Fighting the Flu: Strong Immune System is Best Defense

Flu Fears

From Alternatives Newsletter Fall 2009

With the flu taking center stage this fall and winter, what do you need to know to protect yourself?  According to Dr. Patricia Ryan, a strong immune system is the best defense against the potentially deadly viruses that are anticipated this season.  “To minimize your chance of getting the swine flu, take measures to keep your immune system strong,” Dr. Ryan explained.  “The media talks about hand-washing, but caring for your immune system is even more important.”  For more . . . .

Fighting the Flu

Strong Immune System is Best Defense

With the threat of the flu looming, Nebraskans may wonder what they should do to protect themselves.  According to Dr. Patricia Ryan, a strong immune system is the best defense against the potentially deadly viruses that are anticipated this fall and winter.

“I have fielded lot of questions about the swine flu vaccine,” said Dr. Ryan, founder of Alternatives: A Center of Conscious Health.  “Most people want to know whether they should receive the vaccine.  At this point, it appears that many Nebraskans will already have had the virus before the vaccine would even be available.  Once you come down with the H₁N₁ ‘swine flu,’ you will have immunity to this particular virus and would not need a vaccine,” she noted.

Dr. Ryan explained that there are safety concerns as well about the H₁N₁ “swine flu” vaccine. “It contains squalene and thimerosal, both of which are known toxins,” Dr. Ryan said.  “This vaccine is being quickly fast-tracked through the U.S. Food and Drug administration,” she added, “and there has not been adequate testing.  The question is could the risk of vaccine injury be greater than the risk of the swine flu itself?  In 1976 more people died from the flu vaccination than from the flu itself,” she said.

“The CDC admits that the flu vaccine given in 1976 was associated with people getting Guillain-Barre syndrome, but they think the risk is lower this time. The decision is yours.  I encourage you to get more fully informed,” Dr. Ryan recommends.

“To minimize your chance of getting the swine flu, take measures to keep your immune

system strong,” Dr. Ryan explained.  “The media talks about hand-washing, but caring for your immune system is even more important.”

Following are Alternatives’ recommendations to help protect your health:

1. Get plenty of rest; eight hours of sleep per night.

2. Slow down to reduce stress.

3. Eliminate white sugar and white flour from your diet. This decreases activity of your

white blood cells.

4. Increase the amount of vegetables you eat.

5. See prior Alternatives’ newsletters for supplement recommendations: http://www.centerforconscioushealth.com/news.html.

6. Above all, practice love, compassion, and forgiveness. There is nothing more

powerful for your immune system.

For more information, contact Alternatives: A Center for Conscious Health at 827-9450.