Family

We’ve all stumbled upon a Jack La Lanne infomercial while scrolling through our television channels and paused to check out "Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer". This thing is phenomenal and Jack Lelane and his wife Elaine are in wonderful shape! Jack and Elaine have maintained a healthy lifestyle for years by working out and eating healthy. They certainly make their fair share of money by selling their power juicer but they also send the public a great message- that you can still be healthy at 95 years old! Jack still works out for two hours a day, spending 30 minutes swimming and the rest of the time lifting weights.

I have never known or seen anyone at or near Jack’s age in this great shape- in fact, he earned the nickname "the godfather of fitness"! Jack has taught many people throughout the years how to stay fit and eat the right foods on "The Jack LaLanne Show" that ran from 1951-1985 on ABC. He released a record in 1959 titled Glamour Stretcher Time in which Jack instructed his listeners on how to best to work out with an elastic cord. Jack was not only popular on TV and in stereo- he also wrote his share of books. Jack’s books contain everything from how to cook healthy meals, the best ways to juice, how to stay fit after 50 and how to make more money. He released his most recent book, Live Young Forever on his 95th birthday! This book gives advice on how to stay healthy, sexually active and stress free during your older years. Jack made an appearance in the 1960’s TV sitcom The Addam’s Family and in the movies Batman (1966), Repossessed (1990), Sundance Film Festival docu-drama Beefcake (1999) and Hollywood’s Magical Island: Catalina (2003).

Jack Le Lanne has made his message known through many forms of media. What makes him so qualified to give such advice? He holds a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Oakland Chiropractic College in California. He wanted his patients to maximize their health by working out and gaining more strength and thought it would be great to open his own fitness center in 1939. He created some of his own fitness equipment including the weight selectors that are now found in gyms everywhere! Many of you probably work out in the gym that was once part of Jack Le Lanne’s chain. You know it better as Bally’s Total Fitness.

Jack has received many honors for his personal and professional accomplishments. He won a total of 6 awards in 2005 when he was 91 years old, one of which was the Medical Media Public Service Award. Jack was also inducted to the National Fitness Hall of Fame that same year. He has always remained motivated and excited to take on new physical challenges. Jack was 40 years old for his first tour de force in the year 1954 when he made the world record for swimming the length of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge dragging 140 lbs. worth of equipment along with him. If you think this was a difficult feat, try doing it under water! This was not Jack Le Lanne’s only world record. He did it again two years later when he performed 1,033 push-ups in 23 minutes. Jack Le Lanne was 70 years old in 1984 when he swam 1.5 miles, pulling 70 boats carrying 70 people.

Needless to say, Jack Le Lanne and his wife Elaine are amazing people inside and out. I bought his juicer three years ago and it was one of the best things that happened to my health. All it took was three days of juicing to boost my energy and see improvements in my skin and my digestion. Jack and Elaine are not kidding about the power of juicing. You must have the Jack Le Lanne Power Juicer- not only to better your overall health and emotional well-being but also to fight off the flu! I’m choosing to pump myself full of nutrients this winter season and what better way to take in many servings of fruit and vegetables in one shot than to juice? This is a great way to consume foods that are great for you even if you don’t like the way they taste. You can mix and match flavors allowing you to disguise the flavors of foods that aren’t particularly tasty to you. This is awesome for your kids. There are many children who won’t eat a particular food because of its consistency but may enjoy it in a juice! Make fresh juice for your family and yourself with Jack’s juicer and you will see a marked improvement in your quality of life. Don’t forget to keep a lookout for Jack Le Lanne. He’s 95 years old and going strong and might hit another world record some day!

Here are some of Jack’s famous quotes:

"If man made it, don't eat it"
"If it tastes good, spit it out."

“I do it as a therapy. I do it as something to keep me alive. We all need a little discipline. Exercise is my discipline.”

“Your waistline is your lifeline.”

“The food you eat today is walking and talking tomorrow.”

“Remember this: your body is your slave; it works for you.”

“Anything in life is possible if you make it happen.”

“I can't die. It would ruin my image.”

Get ready to cuddle up close and watch some great movies during those cold winter nights with Dish Network Satellite TV. Even though it is so much more expensive, it’s nice to venture out to the theater every now and then. The winter season will soon be upon us and many people will decide to head to the movies with their loved ones and friends. Here is a preview of what you can expect in theaters for the holidays!

Old Dogs
Release Date: 11/25/09
This movie stars Robin Williams and John Travolta and it looks absolutely adorable! The two actors have been favorites of movie fans everywhere for years and it looks like they’re going to make a hilarious pair in this comedy. One is a bachelor and one a divorcee, Travolta and Williams are about to land a huge business deal but are suddenly given the responsibility of taking care of 7-year-old twins!

The Road
Release Date: 11/25/09
I’m not sure what to make of this film just yet since I’ve only seen one trailer but it seems very interesting. This film hasn’t picked up much buzz but there’s still time. I can say that the acting is guaranteed to be of great quality. It stars Viggo Mortensen, Charlize Theron and Robert Duvall. The plot is based on post apocalyptic times where a man and his child need to fight to stay alive, keeping themselves safe from starving cannibals. This sounds dramatic with a little splash of horror- just the way I like it.

Everybody’s Fine
Release Date: 12/4/09
Robert De Niro stars in this heart-warming holiday drama that is sure to please a wide variety of viewers. He has already won Best Actor at the Hollywood Film Festival for his role in this film and his acting has also been noted as Oscar worthy. DeNiro’s character makes an attempt to reclaim his relationship with his adult children played by Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale and Sam Rockwell.

The Lovely Bones
Release Date: 12/11/09
This movie looks unique to say the least and it’s difficult to tell what type of message, if any, it will deliver. It seems very depressing as a young girl is murdered and is watching over her family from Heaven. She is also keeping an eye on her killer. She needs to make a difficult decision in the spirit world- allow her family to move on or take revenge on the person who took her life. This film could be troublesome to watch for parents but if done carefully could possibly become a blockbuster hit. The cinematography looks beautiful. This film stars Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon (one of my favorites) and more.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squekuel
Release Date: December 25
Here’s an adorable flick for the whole family. These tiny-voiced creatures are sure to keep the kids entertained with a fun story, music and dancing. The original Alvin & the Chipmunks released in December 2007 won Favorite movie at The Kids’ Choice Awards, USA and the BMI Film Music Award and made $44,307,417 at the box office.

It’s Complicated
Release Date: 12/25/09
Meryl Streep is on a role once again. She’ll be starring in this drama with Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin. Streep is a restaurant owner and the mother of three grown kids who has been divorced from her husband for many years. She and her ex-husband embark on a trip that unexpectedly reunites their passion for each other and Meryl’s character becomes “the other woman”.

Here are my Top 10 Movies to watch on Dish Network’s America’s Everything Package from now until Sunday night!

#1 Lady in the Water at 9 pm on 5StarMax 11-12

Directed by M. Night Shayamalan and starring Paul Giamatti, this film is a sure win and it is rated PG-13. This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Don’t expect horror or sci-fi as it is meant to be a drama/fantasy. Watch it with a friend or loved and look at the deeper meaning of the film because you’ll want to discuss it later.

2. Nights in Rodanthe at 9 pm on HBO Signature 11-13

If you like Richard Gere and/or Diane Lane, then you will absolutely fall in love again for the first time when you watch this dramatic hit. These two make the most believable film couple that I have probably ever seen and the acting is phenomenal. George C. Wolfe who also filmed The Devil Wears Prada directed this movie.

3. Slumdog Millionaire at 9 pm on HBO2 11-12

I know many of you have heard how great this movie is and about the awards it has received. This film received Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Original Song, Best Film Editing and Best Sound Mixing- that was just at the Oscar’s. Those of you who have seen this film can watch it a second time. Those of you who haven’t seen this drama, here is your chance! See what all of the buzz is about and you will be pleasantly surprised when you find out just how unique this film really is!

4. This Boy’s Life at 8 pm on Encore Drama 11-12

Robert De Niro fans, this movie is a must to add to your collection. If you haven’t seen it yet, you don’t know what you’re missing. This drama also stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Ellen Barkin. De Niro is so aggravating in this film that you will want to jump at him through the TV screen! He plays an abusive stepfather to DiCaprio so if you have children be sure that they are tucked soundly to sleep before show time then enjoy the ride.

5. Cop Land at 4:20 pm on Encore Mystery 11-15

Though this film is not the most action-packed it is a great drama with an awesome cast. The actors include Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Harvey Keitel and Ray Liotta. I will say no more.

6. The Kite Runner at 7:30 pm on The Movie Channel Extra 11-13

This movie is adapted from the book of the same title written by Khaled Hosseini. It centers around a boy in Afghanistan who is living in troubled times and witnesses the rape of his friend but does nothing to stop it. He lives with the regret throughout his life. The movie depicts Afghanistan as citizens are beginning to seek refuge in Pakistan and the U.S. to avoid terror as the Taliban begins to grow.

7. The Bucket List at 9 pm on 5StarMax 11-15

Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman make a very entertaining pair in this Rob Reiner film. The story focuses on two friends with very different perspectives in life that are faced with their own mortality and, in their own bizarre way, help each other discover the things in life that truly matter.

8. The Way of the Gun at 5:45 pm on Showtime Extreme 11-12

This blast of a movie will have you entertained from opening to closing credits. It stars Ryan Phillipe, Benicio Del Toro, Juliette Lewis and Taye Diggs. This is a non-stop dark comedy/drama/action flick that takes place mostly in Mexico and it’s a non-stop thrill ride. If you want one-of-a-kind entertainment like no other then you will love this flick!

9. Burn After Reading at 9:30 am on Cinemax 11-15

The Coen Brothers are so reliable when it comes to making movies that are off the beaten cuff. You will crack up when you see Brad Pitt as a gum-chewing gym worker with tight pants who acts like a little boy paired up with his coworker Frances McDormand. They come across a very valuable memoir that was left behind by a gym member and they hold it for ransom. Will the writer of the memoir pay the ransom or will these two have to go through heck first? Find out Sunday!

10. The Neverending Story at 8:20 am on Starz Kids & Family 11-14

This movie is great for children and adults who are kids at heart. It’s an old time favorite of mine since it was one of the first movies I saw in the theater. This fantasy movie will make your children excited to read and embark on new adventures as it makes a story come to life! It includes a beautiful white flying dragon, a rock biter, a troll, a snail that travels as fast as lightening and more!

Look out Directv, the good old satellite television provider known as Dish Network is thriving in today’s difficult economy. The new Dish motto “Why Pay More?” has drawn the attention of satellite TV customers across the nation. Many people ordered Directv because they were told that it offers the most high definition and delivers a better signal but the truth is both services a very much alike. Customers decide to switch their service to Dish for many reasons, the most important one being price.

It is ridiculous during a time when every dollar counts to spend more money on one provider when you can get the same thing for less through another. That’s like asking someone which Snickers bar they want to buy- the one that costs $1.00 or the one that costs $1.25. There is just no doubt that people who are educated about their television service would not switch to another service of the same quality for less money. This is a no win situation for Directv unless they cut their monthly cost, upfront deposits, receiver charges and give more advanced equipment, if not dual receivers, to first time customers.

Directv has lost the Versus channel even though they’ve spent years talking about how Dish is the provider that doesn’t want to spend extra money to carry great networks. Dish Network has Versus and it also has more premium channels for the money including Showtime Beyond (horror and sci-fi movies), 5StarMax (Cinemax channel dedicated to award winning films only), Starz Comedy, Starz Kids & Family and HBO Comedy, HBO Zone (all movies in HD). Directv requires customers to pay extra for the Encore premium channels but Dish offers them in the package below America’s Everything Package.

Dish Network does not have the NFL Sunday Ticket but football fans will still have access to Red Zone for $5.99 per month. Directv requires customers to subscribe to the Ticket before they can order Superfan on top of it, then customers are able to get Red Zone $400.00 later. Football fans that are mostly interested in game-only content available in HD will be more than satisfied with Red Zone.

Dish is being humble in their approach when they ask you why you would pay more for the same service because they have so much more to offer than Directv including International channels. As a previous Directv customer with the Premier Package, 1 HD receiver and 2 standard receivers, I can attest to the fact that Dish Network is better. I switched and was able to change my boring existing equipment to 1 HD-DVR that records and plays on 2 different TVs (1 standard-def TV and 1 HD TV) as well as 1 HD only receiver. I had no upfront cost. I have America’s Everything Package and will save a total of $1,044 in the next two years because I have finally made an educated decision.

If my testimony is not enough, let’s look at the facts. The CEO of Dish Network has just announced a dividend of $2.00 on each of the company’s shares. The 3Q09 report also reflected that Dish has exceeded expectations with its gain of 241,000 new subscribers. Dish closed the market day with 5.17% at $20.14- Not too shabby.

Okay all of you “health nuts” out there… you’re eating your share of fruits and vegetables and drinking your milk (all organic of course). Are you taking your daily dose of raw apple cider vinegar with the mother? Whose mother? What? You’re probably questioning why you would take 2 tbsp. of something as bizarre as apple cider vinegar every morning. When most of us think of vinegar we associate it with salad dressing or marinades, maybe even something you’d use to wash the floors in your house! You’ll be amazed when you learn about just how handy this is to have at home and how beneficial it can be to your over all health.

First let’s talk about the many uses of apple cider vinegar. Did you know that you can use it to wash your hair and the smell goes away in five minutes? That’s right. All the ladies out there are probably gagging thinking about pouring stinky vinegar in their lovely locks as I did when I first heard of it. Believe it or not this is better for your hair than the most expensive shampoos. The trick is to scrub your scalp and work your way down your hair with baking soda! Rinse the baking soda out of your hair then pour on the vinegar and massage it through and rinse again. This will clean your hair better than any shampoo out there and it is so much cheaper! Shampoos and conditioners contain alcohol that can dry out your hair and other ingredients that can leave a film behind. Unless they’re organic they most likely contain propylene glycol, a chemical found in antifreeze and poisonous if consumed in large quantities. This is just one of the uses for apple cider vinegar.

My bathroom tub is constantly getting clogged with hair even though I have the slotted drain that is meant to catch most of it. My hair is just past my shoulders and my daughter’s goes all the way to the bottom of her back so, of course, there is always hair left over from bath time and showers. I use this vinegar to wash my hair twice a week and the rest of the week I use organic shampoo and conditioner. My tub drains perfectly now that the vinegar is working its way down the drain every once in a while. Pouring just a little down the kitchen and bathroom sink and tub once a week will get rid of excess build-up in your pipes and they will be less likely to get clogged. This is basically the way apple cider vinegar works in our bodies when we consume it.

Apple cider vinegar with the mother helps to clean the inside of our bodies as well as the outside. It helps to break down fat and aids in digestion, making it easier for our bodies to rid of waste. It helps to clear your colon walls of many years worth of built-up toxins when you take just 2 tbsp. a day. Folks trying to lose a few pounds will be amazed by how easy it will be to shed some weight when you get rid of toxins that have made themselves at home in your body. People who do not need to lose weight don’t need to worry because the only weight that will be lost will be the trash that your body doesn’t need. If your body is not toxic and in need of some waste management, you won’t lose weight and you will have an easier time maintaining your figure.

Here are some of the many things that can be helped with apple cider vinegar with the mother:

• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure (I kid you not when I state that my husband’s high blood pressure is gone and we attribute it to this vinegar)
• Chronic fatigue
• Acid Reflux
• Gout
  
• Arthritis
  
• Acne (It also gives pale people like me some color on their cheeks!)
• Colds
  
• Allergies (Taken at the first sign of a cold or allergy, this vinegar may stop it dead in its tracks!)
• Flu
  
• Sinus infections (This vinegar thins mucus immediately helping you to fight the infection!)

You will reap the most benefits by consuming Bragg's Raw Apple Cider Vinegar with "The Mother". This type of vinegar is the purest in the market as it is derived from crushed apples that have been aged in oak barrels. “The mother” is the sediment floating at the bottom of the bottle from the fermentation process it has undergone in the barrels. Raw ACV with the mother is not pasteurized, distilled or refined. These processes destroy the cider’s benefits. Not everything that is great for you looks and tastes as good as it works. The vinegar is strong but certainly worth it, so take a deep breath and a quick swig and your body will thank you for it!

Check out RFD-TV on Dish Network Satellite TV for more information on healthy eating habits!

Do you love watching television shows about health topics? I’m a fan of networks such as Discovery Health, BBC and RFD-TV because they, along with local and national news and health magazines, keep me updated on ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I learned about the benefits of organic Noni juice while reading a magazine from my local health food store and have been drinking it here and there ever since. I just had to share it with those of you health conscious people who have not yet heard about this miracle juice.

Noni fruit grows from trees that are part of the coffee family. Tahiti is well known for this fruit as it is more abundant there, but it also grows in French Polynesia, the Indian subcontinent, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica. The trees can grow up to 30 feet tall and boast large green leaves along with the green Noni fruit. People living in the Pacific Islands eat Noni fruit as a “famine fruit” or a regular staple. It contains many seeds that can be eaten more easily when cooked. The fruit is consumed both in raw form and after it has been cooked.

The most nutritional part of the Noni fruit is located in the pulp as the fruit contains mostly Vitamin C. This entire little 6 cm fruit can yield the following: Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Potassium, Iron, Calcium, Niacin and Carbohydrates. Noni fruit also contains the following phytochemicals that offer many health benefits: fatty acids, alkaloids, lignans, polysaccharides, iridoids, flavanoids and more! So what do all of these wonderful nutrients do?

We’ve learned about the benefits of many vitamins but equally important, if not vital, are phytochemicals. These are naturally occurring chemicals found in fruit and vegetables that can make a marked improvement on your health when consumed on a regular basis. Let’s look at just a few, starting with fatty acids. The words “fatty acids” would probably frighten people away who don’t know their benefits. Fatty acids help to distribute oxygen throughout your body through your blood stream. They are “cell food” because they work hard to repair damaged cells and add strength to your tissue and organs. Ladies, you know you would love to find the fountain of youth. Fatty acids are great for cell regeneration and work to fight the effects of aging. Want to lose a few pounds? Fatty acids help your body break down cholesterol and keep your thyroid functioning properly. They help to regulate blood pressure and strengthen your immune system! This ingredient alone is enough for me to run out and buy a bottle of Noni.

As if fatty acids weren’t enough, you will also reap amazing health benefits from lignans. Lignans are currently being studied for their ability to fight cancer, more notably, breast and colon cancer. Most cancers grow in estrogen. If there is already a decent amount of estrogen in the body, lignans replace the existing hormone and push it from the cells. This is one of the ways lignans may protect us against breast cancer and other cancers. Lignans can also be found in flaxseed, pumpkin seeds and cranberries. Some animal studies have already received favorable findings.

These are just two of the many beneficial nutrients found in the Noni fruit. Imagine what a combination this is when it is attached to all of the other vitamins and phytochemicals! You can find organic Noni juice at your local health food store. Make sure that the label states that it is organic because it is slightly expensive and you don’t want to pay for a juice that has been diluted. Hold your breath each day as you gulp down an ounce of this powerful fruit juice. You will wake up with a spring in your step, clear and calm thoughts and energy! More importantly, you’ll be on your way to a healthier you!

Stay tuned to Fox News and CNN with Dish Satellite TV for updates!

The H1N1 virus, better known as the swine flu, is projected to be a major threat this winter. We hear about this virus in the news and are aware of its existence, but most of us are not aware of its history or the effectiveness of the vaccines that were created to treat this strain of influenza. I chose to research information about the H1N1 virus to make a more educated decision on whether or not I should have my daughter vaccinated.
The presence of this virus was brought to our attention in the spring of 2009 when the Mexican government began closing most of the public facilities in Mexico City due to an outbreak. Evidently, there was already a case of widespread swine flu there before it caught our attention. It spread to the United States as well as many other countries by June of 2009. The swine flu dates back to 1918 when it was commonly referred to as the Spanish Flu, though its origin was never detected. Five hundred million people were affected world-wide and 50 to 100 million people died as result. The virus attacked people with healthy immune systems and the popular idea that children and elderly people would be affected the most was not the case. A healthy immune system would over-do itself to try to beat the virus and in the meantime, it would overreact and actually have the reverse effect on the body.
A strain of H1N1 was responsible for a smaller outbreak in 1976 where a soldier at Fort Dix died right after complaining of not feeling well. This strain was controlled, but a new one was born right after which spread very quickly. A vaccination was created to prevent the reoccurrence of the epidemic that took so many lives in 1918. The vaccination helped with the spread of the virus, but it ended up taking more lives than the virus itself. Many died as the result of adverse reactions to the vaccine and 532 people were diagnosed with Guillian-Barré syndrome as a direct result from taking it. This is an autoimmune disorder that results in nerve damage among many other debilitating health problems. Many people who have Guillian-Barré syndrome need to undergo a form of dialysis where antibodies are removed from the blood and the blood is replenished back to the body. It is possible to survive this health condition but there is usually a long road to recovery which can take many years.
There was a limited case of swine flu labeled as Zoonosis which was detected in 1988 when a pregnant woman in Wisconsin died after being in contact with infected pigs at a fair. There were a few others who came in contact with her that were infected with a mild form of the virus. Many pigs were found to be infected across the entire U.S. in 1998 and it was deemed that the pigs had a typical flu that transformed into a new strain due to a combination of their own flu fused with those of humans and birds. Many pigs were infected in the Philippines in 2007 as well. The H1N1 virus is a combination of influenza spun from four different forms including 2 parts human flu, 1 part bird flu and 1 part pig flu.
The 2009 H1N1 virus exhibits symptoms that are similar to your everyday flu. These include a sudden fever and cough along with any of the other common flu symptoms like chills and body aches. Most people who catch the virus can treat it as they normally would with bed rest and fluids. People who have a weakened immune system can experience further complications like pneumonia or even respiratory failure. Those who are considered to be at a higher risk are people under 5 and over 65 years old. People who have recently undergone asthma treatments by taking prescription drugs are also at risk. H1N1 can have an incubation period of up to 7 days, though this has not been confirmed. It can be acquired the same way as the common flu through something as simple as a sneeze. One out of 1,000 people died of the swine flu which is comparable to the amount of people who have died from common flu. The best way to prevent from getting sick is by routine hand washing and covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough and quickly disposing it.
How do we know if we have a common flu or the swine flu? In most cases we don’t and physicians normally do not test patients to differentiate which virus they have. They will conduct a test if the symptoms are severe by administering a blood test or swabbing the back of the nose and throat. H1N1 is usually treated with Tamiflu or Relenza when it is diagnosed. These are antiviral medications that are used to treat the symptoms until the virus runs its course. The fact that most people are not tested for the H1N1 virus is concerning. The numbers of people who actually carry this virus has to be unknown if everyone infected with flu symptoms has not been tested. Even though most people with this virus have a mild form of it, I would think that The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would want to know how many cases are out there whether the infected people have severe symptoms or not. If this virus is more
widespread than we think, perhaps it’s possible for an even larger strain to develop that we are not prepared for. I’m wondering why it is recommended to be vaccinated this year to prevent this illness if there is not enough concern for doctors to even test for it. The fatality rate is the same for the H1N1 virus as it is for the common flu and most of us have functioned just fine without a vaccination for that.
The H1N1 vaccination is not a cure for the virus as it is simply a preventative measure. Flu vaccines are on average 70-80% effective according to information provided by Fox News. Keep in mind that if you take this vaccine, you will be injected with a form of the virus that has been grown inside chicken eggs in a laboratory. Testing for the product’s safety just began earlier this month and it is already deemed to be safe. It is now being “tested” on pregnant women and children. Are these pregnant women and parents of these children who are being “tested” willing participants? It is possible for a person to develop immunity about 5 weeks after the vaccination process is complete, allowing you to fall victim to the virus in the meantime. This is due to the fact that each person will need at least two rounds of the vaccine for it to be effective. It is said that there will only be a portion of the vaccines available in October, then more vaccinations will be released each month thereafter. Is this a way to test the vaccine that was just recently reconstructed from the same type of vaccine that was administered in 1976? This is not all that concerns me. They will also be throwing in additives that have never been tested to the second batch of vaccines. How long will they test that batch if it hasn’t even been created yet?
Do I want to vaccinate my daughter? I think not, and I hope it does not become mandatory. I have weighed the pros and cons of getting her vaccinated. Do I take extra precautions so my daughter does not get the virus that is practically identical to the common flu? Keeping her safe from the flu doesn’t seem as important as preventing the problems that can occur from taking the vaccine. The vaccine administered in 1976 and the cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome that resulted from it is concerning. I would rather my child have a mild form of the flu than to die from her immune system attacking her nervous system later in life. Neurologists have already been alerted to keep their eyes open for new cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome when the vaccination is released. It seems that the risks outweigh the benefits with this vaccine, but it’s not easy for drug companies to turn down an opportunity to make a killing in revenue.

Stay tuned to Fox News and CNN with Dish Satellite TV for updates!

The H1N1 virus, better known as the swine flu, is projected to be a major threat this winter. We hear about this virus in the news and are aware of its existence, but most of us are not aware of its history or the effectiveness of the vaccines that were created to treat this strain of influenza. I chose to research information about the H1N1 virus to make a more educated decision on whether or not I should have my daughter vaccinated.
The presence of this virus was brought to our attention in the spring of 2009 when the Mexican government began closing most of the public facilities in Mexico City due to an outbreak. Evidently, there was already a case of widespread swine flu there before it caught our attention. It spread to the United States as well as many other countries by June of 2009. The swine flu dates back to 1918 when it was commonly referred to as the Spanish Flu, though its origin was never detected. Five hundred million people were affected world-wide and 50 to 100 million people died as result. The virus attacked people with healthy immune systems and the popular idea that children and elderly people would be affected the most was not the case. A healthy immune system would over-do itself to try to beat the virus and in the meantime, it would overreact and actually have the reverse effect on the body.
A strain of H1N1 was responsible for a smaller outbreak in 1976 where a soldier at Fort Dix died right after complaining of not feeling well. This strain was controlled, but a new one was born right after which spread very quickly. A vaccination was created to prevent the reoccurrence of the epidemic that took so many lives in 1918. The vaccination helped with the spread of the virus, but it ended up taking more lives than the virus itself. Many died as the result of adverse reactions to the vaccine and 532 people were diagnosed with Guillian-Barré syndrome as a direct result from taking it. This is an autoimmune disorder that results in nerve damage among many other debilitating health problems. Many people who have Guillian-Barré syndrome need to undergo a form of dialysis where antibodies are removed from the blood and the blood is replenished back to the body. It is possible to survive this health condition but there is usually a long road to recovery which can take many years.
There was a limited case of swine flu labeled as Zoonosis which was detected in 1988 when a pregnant woman in Wisconsin died after being in contact with infected pigs at a fair. There were a few others who came in contact with her that were infected with a mild form of the virus. Many pigs were found to be infected across the entire U.S. in 1998 and it was deemed that the pigs had a typical flu that transformed into a new strain due to a combination of their own flu fused with those of humans and birds. Many pigs were infected in the Philippines in 2007 as well. The H1N1 virus is a combination of influenza spun from four different forms including 2 parts human flu, 1 part bird flu and 1 part pig flu.
The 2009 H1N1 virus exhibits symptoms that are similar to your everyday flu. These include a sudden fever and cough along with any of the other common flu symptoms like chills and body aches. Most people who catch the virus can treat it as they normally would with bed rest and fluids. People who have a weakened immune system can experience further complications like pneumonia or even respiratory failure. Those who are considered to be at a higher risk are people under 5 and over 65 years old. People who have recently undergone asthma treatments by taking prescription drugs are also at risk. H1N1 can have an incubation period of up to 7 days, though this has not been confirmed. It can be acquired the same way as the common flu through something as simple as a sneeze. One out of 1,000 people died of the swine flu which is comparable to the amount of people who have died from common flu. The best way to prevent from getting sick is by routine hand washing and covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough and quickly disposing it.
How do we know if we have a common flu or the swine flu? In most cases we don’t and physicians normally do not test patients to differentiate which virus they have. They will conduct a test if the symptoms are severe by administering a blood test or swabbing the back of the nose and throat. H1N1 is usually treated with Tamiflu or Relenza when it is diagnosed. These are antiviral medications that are used to treat the symptoms until the virus runs its course. The fact that most people are not tested for the H1N1 virus is concerning. The numbers of people who actually carry this virus has to be unknown if everyone infected with flu symptoms has not been tested. Even though most people with this virus have a mild form of it, I would think that The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would want to know how many cases are out there whether the infected people have severe symptoms or not. If this virus is more
widespread than we think, perhaps it’s possible for an even larger strain to develop that we are not prepared for. I’m wondering why it is recommended to be vaccinated this year to prevent this illness if there is not enough concern for doctors to even test for it. The fatality rate is the same for the H1N1 virus as it is for the common flu and most of us have functioned just fine without a vaccination for that.
The H1N1 vaccination is not a cure for the virus as it is simply a preventative measure. Flu vaccines are on average 70-80% effective according to information provided by Fox News. Keep in mind that if you take this vaccine, you will be injected with a form of the virus that has been grown inside chicken eggs in a laboratory. Testing for the product’s safety just began earlier this month and it is already deemed to be safe. It is now being “tested” on pregnant women and children. Are these pregnant women and parents of these children who are being “tested” willing participants? It is possible for a person to develop immunity about 5 weeks after the vaccination process is complete, allowing you to fall victim to the virus in the meantime. This is due to the fact that each person will need at least two rounds of the vaccine for it to be effective. It is said that there will only be a portion of the vaccines available in October, then more vaccinations will be released each month thereafter. Is this a way to test the vaccine that was just recently reconstructed from the same type of vaccine that was administered in 1976? This is not all that concerns me. They will also be throwing in additives that have never been tested to the second batch of vaccines. How long will they test that batch if it hasn’t even been created yet?
Do I want to vaccinate my daughter? I think not, and I hope it does not become mandatory. I have weighed the pros and cons of getting her vaccinated. Do I take extra precautions so my daughter does not get the virus that is practically identical to the common flu? Keeping her safe from the flu doesn’t seem as important as preventing the problems that can occur from taking the vaccine. The vaccine administered in 1976 and the cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome that resulted from it is concerning. I would rather my child have a mild form of the flu than to die from her immune system attacking her nervous system later in life. Neurologists have already been alerted to keep their eyes open for new cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome when the vaccination is released. It seems that the risks outweigh the benefits with this vaccine, but it’s not easy for drug companies to turn down an opportunity to make a killing in revenue.