Preempting the annual flu scare-a-thon
Researchers are confirming what I've been saying all along. You know that annual flu shot that's recommended every year like clockwork for seniors? It looks like its not saving their lives after all.
According to some experts debating in a recent edition of the Lancet medical journal, there's absolutely no evidence to support that flu shots prevent deaths in the over-65 crowd.
Of course, that's not what's touted by the medical mainstream, and the researchers say that any claim to the contrary is based on inconclusive data. But that doesn't stop the annual rollout of the CDC's vaccination campaign. The media follows close behind, anticipating the kick-off of their version of the annual scare-a-thon, replete with wide-eyed reporters with gallows-watch voices. The entire flu parade is launched with the citing of grim statistics of flu-related hospitalizations and deaths. All of this is used to scare the pants off of us, or at least scare us enough to raise our sleeves for a shot.
The research team also stated that the elderly actually receive less benefit than younger folks. The reason for this is because as we get older, we have a lower level of immune activity, making the immune response weaker.
I can't tell you how many times an elderly patient has come into my office with flu-like symptoms. That's certainly not the surprising part. What's surprising is finding out that they've recently had a flu shot at one of those flu clinics you see set up in the grocery store.
I'll give you the same advice I give all my patients when they ask me how to fight off the flu. First, you'll want to keep your immune system as strong as possible. And the best way to do that is to eat a healthy diet that's rich in vitamins C, E and A.
For vitamin C, boost your intake of citrus, berries, broccoli and peppers. For more vitamin E, include nuts and seeds, spinach and asparagus in your meal planning. And for vitamin A, take advantage of some of the vegetables available in the fall, such as sweet potatoes and pumpkin, which are loaded with it.
Also, cut back—or eliminate entirely—highly processed carbohydrates and sugary snacks. If you're going to enjoy a sweet dessert, savor a small serving and make sure it's at the end of a regular meal, so it doesn't spike your blood sugar. High sugar levels are a sure way to suppress your immune system and come down with the flu.
What else can you do? Take care of the stress in your life. One enormous step you can take is to simply get enough sleep. Too little sleep is a surefire way to suppress your immune system, too.
The big problem I have with the flu vaccine isn't whether or not it works. It probably works for some, others it makes no difference, and still others it makes sick. Figuring out the truth from these studies is nearly impossible. And too many people get the flu vaccine thinking they're protected, even if they're not taking such good care of themselves. If you think the flu vaccine means you're safe even if you eat a lousy, junk-filled diet or don't get enough sleep or let stress eat away at your insides—you're kidding yourself. Worse, you could be on the way to a nasty case of the flu this winter, vaccine or no vaccine.
Ultimately the decision to get a vaccine is between you and your doctor. I happen to think they're overrated and whenever I see a patient who doesn't want one and is willing to practice good self-care, I say go for it.
And finally, sometimes, despite all of our best precautions, the flu catches us. It's miserable, but there's a product I use myself that makes it much less so. Keep some Sambucol (made by Nature's Way) in stock. It's a time-tested, flu-fighting remedy made from elderberries. Sambucol will lessen the symptoms and the duration of the flu.
You can find it in most grocery stores and vitamin shops. Go to www.naturesway.com and plug in your zip code. It'll bring up a list of stores near you that carry the Nature's Way product line.
