This month we had the opportunity to interview Dr. Randall Neustaedter, O.M.D., author of The Vaccine Guide, the new Flu: Alternative Treatments and Prevention, and the upcoming Child Health Guide. Dr. Neustedter has been practicing holistic medicine for more than thirty years in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is a licensed acupuncturist and received his Doctorate in Oriental Medicine in Hong Kong. In addition, he is the co-president of the Holistic Pediatric Association (HPA), a board member of the Council for Homeopathic Certification, and a board member of the California State Oriental Medical Association.

Q. What makes some flu seasons so treacherous and some so benign?

Different strains of flu viruses have various abilities to attack and destroy human cells. If a strain is very effective at invading the cell and multiplying, then it will more quickly overwhelm the body's defenses. The second factor is the novel nature of the viral strain. If the immune system has previously experienced a similar virus then the immune mechanisms will recognize the new one and destroy it. If a virus is totally new to the body, then it may take too long for the immune system to mount a specific defense against the virus, which allows the virus to continue multiplying and wreaking havoc.

Q. Why do homeopathic and herbal remedies prove to be so effective versus conventional Western medicine in treating illnesses like the flu?

Herbs and homeopathy have the ability to stimulate the immune system and marshal healing forces to fight off the infection. Reliance on the body's own healing mechanisms is more efficient than using drugs that merely kill viruses. These drugs ignore the body's own very powerful defenses.

Q. It seems unusual to use movement therapies to fight the flu. Can you talk to us about this for a minute?

Movement therapies like yoga, tai chi, and chi gong strengthen the body energetically, thereby creating a strong and balanced immune system. In this state the body will more effectively ward off an attack by pathogens.

Q. Why is the issue of vaccination so important to you?

The pharmaceutical industry is interested in big profits, not good health. Selling vaccines makes money for them. Anything that interferes with profits is seen as detrimental. Therefore pharmacies will discourage knowledge of vaccine side effects or ineffectiveness. Unfortunately, the consumer is often hurt by the influence of drug companies over the vaccine recommendation process. Encouraging multiple, repeated vaccination has a negative impact on health and consumers need to know this.

Q. In your opinion, what aspect of our modern lives has the most harmful effect on children's health?

The two factors most detrimental to children's health are poor diet choices and the proliferation of vaccines given to children during infancy when they are the most vulnerable to their toxic effects.

Q. If you could give us one tip to implement in our everyday lives for improving our overAll Health & Healing, what would it be?

Eat a natural foods diet free of processed foods and pesticides. The second tip is to exercise every day.