1.  The Ingredients

Worried about getting sick?  How about some mercury and a dose of formaldehyde to keep you healthy? That sounds insane until you take a closer look at the ingredients of your run of the mill flu shot.  Here is just a sampling of some of the ingredients:

Beta-propiolactone:
The vapor is very irritating and the liquid form is carcinogenic. Propiolactone is "reasonably expected to be a human carcinogen." (IARC 1999) Recognized - carcinogen, Suspected - gastrointestinal or liver toxicant, respiratory toxicant, skin or sense organ toxicant. More hazardous than most chemicals in 3 out of 3 ranking systems. On at least 5 federal regulatory lists. Ranked as one of the most hazardous compounds (worst 10%) to humans. Propiolactone was once widely used in the manufacture of acrylic acid and its esters, but its use has been mostly phased out in favor of safer and less expensive alternatives.

Thimerosol  
A mercury-containing preservative that is added to vials of vaccine that contain more than one dose to prevent contamination and growth of potentially harmful bacteria. Mercury causes brain neuron degeneration. Evidence has been found showing the direct effect of mercury exposure on neurodegenerative processes in the brain. It was “finally” recognized in 1999 that the long half-life of ethlymercury could theoretically result in accumulation and toxicity during chronic applications and as such joint statements by the American Academy of Pediatricians and the United States Public Health Services recommended the removal of thimerosal from all vaccines. However, it still remains.

Neomycin sulfate
Interferes with Vitamin B6 absorption. An error in the uptake of B6 can cause a rare form of epilepsy and mental retardation.

Formaldehyde
A carcinogen found in almost every vaccine that is included to inactivate viruses to prevent causing the disease once the vaccine has been injected. The FDA states that excessive exposure to formaldehyde may cause cancer, however “there is no evidence linking cancer to infrequent exposure to tiny amounts of formaldehyde via injection as occurs with vaccines.”

Egg protein (chicken embryo)
Found in influenza vaccines, which are used as culture media. The vaccine should be avoided if allergic to eggs or egg products. 

2. The vaccine is no more effective than the placebo

The CDC recommends that children under two years of age get the influenza vaccine despite the published systematic review of 51 studies involving 260,000 children (6-23 months) that found the flu vaccine to be no more effective than a placebo!

3. With a strong immune system, your body can fend off the flu naturally
Take the following measures to keep healthy, instead:

Get under regular Chiropractic care 
Everyone needs a Chiropractor on their wellness team.  In the past, people went to the chiropractor for infectious diseases, not aches and pains. Chiropractors were especially instrumental and popular during the 1918 flu pandemic.  That’s because chiropractic influences the efficiency of the immune system. Instead of flu shots for the whole family, try Chiropractic first.  

Maintain optimal Vitamin D levels
 If you aren’t getting plentiful sun exposure (without sunscreen), it’s ESSENTIAL to supplement with Vitamin D3 . A good rule of thumb for kids is 35 IU’s per pound of body weight and 8000 IU’s daily for the average adult. For optimal maintenance, you’ll want to get your blood tested to determine your personal requirements to reach 50-70 ng/ml Vitamin D levels).

Address emotional stress

Eat nutrient-rich foods 
Eat the foods your body was genetically designed to eat. Avoid sugar; viruses are opportunists who thrive on it!

Get sufficient rest

Move your body
Simply by increasing your body temperature, your immune system is boosted to aid in killing pathogens, just as a fever does when the body is ill. Exercising at least five times per week decreases your chance of having a cold by 50%.  The increased oxygen to tissues also helps fight cancer cells.

4.  The flu is nothing to be afraid of
It seems like every year the CDC and news outlets are reporting 'the biggest flu epidemic YET'.  With all the fear mongering, it's no wonder people are lining up for the shot and getting sick.  Stress and fear lowers your immune system!  Take a deep breath, relax, and follow the outlined measures above to support your immune system. As long as you stay hydrated, getting the Flu is nothing to be afraid of.  In fact, it will also strengthen your immune system. For most people that get the Flu, symptoms last only a few days. While feeling lousy is no fun for anyone, you can rest assured knowing your body knows exactly how to heal.  A few days of symptoms far outweighs the side effects of a vaccine that doesn’t prevent the flu in the first place i.e no benefit with all the side effects!

[Speaking of side effects: according to the CDC, one ”may develop GBS in the days or weeks after getting a vaccination.” Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare disorder in which a person’s own immune system damages their nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. The chances of getting GBS may be small, but not worth the risk of getting such a severe, debilitating, disorder. A few days of Flu symptoms versus a lifetime of GBS seems like a clear choice.]

5. The evidence against the vaccine is relatively straightforward
The Vaccine Information Statement that is issued by the government and given to each recipient of the vaccine literally states: 

“One brand of inactivated flu vaccine, called Aluria, should not be given to children 8 years of age or younger, except in special circumstances. A related vaccine was associated with fevers and fever-related seizures in young children in Australia. Your doctor can give you more information.

Unfortunately the CDC and various other organizations state that getting the Flu Vaccine is the “best way to prevent getting the Flu” despite the lack of research and evidence that supports this. When those in the healthcare field are refusing the flu vaccine in exchange for loss of employment (shocking in this economy) it speaks very loudly and should be taken into consideration. What is it that they know and perhaps observed that isn’t necessarily obvious or available to the rest of us? All we can do is educate ourselves, ask questions, and remember we ALWAYS have a choice whether or not to get vaccinated (check out NVIC.org to find exemptions for your state).

Check out this video that cites just one hospital (of many across the nation) that has fired their employees for noncompliance of getting the Flu shot:

http://video.foxnews.com/v/2084961609001/fired-for-not-getting-flu-shot/

When feeling under the weather, are you left wondering if there’s more you can do for yourself other than a trip to urgent care for another z-pack? Other than doing the best for your body’s immune system with regular chiropractic care and a healthy diet, a well researched remedy may already be in your kitchen.  Afterall, food is the best medicine!

Fresh garlic works like a broad-spectrum antibiotic fighting not only bacteria, but also viruses (like the flu) and protozoa (like malaria, giardiasis, and more). Garlic also has antifungal and cancer fighting properties!

Unlike antibiotics where resistance is a concern, your body won't build a resistance to garlic. All you need is one to two medium sized cloves per day. Remember, fresh is best (a rule of thumb for ALL food). Simply crush up some garlic to activate it and swallow.  Don't like the taste or can't convince your kids?  Bathe it in some manuka honey first.  

This is a great way to help naturally support your immune system.  It's always important to remember that health happens through you when you adopt healthy habits, exercise, rest, and decrease spinal stress with lifestyle choices including regular chiropractic care.