Flu Shot: Yes or No?
Seasonal Health & Preventive Care

"Vaccines or No Vaccines-is THAT the Question." Not an easy choice for many these days. I begin this discussion with a basic review on what real Preventive Medicine (PM) is. The government and most mainstream doctors would have us believe that PM is about getting all the immunizations out there and doing all the tests that will pick up colon, prostate, and breast cancers at their earliest stages with colonoscopies, PSAs and mammograms. While early testing for diseases is all well and good, that's not really helping prevent these problematic and potentially deadly cancer diseases in the first place. These tests are really more about early diagnosis. Just as measurements of blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugars do, any form of early diagnosis is important. Yet, true prevention lies in how we live our lives. You may recall that one of my primary maxims in health care is, "How we look and feel is mainly a result of how we live." PM is about how we live: what we eat; our exercise regimen and whether we are active and fit in our daily lives; it's about our sleep patterns and how well we recharge and rest our bodies; it's about how we deal with stress and emotions; and about our attitudes towards self, others and our broader lives as members of this Planet. Well, that was quite a mouthful, or should I say, a "lifefull"? Paying attention to these areas will help us be full of life rather than suffering from persistent complaints and diseases.

In some respects, I find it unfortunate that Western Medicine and the media have focused so much on the area of vaccines and immunizations as "Preventive Medicine" rather than emphasizing more relevant areas of lifestyle and nutrition, where true PM and good health occur. I suggest our whole healthcare system focus on Real Preventive Medicine.

While I am not carte blanche against all vaccines, I do not take any myself separate from my last tetanus shot some 15 years ago. (As a side note, in 35 years of practice, I have never seen one case of tetanus. What does that mean? Have we been successful in resisting the organism, or does it no longer exist?) I am cautious about what I take into my body as food and chemicals, and even more cautious about anything injected in me. Unless I am 100% certain it is helpful and not harmful, I will rather trust my good health in taking care of the only body I have.

I personally do not sense we can eradicate diseases and improve health by vaccinations alone. And I strongly believe that we give far too many immunizations too early in our children's lives. Whether they create more health problems than they help is an ongoing debate that we may not fully settle for many decades. There are many issues about immune function, allergies, and other illnesses besides people's concerns about autism, mercury exposure and neurological problems that are more subtly affected by these vaccines. Yet, the injections do in many reduce the risk and likelihood about getting those specific infections for which we immunized . So, as with many matters concerning health and modern medicine, there are credible points to be made on either side of the Vaccination Issue.

Yet, what about the regular flu shots? Here's what I tell patients when they ask me whether they should get the yearly flu vaccine, let alone the H1N1 vaccine: I personally do not get flu vaccines nor do I give them at my clinic currently. There are so many places that offer them that they are easy to get if you want one. Have you gotten vaccines every year? Did you feel okay from them? Did you not get sick anyway? If you can say "Yes" to all of these questions, then go ahead. You seem to be adapting okay. If you haven't been vaccinated in previous years, have not been sick and if you have any hesitations about vaccines, then don't get one. Just take care of yourself, as you always should, being mindful of what it takes to keep you healthy.

Of course, if you are elderly or are prone to bad flus and just can't risk getting sick, or if you travel a lot and have much exposure to others, then you may want to get a flu shot. Realize however, there are only a few potential viruses in that vaccine, and there may be many more potential exposures (to strains of viruses for which you haven't developed immunity through injections or previous exposure). Thus, it's possible to get viral illnesses even with a flu shot. Overall, getting a flu shot is a personal choice.

Regarding the "swine flu" that's a new issue with added concerns and added shots. It's sounding scary, or at least the media is using its typical tactics to generate widespread concern. Frankly, I take much of what I see on TV and the news with a large "grain of salt"-Do you? I certainly have concerns about the widespread vaccination program to include all age groups, and I am not a big fan of widespread human experimentation, which, in some respects, is what the proposed program is about. I'm sorry, this experimental immunization program is just not the way that I want to go about preventing disease in my body.

With my many decades of clinical practice, I believe and see that healthy bodies seldom get sick. When we take care of our body and maintain a more alkaline pH by eating lots of vegetables and fresh foods, nourishing our cells with all the nutrients they need, avoiding junk foods and chemicals, then we are most likely going to Stay Healthy. (See my new book, More Vegetables, Please below) That's what many of my patients experience when they clean up their acts (and "ax" their bad habits) in support of their health. Then, they just don't get sick like they used to, and usually don't "catch what's going around." And in this day and age, there's always something going around.

We also need a plan of action if and when we begin to feel sick or are exposed to people with contagious infections; then, what do we do? Now I don't fully disbelieve in the "germ theory," yet I also don't think it's the predominant factor affecting our diseases. I believe that the crucial factor is our body's overall state of health. Still, when we are exposed to potential disease-generating organisms, we need a strong immune system to protect us and not allow those viruses to go deeper, penetrate our cells, multiply and spread. That's where healthy cells and cell membranes come into play as well as our immune surveillance and cellular/biochemical defense systems.

I use garlic as an important herb (see Garlic Grandeur below). I also take regular vitamin C tablets or powder, like 1-2 grams every couple hours to keep up a healthy blood level. Then I also include vitamin A 10,000 IU fish oil caps (water-soluble palmitate is okay but I like the oil better). Vitamin A acts to bolster the infection fighting powers of mucous membranes. During the peak "disease months," I may take one or two capsules a day to support my immunity. More commonly when I feel exposed to someone or I feel any beginnings of infection, I take much more for only a few days. For example, I may take 2-3 caps (20-30,000 IUs) 3-4 times a day for three days, and then cut back to 2-4 caps a day for a few more days, and then 1 cap twice a day for about 5-7 days.

An herbal tincture that is commonly used with oft-claimed success is Echinacea extract, usually along with goldenseal root in alcohol-based extracts, which is more potent as the alcohol seems to enhance the potency and beneficial effects in the throat and respiratory passages. The typical dose is ½ to 1 dropperful in the mouth three times daily, and rinse with saliva around the mouth and throat before swallowing. It's a bit bitter and has a whisky-like fire power. Ahhh!

Of course, we also want to do some simple things to help protect ourselves and others from spreading our germs. These include:

• Washing your hands regularly, with some natural disinfectant.
• When coughing, do so into your sleeve/elbow area.
• Blow and clear your nose in private (and wash your hands) and flush in the shower or with saline rinsing.
• Get adequate sleep and stay hydrated, warm and dry.