SYHL Articles
Healthier Alternatives to Vaccinations: An Ounce of Prevention …
Written Maia J. Lagerstedt
Along with the holidays and winter sports, keeping the flu at bay has become an annual cold weather tradition. This year, concern over the regular seasonal flu has been exacerbated even more by the H1N1 scare, further prompting the question: to vaccinate or not to vaccinate?
Knowledge is Power
Don't let the hype scare you. An estimated one million people get the flu each year, nearly half of whom are hospitalized. Sadly, a reported 35,000 of those hospitalized do die. On closer inspection of statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), however, only a small number of those fatalities are actually from the flu-the rest die from pneumonia and are largely the elderly or those with weaker immune systems who are more likely to contract pneumonia.
It's important to be educated about flu vaccines and what is in them. For example, most flu vaccines contain mercury. According to the accompanying package inserts from any of the four manufacturers, multidose bottles of the flu vaccine contain 25 mcg of mercury-this amount exceeds the toxic limit as dictated by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the CDC.
There are other factors to consider, and if you've been considering flu shots for you or your family, make sure you do the research necessary to make an informed decision. Having said that, here are a few healthy, natural alternatives for flu prevention.
Keep Your Hands to Yourself
Or at least away from your face. The flu virus enters the body by way of mucus membranes, so be mindful of avoiding things like rubbing your eyes or scratching your nose as well as sharing drinks or utensils with anyone who may be infected.
One good tip is to carry your own pen and get in the habit of using it at places like the bank or the grocery store where a pen may come in contact with any number of infected people. Studies show the flu virus can survive up to 48 hours outside the body so a publicly used pen may still be contaminated by the time you're using it.
Remember to wash your hands frequently in hot, soapy water, but don't fall prey to marketing propaganda surrounding antibacterial soaps. Since a virus rather than bacteria causes the flu, antibacterial soap is going to be ineffective with regard to preventing the flu.
Cultivate a Healthy Immune System
One important way to keep your immune system strong is to avoid sugar and processed foods that quickly metabolize into sugar. One of the many adverse effects of sugar on your body is that it begins to compromise your immune system within 30 minutes of consumption. Want to improve your child's chances of staying healthy during cold and flu season? Cut out the soda and sugary snacks and teach them to wash their hands properly and often.
Be sure to include good sources of Omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are "essential" because we need to get them from food sources-our bodies don't manufacture them-and they are vital to the absorption of Vitamins A, K, E and D. Good sources of Omega-3s include lingonberry, black raspberry, strawberry, broccoli; flaxseed, walnuts, pecans, and hazelnuts.
Speaking of Vitamin D …
This vitamin is not only important for strong bones; it is vitally important for a healthy immune system-and getting enough Vitamin D goes a long way when it comes to flu prevention.
The simplest way to make sure you're getting enough Vitamin D is to get ten to 15 minutes of sun exposure three times a week; although if you live in a northerly direction, this may not be so easy during the winter months. Since Vitamin D in food comes from animal sources, you may decide to take it in supplement form. Please be advised that it is possible to get too much. The idea that "more is better" definitely does not apply in this case. Make sure you read the label and as with the taking of any supplements, be sure to talk it over with your doctor.
Author bio:
Maia J. Lagerstedt is a Holistic Health Coach, certified by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) and Columbia University Teachers' College in New York. Her articles on health and wellness have appeared in numerous publications in the New York/Tri-State and on the Web. She is currently working on a cookbook focusing on healthy meals that are both simple and delicious.
Written Maia J. Lagerstedt
Along with the holidays and winter sports, keeping the flu at bay has become an annual cold weather tradition. This year, concern over the regular seasonal flu has been exacerbated even more by the H1N1 scare, further prompting the question: to vaccinate or not to vaccinate?
Knowledge is Power
Don't let the hype scare you. An estimated one million people get the flu each year, nearly half of whom are hospitalized. Sadly, a reported 35,000 of those hospitalized do die. On closer inspection of statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), however, only a small number of those fatalities are actually from the flu-the rest die from pneumonia and are largely the elderly or those with weaker immune systems who are more likely to contract pneumonia.
It's important to be educated about flu vaccines and what is in them. For example, most flu vaccines contain mercury. According to the accompanying package inserts from any of the four manufacturers, multidose bottles of the flu vaccine contain 25 mcg of mercury-this amount exceeds the toxic limit as dictated by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the CDC.
There are other factors to consider, and if you've been considering flu shots for you or your family, make sure you do the research necessary to make an informed decision. Having said that, here are a few healthy, natural alternatives for flu prevention.
Keep Your Hands to Yourself
Or at least away from your face. The flu virus enters the body by way of mucus membranes, so be mindful of avoiding things like rubbing your eyes or scratching your nose as well as sharing drinks or utensils with anyone who may be infected.
One good tip is to carry your own pen and get in the habit of using it at places like the bank or the grocery store where a pen may come in contact with any number of infected people. Studies show the flu virus can survive up to 48 hours outside the body so a publicly used pen may still be contaminated by the time you're using it.
Remember to wash your hands frequently in hot, soapy water, but don't fall prey to marketing propaganda surrounding antibacterial soaps. Since a virus rather than bacteria causes the flu, antibacterial soap is going to be ineffective with regard to preventing the flu.
Cultivate a Healthy Immune System
One important way to keep your immune system strong is to avoid sugar and processed foods that quickly metabolize into sugar. One of the many adverse effects of sugar on your body is that it begins to compromise your immune system within 30 minutes of consumption. Want to improve your child's chances of staying healthy during cold and flu season? Cut out the soda and sugary snacks and teach them to wash their hands properly and often.
Be sure to include good sources of Omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are "essential" because we need to get them from food sources-our bodies don't manufacture them-and they are vital to the absorption of Vitamins A, K, E and D. Good sources of Omega-3s include lingonberry, black raspberry, strawberry, broccoli; flaxseed, walnuts, pecans, and hazelnuts.
Speaking of Vitamin D …
This vitamin is not only important for strong bones; it is vitally important for a healthy immune system-and getting enough Vitamin D goes a long way when it comes to flu prevention.
The simplest way to make sure you're getting enough Vitamin D is to get ten to 15 minutes of sun exposure three times a week; although if you live in a northerly direction, this may not be so easy during the winter months. Since Vitamin D in food comes from animal sources, you may decide to take it in supplement form. Please be advised that it is possible to get too much. The idea that "more is better" definitely does not apply in this case. Make sure you read the label and as with the taking of any supplements, be sure to talk it over with your doctor.
Author bio:
Maia J. Lagerstedt is a Holistic Health Coach, certified by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) and Columbia University Teachers' College in New York. Her articles on health and wellness have appeared in numerous publications in the New York/Tri-State and on the Web. She is currently working on a cookbook focusing on healthy meals that are both simple and delicious.
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