Woodford Files

I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much controversy in regards to influenza vaccination as what we’re witnessing now. This is good – controversy makes you think. To add to the debate, this month we complete our trilogy of alternatives to vaccination, those that we think are most worthy of consideration. In the September issue we brought you Herbalist Michael Vertolli’s summary of botanical medicines that both prevent and treat H1N1. In October, we published Dr. Zoltan Rona’s prescription for vitamins to address influenza of all varieties, with a specific focus on vitamin D3.

And this month we offer you the homeopathic answer to influenza from two writers who are possibly the most famous homeopaths in the United States. Since influenza knows no borders, we figured the American perspective would be as relevant to the current debate as our own. What most excites me about this article is the historical perspective it brings – in particular the track record of homeopathic physicians who have treated pandemics for the past hundred years.

In my opinion, those who read all three of the abovementioned articles will be well informed enough to protect themselves against any viruses coming down the pike, H1N1 included. (Find all three archived on our website.) This type of information empowers people to make informed decisions, unlike the mainstream media landscape where alternative treatments are not discussed at all as people anxiously struggle with the choice of whether or not to vaccinate.

Lack of public knowledge about vaccine alternatives, combined with a high degree of panic, suits the drug industry just fine. According to a recent article in Canadian Business (Oct. 26) entitled “Flu Inc: Inside the New Business of Fear,” the largest beneficiaries of the current flu scare are the pharmaceutical companies. “In the second quarter, U.K.-based GlaxoSmithKline reported a 1,900% increase in sales of its flu drug, Relenza. And thanks to its Tamiflu product, Switzerland’s F. Hoffman-La Roche saw pharmaceutical sales during the first half of this year increase by 11% to $20 billion ...”  Makes me wonder if any of the CEOs of big media are shareholders in those companies.

While influenza has been stealing the headlines for the past several months, other more fatal diseases have continued to reach epidemic proportions, especially cancer. This month we bring you some interesting perspectives from Ahmad Nasri, an expert on the front lines of alternative cancer treatment who attends conferences around the world gathering the latest information. It’s an intelligent summary of choices available to those who wish to enhance, or opt out of, standard cancer treatment.

And I’d like to congratulate Helke Ferrie on this anniversary of her 10th year writing for Vitality. As a devoted research journalist, she has relentlessly kept us up-to-date on the politics of health care and the struggle for freedom of choice, which has in turn made Vitality the leading independent voice on these matters in Canada. We are profoundly grateful for her tireless efforts, her integrity, and her commitment to truth. Thank you Helke, for all of your hard work on our behalf. You are a champion.   

Julia Woodford