Why Vitamin C Outperforms Tamiflu for Influenza

(Naturalhealth365) The 2018 flu season – featuring the particularly virulent H3N2 strain – continues to rage throughout the nation, with more people visiting doctor’s offices and emergency rooms than at any time since the 2009 swine flu pandemic. Unfortunately, too many people have been duped into believing that the ‘only hope’ is Tamiflu. (nothing could be further from the truth, and the news is getting out)

To the frustration of many natural health experts and forward-thinking integrative doctors, conventionally-trained medical ‘experts’ continue to push the prescription medicine Tamiflu – despite research indicating that Tamiflu’s risks (which include a menu of bizarre and dangerous side effects) may far outweigh its minor benefits.

Yet, on the other hand, high dose vitamin C has been proven to help those suffering from flu symptoms – safely, inexpensively and effectively.

Bombshell: Recent research spotlights Tamiflu as a failure

Tamiflu (oseltamivir), which can cost roughly $135 for a 5-day treatment course, is hailed as the “gold standard” of flu treatment – and one which supposedly reduces complications and hospitalization from the flu.  But, as they often say, truth is stranger than fiction.

Released onto the market in 1999, Tamiflu is billed as a treatment for Influenza A and B – and for avoiding infection once exposure has occurred. It is approved for use in people 2 weeks of age and older.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Infectious Disease Society of America are all on board with Tamiflu, urging that people take the medication within the first 48 hours of developing flu symptoms. But, keep in mind, these same organizations are deeply controlled by the pharmaceutical industry.

In reality, Tamiflu may not be delivering on its promise.

Critics say that Tamiflu does nothing to contain the spread of influenza, and may even increase drug resistance. In fact, a growing body of research shows that not only does Tamiflu not impact viral illness in any positive way — but can put patients at risk of dangerous complications.

Reviews of studies involving thousands of patients show little benefit from Tamiflu

In a 2013 meta-analysis of clinical trials published in Family Practice, researchers concluded that “there is no evidence that Tamiflu reduces the likelihood of hospitalization, pneumonia, or combined outcome of pneumonia, otitis media (middle ear infections) and sinusitis.”

And, in a 2014 review published in Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews, researchers evaluated a whopping 107 clinical studies and found that Tamiflu only succeeded in reducing the duration of the flu by an average of 16 hours – cutting the illnesses’ length from 7 days to 6.3 days.

In other words, most people feel better from the flu within about a week, whether they take Tamiflu or not. Are a few hours of relief from symptoms – which can probably be just as well accomplished through natural means – worth the risks of this medication?

Most tellingly of all, the researchers reported the following: “The influenza virus-specific mechanism of action proposed by the producers does not fit the clinical evidence.”

In other words, the team concluded that Tamiflu does not do what the manufacturer claims it does.

Negative side effects are particularly pronounced in children taking Tamiflu

The authors of the Cochrane review noted that while Tamiflu had “small, non-specific effects” on reducing the length of flu symptoms, it also increased the risk of adverse physical and psychiatric effects.

In a review published in the prestigious British Medical Journal, researchers reported that Tamiflu carried an increased risk of nausea, vomiting and nightmares – particularly in children.

In yet another review, two experts – one from the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and one from Oxford University – analyzed four different studies of children one to 12 years old, and found that the drug was associated with nausea in almost a third of the children.

Even more disturbingly, Tamiflu was linked with vomiting and diarrhea – which can put small children at risk of dangerous dehydration. Nightmares, insomnia, impaired concentration, headaches and feeling “dazed” were also reported.

(Having the flu is uncomfortable enough – why take something that creates symptoms that are fully as uncomfortable as those it is supposed to be easing?!)

Alert: Bizarre and frightening psychological effects linked to Tamiflu

Of even more concern: the fact that psychological effects have been reported with Tamiflu. Animal studies have shown that a metabolite – or breakdown product – of Tamiflu affects the hippocampus – the seat of emotion and memory in the brain. And humans appear to be affected psychologically as well.

In fact, there have been over 250,000 – a quarter of a million – cases of neuropsychiatric adverse effects reported from Tamiflu. According to a study published in Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, these can include delirium, hallucinations, delusional symptoms, agitation, anxiety and nightmares. Seizures, dizziness, tremors and night sweats have also been reported.

And, young males appear to be disproportionately affected.

In one study, 36 percent of boys and young men between 10 and 19 displayed abnormal behavior as a result of taking Tamiflu. Another 21 percent experienced hallucinations, while 12.2 percent had delusions.

Fortunately, there may be a better way to treat influenza – one completely lacking in dangerous side effects.

A BETTER way: High dose vitamin C could be your finest ally against the H3N2 virus

In the 1940’s, high dose vitamin C pioneer Dr. Frederick Klenner reported treating a wide variety of diseases – including encephalitis, polio, influenza and measles – with nothing more than ascorbic acid, or vitamin C. Dr. Klenner identified vitamin C not only as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, but as an antibiotic, antiviral and antihistamine as well.

According to board-certified cardiologist and vitamin C proponent Thomas E. Levy, MD, JD, upper respiratory infections – including influenza, bronchitis and pneumonia – may be treated with vitamin C, which mediates immune response, enhances the production of virus-fighting interferon and promotes the function of phagocytes.

However, to be effective, the vitamin must be given in multi-gram dosages throughout the day. Oral administration of daily amounts as high as 100,000 mg (100 grams) of vitamin C may be required, Dr. Levy states.

(Note: liposomal vitamin C is 5 to 10 times more potent than the same amount of vitamin C given intravenously. And, because it bypasses digestion, it won’t cause the bowel discomfort that can accompany high dose vitamin C).

If possible or practical, intravenous vitamin C may also be given over a period of 24 hours, especially for more serious health issues. According to Dr. Klenner, vitamin C taken in this way can reduce fever and cough within hours, and vanquish the flu entirely within 24 to 48 hours – or less.

(Of course, common sense should prevail. If you or your child have difficulty breathing, chest or stomach pain, dizziness or severe vomiting, seek medical care – as soon as possible. If your child develops bluish skin, becomes non-responsive or has high fever with a rash, seek emergency medical care).

Increasingly, integrative doctors like Andrew Buelt, D.O., and Joe Weatherly, D.O. – family medicine residents and creators of the “Questioning Medicine” website – are speaking out against the use of Tamiflu to treat influenza. When it comes to the advisability of writing a prescription for Tamiflu, Drs. Buelt and Weatherly don’t mince words: “We (doctors) know better.”

Natural health experts point to high dose Vitamin C, on the other hand, as a non-toxic, inexpensive and natural alternative to Tamiflu that is free of physical and psychiatric side effects.

Unless, of course, you count “improved overall health” as a side effect.

Sources for this article include:

CBSNews.com
MedPageToday.com
NIH.gov
NIH.gov
NaturalHealth365.com
NaturalHealth365.com
Orthomolecular.org

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