I have a 7-year-old son with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD). I am concerned about the swine flu, as he usually gets seasonal flu with pain, fever and sore throat. Should he get the swine flu vaccine?
G6PD is the most common enzyme deficiency in the world. As you know, when he is exposed to certain drugs or infections, he can develop a hemolytic anemia and have trouble getting oxygen to his body. Fortunately, this deficit does not impart any immune deficiency. The fact that he is getting the ‘flu’ every season means that his immune system is low and susceptible to infections. His main protection is getting fully healthy—no sugar, no processed food, no pop, eat real food. Raw vegetables are best, steamed is excellent; vegetables when cooked have fewer nutrients, and overcooked status takes out most of the nutrients. Free range meat and eggs are preferable over regular meat and eggs, but when you prepare your food at home, fixing regular meat and eggs, the results are better than processed food in a can or box.
Supplements are necessary for anyone to be healthy. Unfortunately, children’s vitamins are often deficient and have a sweetener in them so the children will take them. No matter what multi-vitamin you choose, be sure to add extra vitamin D, as that will support his immune system against flu and other infections better than any other single nutrient. As you probably know, extra folic acid is important for him, and vitamin E has been shown to be a good anti-oxidant in immunodeficient children. Glutathione is one of the best anti-oxidants in the body, and is deficient in people with G6PD. A compounding pharmacy can put glutathione in a cream for penetration into the body, as it is broken down if ingested orally.
I have not seen the safety studies on the new swine flu vaccine, but I have seen the lack of virulence this virus had in the southern hemisphere, as it has finished its flu season. Vaccine makers have included mercury in the vaccine, and added other adjuvants that have not been safety tested before inserting them into the vaccine. My advice? –get the whole family healthy. If you are already primed with a strong immune system, if anyone gets the flu, it will be a mild case.
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:
2 responses so far ↓
1 Barb // Nov 11, 2009 at 1:40 pm
My two sons were exposed to the swine flu–my 4 year old has a weakened immune system and asthma. I’d been giving them a high quality multi-vit/mineral supplement, fish oil, and elderberry syrup to support their immunity. They sailed through with few problems. It was mild–no diarrhea and no throwing up–just had to stay on top of my 4-yr old’s fever by alternating ibuprofen and tylenol. Otherwise it got up to 104.4! I’d rather not use those meds (esp. tylenol), but with a fever like that, I haven’t found a better substitute. I also try to feed my boys little sugar and I give them smoothies almost every day with blueberries, banana, peaches, kale, spinach, flax seeds, and rice milk. It’s a great way to get little ones to eat their raw veggies! Is there any other way to treat a high fever i/o ibuprofen and tylenol alternation?
2 Sandy Guest // Nov 11, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Thanks Dr. Gardner! Those that are standing in line in the cold and rain to get their H1N1 vaccine can have my share. You are on target with having a strong immune system to fight off any virus or bacterial infection!
Leave a Comment