It's a crap shoot. Every year the flu is caused by several hundred different agents, with a vaccine against just one or two of them. You're rolling the dice and hoping there's a match between the flu shot you get and the season's flu strain.
I've never had a flu shot and don't plan to get one any time soon. I believe most flu shots are no better than a placebo. If you're taking good care of yourself, I don't think a flu shot is necessary or will do you much good.
By the way, to see what's in a flu shot, watch this short, humorous clip.
So how can you protect yourself from the flu?
- Get enough vitamin D for strong immune function
- Regular (but not necessarily exhaustive) exercise
- Manage stress and get enough sleep
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water
- Wash your hands with regular soap
If you have a hard time consuming that much nutrition on a daily basis, then consider supplementation made from food. My family and I take a whole-food multi called The Pops. It's an easy way for us to get our fruits and veggies every day, plus a whole lot more.
No shot can make up for poor nutrition. Good nutrition can help in the fight against the flu. It's time to use it.
18 comments:
Very interesting. I took a flu shot one year because they were giving them at work for free. I've not taken one since. I usually get sick each year with bronchitis, no matter what I do. But, your tips on eating healthy and keeping your body's defenses up make perfect sense! I hate needles. Fruits and veggies on the other hand, now I can handle that!!! :)
I opted not to get the flu shot last year and I didn't get sick like I did the last two years prior.
Finally, proof that we don't NEED to get the flu shot. My family and I have never gotten flu shots. I see so many people get sick in spite of getting the shot. It just doesn't seem worth it.
9 servings of fruits and veggies though. We are sadly lacking. Will have to look into those pops.
I don't get sick very often either. I always get a flu shot, but you are right...I haven't a clue whats in them. If I don't get the shot I get the flu. I'm looking at 60 in a very few years so I don't want to take any chances.
I will say that I follow all of your recommendations too.
Have a terrific day. :)
I completely agree. Last year I chose not to get the flu shot even though I was pregnant and several people acted as though my baby would die if I got the flu! Not only did we both survive the flu season, but we found out that even if I had gotten the shot it wouldn't have protected us against last year's virus--but it WOULD have exposed both of our systems to the nasty ingredients. Since I'm now breastfeeding and a stay at home mom, I didn't think it was necessary to give my son the flu shot this year, either. I feel confident that his immune system will be stronger this way--learn to do what it's supposed to do on its own. No, the flu is no fun if you get it--but it's been around a long time and generally people end up just fine.
I've never had a flu shot, either. I've always thought it was pointless. I wish more people knew the truth about flu shots.
Too true, Paul. It is such a popular misconception that a vaccine is good for you. No one is prepared to work on building up their natural immunity any more. Everyone is so scared of germs that they don't develop any type of resistance. Fight the immunisation roller-coaster as hard as you can! Go the veggies and the pops!
Great blog! Thanks for illuminating the ineffectiveness of flu shots-I couldn't agree with you more about that issue. Protecting our immune system with self care and nutrition is far more important. You may be interested in hearing more information about the whole food myth. I can email you some information you may be interested in knowing about that. The biochemical structure of vitamins are the same whether sourced from whole food or not.
Honestly, I'm shocking to hear this news, Paul. Is this mean that the flu viruses becoming resistance to the flu shot, or...?
I've never fallen for the whole flu shot thing.
I just worry about the older folks getting those shots. Do they do more harm than good?
I've never really believed in the flu shot, and have never had one.
I don't usually get the flu, so...
works for me (not to get it).
Isn't it true that when they create an "antidote" to the latest flu strain, the next one just comes back stronger and is able to defeat it?
The less needles, the better! ;)
I hate flu shots. I've gotten the flu the two times I've taken them.
I'd rather take my changes without a shot than take one and know I'll get sick.
I never had a flu shot. And don't know if the rumors are true, but many think you get sick from getting the flu shot. My sister got it one year and was so sick after, she feels she wouldn't have been if she didn't get it. My kids Dr. wanted them to get it this year, but I said no. They hate shots and they are very healthy kids I didn't see the need for it.
I've never gotten a flu shot -- for the same reasons! Thanks for a useful, clear post.
Agree completely. We don't ever plan to get a flu shot, even though the government is pushing everyone to do so because they have a surplus of the vaccine. From what I've read they do more harm than good to your body.
Oh so true! The one time that I had a flu shot, I got the flu. I've never taken it again and I hardly ever get sick anyway! :)
crazy working mom - Fruits and veggies are much more preferable than shots, that's for sure.
Natural - Is that a coincidence? Only you can decide. (I don't think it is.)
terri - I have never gotten a flu shot and fortunately, have never gotten the flu either. The key is to keep your immune system strong by not consuming bad stuff while also eating good stuff. Easier said than done, I know.
Sandee - A lot of folks get the flu shot and have no idea what's in it. By the way, I had no idea you were approaching sixty years of age! :)
Andrea Singer - Good for you and great, common sense sound advice!
Sadie - Glad to hear it. Also, I'm glad you have never gotten sick from the flu.
David &Jan - I agree. Build up your health and immune system by getting enough fruits and veggies every day, along with water, exercise and sleep. The Pops is good insurance too.
Dr. Lisa - In regards to your comment about vitamins, I respectfully disagree. Your body looks at synthetic vitamins as foreign substances, while food source vitamins your body knows exactly what to with them and best of all, there are no side effects.
For more information about this, read this educational report, HowSafeAreYourVitamins.com
Wilson Pon - In some cases, the flu virus may be resistant. However, often it is a mismatch. There are many different strains of the flu virus, and it is tough to match up a flu shot with all of them. You're taking a shot from half court and hoping it will go in. Most of the time, you miss.
Monica - If an older person is going to get a flu shot, I would consume ample amounts of fruits and veggies beforehand. I would get a juicer and get concentrated amounts of nutrition too. I also recommend whole-food supplementation, and of course, I favor The Pops, because I take them and sell them too.
Finally, a study has indicated people who have the flu vaccine four years in a row are ten times more likely to get Alzheimer's than those who don't.
The Fitness Diva - Yes, that's true. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
The Hawg - Yes, I would rather take my chances too without the flu shot.
Sue - Sorry to hear about what happened to your sister. However, good for you for standing your ground for you and your kids.
Jennifer - Thank you for commenting and for stopping by!
sketch - Yes, I believe they do more harm than good. When it comes to the government, I trust, but verify!
Naomi - I hear that all the time. People tell me they never get sick, they got a flu shot... and they got sick!
I thought the purpose of the flu shot was to prevent getting the flu?
Hahaha very true; I hear this every year.
Post a Comment