Universal Influenza Immunization Campaign

If you question the wisdom of this annual rite of passage you are not alone in your disdain for the flu shot.  You’ll be happy to know  that science is on  your side.  For example, there is the study that was done in Ontario to determine whether the incidence of influenza there decreased following the introduction of their Universal Influenza Immunization Campaign(UIIC) in 2000.  They found that there has not been a decrease in the mean monthly influenza rate following the itroduction of their campaign.  The authors concluded“Despite increased vaccine dilstruibution and finacial resources towards promotion, the inciednce of influeza in Ontario has not decreased following the introduction of the UIIC.”

In another study in the Archives of Internal Medicine that looked at the role of the flu vaccine in relation  to benefit, the authors attributed the decline in influenza related mortality among people 65 to 74 years in the decade after the 1968 pandemic to the acquisition of immunity to the emerging A(H3N2) virus.  The researchers could not correclate increasing vaccination coverage after 1980 with declining mortality rates in any age group.  They concluded that because fewer that 10% of all wiinter deaths were attributable to influenza in any season, that observational studies substantially overestimate vaccination benefit.

Out of Reuters World Report, Feb 2005 – Arch Intern Med, 2005 

Lives saved by flu Vaccine – Zero?  Predictions were that 50% of those vaccinated would not die. Based on mortality rates from 1968-2001 the National insititute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases found no correlation between increased vaccination rates after 1980 & decreased death rates.  Researchers are now saying earlier studies were flawed & the elderly may not be getting much benefit because many fail to produce antibodies in response  to the vaccination.  Natural immunity may be responsible for the earlier perceived benefits.

Why is it that in this country we are bombarded with free or low cost flu vaccine??? In my opinion, it is soley for the increased purchase for over the counter remedies that also do not offer any relief except a lighter wallet.

Dr. Big Mike

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Here is the information that has been requested by neumerous friends and patients.

Autolyzed, hydrolyzed, glutamate, glutamic acid, hydrolyzed, autolyzed
HIDDEN SOURCES 
OF PROCESSED FREE GLUTAMIC ACID (MSG) 
NAMES OF INGREDIENTS THAT CONTAIN ENOUGH MSG 
TO SERVE AS COMMON MSG-REACTION TRIGGERS

The MSG-reaction is a reaction to free glutamic acid that occurs in food as a consequence of manufacture. MSG-sensitive people do not react to protein (which contains bound glutamic acid) or any of the minute amounts of free glutamic acid that might be found in unadulterated, unfermented, food.

 

These ALWAYS contain MSG
Glutamate	Glutamic acid	Gelatin
Monosodium glutamate	Calcium caseinate	Textured protein
Monopotassium glutamate	Sodium caseinate	Yeast nutrient
Yeast extract	Yeast food	Autolyzed yeast
Hydrolyzed protein (any protein that is hydrolyzed)	Hydrolyzed corn gluten	Natrium glutamate(natrium is Latin/German for sodium)

 

These OFTEN contain MSG or create MSG during processing
Carrageenan	Maltodextrin	Malt extract
Natural pork flavoring	Citric acid	Malt flavoring
Bouillon and Broth	Natural chicken flavoring	Soy protein isolate
Natural beef flavoring	Ultra-pasteurized	Soy sauce
Stock	Barley malt	Soy sauce extract
Whey protein concentrate	Pectin	Soy protein
Whey protein	Protease	Soy protein concentrate
Whey protein isolate	Protease enzymes	Anything protein fortified
Flavors(s) & Flavoring(s)	Anything enzyme modified	Anything fermented
Natural flavor(s)  & flavoring(s)	Enzymes anything	Seasonings  (the word “seasonings”)

In ADDITION…

The not so new game is to label hydrolyzed proteins as pea protein, whey protein, corn protein, etc. If a pea, for example, were whole, it would be identified as a pea. Calling an ingredient pea protein indicates that the pea has been hydrolyzed, at least in part, and that processed free glutamic acid (MSG) is present. Relatively new to the list are wheat protein and soy protein.

Disodium guanylate and disodium inosinate are expensive food additives that work synergistically with inexpensive MSG. Their use suggests that the product has MSG in it. They would probably not be used as food additives if there were no MSG present.

MSG reactions have been reported to soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners, and cosmetics, where MSG is hidden in ingredients that include the words “hydrolyzed,” “amino acids,” and “protein.”

Low fat and no fat milk products often include milk solids that contain MSG.  Low fat and no fat versions of ice cream and cheese may not be as obvious as yogurt, milk, cream, cream cheese, cottage cheese, etc., but they are not an exception.

Protein powders contain glutamic acid, which, invariably, would be processed free glutamic acid (MSG).  Glutamic acid is not always named on labels of protein powders.

Drinks, candy, and chewing gum are potential sources of hidden MSG and of aspartame and neotame. Aspartic acid, found in neotame and aspartame (NutraSweet), ordinarily causes MSG type reactions in MSG sensitive people. Aspartame is found in some medications, including children’s medications. Neotame is relatively new and we have not yet seen it used widely. Check with your pharmacist.

Binders and fillers for medications, nutrients, and supplements, both prescription and non-prescription, enteral feeding materials, and some fluids administered intravenously in hospitals, may contain MSG.

According to the manufacturer, Varivax–Merck chicken pox vaccine (Varicella Virus Live), contains L-monosodium glutamate and hydrolyzed gelatin both of which contain processed free glutamic acid (MSG) which causes brain lesions in young laboratory animals, and causes endocrine disturbances like OBESITY and REPRODUCTIVE disorders later in life.  It would appear that most, if not all, live virus vaccines contain MSG.

Reactions to MSG are dose related, i.e., some people react to even very small amounts. MSG-induced reactions may occur immediately after ingestion or after as much as 48 hours.

Note: There are additional ingredients that appear to cause MSG reactions in ACUTELY sensitive people. A list is available by request.

Remember: By FDA definition, all MSG is “naturally occurring.” “Natural” doesn’t mean “safe.”  “Natural” only means that the ingredient started out in nature.

We would like to hear from you if you have found additional MSG-reaction triggers.

for more information please refer to the ContraCosta.com website.  Or simply respond to this blog.

Michael Patrick, D.C.

 

FOOD ADDITIVE ASPERTAME

Did you know that aspartame, also known as Equal NutraSweet or Spoonfull is used in many diet beverages, sugar-free foods, gum, candy, OTC medications, nutritional supplemsnts and certain prescription drugs?  Would you be surprised that it is a poison to your nervous system,(neurotoxin) and is associated with 92 adverse reactions, from headaches dizziness and difficulty breathing to memory loss, seizures and death.

In the Chiropractic protcol for the treatment of headache the use of this nerotoxin is eliminated with a good degree of success in management of headache pain.  It is fairly easy to eliminate because it is easy to identify.  My patients all agree that they would rather go back to eating sugar ( in small amounts) when  given the choice between headaches or sugar.

In the next blog we will explore an even worse neruotoxin to eliminate the dreaded MSG, or glutamate syndrome.

Chiropractic and the Flu

During the 1917-18 influenza epidemic which brought death and fear to many Americans, it has been estimated that 20 million people died throughtout the world including about 500,00 Americans.  It was Chiropractic’s success in caring for flu victims that led to the profession’s licensure in many states!  Researchers reported that in Davenport, Iowa,  out of 93,590 patient5s treated by medical doctors, there were 6,116 deaths — a loss of one patient out of every 15.  Chiropractors  at the Palmer School of Chiropractic adjusted 1,635 cases, with only one death.  Outside Davenport, Chiropractors in Iowa cared for 4,735 cases with only six deaths — one out of 866.  During the same epidemic, in Oklahoma, out of 3,490 flu patients under Chiropractic care, there were only seven deaths.  Furthermore, Chiropracors were called in 233 cases given up as lost  after medical treatment, and reportedlly saved all but 25.  In another report covering 4,193 cases by 213 Chiropractors 4,104 showed complete recovery.

I wonder why our Chiropractic leaders do not exploit these facts for the benefit of the population that suffer from the flu every year?  It seems to me that it is a “no-brainer” — get adjusted or suffer from the flu???

WHIPLASH, NECK PAIN AND THE MILITARY NECK

The loss of the “normal” cervical curve is often related to trauma.  Whiplash is the most common form of trauma to cause a “military” or straightening-out of the normal curve in the neck.  It has been determined by the SPINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF SAN DIEGO that a delta V or the change of volicity of 5mph or greater will cause the loss of the cervical curve.   Well, when you consider the human head weighs as much as some bowling balls, and is perched over the shoulders at least seven inches, being controlled by a combination of small muscles used primarily for movement and not for protection, whiplash or a sprain that stretches and sometimes rips ligamentous tissue should be expected!  However, most of the population considers neck pain from such small “fender benders” just to be a matter of inconvience and will heal in time.  This is true, but the healing over of ripped and torn injured tissues with scar tissue is NOT the complete healing that should occur.  Chiropractic treatment specific to the tissues involved, gives the best chance of complete recovery.  The Chiroractic approach should integrate adjustments to the cervical vertebra that are not moving and support of the vertebra that are moving too much. Coupled with specific exercises, some specific massage and of course this should be directed by a Chiropractor that can reinstitute the proper cervical curve, and can give the injured tissues the best possible chance at  COMPLETE recovery.

Continuous bad posture such as a syndrome I call “student neck” or “monitor, computer-neck” also causes a military neck.  This is the same as whiplash except the stretching out of ligamentous and other soft tissue is gradual but has the same inherent problems, such as the formation of osteoarthritis, which is defined as a “progressive degenerative disease” will follow over time.

Most patients are surprised when shown they have a military neck and the formation of bone spurs, disc degeneration because they thought that if the pain goes away they must be healthy.  To be pain free, or as they say in the business, assymtomatic does not mean that health is the result. A good proactive, health conscious person gets checked regularly by a good Chiropractor who can diagnose this problem and correct the cause of  the problem.

CHIROPRACTIC REDUCES THE COST OF TRADITIONAL HEALTHCARE

  From the the ARCHIVES of INTERNAL MEDICINE comes a study about the cost of healthcare in the U.S.  Evidently patients who had regular Chiropractic Adjustments saved a significant amount of money over patients who did not have regular Chirpractic Adjustments.

  700,00 people with Chiropractic coverage in their insurance plan was compared to 1,000,000 people whose insurance coverage was limited to traditional medical treatments.  The total helthcare cost for the Chiropractic group was 12% lower.

  They spent 28% less for back pain saving $16 million.

  There was a 23% reduction in the use of X-rays and 37% less spent on MRIs.

  There were 41% fewer hospitalizations for back pain and 32% fewer back surgeries.

   I would add that the cost has actually gone down over the last 4 years because the cost of health care continues to rise and the payment for Chiropractic treatments from the insurance company has not increased in the last 10 years.

Source: Archives of Internal Medicine, 2004;164:1985-1992.

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CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHRONIC BACK and NECK PAIN

European research studies have found that Chiropractic Adjustments are more effective for chronic low back pain than the usual general medical practioner, bed rest, analgesics and massage.

But more recent research has revealed that Chiropractic Adjustments are also safe and effective for patients with chronic neck pain.  Research from Australia reported that Chiropactic Adjustments were superior to needle accupuncture and medication (NASAIDs-tenoxican with ranitidine) for patients with both chronic neck and back pain.

In this country, SPINE journal of orthopedics reported a trial of patients with neck, mid-back, and low-back pain, Chiropractic adjustments again had a much better outcome than did patients treated with Vioxx, Celebrex, and paracetamol.  Studies from Europe also concluded that Chiropractic Adjustments were both safe and effective for uncomplicated back and neck pain.

Do you ever wonder why in the USA  Chiropractic is not recommended by your family physician?  I think that the family physcian is just too busy to read the most current and up to date articles about uncomplicated back and neck pain.  And that the medical world just does not know what Chiropractic is or what it can safly treat.

Ref:  THE CHIROPRACTIC REPORT, Sept. 2003 Vol.17 No.5

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Cervicogenic Headache

The cervicogenic headache mimics the pain of the typical migraine headache, but can be differentiated by simple examination protocol.  It has been statistically estimated that 3% of all headaches are cervicogenic headaches or about 300,000 headaches a day.

International research reports that Chiropractic adjustments “have significant success in the management of patients with cervicogenic headache”.  This report goes on to say that “Chiropractic adjustments have a positive effect in reducing hours with headache, and intensity of headache and analgesic consumption”.

I personally have had success in eliminating the pain of migraine headache and stopping the progressive nature of cervical osteoarthritis by using a Chiropractic technique called  ”Chiropractic Biophysics” in conjunction with extension traction, specific muscle lengthing massage, and an exercise specific for the cervical spine.

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 - Dr. Big Mike – www.backtohealthmed.com