Today's Feature

Flu Vaccine.

News release

The Joplin City and Jasper County Health Departments anticipated receiving their flu vaccine from Chiron this year. Chiron was unexpectedly shut down by British regulators Tuesday, prompting a record shortage of flu vaccine in the U.S. just as the flu season is about to begin. At this point in time Joplin and Jasper County Health Departments will not receive the shipment of vaccine as ordered. They will continue to look for another available vaccine although none is readily available at this time. If vaccine is found, they will make the availability known through the local media and will strictly follow the revised CDC recommendations to provide vaccine to only those considered high risk.

The Joplin City and Jasper County Health Departments strongly urge health care providers and pharmacies to begin voluntary rationing of their flu vaccine supplies and give it to those in greatest need.

Health officials urge the public to delay or skip flu shots if they do not meet the CDC criteria so that the elderly and others most at risk from influenza can get immunized from the reduced supplies of vaccine. Those at highest risk are: Children aged 6-23 months, Adults aged 65 years or older, Persons aged 2-64 years with chronic medical conditions, Women who will be pregnant during the influenza season, Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities, Children 6 months to 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy, Health care workers with direct patient care, and out of home care-givers and household contacts of children aged less than 6 months.

Otherwise healthy individuals not included above should not request the flu vaccine this year and allow it to be used by those in greatest need.

The Health Department urges everyone to remember to practice infection control measures so as to minimize risk of getting the flu. Protection can be increased by washing hands frequently, using and disposing of tissues and hankerchiefs as needed and staying home while ill.

Normal flu symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose and muscle aches. Individuals who start to feel sick this flu season are advised to call a doctor. The earlier flu symptoms are treated, the better chances are of preventing serious complications. In addition, individuals are encouraged to get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol and tobacco products.

I learned a couple a lessons back when I was ridin’ a motorcycle. Fortunately they were taught at relatively slow speeds so I only hurt my pride.

The first is don’t hit the front wheel brake when you’re on loose gravel. Plop, down ya go. I never had much experience with front brakes on a two wheeler, the bicycles I grew up with only had rear brakes. The second lesson was ta not hit the gas while turnin’ when there are small water puddles on the parkin’ lot. Plop, down ya go. Fortunately on this one, I had learned to keep the leg up and out a little when turnin’ I simply stepped off as the bike slid out from under me. Scratched the fender some.

Ya never know when you’re in for a little learnin’, best be ready.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street Health & Herbs

Natural Nutrition

By Mari An Wills

What is CLA?

Short for conjugated linoleic acid an often overlooked essential fatty acid. According to Dr. David Williams, the job of CLA is to make sure the fats we eat are converted into muscle and energy. Without an adequate amount of CLA in meats, we tend to store the fat. The main sources of conjugated linoleic acids are found in beef and other dairy products from which the animal has been pasture fed. Most animal products come from feedlots not open pastures.

Again according to Dr. Williams booklet, CLA: The Fat That Makes You Slim, he states that the best short-term solution is supplementation since the body cannot produce CLA. Early experiments caused an 88% reduction of body fat in rats in just 6 weeks. Yes, that is another of those "rat" studies, but he goes on to state that human studies were also pretty amazing, with some losing up to 20% of body fat in just 12 weeks with few dietary or eating changes.

Nice to know that we live in an area where we could have a cow or two in a pasture. Speaking of this area, Maple Leaf Festival coming soon....just love this years t-shirt design. If you haven’t gotten yours, they are at the Chamber Office. Good quality, reasonable price, but no small sizes for the Grandbabies.