Health Department Suspends Mercury Restrictions for Swine Flu Vaccine – Crazy!

In preparation for swine-flu vaccinations next month, the state of Washington’s Health Department has temporarily suspended a rule that limits the amount of a mercury preservative in vaccines given to pregnant women and children under the age of 3.

Thimerosal has been eliminated from most vaccines in the United States, and the compound may  be linked to autism. But it will be added to the bulk of swine-flu vaccines.

Thimerosal will be added to the vaccine because it is being produced in vials that contain enough medication for 10 shots. The mercury compound kills bacteria, lowering the risk that the drug will be contaminated by needles used to withdraw separate doses.

A smaller amount of mercury-free vaccine will be produced in single-dose vials. Nasal sprays do not contain mercury but are not recommended for children under the age of 2 and pregnant women, because they contain live, weakened virus.

Five biopharmaceutical companies have been awarded massive contracts by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for development and production of more than 195 million doses of swine flu vaccine.

The companies — Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, MedImmune, Australian drug maker CSL, and Sanofi-Pasteur — will likely make a great deal of money.

Drug companies have sold $1.5 billion worth of swine flu shots, in addition to the $1 billion for seasonal flu they booked earlier this year.

These inoculations are part of a much wider and rapidly growing $20 billion global vaccine market.

“The vaccine market is booming,” says Bruce Carlson, spokesperson at market research firm Kalorama, which publishes an annual survey of the vaccine industry. “It’s an enormous growth area for pharmaceuticals at a time when other areas are not doing so well,” he says, noting that the pipeline for more traditional blockbuster drugs such as Lipitor and Nexium has thinned.

As always with pandemic flus, taxpayers are footing the $1.5 billion check for the 250 million swine flu vaccines that the government has ordered so far and will be distributing free to doctors, pharmacies and schools. In addition, Congress has set aside more than $10 billion this year to research flu viruses, monitor H1N1’s progress and educate the public about prevention.

Drugmakers pocket most of the revenues from flu sales, with Sanofi-Pasteur, Glaxo Smith Kline and Novartis cornering most of the market.

But some say it’s not just drugmakers who stand to benefit. Doctors collect copayments for special office visits to inject shots, and there have been assertions that these doctors actually profit handsomely from these vaccinations.

Get Strong! Stay Strong! (and think twice about the vaccination!)

Chris

Ever Wonder What’s in A Flu Vaccine?

What is in the Regular Flu Shot?

• Egg proteins, including avian contaminant viruses

• Gelatin, known to cause allergic reactions and anaphylaxis are usually associated with sensitivity to egg or gelatin

• Polysorbate 80 (Tween80™), which can cause severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis

• Formaldehyde: a known carcinogen

• Triton X100: a strong detergent

• Sucrose (table sugar)

• Resin, known to cause allergic reactions

• Gentamycin, an antibiotic

• Thimerosal: mercury is still in multidose vials

From Dr Mercola’s website

Looks more like toxic soup!

Get Strong! Stay Strong!

Chris

Fat Acceptance?…. Are You Kidding?!

 

New Market for Obesity Trends

 

 

I have recently stumbled across a few articles and blogs regarding the topic of “fat acceptance” and am literally appalled.  The notion I feel is utter nonsense and represents another attempt by our society to pass the buck.  While I am in complete support of being happy with yourself, the idea of just accepting the fact that you are “fat” and believing there is no problem with this is flawed.  The research is pretty clear that if you are overweight there is a much higher rate of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, not to mention the beating you joints take which eventually leads to degeneration, pain and further inactivity (all leading to an increased burdon on the healthcare system, family and society).  In talking to many overweight people I found that while they will admit to needing to lose weight they really have no desire or discipline to do it.  I also believe that much of what they have been told or have actually tried doesn’t work.  There is a tremendous amount of confusion about exercise and especially nutrition.  It not as easy as just exercising and eating salads.  Most people when trying to lose weight stop eating or significantly restrict calories.  This can actually lead to increased fat storage.  Remember our bodies are wired for survival and when the body senses restricted food intake, which it relies on for all functions, it will store fat to ensure its survival.  As a person goes from one diet to another or repetitively diets over time the ratio of fat to muscle increases.  This makes it continually harder to lose the fat and significantly increases your risk of health problems.  The person, as many experience, get stuck in this never ending struggle with their weight.  When it comes to exercise, as most people find out, it not as easy as just going and doing exercise (the typical recommendation from the doctor).  Most doctors really know very little about exercise and even less about nutrition.  Think about it, they make a living dealing with sickness and disease.  You need to have the right type of exercise, the right intensity and progression to get the desired results.

Stay tuned to the next posts to get some tips on eating and exercise.

Stay Strong! Get Strong!

Chris