do a little research before you go out for your shot this year, or even next. most important is to listen to your own body as it is your greatest guide, not the checker at walgreens :)
in addition, if you sparked a little bit of interest in this, there is a really great article written by an MD if you follow this link. he elaborates on a lot of the scientific proof of the effectiveness and alternate means of prevention :
http://www.lewrockwell.com/miller/miller27.html
one of the greatest gifts we have, is the freedom of choice. what better way to utilize this freedom than being informed and aware of what we put in our own bodies? and then choosing for ourselves. <3
Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos - the trees, the clouds, everything. - Thich Nhat Hanh
light, love and happiness. shine on!
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