The Increase In Prevalence
To what can we attribute this mind-boggling increase in prevalence to?  Some argue a change in assessment and some the toxic and depleted environment we now live in.  Both of these have been tested and here is what the research has revealed.  The journal Current Opinions in Neurology January, 2010 states: “Recent studies suggest a substantial increase in Autism Spectruem Disorder (ASD) prevalence above earliet Center for Disease Control figures of one in 150, only partly explicable by data artifacts, underscoring the possibility of environmental contributors to increased prevalence.”  How much can we account to “data artifacts” such as changes in diagnostic frequency and criteria?   In October of 2009, the International Journal of Epidemiology answered this question by publishing: “Changes in practices for diagnosing autism have had a substantial effect on autism caseloads, accounting for one-quater of the observed increase in prevalence.”  This means roughly 25% of he increase we have seen over the past 6 decades can be attributed to changes in diagnostics.  The rest, likely due to environmental factors.

Contributing Factors
Part of the challenge in narrowing down the cause(s) of the increased prevalence is due to the challenge in identifying the contributing factors or causes of Autism.  Extensive research has been done over the last 10 years which has helped shed some light on this complex condition.  Referring back to the January, 2010 issue of Current Opinions in Neurology we find an explanation of some of the common factors.  They state: “Systemic and central nervous system conditions, including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction can be consistent with a role for environmental influence (e.g. from air pollution, organophosphates, heavy metals) in ASD, and some of the underlying biochemical disturbances (such as abnormalities in glutathione, a critical antioxidant and detoxifier) can be reversed by targeted nutritional interventions.  Dietary factors and food contaminants may contribute risk.  Improvement and loss of diagnosis in some with ASD suggest brain circuitry amenable to environmental modulation.”  They go on to summarize the article with: “Prevalence, genetic, exposure, and pathophysiological evidence all suggest a role for environmental factors in the inception and lifelong modulation of ASD.”

In addition to the above mentioned factors contributing to ASD, many other research studies have provided insights on potential causes.

• Environmental Toxins - In 2006, the journal Environmental Health Perspectives published: “The risk of autism with kids who were in the top 25th percentile of toxins present in their tissues were 50% more likely to develop autism.  The toxins that contributed to these findings were mercury, cadmium, nickel, and vinyl chloride.”
• Vaccines/Mercury - A press release from the National Autism Association and published at the CDC website states: “children are 27 more times likely to develop autism after exposure to three thimerosal-containing vaccines, than those who receive thimerosal-free vaccines.”
• Stress - A study done at the Ohio State University Medical Center and presented at the annual meeting for the Society of Neuroscience in 2001, found stress levels of mothers with autistic children were twice of the other mothers in the study.
• Mitochondrial Dysfunction - The Journal of Autism and Develomental Disorders, 2006 states: “High frequency of mitochondrial dysfunction exists in a significant fraction of autistic patients.”
• Parental Age - The Archives of General Psychiatry, 2006 published: “offspring of men 40 years or older were 5.75 times more likely to have children with autism compared to men younger than 30 years.

Proven Effective Therapies
The conventional treatment for patients with ASD consists mainly of psychotropic drugs desigend to suppress the emotional and psychological symptoms usual of ASD.   The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends targeting the main one or two “problem behaviors” when considering drug therapy.  The safety and effectiveness of these therapies are controversial.  Additionally, speech, occupational, and physical therapy may be recommended to improve function.

Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies are very popular and effective in improving the overall health and function of kids and adults with ASD and even resulting in complete recovery in some.  A study of 539 U.S. physicians done at the University of Minnesota and published in the March, 2009 issue of the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found physicians as a whole desire CAM education specifically for children with autsim.  This is largely due to the fact 50-75 percent of children with ASD are already receiving some form of CAM therapies.

The organization Defeat Autism Now (DAN) is dedicated to conducting research on the causes and effective therapies of Autism.  They have 4 pillars of treatment that seems to be very effective in most children with ASD.  The DAN Autism BioMed Therapy Summary highlights these 4 pillars and other effective therapies.  Below I have summarized the 4 pillars which should be considered when developing a strategy to treat ASD.

1. Detoxification - The use of chelation therapy and other proven detoxification programs to remove heavy metals and other toxins is effective in 76% of patients with ASD
2. Diet - A diet free of gluten and dairy products, free of  sugar and food chemicals (flavorings, colors, ect), and low in allergenic foods is effective in 65%, 53%, and 61% of patients with ASD respectively.
3. Gut Restoration - Antifungals and digestive enzyme replacement has shown efficacy in 55% of patients with ASD.
4. High Dose Supplementation - High doses of vitamins and minerals has shown efficacy in roughly 50% of patients with ASD.

Preventing Autism Spectrum Disorders
The first step in preventing ASD is providing a healthy and nourishing environment for mom and dad before and during pregnancy.  Understanding stress in an expecting mom can significantly increase the risk for ASD justifies this recommendation.

Additionally, avoiding all the contributing factors can provide for a much lesser risk of developing ASD.  Simply applying the DAN principles to healthy children - avoiding toxin exposures (unnecessary vaccines, heavy metals, vinyl flooring, and fast food), providing healthy nutrition, and promoting a healthy digestive system - are great steps to preventing ASD and the pain they inflict on families and children.

Fore more information about Autsim Spectrum Disorders, testing, alternative approaches to health call our offices at 612-886-1874.

It was a nice Sunday afternoon and my son Collin was taking his usual 3 hour nap.  Upon his rising, and along with his usual “hi,” he coughed a dry unproductive cough.  As the night went on, it appeared a cold had developed with some labored breathing.  The overnight 11 hour sleep and 3 grams of vitamin C seemed to provide for some relief and recovery.  So my wife Lisa and I decided to bring him to day care with no concern for his well being.

When we picked up Collin Monday afternoon, his cold had worsened.  His labored breathing turned into wheezing and his coughed was uncomfortable.  That evening Collin was a good little supplement taker.  Along with fruit and water, we fed him 3 more grams of vitamin C and natural antimicrobials (Biocidin, Vira-Pel).  Nothing seemed to worsen as the night went on.  And surprisingly, the only symptoms that were visible were his labored breathing and wheezing.  His mood and energy was normal and he did not have a fever.

As expected, the overnight sleep supported the immune system and improved his symptoms.  After some discussion, Lisa and I decided to try the day care with the understanding we may need to pick him up.  Kathy, our day care provider, felt good about his health until late morning when his breathing worsened and he appeared to be irritable.  After picking him up, I decided to do a physical exam and listen to his breathing with a stethoscope.  I referred to my health condition manuals and felt his condition resembled pneumonia, but he did not have most of the typical signs: fatigue, fever, chills, and GI distress.  So I felt it was time to see our pediatrician.  Unfortunately our pediatrician was not available, so we agreed to see her associate.  And this is where the story begins.

This marked the first time we visited our pediatrician or a medical doctor for any other reason beyond a wellness visit.  My expectation was an assessment, diagnosis, and a treatment recommendation.  The experience proved the doctor was only interested in one of those three.  On arrival, the nurse struggled to get an oxygen saturation reading from Collin’s toe, and confirmed a normal temperature of 98.6.  When the doctor arrived, she listened to one breathe in one spot and observed his belly breathing.  It was then, and no later, she recommended a breathing treatment and potentially an x-ray of the chest.  I felt it was important for the doctor to know my need for completely understanding every aspect of the treatment before accepting, so I told her exactly that.  Then I followed with a few questions.  What is the breathing treatment and was is it indicated for?  What are you suspecting or diagnosising and why?  What information will the x-ray provide?  And this is when the situation seemed to go from comfortable to uncomfortable.

She was concerned for his labored breathing and wheezing, hence the breathing treatment recommendation, and mentioned asthma as a potential diagnosis.  The reason for the x-ray was to rule out pneumonia.  So I asked why she thought asthma, knowing Collin never had any other signs or symptoms and he has been troubled for nearly 48 hours.  She was uncertain, that’s why she wanted to do the breathing treatment.  Then out of curiosity, I asked what her recommendation might be if the breathing treatment worked.  She said she would send us home with a machine and use as needed.  Knowing this is where her expertise ended, I asked further.  How do we find the cause so we can avoid this from happening again, instead of using a breathing machine as needed?  Her response “it could be anything from dust to a dog.  That’s why you have a machine at home.”  I was more concerned with the possibility of pneumonia, and continued the “what if” questions.  “Why do you think it might be pneumonia?” I asked.  She explained Collin’s breathing is the only symptom, and he does not have a fever (which most have with pneumonia), which is why she is leaning towards asthma.  The treatment: antibiotics.  I asked her if she thought a diagnosis might be a good first step, since I would be much more confident in the treatment.

The doctor was clearly flustered with the questions and did not know exactly how to respond to some of them.  And it is understandable.  Most patients don’t ask questions and have 100% certainty in thier physician’s recommendations.  Having confidence is not a bad thing, but ignorance is.  So, I approached my son’s case with the same objectivity as I do in my practice.  And asked questions as I encourage my clients to do when they are in my office for the first time.  After unsatisfactory answers, I decided to ask my questions a different way.  Feeling part of the miscommunication could be my specific questions and desire for details.   She responded with “I feel like I am saying the same thing over and over again.”

Recognizing we both had reached a point of frustration, she asked if I would feel better and more confident with a second opinion.  I answered with a thankful yes.  Expecting an associate doctor to come in and provide the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment explanation, I was shocked to see her (our original doctor) return.  She said “I spoke with an associate and he agrees with me.  We should start the breathing treatment right away.”  In somewhat of a shock by her lack of professionalism, I reiterated my reason for the visit.  “I feel my son is sick, needs some treatment, and I am concerned.  I really want to understand the treatment before we accept.”  Since the doctor was unable to explain exactly what the breathing treatment medication was, it’s side effects, or the precautions, I asked for the prescription package insert.  It was then, I realized we were experiencing the horror of the current medical system in America. 

She told me “I do not have the time for patients to read the package insert before they accept treatment.”  Not surprised, but fed up, I made my decision to reject treatment and find a physician that was willing and able to give us the time we deserved.  But before I shared my decision, I wanted to confirm what she meant by her last statement.  I asked “Are you telling me you do not have the time to educate me about the treatment you recommend, before I accept the treatment?”  She responded “Yes.”  I followed with a respectful decline of treatment.  An interesting note worth mentioning is, the package insert for the breathing treatment stated the safety and efficacy of Albuterol has not been established for children under 2 years of age.  My son was 16 months at the time.  When asked, the doctor replied “we use the breathing treatments on children younger than Collin, even infants.”

My son and I became a statistic.  One that falls into the 15 minute office visit maximum category.  Because by the time our final exchange was over, we reached the 15 minute mark of the visit.  Now, I am not suggesting the doctor was aware of the time and limiting our visit to 15 minutes.  I beleive the average office visit is 15 minutes because most physicians do not have freedom to practice or the knowledge to provide more than what she did.  I asked questions I am certain she has never been asked before.  I believe she felt the pressure of a full waiting room and wanted to help as many people as she could that day.  But unfortunately she is unaware of the power of the doctor/patient relationship.  And how time, education, and sincerity can go along way on the trust highway.

After leaving the doctor’s office, I called a handful of colleagues for a recommendation to a doctor with a medical perspective, but open to and able to answer my questions.  I decided to see a local doctor with a European medical license, Minnesota chiropractor and nutrition license, and clinical nutrition certification.  The difference between the two doctors was astounding.  A very thorough physical assessment revealed a diagnosis of “textbook walking pneumonia.”  This is the same pneumonia bacterial infection with a few of the symptoms absent.  The patient is very clearly infected and struggling with respiration, but does not show it with mood, energy, or temperature.  I was taught the difference between asthma and pneumonia (something our previous doctor was unable to do).  Asthma could be caused by a viral or bacterial infection (so this may have been present) but it typically involves: pain/discomfort, wheezing, weakness, and a short duration of of attack.  Pneumonia (walking) typically involves: rapid breathing (100 breathes per minute), wheezing, a dry cough (which turns to a mucus filled cough), and lasts for days to weeks.

It was made clear to me while Collin’s condition did not require immediate or emergency care, it should not be taken lightly.  So I was taught how to recognize worsening of the symptoms.  Then I was given a few options:
 - Wait and See - feed him well, get him plenty of rest, and observe symptoms
 - Antibiotics - if breathing surpassed 100 breathes/minute, take him to urgent care for treatment
 - Natural Therapies - natural antimicrobials (oral and diffused into air), vit D, vit C, infrared sauna

Each option was clearly explained (side effects, risks), and a recommendation was provided.  And since every one of my questions were answered to satisfaction, we were given the time we deserved (45 minutes), and we felt very confident in his assessment, diagnosis, and recommendation, we started on the natural therapy exactly as recommended.  It was strongly recommended to not let his symptoms worsen at all.  If his breathing rate increased, turned pale, became fatigued, or experienced chills or sweats, take him to urgent care.  We proceeded with the recommendations and watched Collin very closely.  We timed his breathing hourly and set the alarm for every hour throughout the night so we could check on him.  The symptoms improved within a few hours after the treatment was initiated.  Before he went to sleep for the night, his breathing was down from 95 to 60 breathes per minute, the wheezing had improved, and his cough turned to a productive mucus filled cough. 

We postponed our planned trip to Illinois for a family Thanksgiving, agreeing to take it day by day.  After 36 hours of treatment, Collin appeared to be completely healed.  His breathing rate was below 50 per minute, his wheezing was gone, and the cough had dissipated.  As a precaution, we continued the treatment for an additional 5 days (8 days total).  And thanks to an educated pair of parents, an outstanding doctor, and perhaps a little luck, we were able to enjoy our family Thanksgiving in IL with a healthy and happy little boy. 

If you would like to learn the details of the natural treatment Collin undergone, check back for my next post in a couple weeks.

Wishing You Health & Happiness,
TJ Harrington CCN, CPT, FLT

• Bone Conditions - Rickets, Osteoporosis, Osteomalacia, Fractures
• Cancers - Breast, Kidney, Colon, Ovarian
• Autoimmune - Multiple Sclerosis, SLE, Autoimmune Thyroid, Type 1 Diabetes, Psoriasis
• Diabetes - Type 1, Type 2, Metabolic Syndrome
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Influenza
• Pregnancy - preeclampsia, low birthweight, neonatal hypocalcemia

Here is a chart that indicates the percent of  prevention for most of these conditions and at what level of vitamin D prevention is the highest.  Disease Incidence and Vitamin D Levels

Why Supplementation
The Journal of Bone Mineralization Research, 2007 states: “During the winter at latitudes above approximately  35 degrees, there is minimal if any previtamin D(3) production in the skin.”  The Linus Pauling Institute agrees with the statement: “In latitudes around 40 degrees north, there is insuficient UVB radiation available for vitamin D synthesis from November to early March.”  The state of Minnesota lies at approximately 45 degrees N latitude.  Much higher than the two references above.

Optimal Levels
Optimal levels seem to be controversial.  Many suggest serum 25(OH)D levels of 50 ng/ml up to 100 ng/ml are required to support optimal health and prevent disease such as breast cancer.  The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2007 stated “Having a level of 52ng/ml or higher reduces your risk of breast cancer by 50%.”  The deficiency levels are not controversial however.  The leading researcher on vitamin D in the world is Dr. Michael Holick Ph.D, M.D. and many journals have published:

Deficiency - less than 20ng/ml
Insufficient - 20-32ng/ml
Sufficiency - 33-80ng/ml
Optimal - 54-90ng/ml

The journals that have published this data include: Alternative Medicine Reviews, 2005, American Family Physician, 2005, Nutrition Reviews, 2008, Annals of Epidemiology, 2009.

How Much Supplementation
So the question you are probably asking is what is the best level for me.  To determine the amount of vitamin D supplementation you require to maintain optimal levels, have your 25(OH)D levels tested in your blood.  The best lab to have your vitamin D levels tested is LabCorp, or any other lab that is using the DiaSorin Liaison method.  The blood test is very simple and the only way to test accurately your vitamin D levels.  The test does not require a fasting state and usually ranges from $65-$75.  We at Pure Health do offer this accurate, simple, and inexpensive vitamin D blood test.  Common sense tells us the correct amount of vitamin D supplementation is the amount that will raise or keep your 25(OH) D levels at 50 ng/ml.  The literature has shown safe levels of vitamin D supplementation for adults to be approximately 10,000IU per day to raise vitamin D levels.  The Journal of Bone and Mineralization Research, 2007 states: “The clinical evidence shows that a prolonged intake of 10,000IU of D(3) is likely to pose no risk of adverse effects in almost all individuals in the general population.”   The Merck Manual states: “Vitamin Dof 40,000IU per day produces toxicity within 1 to 4 months in infants.  In Adults, taking 50,000IU per day for several months can produce toxicity.”  Other literature has shown 3,000IU per day is adequate to maintain optimal levels of vitamin D.  The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2007 stated: “A 25(OH)D level of 52ng/ml could be maintained by intake of 2,000IU per day, and when appropriate, 12 minutes per day in the sun, which is the equivalent to oral intake of 3,000IU vitamin D3.”  To summarize this data, a minimum of 3,000IU per day is a minimum dose of vitamin D3 an adult should take during the winter time.  And in many cases, like in people with vitamin D levels below 32 ng/ml, 10,000IU per day would be a very safe and effective daily dose.  Here is a general dose guidline we use at Pure Health:
- below 32 ng/ml - 10,000IU per day throughout winter and retest in May
- 32-50 ng/ml - 5,000IU per day throughout winter and retest in May
- above 50 ng/ml - 3,000IU per day throughout winter and consider a retest in May

What Kind of Vitamin D Supplementation
Regardless of the form of vitamin D you choose to supplement with, it is recommended to choose one that includes an oil.  Vitamin D is a fat soluable vitamin and when encapsulated in oil, it has a higher ability for absorption.  Our perferred vitamin D comes in a purified soy oil (D3 5000).  For those who have a history of gallbladder dysfunction, or fat digestion challenges, an emulsified vitamin D is preferred (BioD Mulsion Forte).  This will bypass the challenge and allows for optimal absorption of the vitamin D.  The form of vitamin D to supplement seems to be controversial.  Although most of the recent research is pointing to vitamin D3 as the most cost effective way to raise vitamin D levels and reduce your risk of disease.  As you can see above, most of the research has shown efficacy and safety with vitamin D3.  On the other hand, an article in the April, 2008 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states: “Vitamin D2 may be equally effective for maintaining circulating concentrations of 25(OH) D when given in physiologic concentrations.”  This reference and others suggest vitamin D2 might be adequate to maintain levels, but higher doses are required.  Therefore, Pure Health has found clinical safety and effectiveness with supplementing with vitamin D3.

If you would like to find out your level of vitamin D, we encourage you to call our offices at 612-886-1874.  We can provide you the requisition form and closest lab to have your vitamin D levels tested for a small fee of $78.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Yours In Health,
TJ Harrington CCN, CPT, FLT

This entry is here to provide you the information you need to make an educated decision on whether flu vaccination is the right decision for you.  All of the provided information is meant for education purposes only.  Please use this information as a stepping stone in your research and investigation.  At the end of this article, I provide a summary of what I have found researching the flu vaccination.

I feel it is right to preface this information by sharing my point of view and the decision my wife and I made for our family.  We have decided not to receive the flu vaccination nor will we vaccinate our son.  In our opinion, the science is not only startling, it’s also worrisome.  The lack of studies demonstrating efficacy and safety, leads us to error on the side of caution and choose nutritional and hygienic strategies that do not have side effects. 

On Friday October 9th, I interviewed the director of infectious diesease for the Minnesota Dept. of Health Kris Ehresmann about the safety and efficacy of the flu vaccine.  Below you can hear the entire interview unedited.  I want to thank Kris Ehresmann for all of her time and willingness to have an open discussion about the pros and cons of the flu vaccine.   Click here to listen to the interview - Full Interview with Kris Ehresmann from MN Dept of Health

Additionally, I have dedicated 2 entire radio shows to this topic.  You can listen to the archives below.
Flu Vaccines with Dr. Adiel Tel-Oren; 10/22/07
Flu Vaccines Revisited with MN Dept of Health; 10/10/09

Below you will find all of the vaccine package inserts of the approved vaccines for this year’s seasonal and swine flu (Novel H1N1) vaccines.  I have highlighted some of the information worth pointing out.  If you decide to receive or give the vaccine, please use this information to help you decide which on is best for you.  Mercury free vaccines are available and preferred, so just ask your physician to use a vaccine without Thimerosal.
Flumist Package Insert
Fluzone Package Insert
Fluvaval Package Insert
Fluvirin Package Insert
Fluarix Package Insert
Afluria Package Insert
Novel H1N1 (swine flu) Package Insert

Efficacy
The CDC website states: “Overall, in years when the vaccine and circulating viruses are well-matched, influenza vaccines can be expected to reduce laboratory-confirmed influenza by approximately 70% to 90% in healthy adults.  In years when the vaccine strains are not well matched to circulating strains, vaccine effectiveness can be variably reduced.”  They go on to provide a couple examples.  “A study in children during the 2003-2004 found vaccine effectiveness of about 50% against medically diagnosed influenza and pneumonia without laboratory confirmation (Pediatrics 2005).  However, in some years when vaccine and circulating strains were not well-matched, no vaccine effectiveness can be demonstrated in some studies, even in healthy adults (JAMA, 2000).”  The CDC finishes with: “It is not possible in advance of the influenza season to predict how well the vaccine and circulating strains will be matched , and how that match may affect the degree of vaccine effectiveness.”

The FDA, CDC, and other government health organizations use a very interesting measurement for vaccine effectiveness.  Nearly all of the vaccine information sheets provided above refer to immune response or immunogenicty by antibody response.  The most confusing aspect of this measurement is there is very little or no (because I can’t find any) science to support - Antibody Response = Immunity.   Additionally, nearly all the vaccine package inserts state: “No controlled clinical studies demonstrating a decrease in influenza disease after vaccination with (insert vaccine name here) have been performed.” 

The last efficacy information I would like to share with you comes from a study published in the Journal of Infectious Disease in January, 2009.  It seems this is the first large scale study of the flu vaccine effectiveness and strain match measurement.  Flu Vaccine Effectiveness - Marshfield Clinic  I have provided the abstract of the published study and an interpretation of the data.  Here is a quick summary of the shocking results:
- 2004-2005 = 5% effective against the flu, 10% effective against related illness, 5% match on strains
- 2005-2006 = 11% effective against the flu, 21% effective against related illness, 5% match on strains
- 2006-2007 = 37% effective against the flu, 52% effective against related illness, 91% match on strains
According to this data, the odds of matching the dominant strains of the influenza virus to the vaccine strains are 1 in 3.  Even when there is a good match, the vaccines are only 37% effective.

A Question To Be Answered:  Just looking back on my basic physiology education during my undergrad, we were taught the immune system is very complex being comprised of special cells, many types of tissues, a half-dozen organs/glands, and trillions of flora.  Most non-vaccinated infections (strep, colds, ect) enter the body via an opening (nose, mouth, ect) and must be processed by much of the immune system.  This often provides the most effective immunity naturally.  So the question that has yet to be clearly answered is simply this:  Does injecting a virus directly into a muscle, bypassing much of the first line of defense, provide the immunity it is thought to?  Only when this question has been researched, we might have some convincing effectiveness studies to hang our hat on.  For additional reading on the efficacy of the flu vaccine, I highly recommend an article written by Shannon Brownlee and published in the November issue of the Atlantic.  Click Here to Read Shannon’s Article

Safety
According to Kris Ehresmann, the director of infectious disease for the MN Dept. of Health, the safety studies are not as cloudy as the efficacy studies. (Wait! Did she just admit that the efficacy studies are cloudy?)  But the only safety studies Kris refers to, as well as some of the vaccine package inserts refers to, are short-term observation studies.  The fact that hundreds of millions of people are vaccinated each year, and few people report serious side effects does not prove safety.  No long-term effects of flu vaccinations have ever been done.  And asking the question: does injecting mercury and formaldehyde on a yearly basis have any cumulative effects is conveniently overlooked.

The most common and serious concern for flu vaccination involves the presence of a preservative called Thimerisol which is about 50% mercury.  In 2001, the American Academy of Pediatrics stated: “Mercury in all its forms is toxic to the fetus and children, and efforts should be made to reduce exposure to the extent possible to pregnant women and children as well as the general population.”  The EPA has established a maxium exposure of .1 mcg of mercury per kilogram of bodyweight.  Click Here to read if for yourself directly from the EPA website.  A majority of the multidose vials of the seasonal and Novel H1N1 vaccine contain 25mcg per dose.  This means no human under 550lbs should receive this form of the vaccine.

While short-term observation studies don’t prove safety, either does individual ingredient exposure risks.  The best way to prove safety is simply test the vaccines themselves year after year and over the long haul for adverse side effects and serious injuries.  This has not been done on most of the vaccines in most populations.  Here is a excerpt from one of the vaccine package inserts to demonstrate my point - Afluria Vaccine Package Insert
“It is not known whether Afluria can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity.  Afluria should be given to pregnant women only when clearly needed.  Afluria has not been evaluated in nursing mothers.  It is not known whether Afluria is excreted in human milk.  Because many drugs are excreted in human milk , caution should be exercised when Alfluria is administered to a nursing woman.  Safety and effectiveness in the pediatric population have not been established.” 

If you are considering the seasonal or novel H1N1 vaccine for your child please read Flu Vaccine Safety for Children.  This is a summary of which vaccines have been approved and tested for the pediatric population and the levels of mercury in each.

H1N1 (Swine Flu) - One of my biggest concerns, and an ah ha moment in the safety debate is the legal immunity granted to the vaccine manufacturers by the government.  In June of this year, the Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius signed into law protection for government officials and vaccine manufacturers from lawsuits filed by people injured by the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine.  In 1976, the government and drug companies launched a massive vaccine campaign for a similar scare and thousands were injured with hundreds suffering from Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS).  Learning from the 1976 fiasco, and at the request of vaccine manufacturers, the government preempted the possibility of a repeat with this immunity.  As a consumer, and a citizen of the United States, I am very concerned about the only protection I have against injury, and against vaccine manufacturing errors, has been stripped away.  And the ah ha moment is, why do government officials and drug companies need immunity from vaccine injury lawsuits?  Perhaps its because they expect injury, or even worse don’t have any idea what the risks of the vaccine are.

Pregnancy
Most vaccine advocates list pregnant women at high risk and an ideal candidate for seasonal and Novel H1N1 vaccination.  In theory, this makes sense.  A pregnant woman’s immune system is downregulated to prevent rejection of the fetus.  Therefore, they would seem to be at risk for infection.  But the science is very clear this theory is only that.  It does not hold water and in fact, flu vaccination could be detrimental to a pregnant woman and her fetus.  For safety information, look no further than the vaccine package inserts and you will find: “It is not known whether Afluria can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity.  Afluria should be given to pregnant women only when clearly needed.”  In fact, you wil find this for most of the vaccines.  As for the effectiveness of flu vaccines in preventing the flu and related illnesses, read this article published in the American Journal of Perinatology, 2004. It states: “In this study, we were unable to demonstrate the effectiveness of influenza vaccination with data for hospital admission and physician visits.”

What To Do Naturally
The question asked by vaccine advocates is what else is out there to prevent the flu.  What other tools can protect as well as the flu vaccine.  It does not take much researching to find nutrition and lifestyle factors are powerful tools to protect against flu and most other infectious diseases.  And of course these benefit come without the common side effects and risks of the flu vaccine.  And the safety of vitamin C, for example, has been rigorously studied and proven safe.  So what does the research show.  Here are a couple links to abstracts to support the use of vitamin C and vitamin D to prevent and overcome the flu and related illnesses.

Vitamin C & The Flu - “Overall, reported flu and cold symptoms in the test group decreased 85% compared with the control group after the administration of megadose Vitamin C.”
Vitamin D & The Flu - “Pharmacological doses of vitamin D (2,000 IU per kg per day for three days) may produce enough of the naturally occuring antibiotic cathelicidin to cure common viral respiratory infections, such as influenza and the common cold.”

Additionally, regular exercise, a plant-based diet, and good stress management can help you prevent and overcome the flu and common viral infections.  If you would like more information about how to prevent and reduce the severity of the flu this season, please contact Pure Health at 612-886-1874.  We have lots of simple, natural solutions that have extensive safety and efficacy science to back up our recommendations.

Wishing you health and happiness.
TJ Harrington CCN, CPT, FLT

by TJ Harrington CCN, CPT, FLT

One thing is for sure, the status quo of health care is unacceptable and unsustainable.  But what is questionable, is the route we should take to reform the health care system.  Health care reform has produced the most heated political debate in decades, and for good reason.  Financial and human costs are skyrocketing, tens of millions do not have access, and we are becoming less and less healthy.  The current debate however, is not over the type of care a patient receives, but who pays the bill for the care.  Both are clearly dysfunctional, the care and the accounting, but it seems the logical first step is what some call health insurance reform.  Regardless of political affiliation, religious views, or level of income, health care reform will affect you and should involve your input.

So where does the responsibility lie in reforming the broken system?  Should we leave it with private industry which has a long record of abuse and fraud, and up to this point has done nothing to reform the system?  Or should our federal and/or state governments take the controls and pilot us into reform?  Medicare and the Veterans Health Administration (VA) have a higher satisfaction rate than do private insurers, but it too has flaws.  Doctors are paid less and the system is fiscally unsustainable in its current form.  It seems two sides of the debate have developed with polar opposite ideals.  Let’s look at the facts, not blatant lies and rhetoric, and see if a third alternative exists.

The elephant in the room is the fundamental conflict of interest between health insurance companies and patients.  Most private, for-profit health insurance companies are obligated to return profits to their shareholders.  Profits from health insurance companies come at the expense of denying coverage to customers paying over-priced premiums.  These rejected claims are necessary to cover the high administration costs such as profits, marketing, and high executive payrolls.  A 2005 article published in Health Affairs states administration costs of U.S. private insurance companies makes up 22% of the premiums we pay.  If an insurance company and its shareholders expect consistent growth and increased profits, it has no other choice than to increase the number of denied claims.

The drive for profits in the health industry generates cost-savings strategies, abuse, and fraud.  A recent report released by the California Nurses Association (CAN) showed an average of 30 percent of health claims submitted by paying customers were rejected by private insurers.  United Health Care posted a 2nd quarter profit in 2009 of $859 million while paying its CEO just over $5 million in compensation and over $700 million in stock offerings for his performance in 2008.  In July, 30 doctors and health care providers were arrested for Medicare fraud of over $16 million.

The conflict of interest grows larger when prevention is added to the equation.  A healthy population has little need for insurance and expensive medical care.  Therefore, claims and premiums are low for healthy individuals.  While the profit margin remains, the total revenue and thus profits would be much lower.  A study published in 2009 by a Harvard medical research team found $36 in treatment was saved for every $1 spent on prevention.  So prevention strategies like nutrition coaching, chiropractic care, personal training, and acupuncture would have a negative impact on the bottom line.  Consequently, preventative care will only be covered when the one who pays the bills has a vested interest in our health.

So we have to ask: Is it really possible to provide the primary health care Americans need under this for-profit business model?  Well, the U.S. is the only country in the industrialized world who thinks so.  Every other industrialized country provides universal coverage and outlaws (yes it is a crime) for-profit primary care health insurance.  The for-profit companies in other countries provide coverage for services other than primary care such as cosmetic surgeries, hospital suites, injury compensation, and coverage disparities for medications.  This is the model France uses while flaunting the number one health care and outcome rating in the world.

The Democratic party seeks support to pass a new public insurance option overseen by our government.  Critics however, point out the rising costs, potential bankruptcy, and price controls of Medicare and the VA.  Many use general comparisons to government programs such as these, as evidence the government can’t provide better service than the private sector.  This is understandable considering the regular reports of budget deficits throughout government programs like the recent $2.4 billion loss from the U.S. Postal Service.  Others fear a government run insurance option will put health insurance companies out of business.  Interestingly, some hold the paradoxical view of both opinions. Does it make sense to reinvent the wheel by passing one of the current proposals?  Or should we model, domestically and abroad, a system that already exists with high efficiency and success? 

Free-market advocates claim innovation and competition are lost when the government intervenes.  This perception is obviously false in the case of health care since the vast majority of medical research is funded and produced by the National Institutes of Health and academics on every major university campus in the country.  Additionally, the principles of free-market capitalism state competition only gets better when more options are available.  Unfortunately, these arguments shield the question that every other industrialized country has asked, should the concept of health be subject to free market capitalism?  All but one has loudly answered NO!

Policy makers might benefit from breaking free of the public and private influence at home, and looking abroad to the most efficient and effective health care systems.  Then we might see the third alternative emerge. The French health system, which is modeled by many countries, covers all and produces the best health outcomes in the world while controlling costs.  A public option appears worthy only if it is the first step of many towards a model that works and covers care such as prevention and alternative therapies.  If the highly touted public option is just a new choice for more of the same broken system, we might be better to respectfully decline in anticipation of a better option.  While the dream of a perfect health care system is only that, one that covers all, improves health outcomes, and controls costs is within reach for the first time in decades.   Our voices are heard and taken into consideration when our elected officials make their decisions to support or oppose a bill.  If you wish to exercise your democratic power, and contribute to the reformation of our health care system, call your congressman and senators and register your opinion.

You can find your officials phone numbers by logging on to www.house.gov and www.senate.gov

This week on Health Insight, I will interview Dr. Adiel Tel-Oren about food sensitivities and the best way to test for them.  To make it easy for you to learn more about the ALCAT test panels, I have provided the panels for you below.  For questions or prices, please call us directly at 612-886-1874.

All ALCAT Test Panels - These are all the food sensitivity test panels offered by ALCAT.
ALCAT Specialty Panels - These comprehensive panels have been developed for you by Dr. T at a significant discount.

To listen to the radio show about Food Sensitivities with Dr. T click here > Food Sensitivity Testing

To watch videos of ALCAT testimonials all over the country and covered on all the major news networks, Click Here.

“Thus our results confirmed the value of the ALCAT test and the elimination diet in alleviating symptoms such as obesity, gastrointestinal reflux, chronic fatigue, headaches, and other chronic disorders associated with food hyper sensitivities.” Middle East Journal of Family Medicine

I encourage you to exercise your democratic right to lobby your member of congress and senators for the benefit of all.  If we allow our elected officials to continue doing the work of big business, and not of the people, we will continue to be enslaved by the corporate powers who wish to continue the status quo.  This is unacceptable.  It is time we take action and speak out against this corporate greed and salvery.  The first place to start is contacting your elected officials and register your opinion with them regarding health care.  I have provided you with the resources to make your experience simple and time effecient.

To contact your US Senators click here and choose your state at the top right corner of the page.
To contact your US Representative click here and enter your zip code at the top left corner of the page.
To contact the White House and leave our president a message call 202-456-1111

If you wish to see a public option, and would like to sign an official petition created by 3 US Senators, click here.

If you would like to hear an example of how to register your vote with your elected official, click the link below and listen to how I expressed my wishes with my US Congressman.

My Registration With My Congressman

Yours In Health~
TJ

More Fruits
Berry Smoothie - 1/2 banana, 1/2 cup berries, 2 dates, ice, water. Makes 1 serving
Apple/Broccoli/Date Salad - 3-4 cups greens, 1/2 green apple diced, 1/2 cup broccoli chopped, 2 dates diced topped with a balsamic vinegarette. Makes 1 serving

More Vegetables
Vegetable Salad - 3-4 cups greens, 1/2 cup pepper chopped, 1/2 cup broccoli chopped, 10 slices cucumber, handful of raisins, 1/4 cup cashews, topped with a balsamic vinegarette. Makes 1 serving
Vegetable Stir-Fry - 1 cup broccoli, 1 cup peppers, 1 cup whole peas, 1 cup zucchini, 1 cup celery, 1/2 cup cooked brown rice topped with a coconut milk, almond butter, tahini, ginger, and garlic sauce.  Makes 2 servings

Green Alternatives
Green Burritos - 2 large collard leaves (can substitute large chard leaves), spread hummus or basil pesto on greens, 8-10 sun-dried tomatoes, 1/2 cup colored peppers, 1/2 cup cucumber, 15-20 golden raisins, 1/2 cup dehydrated spicy lentil mix (meat substitute from Ecopolitan).  Makes 2 burritos
Vegan Taco Salad - 3 cups greens, 1/2 cup cooked brown rice over greens, 1/2 cup dehydrated spicy lentil mix (meat substitute from Ecopolitan), 1/4 cup peppers, 1/4 cup homemade salsa, 1/2 cup homemade guacamole.  Makes 1 salad

Desserts
Just Like Cheesecake - Click Here to download a raw/vegan cheesecake recipe.

Other Recipes
Wild Rice Salad - Click Here to download the recipe.
Green Smootie - 1 young coconut (water and flesh), handful of greens (kale is my favorite), 2 dates, 1/2 banana, ice.  Mixing is best with a Vita-Mix.
UltraClear Patient Guide - Click Here to download the patient guide that has many recipes that follow the modified elimination diet (Gluten, Dairy, Corn, Soy, Egg, Peanut, Shellfish - Free).

The benefits of growing a garden are vast.  But here are the top 5 reasons to grow a garden this summer.

1. Healthy - Growing your own garden gives you control over the farming practices.  Using compost, fencing, and bug picking eliminates your need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides.  Resulting in more nutritious and chemical-free food.
2. Connection with Nature - Our fast-paced, technological lives have distanced us from the natural world.  Every aspect of growing a garden involves consideration and appreciation of nature.  This new, or for vetern gardeners growing relationship only improves our health and wellness.
3. Reduces Carbon Footprint - Growing a garden with sustainable practices (chemical free, composting) not only reduces our contribution to global warming, but it helps to eliminate current carbon emissions.  Sequestration has been shown to reduce greenhouse gases when the plants are grown organically.
4. Tastes Great - Your TLC produces better tasting food than what may have been picked days ago, handled by 5 people, and shipped 10s or 100s of miles.  Additionally, if you use natural compost, your soils are able to nurture your plants better and provide for more vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and of course fruit sugar!
5. Saves Money - In today’s economy, every dollar saved counts.  Buying seeds and starter plants for around a $1 a peice produces 10-20 times that amount in food.  Take care of your garden, and it will take care of you.

I thought I woudl share with you pictures of my garden shortly after planting, just this week, and one of the compost bin I use to nurture my plants.

Please share your garden secrets with me!