What is the Real Cause of Influenza Epidemics?

re: What is the Real Cause of Influenza Epidemics?

bturner1973 — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:45:05 GMT

I take cod liver oil. My sister said someone told her it was bad for your liver but she said she will continue to take it. I am glad i read this blog. Someone had a comment that to take it from Nov. to April which sounds about right. Has anyone been following the articles about the rise of "rickets" in american children especially African-American children. I have seen several small children with very "bow legs".

I need some feedback because I am taking Nexium because my asthma inhalers caused me to coughand gag and vomit. My doctor told me to stop the inhaler and sent me to an ENT doctor. She said that my right vocal cord was weak. I have to return in one month and was told to take the pills twice a dfay if I started to cough. I feel the HFC inhalers are not sufficient and seem to cause more problems.

re: What is the Real Cause of Influenza Epidemics?

ekim — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:23:26 GMT

Does this mean that countries south of the equator, which have their winters during our PNW summer months have their cold season? Does this mean that those of us in the northern states have more frequency of colds than warmer climate winter states like CA and AZ?

MIke

re: What is the Real Cause of Influenza Epidemics?

tigator — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:35:47 GMT

Will someone explain to me why flu shots work for "me"?

All during my childhood, I got influenza every single year - I remember it clearly. After high school I entered the military and we had mandatory flu shots. As long as I was in the military, I NEVER got influenza. After I got out of the military, I continued to get my yearly flu shot. I then became pregnant and neglected getting the flu shot and I paid dearly with getting influenza at 6 months pregnant. I had never been so sick in my life and thankfully, my baby/pregnancy was not affected. (I have since found out that I was fortunate too) After that experience, I am too afraid to not get that yearly influenza shot. Experience tells ME that it works for ME.

re: What is the Real Cause of Influenza Epidemics?

Baggy — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:35:21 GMT

I have never yet failed to beat off a flu attack with olive leaf extract. A total of four times and never lasted more than 3 days... completely gone.

Even when other family members have had them last three weeks or more because they wouldn't listen. I'm always dismissed as "you didn't really have it..."

Maximise the dose, I normally take 6 tablets (12% standardised oleuropein) twice a day for 3 days. They taste foul so swallow them quickly... you will not regret it.

It should also be pointed out that vaccines are the drug companies' holy grail as they get to give them to everyone without any justification whatsoever... megabuck earners that have nothing to do with health, but since when did they care about health? They never have, only about treating the sick... and keeping them that way.

re: What is the Real Cause of Influenza Epidemics?

Ms. V — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:56:25 GMT

I'm too lazy to read all the comments, but I did do a little search for the word "sugar" to make sure I wasn't repeating someone else's comment. I was pretty darn surprised that no one mentioned that other big seasonal trigger -- the holidays! Starting with Halloween, it's all about sugar and overeating, isn't it? Combine that with lack of sunlight and it's no wonder we get sick!

re: What is the Real Cause of Influenza Epidemics?

SANDTHOMAS — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 07:21:40 GMT

I PURCHASED COD LIVER OIL FROM MERCOLA. ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL WITH GREATLY ELEVATED LIVER ENZYMES! I AM AFRAID TO TAKE IT NOW.

re: What is the Real Cause of Influenza Epidemics?

auntie em — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 02:56:57 GMT

As an RN working in ER, I believe the best way to avoid flu is to take a lot of mineral-chelated vitamin C (like Emergen-C), 6-8 grams per day; and to AVOID getting the flu shot. They claim "it doesn't cause the flu" but I wonder...10 years ago, I decided to "be good" and get the flu shot (this was before I knew what I now know re. vaccines)...Guess what? I got sick. Called it a fluke, got the shot next year, got sick again. And I am someone who never gets sick! That was it for that experiment!

Each year, they try to bully us into "being good examples" by getting the shot. We have to fill out online forms telling why we won't get it. Last year, I said I'd never get another one as long as I lived. This year, there was an online "test" to which the only "correct" answer was to schedule the flu shot. Well, I failed that CE requirement!

It is interesting to note that during last year's epidemic, every time I went to work, I'd get coughed or sneezed at--when you do flu swabs, they go right up the nose, so you can imagine the physiological reaction, and it went right in my face every time. My un-vaccinated colleagues and I did not get sick--but we had to cover for the vaccinated that did.

re: What is the Real Cause of Influenza Epidemics?

Irishmom2 — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:11:42 GMT

Dr. Mercola,

Your flu article was wonderful, but you did not even mention the REAL DANGER of the flu shot

which is that it contains thimersol. A statistic I remember reading somewhere, stated that getting the flu shot 3 times in a row increased the risk of getting Alheimers by 40%.

As a true life example, my wonderfully alert, intelligent Mother-in-law retired at 65 from a demanding job as a receiptionist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering hospital, in NYC after 26 years of service. She was in perfect health, and followed a cancer preventative diet routine from a study she had participated in for Sloan-Kettering (4 helpings of varied fruit and 5 helpings of varied colored vetagables every day, (organic only), only 1 serving of her allowed dessert a piece of coffee cake per day). She never consumed soda, fast foods, or sugar like the rest of us. She loved every Mary Higgins Clark mystery novels, and any other good mystery she got her hands on. She read most of the books in 2-3 days. She also read most of the books recommended by the Oprah club at the time.

Yet suddenly at age 69, we began to observe memory lapses, and repition of stories, which was very unusual for her. This astue woman, who previously followed the individual stock picks, recommend by her son, and monitored her ever expanding retirement portfolio, suddenly was sending birthday cards to her grandkids in odd months, and confusing her grandkids with her own kids.

By 71 was diagnosed with alheimers. She is now in a full care nursing home, and does not even recognise the evening news any more than her own kids. The only factors that can account for this rapid decline is that she followed docor's recommendations and was the 1st on line to get her flu shot. The other factor that I personally think may have contributed was that she chew 2 tums every day, Aluminum? ... otherwise why the sudden onset? A devoted fan, read almost all your e-mails. Philomena R.

re: What is the Real Cause of Influenza Epidemics?

yankeelady49 — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:10:24 GMT

Additional consideration should be given to the fact that people with undiagnosed thyroid disease and those not receiving enough thyroid hormone replacement would be more susceptiable to the flu in the winter months. The thyroid in the body's immune system regulator. The winter months place more demand on the thyroid in order to rev up the metabolism to keep us warm, amoung other things. Those people whose thyroid is not functioning at peak levels would be more vulnerable to immune system attacks. Underactive thyroid contributes to respiratory ailments and vulnerability to asthma, allergies, pneumonia, bronchitis and even sleep apnea. With a lowered immune system the flu bug can easily turn into complications in susceptible individuals. Instead of getting a flu jab, it would be better if everyone had their thyroid levels checked and make sure their TSH levels were around 1-2 not the so called normal range which is so outdated.

re: What is the Real Cause of Influenza Epidemics?

hyper — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:20:29 GMT

You have suggested when ordering Flaxseed oil that they have Sulfurated Protein and L-Methionine in it but I have not found that where I order my Flaxseed. They have Omega Tru Organic Flaxseed oil and Omega Tru Organic Flaxseed Oil High Lignan but none with what you have suggested. Is their oil with Lignan just as good and give me the same results as what you suggested?

re: What is the Real Cause of Influenza Epidemics?

Jonathan B — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:10:40 GMT

I have found that I stopped contracting the flu about five years ago.

This was about the time that I got out of the habit of shaking hands, due to a medical newsletter that said it helps spread colds. I just pat people on the back, or grab their sleeves if they have long sleeve shirts, so the hand do not touch.

At this time, I also started using colloidal silver, olive leaf extract, and oil of oregano for infections.

I was forced to start using natural means to fight infection, due to the fact that I had increasingly severe side effects from using antibiotics when ill.

I cannot say that my changes were the reason I stopped getting the flu, but I regularly had flu and occasionally pneumonia throughout my life.

During the time of my changes in hand shaking and the end of use of antibiotics, I also chose to refuse any more flu shots, since I had noticed that I caught the flu each time that I received the shot.

re: What is the Real Cause of Influenza Epidemics?

springolife — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:08:47 GMT

I live in south Texas where we have wonderful weather and people spend lots of time in the sun. Obviously though there are those who sit around in their office or living room all the time no matter what the weather. We still have a pretty high flu rate...enough that daycares and schools are insisting on the flu vaccine. I'm not convinced that vitamin D deficiency is a major factor. We seem to get the flu every year and love to spend copious amounts of time outside (right now my yard is flooded but it's an opportunity to wear our boots and play in the water!)

Of course every year someone in the home had a flu vaccine, so that could possibly increase our flu exposure, I don't know...My husband recently had an appendectomy and the discharge papers says "patient had a flu vaccine" and you check yes or no. So I guess they make it a pretty regular thing to automatically vaccinate upon discharge. They had vaccination tables set up and signs on every table in the cafeteria...

re: What is the Real Cause of Influenza Epidemics?

nowuccas — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:15:18 GMT

An acid, by definition, cannot be alkaline; it must have a pH lower than 7.

re: What is the Real Cause of Influenza Epidemics?

Duparc — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 12:12:05 GMT

Jeanc. I tried beta glucan when it first came on the market and its price then was extortionate. At the time I did not feel I was benefitting from it but your comment from your experience will make me have another look at this product. Thanks for drawing it to attention.

re: What is the Real Cause of Influenza Epidemics?

jeanc — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:04:59 GMT

BETA GLUCAN is the STUFF!!

YEAR AFTER YEAR I suffered from colds and the flu (even though I am a non smoker). I would have them so badly that I literally felt like it would be fine with me if I just died!! I starting taking lots of supplements and was most helped by taking 2000 mgs of Vitamin C with every meal. THEN....I found Beta Glucan. The brand I buy is from www.aboutbetaglucan.com (I have no financial interests in this company). I started taking a 500 mg capsule every morning (on an empty stomach)...and have NEVER gotten sick since!! Ocassionaly my throat feels a bit sore, etc.--on those days I simply take 2 or 3 capsules (throughout the day). Being someone with a weak immune system all my life....I was astounded by its overall affect. I never, ever get sick anymore!! PRAISE GOD!!! Yippeeee....!!