Flu Jab – Friend or Foe?

Should I have the flu jab/vaccination or are there better ways to prevent and treat flu?

In order to answer this question we need to understand how the immune system works.

We have two main parts to our immune system.  Th1 (cell-mediated) meaning it is responsible for getting rid of harmful organisms inside our cells.  This part of our immune system produces white blood cells that digest and excrete cells that are infected with a virus or a bacteria.  When we get a fever, rash, cough or mucous it is not actually caused by the virus but by our immune system’s response to the virus.  This process normally lasts for a week to ten days and acts in a kind of ‘cellular house-cleaning’ way.  It clears weakened and diseased cells from our tissue.

Th2 immune system attacks harmful organisms outside of our cells such as worms, parasites and foreign proteins.  Th2 produces antibodies that kill the offending agents before they get into our cells.  It then produces antibody memory cells that remember the virus so that it cannot infect our cells again.  Our body’s uses both parts of our immune system in every naturaly occurring infection.

When you use the flu jab or a vaccination, you bypass Th1 (cell-mediated) and provoke Th2.  If you were to provoke Th2 (cell-mediated), the vaccination would make you sick.  The problem with this is that vaccinations are full of toxins such as mercury, formaldehyde and dead viruses and by by-passing Th1, you leave no way to clear these toxins from your cells.  Also, an underactive Th1 and an overactive Th2 leaves children susceptible to mental health problems and adults susceptible to auto-immune disease.  Auto-immune disease occurs when your Th2 immune system attacks its own tissues.

Therefore, contrary to popular belief, catching colds and flu occasionally helps to activate the Th1 (cell-mediated) part of your immune system thus protecting you against chronic disease.

So what is the best approach to prevent colds and flu?

You should aim to eat a diet as close to nature as possible.  This includes plenty of fresh vegetables, beneficial fatty foods, stocks and broths, and homemade fermented foods wherever possible.  Many people do well on the Paleo or Caveman Diet.  Sugar, refined carbohydrates (e.g. white rice or white pasta) and processed foods should be avoided as they suppress your immune system.  Elderberries, which are in abundance at this time of the year, are a wonder food for the immune system particularly helping to stimulate Th1.  One teaspoon daily throughout the winter should be a great protection.

To read more, please see the article written by Weston A. Price – http://www.westonaprice.org/holistic-healthcare/preventing-and-treating-the-flu/.