Am I Giving My Child the Swine Flu Vaccine?
Monday, November 2nd, 2009
Most of you will be surprised, but yes, I am vaccinating my 10 year old and I am asking my other (college age) children to consider getting the vaccine. She will be getting the single dose vial immunization (shot, not nasal vaccine) this week.
As many of you know I am against many vaccinations. For instance, I did not vaccinate my children against chicken pox because we do not know if this vaccine provides long term immunity and I do not want my children to be dealing with this illness as an adult. (I did expose them to the illness when they were young- so now I know they have lifelong immunity to chicken pox.)
I do not recommend getting the cervical vaccine, Gardisil, as it does not offer protection for all strains of the virus associated with cervical cancer. In addition, I have seen some serious adverse effects from its use.
I have not given my children the annual flu vaccine because it is not an “intelligent” vaccine. That is, each year the CDC and the makers guess about the most likely type of flu that will circulate and build the vaccine based on this prediction. Most years it is only 30-50% accurate. I also worry that my children would not develop immunity to seasonal flus and that repetitive vaccination will weaken their immune system in the long run. Most seasonal flu deaths occur in the very young (<5 yo), and the very old (>65 yo). I council my patients to decide about flu vaccines for themselves. If they do well with it, and find it effective, then by all means they can get it. If they do not notice protection or do not tolerate it, I recommend skipping it.
I did not vaccinate my children against the German Measles (Rubella), until adolescence as the Rubella vaccine is necessary to prevent birth defects. I saw no reason to expose my young children’s immune system before they were sexually active.
I am against multiple vaccinations given at any one time. This can weaken the immune system. I believe that vaccinations should be give separately (single antigen dosing), spaced out over a child’s lifetime, and given at a time when they most need the vaccine, that is when they expect to be exposed.
So what about the swine flu? I can not convince myself not to vaccinate my children. I have been reading and listening to what is out there. Here is what I’ve learned:
- Most people with H1N1 infection will not die. (But most will be ill for 2 to 3 weeks and have significant symptoms including painful cough, high fever, diarrhea and vomiting).
- Most of the pediatric deaths occurred in children who had underlying neurologic problems, but, 16.6% or 6 out of 36 children who died were over the age of 5 and completely normal.
- The swine flu vaccine is “intelligent,” that is, it is accurate. It is not a guess of what the virus might look like. We know what the virus looks like and have built a vaccine to protect against it.
- There are 2 types of vaccine: (1)a nasal spray, which contains a live, weakened (attenuated) virus and (2)an injection that does not contain any live virus. Most studies have have shown that immunity is better in adults with the injectable form. (Because of my Lyme/immuno-compromised state, I can not be exposed to live vaccines-hence the injectable.) FYI, the single dose vials of injections are thiomersal free.
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Chia Seeds: New Super Food for Health
Monday, May 11th, 2009
I have been espousing the wonders of ground flax seeds for breast, heart and bowel health for years. Now I want to help you to explore a new “super food,” Chia seeds. Yes, the same seeds that give us furry green pets can help spring cleanse our bowel, pump us with Omega 3 fatty acids (linolenic acid), provide us with protein and calcium (as much as 2%milk), and hydrate us. This ancient (Aztec) food source is rich in insoluble and soluble fiber, which have been shown to lower risks of breast and colon cancer, lower blood sugar, triglyceride and cholesterol, and boost the immune system.
Chia seeds are tiny, white or black (both are equally beneficial) and found in most whole food stores. They are amongst the highest plant source for essential omega 3 fatty acids, important for stable moods, and hormone function. They are inexpensive and because they swell, like tapioca, have been used as a satisfying food source in weight loss and very helpful for IBS, constipation, and as part of any detox program.
Drink them with warmed almond milk in the morning, add them to cereals, soups, or smoothies. Check out www.eatchia.com for information and recipes.
0 Comments | Permalink | Posted in super foods, Bone Health, Breast Cancer, Cardiovascular
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Feeling Great Is The Goal!
Sunday, April 26th, 2009
I was having breakfast with a friend who proudly confided that she had successfully weaned herself off of all hormone support, less than one year after her total hysterectomy. “Why?” I asked, horrified. “I thought that was the goal,” she replied. “That’s what my doctor said and even you said so in your book.”
She was woefully misinformed. Hormones are not an evil to be avoided and weaned from. Let me clarify: stopping hormone support is not the goal. Feeling great is the goal. Staying healthy as we age is the goal. Having strong bones to dance at your 100th birthday is the goal. Enjoying sex, feeling joy at the sight of your great grandchildren, remembering phone numbers and how to drive your car in your nineties. These are the goals. Using natural hormones, safely, for the rest of your life will make this possible.
Why do we need hormones? Because our bodies are designed to last roughly seventy years, eighty max. If you win the gene lottery you may make it into your nineties- but it won’t be pretty. Tour a nursing home. Ask the ages. See for yourself what lies ahead. Ask how many women there had total hysterectomies without hormone support (they are the ones using walkers).
Studies have shown that women who use estrogen in the first 10 years of menopause have less calcifications (hardening of the arteries) around their heart. Studies have also shown that using hormones reduces memory loss, bone loss, depression, weight gain, and wrinkles. Hormones prevent sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections, and vaginitis. The references are in my book.
Ask your doctor for estradiol (patch or cream), natural progestereone (pill or cream). Measure your DHEA-S, maintain your DHEA in the midrange- it will support your testosterone and it has been shown to improve sex drive. Keep your eye on the prize. The world needs more healthy women.
0 Comments | Permalink | Posted in Menopause, Progesterone, Natural Hormones, Osteoporosis, Estrogen, Heart Disease, Cardiovascular, Hormones, Uncategorized
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