Natural Health Help

A lot of us are concerned about the potential undesirable effects of immunizations. People are worried about giving their kids vaccinations- and they often just as worried about not giving them. We are in a very real bind when it comes to sorting through this question. Despite the pages and pages of information that are available about each of these pharmaceutical products, that make it seem like a lot of research has been done, there is in fact a fundamental problem with the so-called science looking at the safety and effectiveness of immunizations.

What the available research does not include is a proper control group. For ANY of the science looking at the safety and effectiveness of immunizations to be valid, we have to have a large group of people- both genders, all ethnicities, all socio-economic levels- who have not been immunized, ever, whose health is followed closely for years and years of their lives. It is only with that kind of control group that anyone can really think clearly about the risk and benefits of giving a particular individual child- your child- immunizations.

That would be not only ideal, it is the only scientific method with integrity. Next time someone suggests that you should immunize your child because science clearly demonstrates the benefit of immunization, you can ask if they have come up with this control group for comparison. What we do have is what’s called empirical evidence– that is, what we can observe. We can observe for instance that polio is very well tamed, that small pox is essentially eradicated, and we can observe that these are truly wonderful achievements. Technically we do not know actually how that happened but certainly vaccination was part of it. Vaccinations are, like most things in life, neither all bad or all good. Some people are hurt by them every year; some people are hurt by the diseases they are meant to prevent every year as well. Because we don’t have a control group, one thing we don’t know much about is how to predict who most likely will be hurt, and therefore what other choices can we make. Given the fact we can’t get a clear answer from science, it’s important for parents to realize this: regardless of whether you choose to immunize or not, you jog is essentially the same. You have to love your kids, feed them well, help them feel secure and warm and attended to. You have to guard their health so they can meet the challenges they encounter, whether it be a wild virus or an immunization. If you decide to immunize, the following plan will help support your child to meet the challenges the immunizations present.

A primary principle to recognize is that the immune system will react, is meant to react, to the immunizations. The reactivity is desirable, but potentially uncomfortable. We also want to minimize the (rare) chance of long term negative effects from the processes set in motion by the immunization ‘events’ in the body. So the purpose of this plan is to strengthen your child during the time period surrounding the immunization challenge and to recognize and immediately address any extraordinary reactions, with the intention of preventing long term consequences.

Timing: best is a time of year when the family is likely to be quietly stable; try to avoid unusual stresses like travel, holidays, or illness.

Food: Following is a list of foods to avoid because they are likely to challenge the immune system. Digesting these foods will compete for resources that would be better given to the processes necessary to incorporating the benefits of the immunizations:
Avoid all sweets except fresh fruit. This includes dry fruit, fruit juice (except very dilute), fruit concentrates, sugar, honey, syrups, malts.

Avoid refined, white flour products- breads, pastas, crackers, white rice. Use whole grain items only and use these only in combination with a protein food in the same meal.
Dairy foods- cow milk products are problematic for the majority of people, so avoid the challenge they represent at this time. Fermented forms, like (unsweetened) yogurt, buttermilk, a little bit of kefir is ok a few times a week. Substitute soy milk and soy cheeses unless there is a known allergy. Avoid rice milk—it’s a sweet.

Next are foods to emphasize, because they are rich in immune-boosting nutrients and because they support a prostaglandin balance that favors healthy immune function:
Brightly colored vegetables- orange, red, yellow, deep green

Fresh fruits especially those with thin, bluey-red, purple skins- grapes, plums, berries, apples. Go easy on tropical fruits, like bananas and oranges

Protein- fish is best, tuna, cod, salmon; chicken and turkey, game meat especially; avoid sausages and cured meats. Steaming, sauté, stewing and soups is the best way to cook and serve these protein foods. Soy foods like tofu and tempeh are also encouraged, but they should not be relied on solely. Eggs are also good as long as there is no known allergy.

Good quality fats and oils- avoid margarine, all partially hydrogenated oils (these are found in all packaged foods) A little butter is good, as are olive and canola oil. Try also nuts and seeds in moderation and avocado.

Consider supplementing your child with a flavored cod liver oil supplement during this period, especially if it is winter weather while you do the shots. Give according to label instructions for age/weight.

Whole grains, preferably a wide variety- that is, minimize wheat, expand into brown rice, corn, millet, spelt, barley. buckwheat, to name a few.

Specific Nutrients: these are cofactors essential to immune function- supplementing ensures adequate amounts of ‘raw’ material to meet the increased demands of the immunization series. Doses may be age related, or size related- bigger kid, bigger dose, or bigger dose when a bigger challenge is present- they get a cold, it’s winter, it’s a birthday party with sweets.

Vitamin A- 1 to 5 years, 2,000 iu twice/day; 6 and over 4,000 iu twice/day

Vitamin C- to bowel tolerance, meaning start with 100-200 mg twice daily and increase by 100-200mg each day until the stools loosen; this indicates tissue saturation. Back off by 100-200mg and that’s the individualized dose. Powdered, buffered Vit. C is easiest to measure out and play with the dose; mix in water, disguise with a splash of juice if needed.

Vitamin B6- for kids over 1 year, 1 to 4 mg twice daily

Zinc- for kids over 1 year, 10 to 15 mg twice daily

A good quality, liquid multivitamin without iron, is the best source, because although these are most important in this circumstance, of course all the nutrients are essential, so take them in combination. You’ll need an extra source of Vit C to get enough.

Botanical Support: there are plant medicines that are immune system modulators and lymph system supports. These are recommended for each child individually, after an assessment with Dr. Dunne

Homeopathic Support: I suggest homeopathic Ledum pallidum 30c, one dose (3 pellets) the day before, the day of and the day after the injections.

Homeopathy may be an important tool if there is post-injection distress we need to address. If your child becomes uncomfortable with any physical symptom, or if there are behavior changes that concern you in the 6 to 8 weeks after the immunizations, please schedule an office visit so we can address the specifics of your child’s reaction. The primary purpose of course is to offer supportive treatment, but also it is very important to document adverse reactions to immunizations for future decision making.

Ideally you would start the recommended support measures a week or so before the first injections and continue for 2 to 3 weeks after. Don’t withdraw the support items abruptly, rather wean off of them (especially the Vit C) over 4 to 5 days. Consider retaining some of these habits, like the foods and the multivitamin support!

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