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Flu and Flu Shots

To get a shot or not? Even if you want one they are in very limited supply this year. Where do you go from here to stay healthy this season?

You may have heard of the much-publicized antibiotic resistance. This is a phenomenon whereby bacteria change or mutate so that the antibiotics that once killed them no longer work. The same is true of flu viruses. Microbes, including those that cause flu, colds and the gamut of bodily infections have the ability to mutate or change their genetic structure to adapt and survive.

Every year the pharmaceutical industry makes an educated guess about what next years flu will be and then develops a vaccine to stimulate your immune system to fight that virus. But what if they're wrong? Minimally, you've had the inconvenience of wasted time and money and perhaps you even got sick from the flu vaccine without developing immunity to the flu bug that actually emerged this year. At worst you might die from a flu shot.

Chiron, based in England, did not release half of its supply of flu vaccine this year because it was contaminated. That's why the flu vaccine is in such short supply this year. Unfortunately, in the 1980's when I was first in practice, the pharmaceutical industry was not so careful. They released a bad batch of flu vaccine that paralyzed some people to the extent of not being able to breathe without the assistance of an iron lung. Others less fortunate died.

Let's assume they got it right every year and the supply was not contaminated. Does the flu shot protect you from getting sick? NO. We still have an issue called "host resistance". That means the health, vitality and physiologic function of your own body. If you are in a weak or depleted state, your body will not have the ability to turn that flu shot into something that will protect you.

How can you get ready for cold and flu season without endangering your health - with or without a flu shot? As many of you are aware and many are using, I'm now working with patients to create a custom nutrition program created by colleagues with whom I've been working for the past 15 years. The system is called NutriScan. "Host resistance" improves when you're taking supplements that are designed for you. By investing 30 - 60 minutes of your time in taking a free online questionnaire - either in the convenience of your home or at my office - together we develop a nutritional support program based on your individual needs as well as your budget. It's shipped right to your home or office and comes in convenient packets marked breakfast and dinner so there's no mistaking the best time to take your supplements.

If you don't want to go so far as to commit to such a comprehensive program please check with me to put together a cold and flu season defense program that keeps you humming or at least decreases the amount of down time you experience if you do get sick.

Many factors affect our ability to ward off infection. Are you sleeping well? Are you getting adequate exercise? Are you drinking enough water? What are you eating? Are you enjoying life - are you happy? If you answer no to any of these questions, please schedule an appointment so that I can help you get back on the road to good health.

If you have questions about your fluid intake, please ask your doctor. Sometimes simply increasing water will make dramatic changes in your overall health.