Sick and tired of being Sick and Tired:

Fall is here, and as seasons change, so does your body.  Old cells are sloughing off and new cells are being created.  During this process sometimes our immune system is compromised and we may become sick.  If your immune system is high, you have a greater chance of not becoming sick.

A "shot" of antioxidant

There are a number of supplements that may help elevate antioxidant levels.  Vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene have all been shown to help fight colds and flu.  Selenium - a naturally occurring mineral with antioxidant properties is another.  Selenium may actually stop viruses from mutating and becoming more potent.

And finally, we have Echinacea - the herb that's become so well known in recent years for its apparent ability to help reduce the length and severity of colds and flu.  How this is done is not yet known, although some studies have indicated that Echinacea may stimulate the production of white blood cells that are necessary to effectively manage viruses.  Just last week I found a new study on Echinacea from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Arizona.  Purported to be one of the first human studies of this herb, the researchers concluded that the effectiveness of Echinacea may lie in its ability to strengthen a specific part of the immune system that is known to attack viruses.

Flu Shots:   What the Doctors forget to tell you¿..

Each year the flu vaccine is newly redesigned, using several strains from different types of flu that were common the season before.  So basically you're getting a vaccine that is, in theory, ideal for protecting you from last year's primary flu types.  But that shot at your doctor's office contains much more than just flu strains. The vaccine is prepared with chicken embryo fluid, inoculated with the living flu strains.  The fluid is then treated with formaldehyde to inactivate the virus.  Thimerosal, a mercury derivative, is injected to help preserve the mixture, Ethylene glycol (better known as antifreeze) and another chemical called phenol are added to disinfect.  Since animal cells are used for this process, animal viruses are sometimes introduced into the vaccine, undetected. 

Now ask yourself this:  If you were intending to purchase a dietary supplement and the label offered this warning: "May contain traces of formaldehyde, thimerosal, phenol, ethylene glycol, and animal cells,” would you buy it?

So if the idea of getting a flu shot is reassuring to you, don't let me stop you. But there's a very good chance that all the flu protection you need can be achieved by getting your immune system in check, by receiving regular Chiropractic adjustments, the right amount of sleep, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a light to moderate exercise regimen, and supplementing with a few proven helpers in the yearly fight between us and the flu bug.  By getting adjusted your spine is aligned properly so there is no nerve interference.  With no interference your immune system is now operating at a higher percentage.  

In our office we focus on Lifestyle which we believe to be Balance.  It is not just doing one thing.  In order to establish a well balanced lifestyle you need to have equal levels of Exercise, Diet, Chiropractic, and Positive mental Attitude.