Remembering H1N1 - This little piggy went wee wee wee all the way home

Remember H1N1 aka the Swine Flu? That terrible virus that was going to sweep across the country like the Plague? What ever happened to it?

Well, H1N1 came and went like most viruses do. In fact, in August 2010, the World Health Organization declared the swine flu "pandemic" officially over. Whew! But I thought the swine flu was killing people left and right? It was spreading fast and the media was all over stories of deaths occurring as a result of H1N1. It turns out, the virus really wasn't that bad. Sure some people got sick, but even the experts agree(d) that H1N1 was/is a mild virus and mortality rates are very low. Most infections caused mild symptoms - runny nose, sore throat, muscle aches, fever, coughing, and overall not feeling well -  and recovery was very fast. The majority of individuals who died as a result of swine flu infection had pre-existing conditions (congestive heart disease, suppressed immune systems, kidney disease). The death rate of H1N1 in the US is 0.02%. In other words, you have a greater chance of dying from a rare tropical disease or iron deficiency anemia than from the swine flu.

I also remember that there was an overwhelming urgency for a vaccine to stop the virus from spreading. Thankfully (insert sarcastic tone here), a vaccine was created. However, by the time the vaccines were available, the virus had fizzled out. Let em tell you how I feel about the swine flu vaccine. I hate it. It makes me very nervous. I do not like to be experimented on with new products. The vaccine is filled with several preservatives (mercury, formaldehyde, aluminum - to name a few) which I would not recommend injecting. In addition, there is a great deal of uncertainty as to whether or not the vaccine actually works. Just because you get the shot does not mean you will not get the swine flu. Also, some studies show that if you get the swine flu vaccine, you have an increased chance of getting the seasonal flu. The seasonal flu vaccine has not been shown to be any more effective than washing your hands. We have no idea how effective the H1N1 vaccine will be. I don't like it. I think this vaccine (and many others) are BIG business. Doctors have quotas that they are required to fill for most vaccines. However, 60% of doctors would not and do not get the flu shot. That should tell you something.

The best way to prevent infection: wash your hands, don't touch your face, get plenty of sleep, and don't overeat sugar. And watch out for that piggy that ate roast beef...he should have shared with the piggy that had none. Not nice piggy.

A Healthy Dose of Irony

Have you ever observed an event or a situation that just made you scratch your head, do a double take, or just laugh at the irony of it all? For example, I was on the treadmill at the gym the other morning working off the weekend (wait that is not the ironic part), when all of sudden this overwhelming smell of cigarette smoke fills my oxygen desiring lungs. I look to my left and on the treadmill next to me is an overweight, 60 something year-old man gasping for air and reeking of cigarette smoke. His trainer (a 20 something year old female - coincidence?) is making him walk for 10 minutes as a warm up. I guess the cigarette right before the workout was not enough of a warm up. I had to stop and move to a different treadmill, the smell literally was choking me. And I thought to myself, "what is the point of smoking right before a work out?" I just don't get it.

I remember there was a "anti-smoking" commercial on TV a few years ago that showed a woman smoking a cigarette through a hole in her neck. She had a tracheotomy as a result of throat cancer...and she still smoked.

Or how about the person who goes to the fast food restaurant and orders a double cheeseburger, large french fries, and a DIET soda? Like the extra sugar is the problem.

My father-in-law used to bring the dentist a bottle of Coca-Cola every time he went in for a checkup. That's funny.

Or how about the doctor whose family is sick...like mine is right now :( .

What are some ironic things you have seen/observed? I know you know of some. Post them in the comment section for our viewing pleasure. Make me laugh!

Breastfeeding Doesn't Suck

I read an article today in the LA Times stating that infants introduced to solid foods before 4 months of age had a six-fold increase in the odds of being obese at age 3. There are plenty of other obstacles in life that increase the risk of obesity. Introducing solid food too soon should not be one of them. So, I decided to write a short piece on why breastfeeding doesn't suck.

Numerous studies have shown the benefits of breastfeeding. Infants who are breast fed have a decreased risk of developing eczema, asthma, and allergies. Breastfeeding enhances immune function and infants who are breastfed have a decreased risk of illnesses and infections. But that's not all...Breastfed infants have been shown to have greater intelligence - higher IQ, greater cognitive development, and greater social development. They have better dental health, decreased risk of developing diabetes and a decreased risk of cancer. For all of you skeptics out there, click here to check out a website that has sources (from peer reviewed medical journals) for all of the above information.

Breastfeeding also has some benefits for mothers who breastfeed. Moms who breastfeed have a decreased risk of developing cancer (breast, ovarian, endometrial, uterine), better emotional health (less anxiety), and a decreased risk of developing osteoporosis.

So to all of you early food interventionists and anti-breastfeeding groupies out there, I have two words for you: SUCK IT !