October 25, 2007 – Influenza Vaccine Efficacy
The Globe and Mail reports that this years flu vaccine
will probably not be as effective as hoped
www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071025.wlflu25/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/home
The Naturopathic Perspective
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The Globe and Mail reports, “there are
mismatches between the strains the vaccine
protects against and those actually circulating
in the community.” The last time that there was
a relative mismatch between the strains of
influenza used in the vaccine and the actual
strain(s) of influenza affecting Canadians was
during the 2003/ 2004 flu season. At this time,
a study done in Toronto “failed to demonstrate
any statistically significant effectiveness of
the vaccine in preventing ILI (influenza-like
illness) in residents of long-term care
facilities in Toronto.” Furthermore, “These
findings concur with another study of influenza
efficacy in a children's hospital in Denver,
where the preliminary data suggested that the
2003-2004 vaccine had no or low efficacy against
ILI.” |
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There have been several recent reviews that
question the actual ability of flu vaccinations
to prevent mortality in the elderly, the most
vulnerable population for significant disease
following an influenza virus infection.
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There are many natural health products that have
shown efficacy in strengthening the innate
immune system and therefore, providing the best
prevention from influenza infection. A balanced,
strengthened innate immune system also will
decrease the likelihood of acquiring a secondary
bacterial infection, the most common cause of
morbidity and mortality following an influenza
virus infection. |
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There is evidence that a compromised host’s
nutritional status not only lowers immune
defenses but also results in much more virulent,
harmful viruses if infection does occur. There
are a number of natural health products that
have been shown to decrease the likelihood that
a person will develop significant signs and
symptoms of influenza even if an infection does
occur. |
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Public health policies encouraging the proper
methods of hand-washing, sneezing and coughing
and staying home to reduce public exposure when
sick with the flu are some of the most effective
ways to prevent transmission of the influenza
virus between susceptible persons. |
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There are numerous well-designed epidemiological
and observational studies demonstrating the
efficacy of homeopathic medicines in preventing
and treating influenza. |
Click here to view and download the CAND's
position paper on flu vaccines.
October 7, 2007 - Environmental Toxins
The Calgary Herald quotes study claiming environmental
toxins claim 25,000 Canadian lives per year.
www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html
The Naturopathic Perspective
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The link between environmental pollutants and
chronic diseases is no longer hypothetical,
however, the allopathic approach has a very
difficult time diagnosing and treating these
conditions. |
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There are over 80,000 industrial chemicals in
use in North America and It is no longer a
question of if these chemicals are in our bodies
but rather are they causing illnesses or
obstacles to recovery. |
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It is becoming increasingly clear that very
small amounts of multiple chemicals can be just
as harmful as large amounts Nutrition, genetics,
vitamin and mineral deficiencies, age, gender
and the timing of the exposure all factor into
susceptibility and the development of chronic
disease. |
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It is through the application of healing
traditions, such as sauna, colon hydrotherapy,
herbal and nutritional supplementation that
support the body’s inherent ability to remove
wastes from the body that these environmental
toxins can be removed, improving health,
preventing illness and treating disease.
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Cleansing can range from basic dietary
strategies to aggressive protocols. The nature
of the program is highly dependant on the
severity of the illness. |
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