Vax skeptics continue to claim that deaths and side-effects of the vaccine have been under-reported and the risk-benefit ratio of vaccines has been under-estimated. Many claim that the vaccine has produced more harm than good.

I do not agree.

Recently a UK cardiologist has been interviewed in the social media, claiming to have published in a “peer-reviewed journal” the dangers of vaccinations. But the media-hyped reports of his “peer-reviewed” paper have failed to report scientific debunking of his claims.

You can enjoy the debunk here.

Dr. Seheult, a quadruple boarded physician, produces on-line medical education and reviews for the lay public on many medical issues including COVID-19, vaccinations, and misinformation. He discusses excess mortality (deaths higher than expected based on historical seasonal variations) in a superb video here.

Summary:

1. During the pandemic, excess death spikes correlated with surges in Covid-19 infections not with vaccination.
2. Potential causes include Covid infections, decreased cancer screening and treatment, hesitancy to seek necessary medical care (emergency rooms and office visits), overburdened hospital and out-patient care because of Covid infections (limited ICU beds, hospital beds, primary care visits, etc.). With limited resources including staff, ICU beds, hospital beds, and primary care, when these resources are filled by Covid surges, patients with other needs do not get the usual care they deserve. Likewise, many patients avoid seeking medical care out of fear.
3. Other contributing factors likely include social isolation, depression, lack of exercise, lack of sunshine, disturbed sleep, pandemic anxiety, pandemic related stress all of which increase risk of acute and long-Covid as well as other medical problems.

In the context of the COVID 19 pandemic I will close with the usual summary.

1. Avoid alcohol consumption (alcohol wreaks havoc with your immunity)
2. Get plenty of sleep (without adequate sleep your immune system does not work well )
3. Follow good sleep habits
4. Exercise, especially out of doors in a green space, supports the immune system
5. Get some sunshine and make sure you have adequate Vitamin D levels. Supplement with Vitamin D3 to get your levels above 30 ng/ml, >40ng/ml arguably better.
6. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet rich in micronutrients.
7. Practice stress reduction like meditation and yoga which improves the immune system
8. Eliminate sugar-added foods and beverages from your diet. These increase inflammation, cause metabolic dysfunction, and suppress immunity.
9. Eliminate refined-inflammatory “vegetable oils” from your diet, instead eat healthy fat.
10. Clean up your home environment and minimize your family’s exposure to environmental toxins by following recommendations at EWG.org with regards to household products, personal care products, and organic foods. (https://www.ewg.org/)
11. Drink water filtered through a high quality system that eliminates most environmental toxins.
12. If you are eligible for vaccination, consider protecting yourself and your neighbor with a few jabs. Age > 50 and/or risk factors (diabetes, pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, hypertension, heart disease, COPD, obesity, immune suppression, asthma) suggests benefit from a booster. Risk for complications of boosters in adolescents, especially healthy males, without risk factors, may equal benefits. Previous infection with Covid can be considered as protective as a booster. Discuss risk vs benefit with your physician.

THIS WEBSITE PROVIDES INFORMATION FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. CONSULT YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER FOR MEDICAL ADVICE.

Eat clean, drink filtered water, love, laugh, exercise outdoors in a greenspace, get some morning sunlight, block the blue light before bed, engage in meaningful work, find a sense of purpose, spend time with those you love, AND sleep well tonight.

Doctor Bob