We have heard just about everything there is to know about the facts both good and bad surrounding our decision to have the flu shot...or, have we?

Just when you think you've "heard it all' there's more. Here are some details I'd like to make sure that you - my Clients and Friends of Life Sources®, Inc. be made aware of in order for you to make an intelligent decision; if it's right for you.  With that being said please allow me to point out a few more thoughts to ponder which include natural remedies that can and do work!  These recommendations are at the end of this Newsletter.

This month's Newsletter question comes from Dottie L. in Granite Bay, Ca.

Q. "My doctor recommends that I have a flu shot. What do you think of these?"

A.  Rather than give my opinion on this one, as many of you know I am personally opposed to vaccinations in general, I offer this quote from THE FLU AND THE FLU VACCINE (by the National Vaccine Information Center) . I have italicized for emphasis. 

What is in this flu vaccine that makes so many people nervous?

The flu vaccine is prepared from the fluids of chick embryos inoculated with a specific type(s) of influenza virus. The strains of flu virus in the vaccine are inactivated with formaldehyde and preserved with thimerosal, which is a mercury derivative.

Every year, federal health agency officials try to guess which three flu strains are most likely to be prevalent in the U.S. the following year to determine which strains will be included in next year's flu vaccine. If they guess right, the vaccine is thought to be 70 to 80 percent effective in temporarily preventing the flu of the season in healthy persons less than 65 years old (the efficacy rate drops to 30 to 40% in those over 65 years old but the vaccine is thought to be 50 to 60% effective in preventing hospitalization and pneumonia and 80% effective in preventing death from the flu in the over 65 age group). However, sometimes health officials do not correctly predict which flu strains will be most prevalent and the vaccine's effectiveness is much lower for that year.

Q. Does the flu vaccine protect against all throat, respiratory, gastrointestinal and ear infections?

A. The flu vaccine only protects against the three specific viral strains which are included in any given year's flu vaccine. Throat, respiratory, gastrointestinal and ear infections caused by bacteria or other kinds of viruses are not prevented by getting an annual flu shot.

Q. Why do doctors say I have to get a flu vaccine every year?

A. Like all vaccines, the flu vaccine only gives a temporary immunity to the virus strains or closely related virus strains contained in the vaccine. The only way to get natural and permanent immunity to a strain of flu is to recover naturally from the flu. Natural immunity to a particular strain of flu can be protective if that strain or closely related strains come around again in the future. However, because the vaccine only provides a 70 to 80 percent chance of temporary immunity to selected strains and those strains may or may not be prevalent each year, doctors say you have to get a flu shot every year.

Q. Are there reactions to the flu vaccine?

A. The most common reactions can begin within 12 hours of vaccination and can last several days that include: fever, fatigue, painful joints and headache. The most serious reaction that has been associated with flu vaccine is Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) which occurs most often within two to four weeks of vaccination. GBS is an immune mediated nerve disorder characterized by muscle weakness, unsteady gait, numbness, tingling, pain and sometimes paralysis of one or more limbs or the face. Recovery lasts several months and can include residual disability. Less than 5 percent of GBS cases end in death.

Q. What are the constituents within the vaccine itself?

• Ethylene glycol (antifreeze)
• Phenol, also known as carbolic acid (this is used as a disinfectant, dye)
• Formaldehyde, a known cancer-causing agent
• Aluminum, which is associated with Alzheimer's disease and seizures and also cancer producing in laboratory mice (it is used as an additive to promote antibody response)
• Thimerosal (a mercury disinfectant/preservative) can result in brain injury and autoimmune disease
• Neomycin and Streptomycin (used as antibiotics) have caused allergic reaction in some people.

Vaccines are also grown and strained through animal or human tissue like monkey kidney tissue, chicken embryo, embryonic guinea pig cells, calf serum, and human diploid cells (the dissected organs of aborted human fetuses as in the case of rubella, hepatitis A, and chickenpox vaccines).

Well, I refuse to put all of the above in my body, and I hope when your doctor starts telling you it's time for your annual flu shot that you'll require him to defend the annual injection. You or your insurance company's probably paying eighty bucks for a visit, so get your money's worth.

Have your doctor read you the insert that comes with the vaccine.

Then have him/her explain why it makes sense to inject toxic chemicals into the human body and how such substances can aid the delicate immune system.

Chances are he/she will fall back on questionable statistical and demographic explanations that the medical establishment has used for decades to justify immunization.

Try to engage your doctor in a non-confrontational discussion because this is an opportunity for him/her to actually give some serious thought to what he/she is injecting into bodies of patients day after day after day.

Many traditional doctors who haven't studied diet and lifestyle aren't going to change unless we help to educate them to what drugs and vaccines may really be doing long-term to people.

From personal experience for a moment, let's look over our shoulders
 
In years past, pregnancy was also contraindication to flu vaccine but, today, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) "recommends flu vaccine for women more than 14 weeks pregnant."

"Results for the 1989-1990 season were described as "mixed at best," with "Medicare payments...significantly higher for those who had been vaccinated," noted Kidder and Schmitz in the 1993 report Options for the Control of Influenza II.

Several studies and government projections from the Department of Human and Health Services confirm that, with or without a flu shot, pneumonia and influenza hospitalization rates for the elderly are less than 1 percent during the influenza season. This means that, regardless of vaccination status, more than 99 percent of people weather a bout of flu without requiring hospitalization. Even the past director of CDC's National Immunization Program, Dr. Walter Orenstein, reported at a 1981 influenza conference that the "at risk" population for influenza complications is small."

In my opinion the best defense is a good offense.

*There are several wonderful immune system boosters and natural ways to combat both viral and bacterial infections as follows*;

My suggestion(s) are as follows to regain a healthy immune system, especially, if you have early symptoms of "the flu".

1-2 capsules of Alpha Factor colostrum taken once or twice daily to bolster the immune system before and during the flu season; almost miraculous in its ability to "instruct" the body to thwart viral and bacterial infections which can include; allergies, sinus infections, sore throat, headaches, fever, upper respiratory congestion, dry cough and stomach aches.

For mild to severe symptoms; Olive leaf extract - d-Lenolate - also has a powerful antimicrobial effect against viral and bacterial infections, and, in my own personal experience works wonders along with Sambucol, a specific elderberry extract from Israel in preventing flu infections and incredibly effective during a flu attack. (Did you know that Sambucol is the greatest tasting liquid and stops a cough in its tracks? Kids love it!) If anyone of my family members feels "flu-like" they pull out all the stops and do the whole regimen; 1- d-Lenolate (olive leaf extract) and Sovereign Silver or Argentyn 23 every two hours, followed by our Probiotic half an hour later and two to four OPC-165^TM - the most powerful triple- antioxidants for energy and faster healing. I have heard from many clients, especially, teachers and nurses that these products work like a magic bullet!  For those "aches, pains including headaches", naturally, our Immuzyme® is a wondrous pain reliever - yes, it can be taken with Advil for fevers! And, of course, always drink plenty of purified - magnetized water to keep hydrated and your kidneys ridding the toxins. You can also magnetize all fruit juices as well - even, your green tea!

Our continued goal at Life Sources, Inc. is to educate, inspire, and ultimately lead you to living a healthier life-in-the healthiest-style. We also invite any comments, suggestions or testimonies you have to share.  We hope that the information we send is of interest to you.  Should you wish to unsubscribe, just hit "reply" with your request.

The information is not presented as medical advice or treatment and is for informational purposes only. Please refer to your physician for any questions regarding advice or treatment.