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"Nine Reasons To Completely Ignore Dr. Joseph Mercola"

Kennarina
0 Recommendations

Hello Heart Sisters!

For some reason, I've always felt a bit queasy about the large number of 'expert' websites out there run by guys with the letters M.D. after their names - but who are pushing what sounded (even to me, a non-scientist) like gobbledygook pseudo-science and (worse!!!!) their own miracle medical cures to vulnerable, desperate patients.

Just found this essay by Dr. Joseph Albietz, professor of medicine at the University of Colorado, on the website, Science-Based Medicine:

http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/?p=2116

that helped to explain the cause of my queasiness around one particularly well known website that is occasionally quoted here, that of Dr. Joseph Mercola.

For example, he describes Mercola's website as "one of the more popular alernative medicine sites on the web and, as such, uncommonly efficient at spreading misinformation - a mix of tabloid journalism, late-night infomercials, and amateur pre-scientific medicine."

This particular essay addresses Mercola's vehement opposition to the H1N1 flu vaccine - worth a read if, like me, you've been reading some pretty sensational and confusing arguments against this public health measure. More importantly, Dr. Albietz has no financial links to any corporate interests, reports no conflicts of interests, and is not selling any product via his opinions.

What do you think?

XOXOXO

http://www.myheartsisters.org

Explore topics in this discussion:

Dehydration Heart disease Plague Allergies CPAP Fever Autism Anxiety Heart attack Influenza

34 replies

Ecksunbeam

Very confusing argument; all over the map.

Of course Mercola is biased. It's the silver lining his pockets.

But so is the opposing point of view.

The relationship between Autism and vaccination "theory" seems to occur as a consequence of very eary infancy vaccinations and then symptoms seem to begin to appear at about age 2 1/2 when a child begins to regress rather than progress. I would be very wary of vaccinating a child with the H1N1 vaccine before that age.

The bottom line is that none of us knows enough about any of it to be making any concrete determinations. It's all speculation at this stage of the game. I personally feel it's a huge risk in either direction to have very young infants vaccinated or not for H1N1--especially if they are in day care. I also feel there is alot of media hysteria about a deadly "flu pandemic," in general. What happened to bird flu?

But those are my personal feelings and I suspect it's where most of us find ourselves on the issue. Whether it be based on the recommendations of Dr. Mercola, or anyone else, we need to educate ourselves from more than one point of view, separate the wheat from the chaff in our own minds, try to make informed decisions, and then take responsibility for our own choices. It's not an easy decison to make. I volunteer in a hospital environment and when the HlN1 vaccine becomes available it will be offered for free. And yet I am very hesitant to get it myself. I'm thinking I would prefer to simply quit my volunteer job to avoid risking exposure until further notice. Since I have one-on-one patient contact, if I hear of even one confirmed case I'm outta' there! But I'm not being paid to be exposed and everyone has different individual circumstances that would influence their decisions. I did get the seasonal flu vaccine, and yet my daughter absolutely refuses to. It's as bad as politics--very strong "opinions" on both sides of the fence. Are they reasonable and rational?

Only YOU can decide.

May the Blessings Be!

Sherrie

Kennarina

I hear ya, Sunbeamie - it is confusing. Canada has recently come under fire for delaying the H1N1 vaccine while in the U.S. it's already been available for some time. Just yesterday, however, we had a 20-something young mother (no other health conditions) die from H1N1, so as you can imagine, there's a renewed call for the vaccine from young healthy people. The death toll in my province alone has doubled over LAST WEEK's numbers, so this is already NOT like bird flu.

In the hospital where I've worked since 2000, every year during flu season we have large flu vaccine clinics for all hospital staff. It's not exactly mandatory, except that if a staff member gets the flu who had refused the flu shot, our employer has the right to deny sick pay. Now THAT's a pretty powerful incentive to get the shot... But in a health care environment where extremely frail and vulnerable patients are, there is very little tolerance for those who may be infectious to patients! There are already too many 'superbugs' in hospitals threatening our sick people.

Personally, I'm lining up for everything I can get! I caught the Norwalk (norovirus) a few years ago and I was at death's door, really. Horrible... I never want to go through anything as remotely traumatic ever again, especially now that I have a heart condition.

XOXOXO

http://www.myheartsisters.org

martzj

AFTER heart attacks, it is almost impossible to survive the regular flu without flu vaccinations, hospitalization w IV fluids. Keeping in mind these vaccines are created from KILLED viruses only...no live virus...they are as safe as can be produced at this time. (people who have sulfer allergies can't take them).

H1N1 is very different....a pig virus....Pig heart's and lungs are very similar to human and used for testing cardiac procedures. H1N1 causes bleeding into the lungs leading to suffication if not caught quickly.....There is almost no vaccine available in the US at this time other than small amounts being given to medical workers. Nothing for patients yet.

This is the time for all heart patients to go super nerdy and fast-track train ourselves to avoid touching faces, hair, eyes, nose.....Wash hands a LOT. Wash everything in the hottest water available. The virus jumps 10 FEET from person to person, so just assume you've been contaminated every time you leave the house and have the family leave shoes off at the door (who needs to track the world throughout your home anyway), have them strip and change immediately into clean clothes, toss day clothes directly into laundry basket.

DO NOT HUG PREGNANT WOMEN......not this year. Help them protect themselves and their babies from contamination.

Do not shake hands, air kiss or hug anyone who hasn't been H1N1 vaccinated.

You may kiss your doggies, kitties, birds and geckos all you want : )

Kennarina

I'm going to go kiss the kitty now....

Ecksunbeam

I'm off to kiss my gecko.

grace5

Always a dilemma, what is true and what isn't? I asked my practice nurse if she'd be having either of the two available flu vaccines, after a long silence she said 'no, neither'. I admire her honesty, over here the take up by the medical professions is very low, I can't help but wonder, why? As for Mercola and the like, I'm with Petal, look for the hidden agenda behind every recommendation, research research research.
There is a lot out there about the 1976 flu jab fiasco, worth a google if anyone is interested.
Lidia xx

grace5

A snippit of news from UK.

TAXPAYERS could face a multi-million-pound compensation bill if patients suffer side effects from the swine flu vaccine.
The Sunday Post has learned that the UK government has granted legal immunity to the makers of the controversial jab.
That means the State will be liable for any claims for damages that might result from the planned mass vaccination programme.
The news comes a week after a poll revealed that up to half of family doctors are refusing to be vaccinated against swine flu.
Almost three in four claimed this was because of safety concerns. A third of nurses are taking a similar stance.
The jab is currently being fast-tracked through normal development stages and will not be fully tested before being administered to patients.

Fears

Last night a patients’ watchdog voiced fears that those receiving the drug first because they are in a priority group will be “guinea pigs” for the pharmaceutical companies.
Margaret Watt, chair of the Scotland Patients’ Association, said, “It’s morally wrong to give the vaccine makers legal immunity.
“If these vaccines haven’t been fully tested and the vaccination programme backfires then the public should not have to foot the bill.
“It worries me that the manufacturers are refusing to accept liability. The health authorities must make this abundantly clear to people who take the vaccine.”
The decision by the UK Government to grant swine flu jab makers legal immunity mirrors a settlement struck by the US authorities in June.
The last time a mass swine flu inoculation programme was conducted there it caused more deaths than the disease it was designed to combat.
That campaign, in 1976, was halted after thousands filed compensation claims contending they’d suffered side-effects from the shots.

JNNana

Hello Ladies,

A little humor but a lot of truth.

Yesterday while trying to finish one of my many projects (resurfacing our deck) a wasp had landed on my back. Now I am sure that any neighbors that may have witnessed this, may have questioned my behavior, true enough. I did at first run across the deck screaming, then into the house and into the garage. Finally I remembered God's Word that would help my situation Ps 91:15, "He shall call upon Me, and I shall answer him." So I did, call upon him.."God let no harm come to me and let me know what to do in Jesus name." So once I prayed I then received the knowledge I needed to make the right decision to get the results I wanted and had requested. Now had I let fear make my decisions who knows?

I do not tell you this to make your decision harder, to take or not to take the H1N1 vaccine. But I do know for myself I try to not make decisions based on fear. If I feel fear present during a time of decision making I cast down fear before proceeding. 2 Tim 1:7 tells us that God did not give us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of sound mind. His Word also tells us to seek good counsel. I have never found better counsel than in His Word. If you fear it may harm you then it just might. But I do know that Moses and the Israelites (EX 12 &13) had to do certain things to keep the plague from taking their first born as the plague passed over Eygpt.

So I say each of us must ask that question for ourselves and with God's knowledge and our faith make that decision. Pray and when fear is no longer a determining factor (may take a second, a minute, a hour, a....) decide. How long did it take me with that wasp? You can always fall back on Mk 16:18..if I drink any poison it shall not harm me. Just please don't let fear for or against be part of your decision making.

Just a thought,
JNNana

sternum

JNNana:

That is my kind of thought.

Be blest --- Gloria ---

sternum

The pros and cons the world puts before us with each group seeing only their own agendas seems to be endless. It seems to me that it wasn't so much the vaccine that was the problem as it was the way it was administered. The strict hygeine you talk about Jeanye is very important. But let's face it, people are just going to say it is overkill. Truthfully, I would rather have an overkill routine that kills the virus and not me. I think you are right. I, for one will be getting any vaccine I need. I will prayfully ask my God to take care of me in situations I cannot control and to help me make wise decisions in those situations where I am in control

Kennarina

God is not weighing in on the vaccine/no vaccine debate. It's an individual decision based on our own understanding, knowledge and the informed counsel of those we trust. It's confusing enough without bringing religion into the debate.

I'd like to respectfully remind all of us that our own personal religious beliefs - Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, whatever - are just that: personal. There are many reading these posts who do not share a strong Christian faith, and while we have every right to hold whatever religious beliefs we need, this may not be the most appropriate place to air them. I feel very uncomfortable when discussions veer off into scriptural quotations to explain personal health issues, and I would feel the same if a Muslim woman here quoted the Koran in each posting.

" Mk 16:18..if I drink any poison it shall not harm me."

Actually, IT WILL. That's why we have to wash our hands, and take Jaynie's advice: "Do not shake hands, air kiss or hug anyone who hasn't been H1N1 vaccinated".

XOXOXOX

http://www.myheartsisters.org

JNNana

Good Afternoon,

What I do realize is that words are poison too but you can choose to not let them harm you.

Sorry to those of you that this touched a nerve in. Of course, that was not my intention.

I am me, don't know how to be anyone else. The good thing is you have the right to read or not to read.

Have a Great Weekend All,
JNNana

grace5

JNNana,
First of all welcome to the board. I'm not religious but I know many women on this board have very strong religious beliefs. Personally I have no problem with you or anyone else writing whatever you wish to write. Some things posted here are not pertinent to me but very much so to others, please carry on posting, as you said, we can choose to read or not to read, freedom of speech, freedom of choice.
Lidia xx

laurali

Thanks Kennarina for your comments. As usual, you have a wonderful way of expressing things! I, too, come to this site to read and hear women share their medical, prescription, and health professional experiences related to heart disease/failure. While I respect every person's right to their personal beliefs and opinions, there are plenty of religious sites where folks can go to witness and holistic health sites where people can give testimony to those sorts of cures. Hugs, laurali

sternum

Oh dear ;

I am going to be very careful as to how I respond to this.

My faith is the driving force in my life and attitude. I cannot appologise for that, and I would be lying if I did.

So I will compromise with you and do my best to continue to give only my personal experiences. You all know I'm no medic, but there are times when personal experience can ease a person anxiety.
I will now remove my Be Blest from my signiture

Take care --- Gloria ---

Queen_E

Took the whole family for the seasonal flu shot a few weeks ago, followed by a lovely evening at Chuck E Cheese (bribe for 7 yr old and 4 yr old).

A family member in NY just found out that her illness over the summer actually was swine flu. My son was very ill over 4th of July weekend but was not tested for the virus. Had to get IV fluids, so much vomiting.

If my PCP offers me the vaccine at my appt in November, I'll take it. Why? I really don't want to get sick, no time for it with 2 little kids, saving my vacation for family visits, hate the hospital, don't want to die of something preventable. Same as regular flu. Worth the risk of side effects like a rash or soreness or such. I know the H1N1 vaccine is made in the same manner as the seasonal flu shot. My county offered the H1N1 vaccine to pregnant women and kids 6mo to 36 mo. this weekend.

I say trust yourself, your gut, your doc, your God - get the shot. Don't regret it later when you are super sick. Ounce (gram) of prevention vs. pound (kilo) of cure. (OK, that's not as smooth with the metric conversion)

martzj

If you are a heart patient (especially a heart attack survivor) and choose not to get vaccinated or cannot afford to do so............

Please take the following steps for your protection:

1. Make certain you keep a JUG of water on your bedside table or wherever you most comfortably sleep.

2. Keep fluids like Pedialyte there too. You will be experiencing extreme dehydration that is hard for heart patients to survive without an IV line.

3. Keep water jugs in bathroom ON FLOOR level if you are single, live alone because you may be unable to rise up and crawl without losing consciousness for hours. (This happened to me) Hydration is critical to your heart function survival.

4. Keep cell phone within reach and charged at all times.

5. Land line phones should be kept as close to bed as possible because flu hits so hard and fast, with temps that spike up to 103, you may not be able to make it to a far away phone to call for help.

6. Keep pet foods nearby so you can manage to feed and water them. Water is more crucial to pet survival than food so put out several large bowls of water at all times so you can feel free to manage your own survival. Humans and animals can survive weeks on water alone if they are healthy. Heart patients do not fit this category and need to stay vigilant.

7. Since this is a vastly female population here I'll just say it. If you live within a family, you are probably the only person doing the grocery shopping. This means, you need to buy extras of water jugs and stash them away. We love our families and they will happily drink and eat everything in sight before you even make it home from work. For female heart patients, this isn't funny. This can be quite dangerous....you may need food and hydration immediately and dealing with hostile, whining family members could cost you valuable time. Staying hydrated during the worst of flu crappola can help you stay conscious long enough to make decisions.

The flu virus is nothing like a cold virus. Flu is virulent, goes for all the organs, spinal fluid. Do not underestimate the flu virus. Heart patients are the largest percentage of flu fatalities every year.

Or.........you could just get the darn flu shot for cryin out loud. It is made from KILLED, INERT, DEAD virus cells that are all the immune system needs to recognize as 'other' and 'enemy'. It isn't possible to get the flu from this killed virus. It is entirely possible that your immune system will go into hyperdrive once the vaccination is injected and you will feel achy and a little feverish. That is NOT FLU....that is your immune system doing its job. Drink plenty of fluids and go to bed extra early if you can ....and give thanks you just feel really irritable rather than in the hospital hooked up to an IV fighting for your life.

KeikoasMom

Well, I find the whole immunization topic confusing, but my daughter has not had her two youngest children immunized after discussing the issue with her naturopathic doctor, reading Jenny McCarthy's book, and reading many books on natural healing. http://www.generationrescue.org/
I started her down that path when I told her about the "Birth" book that I ws given when I was pregnant with her, 34 years ago.
We have used herbs when we can, and while I was a medical assistant and used medical treatments too, as an MA I also saw medication abuse and bad side-effects.
The flu shot might be killed viruses, but there are bad side-effects to it. I think I might have had a mild case of swine flu already. It's been hitting my daughter's town, the schools and several people who have visited at her house have come down with it. I was sick off and on for over a week, but it wasn't the worst ever. Almost more like a cold. So I am still confused. And I am one of those people who has a reaction to flu shots....

Kennarina

Hi again,

Some basics of flu symptoms (from my hospital's website):

"Seasonal influenza, often called the flu, is a serious, infectious respiratory illness that is caused by the influenza virus. It is NOT the upset stomach commonly referred to as the “stomach flu.”

Seasonal flu outbreaks usually occur from Fall to early Spring.

This year, there is also the pandemic H1N1 strain (aka 'swine flu'). Symptoms of both types of influenza are similar. People who become infected typically suffer from one or more of the following symptoms:

Sudden fever (38 - 40 degrees Celsius; usual duration three to four days)
Chills
Headache
Muscle aches
Sore throat
Cough or congestion
Feeling tired and weak (may last two to three weeks or more)
Runny nose

It usually takes one to three days to develop flu after you’ve been exposed to it. You can spread the flu 24 hours before showing any symptoms, and up to five days AFTER symptoms begin in adults and seven days in young children."

More general info on the H1N1 flu (that somehow has been lost on those who say 'Flu? What flu?') is on the Science-Based Medicine website listed at the very top here.

XOXOXO


http://www.myheartsisters.org

sternum

Jaynie :

You are spot on with your recommendations. As a heart attack, quadbypass, sternum removal and muscle flap survivor, I am especially concious of my mortality when it comes to the H1N1 and flu. I already know I can fracture a rib coughing (not fun). But with my split chest thrown into the mix ... I will take the H1N1 vaccine and the flu vaccine twice if I had to. Seriously; coughing, sneezing, blowing my nose or vomiting could kill me. I'm not ready for that yet.

I already sleep with a bottle of water within easy reach.
My portable phone and cell phone are on the bed beside me, again within easy reach
I keep a case of 500ml bottles of water in my fridge at all times.
My medic alert bracelet and my Life Line necklace never come off. They stay on in the shower and in bed.
When I go down town, my cell phone is in one pocket (with ICE numbers programed in) and my nitro bottle in the other.
I spend more time with that routne than I do putting on make up. Two or three seconds to have a life saving vaccine shot sounds a lot better to me. I follow the first set of precautions every day. The vaccine --- once a year. I don't know: sounds like a no-brainer to me

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