Now that the swine flu hysteria has abated let’s see what really happened. Was it a horrible pandemic? Were the number of cases any different from any other year?

It seems that we saw a replay of the 1976 swine flu panic. In 1976 there was no swine flu epidemic however 25 people were killed and over 500 were paralyzed from the vaccine. Those numbers may be low since most drug reactions are never reported.

In this 2009 swine flu “pandemic” we were first told that over 150 died in Mexico City. Then the numbers were revised to 16; then as media reports raged, the number of deaths dropped to 7. Seven out of twenty million people living in one of the most polluted cities on the planet? That’s not an epidemic. Three people died in the US – two had severe health problems before they got the flu and the 3^rd had compromised health prior to getting the flu.

What should we do regarding the flu? More powerful than any drug, vaccine or medical procedure is your own natural immune system. For most people the flu is an annoying but rarely dangerous condition and it’s best to let it run its course.

The flu for most is a temporary inconvenience that leaves a cleaner, healthier, detoxified person in its wake. Research shows that those who get the flu have lowered risk of cancer later in life.

Taking fever reducers, antibiotics or vaccines can actually make the flu worse and prolong the illness by suppressing symptoms.

It’s best to comfort people when they are ill and help their immune system work to its full potential with natural healthcare: chiropractic, homeopathy, acupuncture, naturopathy and nutrient dense foods such as good broths. Avoid sugar, sugar substitutes and refined and pasteurized foods.

 Every generation has perceived the limits to growth that finite resources and undesirable side effects would pose if no new recipes or ideas were discovered. And every generation has underestimated the potential for finding new recipes and ideas. We consistently fail to grasp how many ideas remain to be discovered. Possibilities do not add up. They multiply.

– Paul Romer, Stanford University economist, quoted in Reason Magazine May 2000

No, that’s not a misprint. The March 2009 Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology revealed that perchlorate, a potent thyroid toxin (a rocket fuel chemical) that may interfere with fetal and infant brain development, was found in most of the infant formula sold in the US. (2) In adults, exposure to perchlorate may cause cancer, anxiety, fatigue, depression, hair loss, unexplained weight gain and decreased libido. In at least 35 states and the District of Columbia, perchlorate was been found in drinking water. More at www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_17460.cfm

The benefits of breastfeeding for infants and babies (even toddlers and older) are well documented. However the benefits for the mother are also impressive.

For example, research shows that women who breast-fed for a year or more are protected from hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease when compared to postmenopausal women who were pregnant but who never breast-fed. (3)

The secret of being tiresome is in telling everything.  – Voltaire

Brain disorder: Ataxia. A seven-year-old girl with cerebellar ataxia of the right cerebellum was placed under chiropractic care. Cerebellar ataxia is a disorder that results in balance and coordination problems.

Subluxations in the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and pelvic region were corrected. Within 4 visits there was marked improvement in walking and resolution of the ataxia. Disorders such as ADHD, pervasive developmental disorder, Tourette’s syndrome, obsessive compulsive disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders are believed to have their root in abnormal spinal development. (4)

Ear infection and hearing. A three-year-old girl had bilateral ear pain, ear infections and hearing loss after three unsuccessful implantations of ear (tympanostomy) tubes and multiple medications. The child was given chiropractic care where upper cervical vertebral subluxations were located and corrected.

The patient reported an increase in hearing and the child's mother reported the child had less ear pain, was less irritable and had better speech after the initiation of chiropractic. Medical audiology reports documented speech and hearing improvements after the implementation of chiropractic care. (5)

Pubic pain in pregnancy. A 32-year-old pregnant female had severe pubic and groin pain that began when she was 28 weeks pregnant. The pain was so bad she couldn’t sleep at night and had difficulty getting into a seated position. Some pain relief occurred following the first adjustment and the patient was able to sleep that night. By the fifth adjustment she was pain free. She gave birth to a healthy six pound boy and had no pubic pain during (vaginal) delivery. (6)

The original fast food is sprouted or soaked grains, nuts and seeds.

In the past we ate most of our grains partially germinated or sprouted. That is very important because most grains have toxic chemicals in them.

Most grains, nuts and seeds need to be soaked overnight or sprouted to neutralize phytic acid, aflatoxins (which are carcinogenic) and enzyme inhibitors. Soaking increases the amount of Vitamins B and C, carotene and enzymes. Note: avoid alfalfa sprouts – they contain the toxic amino acid canavanine.

The sprouting of seeds is a natural phenomenon. Any seed can be made to germinate unless it has been irradiated. Before the advent of factory farms, grains were partially germinated. Oats, for example, were always soaked overnight in a little yogurt, whey or lemon juice (to slightly acidify the water) and then cooked in the morning – the original fast food. It cooks up in a few minutes – add salt, butter, cream, or maple syrup – and it beats those unhealthy bizarre shaped, expensive, unhealthy sugared products, is cheaper and a lot more healthy. See more at www.westonaprice.org for information and recipes.

1. den Dunnen WF et al. No disease in the brain of a 115-year-old woman. Neurobiology of Aging. 2008;29(8):1127-1132. Epub 2008 Jun 4.

2. Schiera JG et al. Perchlorate exposure from infant formula and comparisons with the perchlorate reference dose. Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology. advance online publication 18 March 2009;doi:10.1038/jes.2009.18.

3. Schwarz EB et al. Duration of lactation and risk factors for maternal cardiovascular disease. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2009;113(5):974-982. doi:10.1097/01.AOG.0000346884.67796.ca.

4. Borcean N. Resolution of ataxia in a pediatric patient undergoing subluxation-based chiropractic care: a case study. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health - Chiropractic. 2009;1:1-4.

5. Brown CD. Improved hearing and resolution of otitis media with effusion following chiropractic care to reduce vertebral subluxation. Journal of Pediatric, Maternal & Family Health - Chiropractic. 2009;1:1-7.

6. Panarello SR. Symphysis pubis subluxation: pre and post partum chiropractic care. Journal of Clinical Chiropractic Pediatrics. 2005:6(3):432-435.