Naturopathic Newsletter October 2009: COLD & FLU SEASON

October 2009

Whether it be at the dinner table, in the staff lounge, or at the coffee shop, a much discussed and debated topic is the current threat of a pandemic swine flu and its vaccine.

As with ANY and ALL health issues, it is important for (a) the patient to be well informed, and (b) the patient's individual health needs taken into consideration when making a decision; there is no "one size fits all" answer. In other words, decisions based on the individual's needs should be discussed with the individual's health care providers. 

The information discussed in this newsletter is to explore some known and unknown aspects surrounding the H1N1 vaccine, as well as some naturopathic recommendations to support the immune system.

Let's take a minute to review the differences and similarities between the seasonal and the swine flu.

The swine flu is an influenze type A virus, similar to yet different from the seasonal flu virus.

Both flu types share similar symptoms, including:

fever

cough, typically dry

sore throat

nasal congestion

runny nose

vomiting

diarrhea

muscle aches

headaches

chills

fatigue

difficulty breathing

It is said that the swine flu is more contagious and more harmful than the seasonal flu.

Over the years, I have had numerous conversations with patients regarding vaccines. From the seasonal flu, to HPV, to MMR, to hepatitis A & B, all patients pose the same questions ... Should I or my child be vaccinated? Are there possible negative effects? Regardless of the vaccine type, including H1N1, my position remains the same. It is important for the individual to educate themselves from unbiased information, weighing the pros versus cons. From this standpoint, the individual will be best positioned to make their decision. And so, for me it is clear that my role in all of this is to provide information. Most often, it is information that is less known and less conventional, yet, in my opinion, equally important.

With that being said, let's look at some of the information that I share with my patients regarding the H1N1 vaccine. 

My primary concern with the vaccine, as shared with a number of conventional doctors, is the lack of safety and efficacy trials completed for the new vaccine. Once the swine flu was labelled as a pandemia, several pharmaceutical companies were given significant monetary encouragement to develop the vaccine. This encouragement was coupled with a fast track approval process, which by-passed several check points required in the development of pharmaceutical drugs. Feel free to have a look at the following video for more information:

http://thejerseytomatopress.com/detail/1601.html

The reality that the side effects of the vaccine are unknown can not be disputed. That is not to say that it is sufficient cause to not agree to the vaccine, but in my opinion, it is an important consideration when making your decision.

The vaccination program for the 1976 swine flu "pandemic" was discontinued after 3 weeks due to the unexpected outcome. Over 500 cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a paralyzing neurological condition, were reported as a result of vaccination, responsible for 25 deaths. Contrarily, the virus itself was responsible for 1 death and 13 hospitalizations (these are US stats).

Experts assure the population that this scenario will not be repeated, because they have tweaked the vaccine into its updated version. However, without adequate preliminary testing, the possibility of unknown side effects must be taken into consideration.

Another concern with the H1N1 vaccine is that it contains a thimerosal preservative, which is mercury based. Although there is gravely conflicting evidence as to whether or not thimerosal containing vaccines are partially or fully responsible for the development of autism spectrum disorder, the fact remains that there is no known safety level for mercury. A mercury free version of the vaccine is available in single-dose versus multiple-dose form.

Another interesting tid bit about the vaccine is that the governments of Norway and Finland have recently taken the virus off of their pandemic list. Now no longer considered as a pandemia in these countries, the vaccine will continue to be offered, but it will not be forced onto its population. For more information, have a look at the following video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=185HKE2c5Gg&eurl=http://www.consciousmedianetwork.com/video/090509.htm&feature=player_embedded#t

Again, the purpose of this newsletter is not to provide information either for or against the H1N1 vaccine, but rather to provide readers with information that may not have been presented or made available to them.

The fall and winter of every year present a challenging time for our immune system. As a result, I equip the clinic dispensary and my patients with support to get them through as symptom free as possible. Below, I have outlined some general guidelines. Keep in mind that specific recommendations are done on a one on one basis, allowing for individualized care.

One of the basic tenants of naturopathic medicine is prevention: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure - Benjamin Franklin.

As I have discussed with many of you in the past, the 4 pillars of health include: diet, sleep, stress management, and exercise.

1. DIET: Follow a healthy, balanced diet rich in whole and nutrient dense foods, such as whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, beans and legumes, and well sourced meats and fish. Avoid refined grains, sugars, processed meats, prepared and packaged foods, and frozen, canned, and jarred foods. Avoid dairy and soy based foods which contribute to mucus build up.

2. EXERCISE: Establish and maintain a regular exercise program that includes at least 30 minutes of cardio exercise 3-4 times weekly to support the immune system.

3. STESS COPING MECHANISMS: Healthy stress coping mechanisms, such as daily deep breathing practices, yoga, and tai chi, have been scientifically proven to enhance immune function.

4. SLEEP: Allow yourself at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night. This is when your body undergoes much needed repair and recovery.

5. HAND WASHING: Frequent hand washing with warm water and soap is an easy and effective preventative measure. Avoid anti-bacterial liquids and soaps, since they are a concern in propagating antibiotic resistant bacterial strains. Soaps with essential oils, such as tea tree, eucalyptus, and thyme possess strong anti-bacterial properties.

6. VITAMIN C: Vitamin C can be taken daily at doses of 500mg to 5 grams daily to support immune function. If your stools become lose, then decrease the dose.

7. ZINC: Zinc can be taken at daily doses of 15-30 mg to support immune function.

8. VITAMIN D: 1000 - 5000 IU 1-2 x/day. As discussed in previous newsletters, I STRONGLY encourage all patients to have their levels verified at their next routine blood test. The standard  recommended dosing of 1000 - 2000 IU daily is not necessarily sufficient to correct the deficiencies experienced by 65-75% of the North American population.

9. PROBIOTICS: To support balanced immune function, take 15 to 60 billion live bacteria, such as acidophilus, daily.

10. some HERBS to consider: the following herbs rich in immune strengthening and anti-viral acitivity. As with ANY herbal recommendations, consult your local ND or herbalist to ensure there are no contraindications with your current health issues or medications, as well as for dosage recommendations.

echinacea

golden seal

elderberry

medical mushrooms: shitake, maitake, reishi

siberian ginseng

ginger

curcumin

garlic

I hope this information provides some food for thought in the often difficult situation of deciding whether or not to pursue vaccination programs.

As previously stated, this newsletter provided generalized information. Specific, individualized information is discussed directly between the patient and their health care provider.

It is no secret that I am, as they say, "technically challenged". As a result, a number of you have let me know that the links I provided are not functioning. Even though I have not yet mastered how to make the link connect directly to the site, the addresses I provided are valid. To view, simply cut and paste the address.

http://thejerseytomatopress.com/detail/1601.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=185HKE2c5Gg&eurl=http://www.consciousmedianetwork.com/video/090509.htm&feature=player_embedded#t

Thank you for your patience!