Your Health Matters!

Swine Flu and Onions

This came in an email from a friend and is TOTALLY anecdotal, but it is just too good not to pass along in light of all the ruckus being made about swine flu

ONIONS:

I don’t know for sure but I’ll try it for the swine flu.

Forwarded from a friend.

In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people there was this Doctor that visited the many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu.

Many of the farmers and their family had contracted it and many died.

The doctor came upon this one farmer and to his surprise, everyone was very healthy.

When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different the wife replied that
she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in the rooms of the home,
(probably only two rooms back then).

The doctor couldn’t believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and place it under the microscope. She gave him one and when he did this, he did find the flu virus in the onion.
It obviously absorbed the bacteria, therefore, keeping the family healthy.

Now, I heard this story from my hairdresser in AZ.
She said that several years ago many of her employees were coming down with the flu and so were many of her customers.

The next year she placed several bowls with onions around in her shop. To her surprise, none of her staff got sick. It must work.. (And no, she is not in the onion business.)

The moral of the story is, buy some onions and place them in bowls around your home.

If you work at a desk, place one or two in your office or under your desk or even on top somewhere. Try it and see what happens. We did it last year and we never got the flu.

If this helps you and your loved ones from getting sick, all the better. If you do get the flu, it just might be a mild case..

What have you to lose? Just a few bucks on onions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now there is a P. S. to this for I sent it to a friend in Oregon who regularly contributes material to me on health issues. She replied with this most interesting experience about onions:

Thanks for the reminder. I don’t know about the farmers story….but, I do know that I contacted pneumonia and needless to say I was very ill…

I came across an article that said to
cut both ends off an onion put one end on a fork and then place the forked end into an empty jar…placing the jar next to the sick patient at night.

It said the onion would be black in the morning from the germs…sure enough it happened just like that….the onion was a mess and I began to feel better.

Another thing I read in the article was that onions and garlic placed around the room saved many from the black plague years ago. They have powerful antibacterial, antiseptic properties.

There you have it.  Onions could be the cure for swine flu – and other viruses and flus.

No problem with gearing up to get enough ready for everyone,
Not expensive
Safe
Natural

All it would take would be a few bucks to do some basic tests – a school science fair project could set it up – and a good microscope to look at the infected onion-lifesavers.

But I forgot, then there wouldn’t be an excuse for a national emergency and then no big companies would make billions of bucks and all those researchers would have to look for something else to discover and people wouldn’t get so sick.

Hmmm…

What are we missing here?

Go in Health,

Dr Jon

Natural Antiviral Proven Effective

There is good news and bad news yesterday about natural “flu fighters.”

Dr. Andrew Weil, well-known proponent of more natural approaches to dis-ease had made some statements regarding the efficacy of astragalus in combatting flu.  The government is up in arms about this, but researchers from Natural News have assembled a collection of statements in support of Dr. Weil’s astragalus statements.  They have discovered that:

This medicinal herb does, indeed, boost healthy immune function and offer protection against influenza. And because it’s a multifaceted, complex plant-based medicine, it’s not outsmarted by one particular viral configuration… it’s useful against any flu (including H1N1 swine flu).

Just so you really get it, let me say it a different way.

Astragalus, a “simple herb” and not a billion-dollar researched, contrived, pharmaceutical company chemical or vaccine, actually has been shown to have the ability to kill viruses, no matter how they might change, so it is effective against any flu virus, including the H1N1.

To read more about what the experts have to say about astragalus and influenza see the entire article here….

The good news then is that you have a safe, effective alternative approach to swine flu without having to rely on any unproven, potentially dangerous, misguided and shortsighted approach such as that being marketed to us by our political leaders and physicians.

The bad news is that the powers that be, the FDA and FTC (medical and economic power brokers), are attacking a respected and compassionate physician who happens to know the facts but also happens to disagree with current politics.

This kind of abuse of free speech and free thought, this attacking of truth when it doesn’t agree with the politically correct doctrine of the moment is unacceptable in a supposedly free society.

And here I go, turning the health newsletter into a political commentary

Sorry about that, but they seem to somehow go together.

Health and politics.  Poor bedfellows.

That’s the really bad news.

Meanwhile use the good news, go in health, get your astragalus and other natural flu fighting products, in spite of what the power brokers would prefer that you believe and do.  Err on the side of truth and health.

To Your Health,

Dr Jon

P.S.  When you read the full article you will notice that astragalus does a LOT more than just fight flu viruses, AND there are more herbs that are effective as well!

Swine Flu Revisited

The issue just won’t go away, so let’s again look at the big picture.

Yesterday I was watching the Hannity show TIVO’d from earlier in the week.  He had a strict vegetarian and a couple others discussing the swing flu vaccine.  She gave him a very hard time for eating junk food and dogged him about not eating vegetables.  Interestingly, she was vehemently opposed to the vaccine, one of the other panelists took a very skeptical approach to the logistics and efficacy of the vaccine while accepting other older vaccines, while Sean was totally in favor of the vaccine.  His rationale was that all the doctors to whom he had spoken and all the research he had seen was in favor.

Here’s my problem, what frustrates me most, and what is very disheartening:

There are only two choices discussed in the argument about the vaccine.  Even if all the doctors knew everything about the virus and the vaccine, even none of the research was flawed, even if the government had all their ducks in a row and really and truly had your best interest at stake, there are still only two choices discussed:

a) get the vaccine because that is the only way we have of combating it, or
b) don’t get the vaccine because it is not safe (and that leads to a lot of political rhetoric – for example, the Yahoo
Buzz Blog from today in response to the declaration that H1N1 is a national emergency).

This approach of either to vaccinate or not is shortsighted and misses the point entirely.  It is a commentary on our modern medical system that we are so limited, that our health “toolbox” is so small.  It probably helps to explain why our country has the best health care but some of the worst health in the world.

What we need is a whole new approach (perhaps the old approach!) where we expand the toolbox and have lots more ways to effect health in ourselves and in our population.

Here are some other things we could do:

• Eat correctly and eat wholesome, nutrient dense food.  Change the way we do agriculture!
• Use herbal remedies and essential oils made from herbs.  There are herbs known to kill viruses (and bacteria, and fungi…) which won’t or are unlikely to generate resistance in organisms.
• Stop bad habits like smoking and addiction to sugar, both of which are known to seriously adversely affect our health (cancer, diabetes, a couple of reasons why vaccines are supposedly needed).  Instead of making us spend $30 for a vaccine make a pack of cigarettes or a can of coke cost $30.
• Use large doses of Vitamin C and enemas as Dr. Klenner of North Carolina did many years ago when treating children with viral illnesses.  This boosted the immune system and he lost none of these children while his colleagues were losing them all the time.  Both vitamin C and soapy water used for an enema are very inexpensive, the cost of the plastic to house the fluid being more costly than the remedy.
• Use food extracts and homeopathic remedies shown to be effective against flu and viral illnesses.
• Encourage persons to take supplements and engage in exercise programs.  Tax incentives could be offered to do this.  Would be cheaper than paying medicaid and medicare bills for illnesses that could be prevented.
• Encourage stress-reduction programs that could include regular massage therapy, relaxation/yoga sessions, EFT instruction and counseling as needed.

With a wholistic approach to health and putting people’s needs in the forefront, we could get beyond the limited approach currently in vogue.  With better health we could perhaps also get past some of the political rhetoric which isn’t particularly helpful for anyone.

So what did I tell my friend when she called today to ask if she should take the swine flu vaccine?  The big picture, of course.

• Improve your overall health with supplements and diet changes
• Exercise, breathe
• Reduce stress
• The usual handwashing, hygiene preventive measures
• Keep the natural antivirals close by and use them early for any symptoms

With these measures you likely won’t need the vaccine and would make the controversy a mute point.

To Your Health,

Dr Jon

Use Antivirals or Not?

There is an interesting blog post on Effect Measure, a blog for Public Health Information and Discussion.  It is discussing when and why one might use antiviral medications for people with Swine Flu (H1N1).  It is a very informative article, reviewing the people who are most at risk for getting the swine flu in the first place, then outlining the criteria for when one might add antivirals to the otherwise conservative “nontherapy” the medical world has to treat viruses (bedrest, fluids, fever control).  If you are interested, read the whole article here.

There are a couple of interesting points to make here.

First, the people most likely to get swine flu are those with underlying problems like chronic lung or heart disease, AND, those already immunosuppresed because of drugs or other illness.  The medical world admits that immunosuppression plays a role in acquiring swine flu!  That is no suprpise to anyone.  However, It is my contention that any dis-ease, though perhaps focused on heart or lung or kidney, has a component of deficiency of immune system.  I would take it one more step and say that (almost) any American has a component of deficiency of immune system (due to diet, toxins, hormones, etc. in our food and water supply).

Second, the whole concept of using antivirals is an interesting one.  Of course, the medical world is aware only of the pharmaceutically created agents used to kill viruses, with their dangerous side effects.  At the same time, the use of antivirals would occur only after the dis-ease symptoms are already present.

What if there were agents that would kill viruses and at the same time NOT be dangerous, AND improve your immune system at the same time?  What if there were an agent or agents that could be used BEFORE symptoms were apparent that were safe and effective?

Actually, there are!

They are called FOOD and VITAMINS.

Olive leaf extract is a food substance with antiviral properties.  Garlic is antiviral – and cheap.  Vitamin C in large doses stimulates the production of interferon, the body’s own specific “smart bomb” against viruses.  And there are others.  Products like Biodefense, and others, put many of these together in one place for your convenience.

So here is a thought:  instead of waiting for symptoms of the swine flu (or any dis-ease), let’s be pro-active and truly preventive and use safe, effective, immune stimulating natural substances that will prevent acquiring dis-ease.  Use them on everybody and don’t got too hung up on when and who; everybody needs food; everybody can have an improved immune system.  Those at risk could take more, and sooner if you like.

The article referenced here from Effect Measure is a great one with some good information, just be willing to think beyond.

To your Health,

Dr Jon

P.S.  There is one more point that is made in the blog that is worth the whole read:

TREAT THE PATIENT, NOT THE LAB TESTS.

Amen!  We will talk more about this as we go!!

More Swine Flu News

Our local news yesterday reported the story of a young girl who spent a very long time in the hospital due to complications of swine flu.  It was pointed out that LeBron James, the star basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, has also had symptoms thought due to swine flu.  Fortunately he did not have to be hospitalized.

This raises some questions for me:

How come some don’t get it?

How come some barely get affected at all?

How come some nearly die?

How come some do die?

The answer can’t be “It is the swine flu.”  In each case it is the swine flu yet each case is different.

Has to be some inherent immune system ability or lack thereof to monitor and fight the infection.

Another interesting thing reported in the same clip is that the medical world is now starting to use the pharmaceutical antiviral drugs in swine flu cases, especially in people who have other illnesses like asthma.

Sounds like a tacit admission that in sicker people immune systems themselves aren’t up to the job.  We all know this, why do we try to avoid admitting it and keep on believing so strongly in the germ theory?

One last point: use the natural antivirals, like BioDefense or colloidal silver or other ones available.  They are far less dangerous to your DNA.

Meanwhile, keep the immune system healthy!

Go in Health,

Dr Jon

Conspiracy or Misguided??

A couple of years ago I became aware of a newly designed product called “BioDefense.”

This was designed to naturally fight against all types of microorganisms known about, viruses, bacteria and fungi.  My friend who designed this product did so in response to the threat at the time of biological warfare agents such as anthrax.  Once he had developed it he used it in his office with patients with sinus and urinary infections, along with other types of infections such as skin infections.  His patients told him that even their arthritis symptoms improved after they had used it.  My friend was surprised by this, but one theory of arthritis, not popular in the medical world, is that it is caused by a microorganism living in the highly anaerobic conditions of joint spaces.

Regardless, the product has been valuable in fighting infections.

Come now to 2009 and the current epidemic of Swine Flu affecting the globe.  Put on your thinking cap and let’s go through the steps:

Swine Flu is a virus
The current medical weapons against viruses are limited at best and not so effective
Vaccines against Swine Flu (or any virus for that matter) are dangerous and questionably effective
This new product, BioDefense, is effective against viruses and is safe and totally natural.
Conclusion:

I should be using BioDefense at any early symptoms of Swine Flu.

This is a logical conclusion, but is it proving to be an effective tool against Swine Flu in everyday life?

I did some checking and discovered that indeed it is, but here’s the kicker: those in the medical profession are not allowed to say so by the FDA.

This is a classic example of how organizations purported to exist to protect people become more important than the people they are protecting and as a result actually hurt and kill people.

I would guess that the FDA is concerned that BioDefense hasn’t gone through years  and millions of dollars worth of testing.  What they don’t realize or want to recognize is that it was put together based on the testing and research already done and printed in journals.

So the question, in my renegade and cynical mind, becomes “Is the FDA really concerned about people or are they concerned about their reputation, or (worse) are they more concerned about protecting the pharmaceutical industry than protecting people?”

I don’t know if the answer will ever be known for sure.  Makes you wonder, though.

Meanwhile, I’m going to order some BioDefense and have it on hand for any infection that might come along.

Blessings,

Dr Jon

Swine Flu and Potatoes??

Yesterday a friend sent me an email with excerpts and links to an interesting article about Swine Flu.  It was written on June 22, 2009 and starts out:

Scientists from Russia’s Ministry of Health are warning in a secret report to Prime Minister Putin that they have discovered a ‘critical link’ between the H1N1 influenza (Swine Flu) virus and genetically modified amylopectin potatoes that are consumed in massive quantities nearly exclusively by Westerners and sold in fast food restaurants as French Fries.According to these reports, the protease enzyme genetically modified in the potatoes being sold through Western fast food restaurants as French Fries to protect against Potato virus X causes an “explosive” replication of the H1N1 influenza virus by increasing the acidic conditions of the endosome and causing the hemagglutinin protein to rapidly fuse the viral envelope with the vacuole’s membrane, then causing the M2 ion channel to allow protons to move through the viral envelope and acidify the core of the virus, which causes the core to dissemble and release the H1N1’s RNA and core proteins into the hosts cells.

If you would like to read the entire article, you can find it here….

Bottom line, it sounds like someone is trying to sabotage either the fast food industry or the potato industry.

Honestly, as the Renegade Doc interested in seeing people get healthy, I couldn’t care either way.  Fast food is not healthy food, so losing it would probably be a plus in terms of health.  Potatoes, or anything else for that matter, raised from GMO seed is not healthy either, so it would be great to see that whole problem go away as well.

My point in bringing this up is the bigger issue about Swine Flu.  What should one think about such reports as these?  Are they true?  If they are, should we respond by not eating “whatever” (in this case fast food french fries)?  Or is there something else we need to be thinking?

First let me comment about the report being true.  I don’t know. It could perhaps make sense.  However, if you read the entire blog, one commenter points out that the potatoes produced by this GMO strain are not used in food for humans.  So, ……..  What to believe?

Second, let me comment about the bigger picture.  Whether the report is true or not, I don’t care.   The bigger picture is not about things that make the Swine Flu worse or more potent; it is about things that make us more able to resist it!  It is about building our immune systems and doing things that allow us not only to resist the Swine Flu but any and all “bugs” that come down the pike, natural or engineered.

It is about us taking control of our health and our bodies and our minds and not being told what to think or what to do by any governmental or medical cartel that is trying to manipulate us into behaving like they want us to, or spending money like they want us to.

The way to do that is always the same:

• Eat HEALTHY food, packed with available-to-the-body nutrients (“nutrient dense”), not just run of the mill grocery store food.  If you must eat from your local grocery, stay on the outside aisles and eat the produce not the canned and packaged goods.

• Add to your diet a LOT of antioxidants.  The best way to do so is always through whole food.  Again, this means         eating lots of fresh and raw fruits and vegetables.

• Supplement to be sure.  It would be nice to have a simple test to tell you when you have enough antioxidants floating around your body to adequately guard YOU from whatever is the vogue infection.  There probably is one if you go to the right alternative doc who knows about such things.  A quick search on the Internet will bring answers to this question that are all over the map depending on who is writing the article.  So the Renegade answer is just take plenty.  Eat lots of berries, fruits and veggies and take a good supplement loaded with antioxidants.  If you have a favorite, go for it.  Lots of network marketing companies have the “best” one out there (sorry for my skepticism) but most of them are good if not actually the “best.”

• Think good thoughts; use the power of your mind to fight illness.  I had a friend in Virginia who would “growl” at his sore throats and colds because he didn’t want to have them.  Guess what?  They would leave before they got going.  Now that isn’t very glamorous or scientific, but it works.  Go for it.  Growl.  Tell the “bugs” to stay away.  Love yourself enough to let your immune system stay healthy.  As Deepak Chopra points out, thoughts become chemicals.

• Build your immune system with a basic multivitamin.  This should be whole-food based, organic and either powder (capsule) or liquid.  It should also have a track record of effectiveness. If you don’t have your favorite I can point you.

• When all else fails have a safe, food-based, natural weapon against viruses and any other microorganism that can cause problems.  There are some good ones on the market.  I personally have one I like (hint – it is listed in the column to the right).  I like it because I have seen it work and because I know and trust the doctor who researched it and put it together.  He put in one capsule all the foodstuffs that you have to buy 5 of to get elsewhere.

• Finally, don’t forget the other basics of clean, pure water and regular exercise.

So there you have it – the answer to Swine Flu regardless of who is altering what gene for what purpose.

No fear, just common sense (though way better than standard American) diet choices and being aware of your body.

Go in Health!

Blessings,

The Renegade Doc

Swine Flu – No Vaccine, Just Good Health

Just helped my younger son move into his dorm room at Lindenwood University (St Charles, MO).  Right on the front door was the “Welcome back” poster along with a reprint of the WebMD page about preventing swine flu!

It had the usual good information.  Wash your hands, clean shared surfaces.

Prevention also included getting a flu vaccine.

Do you have a problem with this??  Some, including the Renegade Doc, do.  Natural News points out:

The Associated Press has distilled swine flu advice to “10 things you need to know.” None of those ten things include boosting your nutrition, getting more vitamin D or taking anti-viral medicinal herbs. They do, however, include hilarious explanations like “If you develop breathing problems, pain in your chest, constant vomiting or a fever that keeps rising, go to an emergency room.”

You can read more here….

There are other options, both for prevention and for treatment.

1. Keep your level of antioxidants up.  Take the supplements.
2. Keep your immune system function high.  Eat the right foods. Avoid the sugar and white foods and sodas and….
3. Take an herbal antiviral if you get symptoms (and stay away from the ER where there is lots more illness unless you are about to literally take your last breath.

What antiviral herbals are you talking about??

Natural News again helps us out here with a report specifically for the treatment of swine flu and other viral illnesses.  They list the top five antivirals which are combinations of some of the following:

Olive Leaf Extract
Lomatium Dissectum
St John’s Wort
Lemon Balm
Echinacea
Cat’s Claw
Shiitake Mushroom
Garlic
Onion
Ginger
Zinc

This is all great information and anyone serious about their health needs to get the report, read it, and have the alternative remedies available.

The Renegade Doc also suggest an alternative.  This is a combination of most of the same antiviral herbs and nutrients all in one package so you do not have to get five different pills or capsules to get the good stuff.

Read more here…. (Be sure to read all the way through to get the special offer).

One final thought.  On the way home from my son’s dorm we came by a local drug store advertising the swine flu vaccine for $24.99.  Instead of buying the questionable, at best, damaging, at worst, vaccine, spend less and get the better therapy!

Blessings,

Renegade Doc