The Flu Shot is a DUD! Here’s What To Do
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted January 4, 2018
The flu is coming this year, and it looks bad.
We know this because the flu season in Australia (whose flu season occurs before ours) has been the worst in recent years.
A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that the flu vaccine is only 10 percent effective this year.
Last year the flu shot was only 30 percent effective (but that was a banner year). The year before it was about 12 percent effective.
As you can see, counting on the flu shot to keep you from getting the flu is a dangerous gamble.
Let me show you how to avoid the flu if you can (and fight it if you can’t).
Sit in any airport and watch how many people pass through the terminal in a day and you get an appreciation of how quickly an infectious disease can travel around the world.
Your airport may be busy, but there are thousands of airports just like it all over the world. Never has there been such a chance of an infection spreading so rapidly to every reach of the world.
The flu is nothing to sneeze at. It is a very serious disease.
The 1918 flu infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide and killed about 10 percent of the people who got it (that’s 50 million people!).
As with almost any illness, prevention is your best strategy. The number one prevention tool for the flu is within your reach.
Despite all the high-tech wizardry we have, the best protection is still the simplest: wash your hands.
The problem isn’t with what you get on your hands; the problem is when you move your hands to your face. Estimates are that most people touch their face somewhere between 5 and 20 times every hour.
That means whatever is on that doorknob, sink, desk (or the person’s hand you just shook) will make it to your nose, mouth, or eye.
Once there, it is a short trip and you have the flu.
And, yes, when you cough and sneeze, make sure you cover your nose and mouth and throw away tissues after you use them.
That’s prevention, lets talk treatment.
Dr. Scott’s Anti-Flu Program:
- Eat Well: I like to include lots of garlic and onions in my food during flu season. Onions and garlic have long been used for their healing properties and they are a tasty addition to any meal (especially soups). There are many herbs and vitamins that can help your immune system; make sure you get enough of them.
- Vitamin D: Take 3,000-5,000 IUs of vitamin D every day.
- Berberine, Turmeric, and Olive Leaf: These herbs help to give your immune system the boost it needs to help kick the flu out the door.
- Probiotic/Polyphenols: There is a ton of research on probiotics and immunity. I take my probiotic in a super-food blend so I get both gut health and the added antioxidant power of plant foods.
Most people get 2-3 colds or flus a year. I find that when I take care of myself, I may have a day or two of symptoms, but rarely get a full-blown sickness – this is a sign of a strong immune system.
You too can have a strong immune system by following the above advice.
Health and Happiness,
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
The Secret Ingredient to a Longer, Happier Life
Let’s face it. We’re all in need of an attitude adjustment from time to time. After all, when you turn on the news these days, the world can seem pretty dark. That is unless you make it a practice to look for the silver linings. In fact, Harvard researchers say when you do, something quite...
Do You REALLY Need All Those Skincare Products?
I often get questions about skincare products—and here’s what I’ve learned. In today’s beauty-obsessed world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of spending hundreds every month believing you need countless products to fight aging and achieve healthy, glowing skin. However, many dermatologists argue that LESS is MORE when it comes to skincare. Simplifying your...
“Ebb and Flow” Technique TRANSFORMS Senior Brain Health
You know by now that exercise is good for you. It keeps your heart healthy, your muscles strong, and your waistline trim. But what if I told you that a trendy “ebb and flow” workout technique—often associated with young fitness enthusiasts—could actually be a game-changer for us “oldsters” when it comes to brain health? And...
Mailbag: Slash Your Risk of Bone Fractures as You Age
“My doctor recently told me that I have osteoporosis. What can I do to reduce my risk of fractures and maintain strong bones as I age?” – Margaret Hi Margaret, Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I’m sure it was a shock. Osteoporosis is a serious condition that affects millions of people, and it’s not...
Household Favorite EXPOSED as Cancer Risk?
We all want to believe that the products we use daily are safe. After all, if they weren’t, they wouldn’t be on store shelves, right? Well, I hate to break it to you, but sometimes, the truth is far more alarming than we’d like to admit. The World Health Organization (WHO) has just dropped a...
Hidden Heatwave Threat REVEALED
Heat waves can have serious consequences. After all, staying cool isn’t just a comfort issue. When the mercury soars, it threatens your health—especially when you’re a senior. There are various reasons for this, including chronic medical conditions and bodies that just don’t regulate temperature as well as they once did. But there’s another heat-linked threat...
The Hidden Threat Behind Your Achy Joints
Picture this… You’re trying to enjoy a leisurely stroll in the park, but each step sends a jolt of pain through your knee. Or maybe you’re attempting to open a stubborn jar lid, only to have your fingers refuse to cooperate, leaving you feeling frustrated and helpless. Perhaps you’re simply trying to get out of...
Parkinson's Signs You Can't Afford to Miss
Imagine waking up one day to find your body betraying you. Your hands tremble as you try to button your shirt. Your feet shuffle when you want to walk with purpose. Once strong and clear, your voice now barely reaches above a whisper. This is the reality for those living with Parkinson’s. But what if...
Do Protein Needs Drop with Age? The SURPRISING Answer
I had a patient ask me the other day if they needed as much protein now as when they were younger. After all, we aren’t quite as active as seniors compared to when we were spring chickens. It’s a good question. And the answer might surprise you… Remember when you could devour a whole pizza...
Follow Your “Gut Feeling” to Reduce Diabetes Risk
It seems like every day we learn something new about the incredible influence our gut has on our overall health. From mood to immunity, and even to how well we sleep, the community of microbes in our digestive tract is pulling the strings behind the scenes. So, it should come as no surprise that researchers...