Risks of the Flu Vaccine and Natural Remedies for Immune Function

Cold and flu season is in full swing, and I know many of you are concerned about what can be done to

help reduce the risk of getting sick.

If you are thinking about getting a flu shot, be sure to consider the following risks and side effects:

• Soreness, redness, or swelling
• Hoarseness; sore, red or itchy eyes
• Development of cough
• Fever
• Body aches and pains
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Itching
• Fatigue
• Seizures
• GBS (Guillain-Barré Syndrome)

You might also consider some of the other ingredients that are found in the vaccine:

• Egg
• Mercury (thimerosol)
• Aluminum
• Sugar and gelatin
• Formaldehyde
• Residual antibiotics

If you have an egg allergy, this could be a dangerous vaccination for you.  Mercury is a known neurotoxin and has been linked to a number of diseases, and together with gluten exposure can pose a serious health risk.  Some researchers believe that the increase in autism and other developmental disorders in children are linked to gluten and mercury exposure.

Support Your Immune System Naturally...

Vitamin D Keep tabs on your vitamin D levels.  Get your 25 OHD levels checked (simple blood test).  Make sure your level is above 50 ng/ml.

If you're not getting a lot of direct sunlight on exposed skin for your body to manufacture it, you need to supplement it liberally enough for your D3 blood count to be high.

Usually 4,000 to 10,000 IU supplement doses will do the trick. But getting a vitamin D3 blood test from a health practitioner who understands vitamin D3's real story.

Astragalus is an ancient herb used in Ayurvedic (India) and Chinese medicine as an adaptogenic tonic. Adaptogenic means that it adjusts your immune system (up or down) according to what's needed.

This adaptogenic activity is similar to vitamin D3, which is considered an immune regulator. It should be started before any flu "season," and it can be taken daily all the time. Astragalus can be purchased as a tincture anywhere or bulk herb powder online.

Golden seal and/or echinacea are two reliable flu and cold prevention herbs, available in tinctures or capsules. You should consult with a knowledgeable herbalist or health food store clerk to determine which is better for you.

Improve lifestyle and diet by avoiding processed foods that contain toxic additives, oils, sweeteners, and GMOs. Include generous amounts of raw garlic with your organic foods. Hydrate often with purified non-fluoridated water. If you can get real spring water, that's perfect.

Get your own reverse osmosis filtered water to eliminate 85 percent of fluorides. Add lime or lemon to that water to balance out the resulting acid (pH) forming property or re-mineralize that water with trace mineral drops or real sea salt.

Get plenty of quality sleep and stress less. Make sure your bedroom doesn't allow any light into it. Keep electronic and EMF devices away from your bed. Meditation, laughter, and mild exercise help handle stress.