Save Our Bones Bulletin: Flu Season Spikes, Cold and Flu Meds Proven To Cause Dementia, Bone Growth Factor Isolated To Be Turned Into Drug - Save Our Bones

Winter seems to be firmly settling into the Northern Hemisphere, with chilly, wet days that seem to never end. And this time of year also brings a typical uptick of colds and flu and because of that, the pharmaceutical industry’s unrelenting insistence on ‘miracle’ drugs to relieve cold and flu symptoms when we get sick (instead of empowering us to stay healthy in the first place!).

In today’s Bulletin, I bring you the latest news on the flu, a shocking report on the brain-shrinking, dementia-causing properties of many over-the-counter commonly used cold and flu medicines, and the newest attempt to create a quick-fix osteoporosis drug.

So pour a cup of hot tea and read on.

Scare Tactics: Flu Season “Getting Worse”

Flu season is in full swing, and December to March is when the most flu cases are reported. As usual, the Medical Establishment is insisting that the only course of action is to get vaccinated. Yet last year’s flu shot was reported as only 60% effective at preventing hospitalization due to the virus.1

There are no numbers available yet for the 2016-2017 flu season, and as always, the current vaccination strains were developed a year ago, so researchers had to basically guess which strains would be active this year. Not surprisingly, some years the effectiveness of the vaccine was shown to be as low as 19%.1

Relevant Excerpt:

“Flu usually hits the very young and the very old the hardest. Depending on the season, it kills anywhere between 4,000 and 50,000 people a year in the United States. Because each flu case is not counted, public health experts have to estimate flu's toll, and don't get a good picture until the end of the season.

“So far in the 2016-2017 influenza season, Influenza A (H3N2) viruses have been identified most frequently in the U.S.,” the CDC says.

This particular strain seems to make people sicker.

“If H3N2 viruses continue to circulate widely, older adults and young children may be more severely impacted,” the CDC said.”2

Those “estimates” for deaths are highly questionable due to the fact that laboratory tests are rarely done for cases of the flu, and also because in official death records pneumonia and flu deaths are grouped together– even though they don’t necessarily have anything to do with each other. This is widely seen as a scare-tactic to convince more people to get vaccinated.3

As always, I recommend taking care of your whole health and working to prevent the flu by bolstering your immune system naturally. Regardless of your views on vaccination, you need to keep your immune system strong. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Take supplements of vitamins D3, E, C and zinc
  • Drink aloe vera juice
  • Eat plenty of mushrooms
  • Reduce your sugar consumption
  • Eat garlic
  • Get probiotics from yogurt or a supplement
  • Get plenty of rest

Read about each of these bullet points, including supplement doses and more, in my comprehensive post: The Flu Shot: Everything You Need To Know.

Cold & Flu Medicines Contain Brain-Shrinking Dementia-Causing Chemicals

It never ceases to amaze me that Mainstream Medicine treats the human body like separate components that can be adjusted independently of each other. Yet even a little scientific understanding can elucidate the complexity and interconnectivity of every system in our body.

Fortunately, there are ongoing research studies to assess the wide ranging impact of taking drugs to try and solve every health problem.

A new study published in the Journal of The American Medical Association confirmed what past studies have suggested: anticholinergics, a group of drugs commonly included in most over the counter cold and flu medications, are linked to brain atrophy and an increased risk of dementia.4

Relevant Excerpt:

“People, specifically older adults, should avoid taking common over-the-counter medicines as those medicines may shrink their brain and raise their risk for dementia, caution scientists at Indiana University School of Medicine.

The study came up with the warning after a link was found between the medicines and memory detriment, brain damage and problems in thinking

In their study, the Indiana scientists found that two of the key ingredients ‘promethazine’ and ‘diphenhydramine’ widely used in these medicines were causing a reduction in brain functioning and smaller brain sizes.

The study says that a class of drugs called anticholinergics, are linked to mental impairment and increased risk for dementia through brain imaging. The common anticholinergic drugs include certain over-the-counter and prescription drugs, like Benadryl, Tylenol PM and Advil PM, Demerol, Dimetapp, Dramamine, Paxil, Unisom, VESIcare etc.”5

The participants who were taking anticholinergic drugs (AC+) during the study (for which groups either had check ins over a year, or repeated check ins at 18 month intervals over seven years) did not perform as well on cognitive tests of memory and problem solving as the participants not taking these drugs (AC-).

Additionally, the scientists found that:

“Reduced total cortical volume and temporal lobe cortical thickness and greater lateral ventricle and inferior lateral ventricle volumes were seen in the AC+ participants relative to the AC− participants.”4

In study subjects who took a minimum of 25 mg of diphenhydramine a day– a single Advil PM, Tylenol PM, Motrin PM, or Benadryl pill– for three to 12 months, the risk of dementia was increased by a startling 19 percent. The longer the drug was taken the more severe the risk increase up to the length of the study which found that after taking this dosage for three to seven years participants’ dementia risk increased 54 percent.4

Needless to say, this is not a safe way to address cold or flu symptoms. (It’s worth repeating that these drugs are not even impacting the cause of the illness, they’re just an ineffective and dangerous band aid on the symptoms!) And in particular older people should avoid taking these drugs, and must never use them with any regularity.

These are the same Big Pharma health betrayals we see with osteoporosis drugs, and fortunately, Savers know that these drugs not only fail to accomplish their goal, they also cause myriad health problems in the process.

Instead, try some all natural and highly effective ways to beat a cold without beating up your brain. I have written about tips like replacing cough syrups with raw honey, taking a vitamin C supplement, and the benefits of elderberry extract.

New Bone-Forming Growth Factor Isolated For Pharmaceutical Development

Scientists at the Children’s Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern have repurposed a naturally occurring growth factor to act as a bone growth drug in mice. It’s called Osteolectin, and this research is setting it up to be next in the ever-growing line of ineffective and dangerous pharmaceutical quick-fix drugs aimed at osteoporosis.

Relevant Excerpt:

“Although Osteolectin is known to be made by certain bone marrow and bone cells, CRI researchers are the first to show Osteolectin promotes the formation of new bone from skeletal stem cells in the bone marrow. The study, published in eLife, also found that deletion of Osteolectin in mice causes accelerated bone loss during adulthood and symptoms of osteoporosis, such as reduced bone strength and delayed fracture healing.

“These results demonstrate the important role Osteolectin plays in new bone formation and maintaining adult bone mass. This study opens up the possibility of using this growth factor to treat diseases like osteoporosis,” said Dr. Sean Morrison, who led the team that made the discovery.”6

This is a tale as old as time. Researchers isolate a single component of a complicated human biological or metabolic system, and then attempt to overload the body with it to achieve a desired result. But when one part of a system is artificially altered, it typically affects many other parts, and if that change starts with a synthetic drug, then those alterations won’t be in alignment with our biology.

A Natural And Drug-Free Evidence-Backed Approach Works Best

All of the news in today’s bulletin underscore the underlying idea behind the Osteoporosis Reversal Program: take a drug-free approach to improving your health, building younger bones, and living your life to its fullest.

I created the Program to offer alternatives to the toxic and harmful osteoporosis drugs that have caused (and keep causing) a legion of health problems all around the world– problems that Big Pharma attempts to solve… with more drugs.

Stop Worrying About Your Bone Loss

Join thousands of Savers from around the world who have reversed or prevented their bone loss naturally and scientifically with the Osteoporosis Reversal Program.

Learn More Now →

Free yourself from that destructive and costly cycle by taking care of your bones and whole body through a combination of better nutrition, targeted exercise, and natural self-care. You deserve it!

Till next time,

References:

1 https://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/effectiveness-studies.htm
2 “Flu season is getting worse, CDC says.” NBC News. 7 Jan 2017. Web: https://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/07/flu-season-is-getting-worse-cdc-says.html
3 Peter Doshi. “Are US flu death figures more PR than science?” BMJ 2005;331:1412. Web: https://www.bmj.com/content/331/7529/1412?HITS=10&sortspec=relevance&hits=10&author1=doshi&maxtoshow&andorexactfulltext=and&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT&eaf&searchid=1&RESULTFORMAT
4 Shannon L. Risacher, PhD; et al. “Association Between Anticholinergic Medication Use and Cognition, Brain Metabolism, and Brain Atrophy in Cognitively Normal Older Adults”. JAMA Neurol. 2016;73(6):721-732. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2016.0580. Web: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/2514553
5 Marco Reina. “Common Cold & Flu Medicines May Shrink Brain, Up Dementia Risk- Study.” Health News Line. April 19, 2016. Web: https://www.healthnewsline.net/common-cold-flu-medicines-may-shrink-brain-dementia-risk-study/2535182/
6 CRI Scientists Discover New Bone-Forming Growth Factor That Reverses Osteoporosis in Mice. Elife. 13-Dec-2016. Web: https://www.newswise.com/articles/cri-scientists-discover-new-bone-forming-growth-factor-that-reverses-osteoporosis-in-mice

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Comments on this article are closed.

  1. Barbara Cooper

    In spite of eating lots of fruit and vegetables and exercising
    regularly (trying to follow the save our bones program)
    I have recently become rather constipated and wonder
    whether calcium supplements are the cause.
    I have today started a supplement called OptiBac probiotics (Bifidobacteria & fibre). I am anxious to know
    whether from healthy bones/acidity point of view this is a good idea or not. Grateful for advice. Barbara

  2. Cyn

    I’d like to know your stand on strontium, as well.

  3. carol

    I am so grateful that I found your website years ago and stopped taking drugs fir osteoporosis! I have learned so much from your website and try to follow your guidelines for healthy diet and exercise. Thank you so much for helping those of us who do not believe in pharmaceutical fixes!

  4. Judy

    I, too, am a firm believer in Oil of Oregano.
    At the first sign of a cold or flu I start with it and, so far,(couple of years) nothing has materialized.
    I try to follow the SOB diet, exercise regularly, and take TrueOsteo and haven’t been sick for a few years now.
    Love your posts Vivian. I look forward to the “fine tuning” advise you give

  5. Isabelle

    Thanks for the new information.I went through with great interest.
    I wonder how I would be without YOUR recommendations.

  6. shulamit sendowski

    Thanks for this information.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      You are very welcome, Shulamit.:)

      • Janice

        Thank you Vivian for sharing your info. as I and others are learning a lot. Since you mentioned other drugs (cough syrup, tylenol, etc.) I was wondering if taking Tums for heartburn was safe? Could Tums cause dementia?

  7. MSVCP140

    🙂 OK !

  8. Mavis in Minneapolis

    Vivian..

    Last fall I had to have a tooth root canal, and a crown. I was given a prescription for amoxicillin to ward off any infection, but I chose not to take it after reading an article about ‘Oil of Oregano’ being a natural antibiotic! I took the Oil of Oregano and I didn’t get an infection! Whether it really worked or not, I then decided to take Oil of Oregano through the cold and flu months instead of getting a flu shot. So far I’ve been healthy all winter! What is your opinion, and knowledge about Oil of Oregano?

    Thank you..

  9. FM

    Hi Vivian,
    Will a 24 hour urine collection show up calcium loss from bones? Sorry this is not in keeping with theme here, hoping you won’t mind?
    Had dexa scan four mnths ago which showed osteopaenia & osteoporosis of spine. I have radically altered my diet and wonder if this will have good effect on result of urine test. All medical staff want me to take drugs, but I am determined to stand my ground and ofcourse am made to feel stupid for abstaining!

    • Yakaly Fernandez

      Thank you for your article, I’m going thru a cold/sinus infection, after reading your article I immediately made me a peppermint tea with fresh ginger and a clove of garlic. Your articles are always clear and easy to understand. Thank you!

  10. Shirley

    Vivian, how do you feel about Strontium?

  11. Leonard Green

    Hi Vivian,
    Could you please inform of the possible advantages and disadvantages of Ostivone/Lpriflavone products compare to Algae Cal products. Do they combine lpriflavone with an organic calcium or it’s always inorganic? By the way the Consumer Lab reported that Algae Cal products increase BD from 1% up to 4% per year. What is more effective Algae Cal?
    Appreciate your help
    Leonard

  12. mary frank

    K-2 needs to be taken with D-3. That was missing from your list!
    Yogurt sometimes has too much sugar. Personally, I do not trust that the probiotics are still active. Prebiotics and Probiotics I think are only ways to get full spectrum. Also good are fermented foods.
    I have read that Vit E supplements not so good. Better to get Vit E from food.
    Aloe Vera juice can be problematic. Some brands have barely any Aloe in them.

  13. Kelsey Fickling.Australia.

    Thanks Vivian for all your research and for sharing your findings with us. You have “saved my bones”. My last 2 bone density scans show improvement in my bone density. My original GP. Continues to ask me to have an infusion. I’m in my 86th year and when I took my first script to my chemist she told me how Foxamax built brittle bones and that some patients developed brittle jaw which continued to “die”. I actually met a lady in her mid 70’s who had Multiple Myloma and had been given many infusions of Zometa – she lost her teeth when her jaw crumbled ( she had that treatment to strengthen her bones and the exact opposite was the result). My chemist told me to google the information for help. I did and I found “you”. Thanks for all you continue to do Vivian. Many blessings, Kelsey

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Kelsey, thank you very much for your inspiring success story! It sounds like you’ve been firm in your stand against “doctor’s orders” and have instead chosen to let information and the truth be your guide. Congratulations!

  14. Jin Jin

    Just as an FYI – I have been reading recently of a great way to preserve bones that seems to be as effective and better/safer than any chemical prescription for bone health. PRUNES. Check it our for yourself, do the google searches. Prunes, supposedly 10 per day will maintain bone health. Why not? Fruit.

    • Vivian Goldschmidt, MA

      Hi Jin Jin,

      Prunes are one of many fruits that can be a part of a bone-smart diet. You can read more about this interesting fruit here:

      https://saveourbones.com/the-peculiar-bone-healthy-fruit/

      • Jin Jin

        Thanks so much for the link. After having been diagnosed with osteopenia 2 years ago, breaking my wrist this year and being diagnosed with osteporosis in my hips…..I’m really trying to save myself and my bones. And NOT by taking a chemical scripted drug that fills your bones but with dry, brittle dead mass….THANK YOU for all you do!

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