What You Need to Know About The Flu Shot
Your Immune System's Response to The Flu Shot
Can Make You More Prone to Catching the Flu Viruses!
Do we just naively accept the marketing hype that we all, especially infants and the elderly, are in need of the Flu Shot to protect us against falling sick during winter? Unfortunately, the hype fails to let us know that the decisions made over what to put in the flu vaccine are based entirely on guess work.
Every February, the World Health Organisation (WHO) evaluates the various types of flu that have been circulating around the world and then pick the ones they think should go in the vaccine for the forthcoming winter.
This means that each year’s vaccine batch is made based on the strains of flu that are expected to circulate in the coming season! No guarantees just guesstimates! Flu is a very complicated virus which means the unexpected ways in which it can change cannot be predicted. In any given year the flu vaccine may not be a good match for all the strains of flu that are circulating, rendering it mostly ineffective with only 1 in 10 people who receive it “protected".
WHAT CHEMICAL COCKTAIL MAKES UP THE FLU SHOT?
Two options are available when you get a flu vaccine:
Inactivated influenza: A vaccine containing flu viruses that have been killed with chemicals or heat. This process destroys the viruses' ability to replicate in the body to cause illness, but keeps it intact enough so that the immune system can still recognise it and make a protective antibody response.
Live influenza vaccine (LAIV or FluMist): A nasal spray usually given to children containing a live, but weakened form of the virus. A live vaccine is the closest thing to a natural infection, it usually produces a strong immune response.
Flu shots change regularly, so here are some of the typical ingredients you’ll find in the flu vaccine:
EGG PROTEIN
The main reason the flu vaccine may not always match the circulating strains of flu is because the viruses for flu vaccines are grown in fertilised chicken eggs. This is a slow process that often lead to ‘egg adaptation’ whereby the flu virus strain starts to adapt to the conditions in the egg, leading to changes in the virus. Growing the virus in this manner also means that the vaccine will contain small amounts of egg protein.
ANIMAL CELLS
There are newer versions of the vaccine which do not use chicken eggs but use animal cells instead.
Flucelvax, grown from dogs’ kidney cells
Flublok, cells from the ovaries of fall armyworms in the pupal stage
These new versions can be made in less time with viruses blended in about 65 hours to 75 hours, compared to the six months or so it takes to grow in chicken eggs! The FDA found it to be about 45% effective against flu strains. The side effects however, can include muscle aches, headache, fatigue and pain.
THIMEROSAL (MERCURY)
The preservative Thimerosal is added to multidose vaccine vials to prevent dangerous bacteria and fungi from getting into the vial with each use. Thimerosal contains small amounts of mercury. The World Health Organization (WHO) state there is no risk from Thiomersal in vaccines but scienctific evidence disagrees. Mercury is one of the most toxic substances known to man, no matter how minute the dose. Studies have shown Thimerosal causes brain injuries and miscarriages.
If you decide to take the flu jab you can request a Thimerosal-free vaccine. If your doctor refuses to give you a Thimerosal-free vaccine because it is too expensive or inconvenient, find another doctor!
STABILIZERS
Sucrose, sorbitol and monosodium glutamate (MSG) are routinely used to keep vaccines stable, in particular to prevent them from losing their potency when exposed to heat and light.
Sucrose is sugar mainly derived from beet or cane sugar
Sorbitol is an artificial sweetener that’s also found in chewing gum
MSG is a flavour enhancer most commonly used as an additive in Chinese food and many processed foods
ANTIBIOTICS
Neomycin, gentamicin, and other antibiotics are added to vaccines in very small amounts. They stop bacteria from contaminating the vaccine.
POLYSORBATE 80
This emulsifier prevents sauces and salad dressings from separating. In vaccines, polysorbate 80 keeps all the ingredients evenly distributed. Though large doses can cause some people to have reactions, the amount in the flu vaccine is very small and sensitivities varies from person to person.
FORMALDEHYDE
Formaldehyde is a gas that is soluble in water and used in the flu vaccine to inactivate the influenza virus. It is also found in household products from glues to pressed-wood furniture. Pressed wood furniture is made from wood scraps, chips, shavings, or sawdust, and bound with heat or resin or another type of adhesive
Bullet Proof Your Immune System to Combat Flu
Personally, I have never had the flu shot because I simply do not believe in it, and I'm not alone. There are many who are in the nutrition camp and understand that the most effective way to avoid the flu is to have a strong immune system that is fully supported by the nutrients found in food.
You Can Feed Yourself To Good Health
Advanced scientific interventions will never replace the complexities involved in absorbing nutrients from food that interact at a cellular level to boost your immune system. New evidence suggests that the immune system's response to the Flu Shot can make you more susceptible to the Flu! Therefore the safest way to fight off infection and keep flu at bay is to bullet proof your immune system.
HOW TO BULLET PROOF YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
Flu viruses want an easy host. An easy host has a diet loaded with anti-nutrients such as sugar, processed foods and consumes very little fresh fruit and minimal portions of vegetables. It should be of no surprise that a diet devoid of enzymes and vitamins will negatively influence your immune system.
5 easy ways to Bullet Proof Your Immune System to avoid catching the flu:
1. AVOID OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS
DO NOT use any cough remedies, or nasal sprays, or any over the counter medications.
2. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS
Drinking warm lemon water with cayenne and/or raw unpasteurised honey will help detoxify and flush the system, and make your body extremely inhospitable to infection (lemon, honey and cayenne are all excellent at fighting off sickness)
3. REDUCE SUGAR INTAKE
Sugar in all its forms is the most immune depressing substance. Sugar hinders white blood cells’ capacity to destroy invaders. Furthermore, sugar causes the body to lose essential minerals which then triggers inflammation.
4. INCREASE VITAMIN C INTAKE
Vitamin C is an overall immune booster as it stimulates immune function and helps protect you from both the common cold and flu. The best way to have Vitamin C is to eat citrus fruits and sip on lemon water throughout the day. Vitamin C in its natural form is more effective than supplements because consuming the real deal allows all the fruits nutrients to interact together for proper absorption at a cellular level.
5. EAT RAW GARLIC
If you do come in to contact with the flu virus then garlic can destroy it with its powerful sulphur containing compounds (allion and allicin) that have antiviral effects! To reap the power of garlic’s flu-fighting properties, it’s best to have a raw clove every four hours, in the same way you would take over the counter flu remedies. If the taste is too overpowering try cutting the clove into small pieces and swallow with a small teaspoon of honey, which also has antiviral properties. If you still find going raw difficult then add a few extra cloves to soup.
The best flu shot in the world is available to you naturally!
THE BEST 3 NATURAL FLU SHOTS
The best natural flu shots to give your body the vitamins and nutrients it needs every day to make sure its combat ready for flu season (and party season for that matter!) are available to you naturally. All it takes are three simple investments:
Fresh organic produce
A blender or food processor
A commitment to your health!
BENEFITS OF NATURAL FLU SHOTS
You decide and control what’s in it
Boost the immune system naturally
Kick start your day
No negative side effects
Delicious nutritious!
Here are three of best antibiotic, antiviral shots you can make at home using simple, whole food ingredients. They combine to create an anti-flu and anti-cold “bomb” against any viruses or bacteria.
1. FLU SHOT RAW BOMB
This recipe is for those who are tough, raw and attack their problems head-on. Take a small ‘shot’ each morning to kick out any virus or bacteria you may have hanging around in your system
Ingredients:
4 whole lemons
1 inch fresh ginger
2 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp raw honey
6-12 fresh cloves
Method:
Remove the peel from ½ inch fresh ginger
Peel 1 clove of garlic
Squeeze the lemons until you get 1 cup of juice
Blend the lemon juice, ginger, and garlic with honey and cloves
It will be strong and potent
Keep left overs in a sealed glass jar
The mixture will store well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
2. FLU SHOT POWERHOUSE
This recipe has a great raw taste full of powerhouse ingredients. Drink a small glass of this Powerhouse shot each morning on an empty stomach to reap the full benefits.
Ingredients:
1 whole lemon
1 inch cube fresh ginger
3 cloves of garlic
1 Tbsp raw honey
½/tsp turmeric powder or ½ inch cube of fresh turmeric
pinch fresh ground black pepper
½ tsp coconut oil
1 cup of filtered or spring water
Method:
Blend all ingredients and store in a glass jar
Will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
3. FLU SHOT PUNCh
Punch your immune system back into action with this smooth and tasty shot. Drink a small glass of this Punch shot every morning on an empty stomach to reap the full benefits.
Ingredients:
8 whole lemons
2 fresh oranges
½ cup fresh pineapple
½ inch fresh ginger
5 cloves of garlic
1 Tbsp raw honey
½ tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
Method:
Blend all ingredients and store in a glass jar
Will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Final Word
It's worth considering how the the flu vaccine could negatively impact the body, year after year and the effect of the toxic build up! Is it worth it especially as protection against flu viruses is hit and miss? Therefore, a safer option is to prepare your body naturally and healthily for winter. Build up your immune system, make it strong, and when you feel slightly under the weather fight back with natural flu shots!
References
Altenbaugh, R. J. (2018). What Is Science?. In Vaccination in America (pp. 289-302). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Goldstein, E., Cobey, S., Takahashi, S., Miller, J. C., & Lipsitch, M. (2011). Predicting the epidemic sizes of influenza A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B: a statistical method. PLoS medicine, 8(7), e1001051.
Kennedy, R. F. (2015). Thimerosal: Let the Science Speak: The Evidence Supporting the Immediate Removal of Mercury a Known Neurotoxin from Vaccines. Skyhorse Publishing, Inc..
Osterhaus, A., Openshaw, P., & Monto, A. (2010). Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic: the right steps were taken/Science based arguments to support this statement. The European scientific group working group on influenza. Brussels, 22.
Smith, T. C. (2017, July). Vaccine rejection and hesitancy: a review and call to action. In Open forum infectious diseases (Vol. 4, No. 3). Oxford University Press.