Check out this article on MSN. Somebody discovered that children pick up germs when they play, and are germ factories (new information). This means they could also be a carrier for the flu! The government has now recommended the flu vaccine for children from age 6 months to age 18 years, which expands the vaccination age range to 30 million more school-age children (can you imagine the millions of dollars that means to the vaccine industry?).
As I mentioned previously, Louis Pasteur, from whom the germ theory sprang, said at his deathbed, “The terrain is everything,” (meaning it is our body’s immune system and the health of the individual that determines the spread of infection and disease, not solely exposure to germs). We live in a society that is using disinfectant sprays on their counters, sinks, toys. We won’t let our children play in the dirt for fear they will pick up germs. We are trying to create a sterile environment. This fetish with obsessive cleanliness ignores the value that playing out of doors provides our bodies with needed nutrients, sunlight, joyful play, and strength—and it feeds the propensity to become sick when we are not exposed to pathogens. It says that germs are everything. When we indulge the obsession to have everything sterile, our children are not developing the resistance they need to stay healthy and well. Vaccinations are not the key, but proper nutrients that build the immune system, strengthen the body, will always be the key to long term health.
While I practiced as a pediatrician, I saw hundreds of little ones with fevers, runny noses, diarrhea—the whole gamut of disease, and I never got sick. Why not? I breathed the same air that they breathed, took care of them and was exposed to their germs. But my immune system had developed, from years of playing with my toy road grader in the dirt, making mud pies.
Everyone has disease germs in their body. Everyone has them, no matter how careful we are to keep our surroundings immaculately clean. You and I have cancer cells, influenza germs, mononucleosis germs, cold germs, all living in our bodies. The difference between exposure to these pathogens and actually getting the disease lies in strengthening our immune systems, not in being vaccinated for every conceivable illness.
My doctor says I can get all the vitamins and minerals I need from my food. What is your opinion on this?
I used to say the same thing to my patients, back in the days before I studied healthy alternatives. It is the party line of allopathic medicine, although that is starting to change. Here's the bottom line, and I'll follow up with some info on what allopaths are now doing:
6 responses so far ↓
1 Debi // Sep 10, 2008 at 8:48 am
I agree that good nutrition is the key. My kids get very little pop and jumk food and that includes fast foods. They eat fresh bright colored vegetables from the garden drink goat milk and eat farm fresh eggs. They take vitamins and I have noticed that they seldom get sick. If they do it is usually just a mild case. I just sure that a diet rich in natural foods makes all the difference. I notice also, especially when they are in a group of other children they have a better color in their cheaks. A “good” diet of fresh organic vegs. and other foods makes a huge difference in the ability to fight off infections. (we do NOT partake of the flu shot)
2 Steve // Sep 10, 2008 at 8:59 am
I couldn’t agree more!!! Thank you for your valuable insight!
3 Diana Gourley // Sep 11, 2008 at 2:05 am
Because I am a new university instructor, and students often come to class sick, my doctor recommended that I receive a flu shot when I return in a couple of weeks for stitch removal; I’m not sure what to do now. Should I get the flu vaccine or not?
4 Joe // Sep 11, 2008 at 6:47 am
Many years ago, my grandparents gave my sister, my two younger brothers, and I vitamin A & D tablets daily during one winter. None of us ever got sick that winter.
The following year, they couldn’t afford them, they thought, and we caught colds, flu, and other assorted ailments just like everyone else.
5 Dr. Stan Gardner // Sep 13, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Debi, Right on. Good nutrients (to build the ‘terrain’) make a huge difference in immune protection. Keep it up!
Steve, Thanks.
Diana, Sickness is a result of the body’s defense system not being adequately fortified, both at the physical and at the thought level. I vote against the flu shot, and suggest you protect your body against a myriad of infections that you already carry in your body, that are not part of the flu shot.
Joe, Your experience is so true. Thank you for sharing–I would add vitamin C in the 1 to 4 gram level daily.
6 Emilie // Sep 29, 2008 at 9:59 am
I agree completely! Thank you for your insight!
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