The Vaccine Question

Whenever you have two sides feeling passionately about an issue, it may be time to regroup and take a new look at the issue.  As a holistic practitioner with a Western health science degree, I have been very interested in the issue of vaccination, and the safety factor. I wrote my first research paper on vaccination injury as an undergraduate at Ohio State University. I learned then that our approach to vaccination is inadequate and risky.

Would parents be against safe immunization that truly protected their child and was also completely safe?  Perhaps those with religious reasons oppose vaccination altogether.  But many concerned parents are not “anti” vaccine. They are simply anti a medical procedure that has not been proven safe and effective. The question is whether the risk of vaccination injury outweighs any benefit. The definition of immunity is the recognition of a pathogen and an immediate and correct response from the immune system so that the pathogen is contained before the disease has a chance to take hold.

This is not what current vaccinations do for children. Vaccinations stimulate an immune response, but in infants it is not the correct response. Until about the age of 1 year, infants get an immune response that weakens their immune system, instead of strengthening it. http://gaetacommunications.com/site/?p=1092

True immunity is not established by vaccination and that is why booster shots are required. http://biology.stackexchange.com/questions/5782/at-what-age-do-babies-begin-to-synthesize-their-own-antibodies

If you are getting your information from the general media, please understand that you are being woefully misinformed. Media is run by corporate interests, so you are getting the “company line” of the pharmaceutical companies. For many children vaccination is a “clear and present danger”, to borrow a term from the military. Even the CDC Chief has admitted publicly (on CNN) that some children, about one in sixty, carry genetic information that might lead to autism, if there is a trigger, such as vaccinations or other trauma. That is a pretty high number of kids to put at risk. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/04/22/head-of-cdc-admits-on-cnn-that-vaccines-can-trigger-autism.aspx

There have been no long-term studies on the safety of the multiple vaccinations that are being performed today. And injecting a child’s body with 49 doses of vaccination before age six and 69 doses before age eighteen, with no long-term studies, seems like a crapshoot. In the U.S. there have been no reported cases of Diphtheria for years, and there are only 4-5,000 cases worldwide, yet it is still on the infant vaccination schedule.

For a table of contagious disease statistics worldwide see this from WHO. http://apps.who.int/immunization_monitoring/globalsummary/timeseries/tsincidencediphtheria.html

There are other worrisome factors. After 1988, the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine was grown on fetal tissue from aborted fetuses. Some of the fetal tissue gets injected with the vaccine. After this, autism rates spiked. This is documented, and not a myth. Regardless of how you feel about abortion, does it make any sense to use human tissue to inject in an infant? The fetal tissue used has been “grown” from earlier fetal cells, so it is not supposed to be fresh fetal tissue. Nevertheless, the safety of these vaccines has not been established. http://www.vaccine-tlc.org/human

Heavy metals such as aluminum and mercury (thimerosal) are used in vaccines.  We know that heavy metal toxicity is a risk factor for all humans.

The C-section rate in the United States is 25%. The baby’s gut is seeded with vital flora as the baby passes through the birth canal and receives healthy bacteria orally from the mother’s vagina. Often women who have a C-section birth do not breast-feed. The immune system of a newborn is dependent on vaginal birth and the immunological factors in mother’s milk. http://www.marksdailyapple.com/how-to-establish-a-healthy-gut-in-your-primal-baby/#axzz3bPTzuQLR

The umbilical cords of newborns contain 200 environmental toxins, according to studies. This means that the infant is exposed before it leaves the womb. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/newborn-babies-chemicals-exposure-bpa/

Perhaps autism is a perfect storm of factors that could be controlled. We can reduce the toxic burden in the environment. We can improve maternal nutrition and health care to reduce C-section rates. We can encourage breast-feeding.

And we can do the studies and research to make safe and effective vaccines. One safe alternative may be homeopathic vaccines called “homeoprophylaxis”. HP has been used for cholera, polio, meningitis and other diseases. The level of protection is comparable to pharmaceutical vaccines, with absolutely no risks of adverse effects or injury. In fact, the homeopathic approach may actually strengthen the immune system, rather than assault it. http://hpworldwidechoice.com/What_is_Homeoprophylaxis.php

And we can uphold the rights of all parents to make health decisions for their family. Remember that giving up freedoms to central controls is never a good road to travel. It inevitably leads to less freedom for everyone.

Given the fact that we have rising childhood statistics on obesity, asthma, cancer, developmental and behavioral problems, and autoimmune issues, along with autism, I suggest that the Pharmaceutical companies should be required to do everything it takes to ensure the long-term health and well being of our children. It is very possible that the current method of vaccination will seem as wrong-headed as bloodletting, in years to come. Parents are now trained to take their kids to the doctors on regular schedules, which makes money for the pediatricians, but has not produced a healthier generation of kids. No one is demanding that Pharmaceutical companies take responsibility for what they inject in our children. In fact, the law says that you cannot sue for vaccine injury, except in a special Vaccine Injury Court. If vaccines are so safe, why pass such a law?

If you choose to vaccinate, there are ways to do it more safely, and I am happy to pass on that information. But I also ask that you respect the health freedom of those who choose not to vaccinate, whether for religious or health reasons. Denying basic rights like personal choices about medical treatment is a slippery slope. The next freedom to be taken away may be one that you hold dear.

Herd immunity theory is a completely unproven, and I suggest that it is used to frighten parents into compliance. Your immune system does not care at all whether my immune system is immunized or not. You are a separate system completely, and you will fight your own immune battles and I will fight mine.  We already have very high numbers of vaccinated children, and almost no contagious childhood disease.  We need to focus on other health issues for our kids, like nutrition and physical activity. A healthy diet, beginning with breast milk as an infant, will do more for the immune system and protection from disease than almost any other measure. We can agree on one important thing. We want the best possible health for our children.

For more information on homeopathic vaccination, here is a free course. http://yescourse.com/store/facts-about-homoeopathic-immunisation/?ref=1030

Lower Blood Pressure Naturally

The standard advice for elevated blood pressure has been to reduce salt intake. However, salt is a vital mineral and the human body cannot function without salt.

Even if you reduce salt to a minimum, the salt content of the blood remains the same as someone who over-salts their food. The body maintains a consistent level of salt in the blood.

New research indicates that the benefits of cutting out salt are debatable, and may even increase your risk of heart disease. ?ttp://www.medicaldaily.com/sugar-hurts-heart-health-more-salt-mostly-heart-disease-and-blood-pressure-313780

Of course, no one is suggesting that you should eat processed or fast foods, which do contain levels of sodium that are off the charts. But salting your whole, natural foods to taste, with sea salt or Himalayan salt,  both of which contain other trace minerals, appears to be beneficial. And if your adrenals are weak, salt is even more vital. http://www.drlam.com/articles/adrenal_fatigue_and_blood_pressure.asp

How can you safely lower your blood pressure? By reducing sugar. Eating 25% of your calories from sugar can triple your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Sugar causes inflammation which is more damaging to your arteries than salt.

Fruit sugar is not the culprit, although I suggest limiting your fruit intake to 1-2 servings per day to see if your body responds better. Fruit juice should be completely avoided. High fructose corn syrup and agave should never be used. Agave is just anther form of high fructose corn syrup, made from cactus.

Honey in moderation should not pose too much risk, and real maple syrup may be enjoyed. If you also have Diabetes, even these sweeteners should be used only in the smallest amounts.

Bread and other simple carbs like rice, oats, and corn also break down into sugar in the blood, so regard these as foods to avoid.

If you are on blood pressure medication, and you increase your healthy fats, and limit sugar and grains, you will have to monitor yourself carefully because your need for medication may diminish or cease altogether.  Work with your prescribing physician to adjust your medication accordingly.

One diet plan that you can try is the Ketogenic plan. It is Paleo to the extreme and will challenge all we have been taught about healthy eating. Ketogenic eating causes your body and brain to operate off ketones instead of glucose and it is how many people like Inuits (Eskimos) have eaten traditionally. The Inuits had no history of heart disease, cancer, obesity or Diabetes. So they were on to something! To calculate your ratio of carbs to fat to protein and calories you should consume, you can use the Ketogenic calculator. http://keto-calculator.ankerl.com/  Check it out-you may be surprised what it says.

One factor in blood pressure appears to be the flexibility of our veins and arteries. Naturally aging and poor diet can make arteries stiff and brittle. Blueberries consumed daily appear to reduce inflammation, measured in blood work as C-reactive protein, and to reduce blood pressure over an eight-week period. Frozen blueberries may be used, so you may want to include blueberries as your daily serving or fruit.  http://www.medicaldaily.com/blueberries-may-help-control-blood-pressure-321276

My theory on aging is that it is all about keeping the body supple and hydrated, with water, good oils and minerals. How you eat has everything to do with how your feel and how well your body functions. We don’t treat our cars as badly as we do our bodies. A new car only becomes a vintage collectible when someone gives it the proper maintenance all its life!

Saliva Hormone Testing-Mother's Day Special

Hormone Saliva Testing Vs. Blood Testing

Although blood testing can give some information about the status of your hormones, saliva testing may tell more.

When you test saliva, you are testing an “end product”, what hormones are left over after being active. Hormones that are circulating in the blood don’t tell us how well the cells are accepting hormonal influence. Each hormone in the body, including the female and male sex hormones, influence and lock on to individual cells all over the body.

How well those cells receive the hormones is an important part of the picture. Holistic doctors take this into consideration and know that the cells can be tweaked to be more responsive to hormones, without forcing the issue with drugs or synthetic hormones.

There are also vital nutrients needed for full function of the glands that produce the hormones. Iodine is a good example. I have seen iodine improve depression so dramatically that one patient told me she was thinking about suicide, but was afraid to tell anyone, until I put her on iodine supplementation.  Years later she told me that the iodine had saved her life.

Hormones are wrapped in protein envelopes so they can hitch a ride in the blood stream. The unbound proteins are more active, and this is what is measured in saliva.[i]

Saliva testing is easy, convenient, pain-less and less expensive. You do it yourself at home, first thing in the morning, and mail the saliva sample to the lab in a pre-paid envelope.  A basic test panel includes estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA and cortisol levels. Cortisol levels tell us much about weight, sleep and and stress issues.

Although I do use bio-identical hormone creams for some women, I always want to get the glands working optimally, even after menopause. Then any hormones added will only enhance a system that is already as balanced as possible.

The difference in mood, menopause symptoms, sleep, weight and general feeling of well-being can be quite dramatic. PMS, menopause and PCOS symptoms may be common, but they can be corrected.  The body was made to work correctly and women do not have to suffer.

I have also helped many couples achieve a healthy pregnancy, without resorting to costly and harsh drug and hormone treatments by balancing hormones.

Hormones rule the body. If you need help in understanding and balancing your hormones, we are happy to help. Take advantage of our Mother’s Day Special and come in for a full body analysis and Saliva Testing. The special price is $200, half off the usual price for Saliva testing and analysis/consultation. Call us if you have questions or would like to book. 818-562-1400.

[i] What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause, John R.Lee, M.D., Warner Books, 1966.

How To Know if You Have a Food Intolerance

You can probably recognize an actual food allergy.  Classic symptoms would be hives or difficulty breathing.

But food intolerances are harder to spot. They may not appear immediately and you may mistake the symptoms for a variety of other issues.

More and more people have food intolerances these days, even kids. As our food supply is more chemical, and the “natural foods” have more pesticides and are genetically modified, the human body is faced with trying to break down and metabolize an entire new type of ingestibles.

You can’t really call some of this “food” anymore, since lab-created chemicals or chemical/food hybrids won’t actually support human life.  These pseudo-foods will kill slowly, and they won’t support healthy physiology and function of organs and glands, so the quality of life suffers. This is why many obese people are actually starving at a cellular level.

The benefits of addressing food intolerances include:

1) Easier weight loss   2) better, deeper sleep   3) reduction of cravings  4) less PMS 5) mood stability  6) less bloating  7) improved immunity.

Even if you don’t suspect that a food you are eating is bothering you, check out this list. You may be surprised.

A short list of symptoms that could point to food intolerance includes stomach pain, reflux, ear infections, frequent illnesses, red cheeks, eczema, joint pain, frequent diarrhea/constipation, asthma, temper tantrums, fuzzy thinking, fatigue, headaches, failure to thrive, excessive gas, and sleep disturbances.

On one hand, eliminating foods that your body can’t handle will help. On the other hand, improving digestion, from stomach to gut, is also vital. Food intolerances are an indication of “leaky gut” which means that the gut wall is compromised and toxins or undigested foods are able to pass through to the blood. Normally the body is very protective of what goes into the blood, and anything that slips by the protective mechanism is going to trigger an immune response, and may lead to chronic inflammation-one of the main risks for heart disease.

Probiotics and digestive enzymes can be used by most people to support healthy digestion and replace the protective gut “bugs” that guard the intestinal walls. Fermented and cultured foods also help. We now know that food is not just a matter of putting gas in your tank. It is also a means of maintaining a strong fortress against disease.

So, if you have some puzzling symptoms, consider that something you are eating may be causing you digestive distress and compromising your immune system. It is far more likely that you are suffering from inflammation than a serious disease. But chronic inflammation from a gut and stomach that are not working correctly leaves you susceptible to disease. So, catch it early. You will feel so much better for it.