The Flu Shot & Adrenal Fatigue
Posted by Dr. James Wilson on Fri, Nov 06, 2009
Whether
or not to get a flu shot is an individual decision, even if you have adrenal
fatigue.
My reservation about the HINI flu shot is the same as it is about any
other flu shot in any other year. Each flu vaccine only protects against one or
two specific strains of influenza. However, there are many viruses and bacteria
that make people ill, especially during the winter months. Vaccination against
only one or two strains, albeit common or particularly virulent ones, does
nothing to protect against the many other causes of flu and respiratory
infections. I have had the same question posed to me by my staff and what I
told them is that the most important thing you can do to protect yourself from
this virus or any other cause of the flu or other upper respiratory ailment is
to continually strengthen your immune function. Arm yourself by doing the key
things that lead to a strong and responsive immune system:
• Be proactive by regularly using (especially in the months preceding and
during cold and flu seasons) the supplements that enhance and build your body’s
own natural immune processes over time.
• In addition, take approximately 2,000 mg per day of the best vitamin C you
can find (sustained-release, pH balanced, with 1 mg of bioflavonoids for every 2
mg ascorbic acid), and 15 to 30 mg per day of zinc gluconate or
picolinate.
• Keep a quick-acting, natural immune booster on hand to help nip things in the
bud in case something slips by your immune defenses.
• Adopt an immune-hardy lifestyle by getting eight to nine hours of sleep a
night; eating nutritious foods with abundant vegetables, whole grains and some
fruits; avoid junk foods and driving yourself with caffeine; and exercise
within your tolerance but without exhausting yourself.
It is true that if you are going through adrenal fatigue, you are more
vulnerable to respiratory infections. However, the steps listed above combined
with proper adrenal support will go a long way toward helping you stay healthy
during the winter. If you do get the flu, it will probably be much milder and
shorter-lived than had you not taken care of yourself in this way. By
continuing to support your adrenals, your recovery should be better, faster and
stronger. An important thing to remember during the recovery phase is that once
you begin to feel better, not to push yourself. Already this fall I know of two
incidences where people with adrenal fatigue got the H1N1 virus, but with
continued adrenal support recovered very quickly -- only to over extend
themselves too soon, get exhausted and further weaken already challenged
adrenals, and then become ill with another virus. Had they taken two more days
to rest and recover, or had they also strengthened their immune systems, they
would probably both have been fine.
Having a flu shot can give you a false sense of security and lull you into
believing you are protected from all flus, when in fact you are only protected
from one or two specific pathogens. Taking care of your body and personal
responsibility for your health, including preparing for the winter by
strengthening your immunity as well as maximizing adrenal support if you have
adrenal fatigue, is an important concept to understand.
Yours in health,
Dr. James Wilson