Infant formula is 98% ultra-processed oil, sugar, and protein powder. Homemade infant formula can help a child thrive in many of the same ways as breast fed babies.
Which Covid Vaccine is Best?
Table of Contents
Understanding the technology behind our four currently available vaccines will help you decide which vaccine is best
Unrelenting brain fog. Disabling body aches for weeks after the fevers have cleared. Recurring daily headaches that make it hard to concentrate. Vertigo and tinnitus that you’ve never had before. If you’re young, healthy, eat well, and—especially important—have been avoiding vegetable oils, COVID is fairly mild. But when it’s not mild, it can hit hard.
If you’ve decided you’d rather get a vaccine than play roulette with a loaded virus, you’re probably wondering which vaccine is the most effective and carries the least risk.
The information here is based on CDC guidance, other medical research, and, where there is no data, on my best opinion at the moment.
Which is the best vaccine?
The CDC says “they’re all great!” But my answer is “the kind of vaccine you get makes a big safety difference.”
This article is continued below...(scroll down)
It helped. I feel great.
"It’s helped. I feel great."
Kobe Bryant
NBA baskeball player
This has been life changing
"Let me tell you this has been life-changing. I have all of her books, in audible and ebooks! I have gotten rid of all the hateful 8 oils. I have trained my body to eat its own previously toxic body fat. Download that pod it's a game changer!"
Megyn Kelly
Broadcaster / The Megyn Kelly Show
Life changing
Deep Nutrition changed my life.
Jesse Watters
Fox News Primetime host
Saved my life
I would like to thank you for literally saving my life. Back in February, I had to be hospitalized while on vacation in Phoenix with an A1C of 11% and had to start taking 2 types of insulin and 2 other meds. I read the Fatburn Fix in April, and followed the program to a tee, and I’m down by 15 pounds, 6.8 A1C, and only one once weekly diabetes medicine. Prior to reading the book, it was almost impossible for me to lose weight as a diabetic.
Leontyne Tompkins
I feel free
For the last month, I have really been reading all labels on everything. I have completely remove those 8 oils you talk about. I must tell you, I feel great! I have more energy and I am now 197 lbs (have always been around 205 to 210lbs). I eat potatoes with real butter, grass fed steak, pasta with the right toppings. I eat everything! I seem to crave less sugar. I love it!
Robert Kirkendall
I feel so much better
I had terrible aches and pains everywhere in my body, my hands, shoulders and knees. I feel so much better and the way I feel is motivating me every day! Thank you
Mike Deb Wootan Burcin
Better than ever
I am an anesthesiologist in Orlando and a huge fan of both of your books! I have been incorporating your principles for the last 10 months and feel that my health is better than ever.
Marnie Robinson, MD
My allergies disappeared
The biggest difference for me (and a surprising one) is that my allergies have almost completely disappeared! This is a big deal for me, because I’ve had allergies most of my life and they have often affected what I do which is a teaching music in [a public school district]. In general, I feel much better and have more consistent energy throughout the day.
Erica Turrell
Heart Palpitations have Stopped
I’ve lost 20+ pounds (also fasting 16-24 hours daily) and haven’t had palpitations except for one occasion — I had a mini bag of Fritos for the first time in July. And, I feel better now on a daily basis than I ever did all through college.
Mike Wright
Deep Nutrition and Fatburn Fix reader
I’ve lost over 50 pounds
I’ve lost over 50 pounds. I’m 56 years old. Cutting processed food and unhealthy fats from my diet was one of the first things I did on my health recovery journey...I went cold turkey off the bad oils. Emptied my pantry into the trash and just started eating real food
Mitzi Wilkinson Champion
Knowledge I didn’t know I needed
Your Fatburn Fix book is amazing, my friend. Thank you! I’m an Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and I know my stuff. This is the extra layer of knowledge I didn’t know I needed. Well done!
Jennifer Dillman
Fatburn Fix reader
Lost a solid 20 lbs and my bloodwork is great
I have lost a solid 20 lbs and my bloodwork (after 3 months of eating your way) was even better! I was metabolically healthy (per your book) before I read your book, but barely. Lowering my weight, sealed the deal! I have been talking about you and your book to anyone who will listen...Thank you for all you’ve done and what you continue to do! You are changing lives for the better!
Missy Cramer
FatBurn Fix reader
Lost 20 lbs I could never shed
I love your Fatburn Fix! Has helped me so so much! I have had the dreaded weight all my life - 20 or so pounds I could never shed. I have lost that now. I only eat 2 meals a day lunch and dinner with a glass of milk or cappuccino around 4 to hold me over. No snacking and not bad oils. It has been the key to unlocking my fatburn. I work out in the am and believe I am burning fat for energy not from food!
Lauren Smith
I feel great
My waist is four inches smaller. I feel great and many of the minor aches and pains that I had (knees and lower back) are gone. Also, my muscle tone is amazing, even though I have not increased my workout routine.
Richard Janelle
Completed Dr Cate's online course
The go-to for strength and conditioning coaches
Whenever I advise my clients about eating to perform I go straight to what I have learned from Dr. Cate. Her book Deep Nutrition has become the go-to for strength and conditioning coaches across the country.
Kent Matthes
Major League Baseball Agent with WME Sports
Dismantles the lie
Dr. Cate dismantles the lie that seed oils are healthy, which may the biggest lie about nutrition and health because it’s so insidious.
Ken D Berry, MD
Author of Lies My Doctor Told Me
She knows the chemistry
Dr. Cate alerts us to the harms of seed oils and she’s convincing because she knows the chemistry better than anyone.
Dr. Drew Pinskey, MD
Globally recognized internal medicine and addiction medicine specialist, media personality, LoveLine Host, and New York Times bestselling author
No one is better at communicating nutritional truth
Dr. Cate has had the single greatest impact on how we talk to people about fueling for both performance or durability. While we all are a little unique, the foundational principles of human nutrition are immutable. If you are looking to create a more durable, resilient body, no one is better at communicating nutritional truth than Dr. Cate.
Dr. Kelly Starrett
Physiotherapist coach and New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author
Highly recommend The Fatburn Fix
Dr. Shanahan has had a significant impact on my practice of medicine. I am known as a Low Carb Doctor, but I never really appreciated the negative effects of processed seed oils on the health of my patients. I highly recommend The Fatburn Fix to my patients and have a loaner copy in my waiting room. It is amazing how quickly blood sugars and overall health improves with cutting seed oils. It is not just about the carbs!
Dr. Brian Lenkzes, MD
CEO of LowCarbMD San Diego, co-host of Low Carb MD Podcast and host of Life's Best Medicine Podcast
Respected in the sports world
Dr. Cate reordered my diet when I was with the L.A. Lakers, and the benefits, for me personally, were felt immediately and have served me to this day. I’ve come to take real food so seriously I started a small family farm. I know of no M.D./nutritionist more respected in the sports world than Dr. Cate Shanahan.
Chris Kaman
NBA Player
Brought seed oil issue front and center
Cate brought the seed oil issue front and center. Healthy fats matter. So much so that I created an entire product line to swap out bad fats with good.
Mark Sisson
Founding Father of the Primal/Paleo Movement
Optimal health starts with food
If you want to understand how optimal health starts with food, start with Dr. Cate. Her book Deep Nutrition leaves you with an appreciation of the profound relationship between our genes and the planet, inspiring us to be good shepherds of both.
Dallas Hartwig
Attribution author of The Whole 30
Helped me with endurance
Deep Nutrition really helped me with endurance. I started to feel better as a player. I was able to run more, I was able to be more active …and I just decided to keep going with it to this day.
Dwight Howard
NBA Player
Silver bullet for me
Dr Cate’s teachings helped me lose 60 pounds like it was nothing. It was like a silver bullet for me.
Paul Grewal, MD
Dr Grewal Internal Medicine, MD, author of Genius Foods
Radically improve your health…
Dr. Shanahan has provided a solid reference that deserves a place in the library of anyone who is seriously interested in nutrition. Her perspective on the vital role that healthy fat has in our diet is novel and, if implemented, can radically improve your health.
Dr. Joseph Mercola
Author of Fat for Fuel and Founder of Mercola.com
Pull up a chair…
I have based my work on the idea that getting the right kinds of healthy fats into your body and avoiding the worst fats is essential to optimal health. I've interviewed dozens of the world's top experts about this, and I know of no one who speaks more eloquently on this topic than Dr Cate. If she’s talking fats, pull up a chair. Take notes.
Dave Asprey
Author of the Bulletproof Diet
The key to unlocking my fatburn
I love your Fatburn Fix! Has helped me so so much! I have had the dreaded weight all my life - 20 or so pounds I could never shed. I have lost that now. I only eat 2 meals a day lunch and dinner with a glass of milk or cappuccino around 4 to hold me over. No snacking and not bad oils. It has been the key to unlocking my fatburn.
Lauren Smith
Saved my life
I would like to thank you for literally saving my life. Back in February, I had to be hospitalized while on vacation in Phoenix with an A1C of 11% and had to start taking 2 types of insulin and 2 other meds. I read the Fatburn Fix in April, and followed the program to a tee, and I’m down by 15 pounds, 6.8 A1C, and only one once weekly diabetes medicine.
Leontyne Tompkins
> Tears of joy
I'm crying tears of joy and appreciation for all you've done for me and my health! Without Deep Nutrition and Fatburn Fix, I would literally still be in the vicious cycle I'd been fighting all my life! In a nutshell - I am no longer a compulsive overeating addict suffering under the crushing 'thumb' of all food and alcohol.
Penni Wicks
Our current COVID vaccines are all entirely unlike any other vaccines ever before released upon the general public. There are two types of COVID vaccines right now, both types are a distinct form of new technology that has not previously been employed to manufacture a mass-produced commercial product.
The first kind that was released (by Pfizer) is made with mRNA technology. The second kind that was released (by Johnson and Johnson) is made using viral vector technology. This is the kind that was put on pause for causing blood clots.
The mRNA vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna both use mRNA technology. I was initially very skeptical of these vaccines because mRNA vaccines have never been released on the human population before and so, in a sense, this has been a big experiment. But now that so many millions of us have been subjected to this experiment with no surprises, meaning no unexpected short-term side effects, I feel a lot better about it.
Here’s how the mRNA vaccine works.
The m in mRNA stands for messenger. Messenger RNA contains instructions for making proteins, hence the term messenger, and it does not last very long once it gets inside your cells because our cells can rapidly break down the mRNA messages. This is by design; mRNA has to be rapidly broken down so cells are always making proteins based on the most recent instructions released from the nucleus, where the brains of the cell reside in the form of DNA.
Think of mRNA as what’s trending on Twitter. It changes from minute to minute and so we don’t have to worry about it sticking around very long.
The mRNA in the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines teaches your cells to make the spike protein. It may sound foolish to willingly get injected with something that takes over your cells and forces them to drop whatever they normally do and instead churn out viral spike proteins. But if we want to develop immunity to a virus, we have to allow ourselves to be exposed to at least some part of that virus.
The spike protein is a piece of the covid virus that very effectively attracts our immune system and when our immune system makes antibodies against spike proteins it very effectively beats covid. After being exposed to the spike protein, our immune system “learns” to recognize this bit of protein as foreign so if we are later infected with the real virus it will recognize the foreign invader and attack it quickly with antibodies, ideally without us ever feeling sick.
Unlike the actual COVID infection, which contains mRNA for making a whole new baby virus ready to infect more cells, the COVID mRNA vaccine just contains the instruction to make the spike protein; it can’t make the whole virus. So while getting any vaccine can make you sore and tired and achy because it can elicit an immune response, it won’t make you as sick as covid makes you. Not even close.
As mentioned, after entering your cells, mRNA is quickly broken down so your cells don’t make spike protein very long, possibly just for a few hours. Meanwhile, your immune system learns to recognize and rapidly attack spike protein, thus protecting you from covid in the future. It’s that process of learning to recognize the spike protein that makes us feel bad after a vaccine. Oh, and the 3-inch needle stabbed into your deltoid doesn’t feel great either.
How do vaccines generally work?
Most vaccines expose us to viral proteins directly. These proteins are called antigens. The flu shot, for example, contains proteins from the influenza virus and when we get a flu vaccine we are injected with flu antigens that then teach our body to fight off the flu by making antibodies. Antibodies can last for a very long time; survivors of the 1919 influenza pandemic were found to have antibodies 75 years later. So you can see our immune system has a long “memory.” The reason we need to get a different flu shot every flu season is that there’s a different flu virus with different antigens, not because our immune system “forgets” about the antibodies it made.
As a side note, antigens and antibodies sound similar and often confuse even medical students. To sort out which is which, you can try thinking like this: gens sounds like germs and antigens are made by germs like viruses, and your body makes antibodies.
The big difference between the typical flu vaccine and the mRNA covid vaccine is that instead of injecting you with viral protein you get injected with viral mRNA so your own body’s cells end up making the viral proteins that then trigger the antibody response. The mRNA vaccine is therefore a big step removed from normal vaccine technology.
The reason mRNA vaccines were released instead of normal protein-based vaccines has to do with how fast the labs could ramp up the production. To make protein, a lab would have to first make mRNA to manufacture the protein in a lab that would then need to be purified. The mRNA vaccine enables labs to skip that protein-making and refining step, and that’s why labs can generate mRNA much faster than they can generate protein.
Are vaccines safe in general?
Injecting yourself with viral proteins might seem like a foolish thing to do. But if you consider that what viruses do to us is worse, it gets less foolish sounding.
Unlike an actual viral infection, where you’re body is exposed to multiple proteins and has to figure out which one actually works to fight off the virus, the vaccine makers have done that work for us and chosen the right protein most likely to protect us. Not to mention the fact that the protein injected can’t take over our cells, can’t divide, and can’t kill us but viruses can.
Now that we’ve discussed how vaccines generally work as well as the mRNA vaccine, let’s take a look at the Jansen (AKA Johnson & Johnson) and Astra Zeneca single-dose covid vaccines that use a whole different kind of technology. These two vaccines both use a modified strain of cold virus, called an adenovirus, that’s been drained of its normal contents, which would cause you to get a cold, and loaded with man-made DNA instead. This DNA teaches your cells to make the spike protein in a manner that’s similar to the way the mRNA vaccine works, but fundamentally different and more complex. Anything this complicated is more likely to cause unpleasant surprises.
First of all, the delivery vehicle, the monkey virus, is genetically modified to render it incapable of dividing in your body, we hope. It’s not totally a matter of hope; the vaccine was tested in humans, but only in a very limited way. Prior to covid, similar viral vector technology had been tested in humans and animals, though, so that’s reassuring.
Secondly, and here’s what’s unsettling, is that the vaccine contains DNA, not mRNA. DNA lasts longer than mRNA but will break down eventually, we hope. This part is pretty iffy because DNA is designed to last forever, or at least billions of years. DNA survives by replicating itself, mutating, going dormant, and it probably has a number of other tricks up its sleeve we haven’t yet discovered. DNA is the most ruthless molecule on the planet; it’s the ultimate survivor. So this aspect of this viral vector vaccine worries me.
As you can see, there are more unknowns with this type of vaccine which is why I can’t comfortably recommend it at this point in time.
Which vaccine should I get if I’m pregnant?
The official answer from the CDC is “We have no idea how these vaccines affect pregnant women. Go ask your doctor.” Nice, huh. Kind of like saying “Don’t blame us when things go wrong, we didn’t give you the shot.”
My answer is: The Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines are much more likely to be safe in pregnancy, although this has barely been studied. The Jansen and Astra Zeneca single-dose vaccines have been studied even less and seem much riskier based on the kind of technology used.
The crazy thing is there is almost no research on mRNA in pregnancy. It’s especially crazy because mRNA vaccines have been in development for decades and you’d think at some point in time someone would have pointed out that we need to know if mRNA crosses the placenta. If mRNA crosses the placenta, a lot of insanely bad things might happen and the vaccine really needs to be studied very carefully before giving it to a pregnant woman. If it does not, then that’s a whole different thing.
If I had to guess, I’d say having covid in pregnancy is probably riskier than getting the vaccine, but we really don’t have any good science to support that guess.
Which vaccine is less likely to cause long-term complications?
The official answer is “Long-term complications are extremely unlikely.” And technically that’s statistically true; a one in a thousand chance of a reaction means for any individual it’s extremely unlikely. But the reality is, we can’t know. Both vaccine technologies are new, never before released on the human population, so we can’t know the answer.
That said, with other vaccines the rate of short-term complications is related to the rate of long-term expectations, and this vaccine can reasonably be expected to follow that pattern.
So, since the mRNA vaccines have had few short-term complications after more than 60 million doses and no unexpected complications, while the viral vector vaccine less than 10 million and already some deadly and unexpected blood clots, I would predict that long-term complications will also be found more frequently with the viral vector vaccine.
So Which Vaccine Did I Get?
There’s no way I personally would get the viral vector vaccine—there’s a lot I just don’t like about it. Especially when there’s what seems a much safer option. I got one of the available mRNA vaccines. I can’t remember which pharmaceutical brand, but I do remember the 2-inch, 22 gauge needle, which is longer and wider than necessary but the pharmacist said it’s what they came loaded with so I was stuck with it.
This is a little like where we’re all at with COVID: there’s plenty to complain about but, in the end, most of us are doing our best. Because that’s all any of us can do, right? Consider as much available evidence from credible sources as possible, weigh the pros against the cons, and then take your best shot.
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I am wondering what your opinion is regarding these vaccines now that some time has passed?
no vax is good in my opinion, especially in pregnant woman. I would like an update to the article also
I actually did go back to using butter and you are right!
I guess I was stuck on the bad reputation butter has gotten over the years (in the general public) but as your have discussed, natural, unrefined IS best and that includes the better-for-you saturated fats in real butter.
I was impressed with your book ‘Deep Nutrition’ and thought you actually understood natural health. I see from your stance on these experimental vaccines that you do not. With a less than 1% chance of a normal healthy individual dying of covid why would you even recommend any vaccine? – when you should know full well you don’t need it at all – especially if you eat healthily. I begin to doubt that you even really have faith in diet and the creation of health. You don’t have any idea what will happen to people long term who take any of the vaccines. Most disappointing.
She didn’t recommend it to pregnant women. Learn to read and stop wasting space with asinine comments.
How about old fashioned butter? Tastes best!
Dr. Cate – can you comment on the complex decision to vaccinate young people? Your comment about “what the viruses do to us is worse” is persuasive. But, it’s worrisome to hear about young people at risk of sterility and myocarditis. A recent podcast with Bret Weinstein and inventor of the mRNA vaccine technology, Dr. Robert Malone, is very troubling. Linked here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_NNTVJzqtY
Great article, Dr. Cate!
Sorry for all of the flak you got over your article… some people just need to get out and stand in the sunshine to expand their intellect. ?
We have been big fans since reading Deep Nutrition a few years back. Question, have you been following the VAERS reporting on the approx 6,000 deaths due to COVID vaccines? Steve Kirsch posted a paper on TrialSite News that goes into the subject much deeper. I am curious what your take is. Keep up the great work.
It’s not a vetted site, and there are issues with correlation versus causation. In other words, while it’s important information its just the start of the conversation.
My dh and I are older and in poor health and at high risk. We had to be especially careful every time we went out. It meant we went out twice a month to shop for ourselves and our dogs. We visited three different locations and wore masks, used hand sanitizer, took of our outside shoes at the door, washed our hands thoroughly, &c. Our lives became more restricted than normal.
We waited for the vaccines to get ready and then waited eagerly for our chance to get them. While we wanted to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine because it was a “known” in terms of the processes used to develop it, we ended up with the Pfizer vaccine because of timing. We recognize that we are now lab rats of sorts in the research project these alternate vaccines have created. We will see what comes of this experiment. Hopefully, nothing more than usually happens when any kind of vaccine is administered.
In the meantime, we are experiencing a huge sense of relief and wellbeing because we are vaccinated. We know that this is not a guarantee that we can’t contract COVID-19, so we are still taking precautions. This vaccine has given us the assurance that should we make a mistake and somehow contract the virus, it won’t be a death sentence for us. That makes all the difference for us.
This is simply my opinion, but . . . isn’t it marvelous that we live in a day and age where we can find an effective vaccination that can be created and tested in about a year’s time to be distributed to millions so that life can return to the craziness we call normal? Knowing the history of how the smallpox vaccine was first developed and the early heroes that risked their lives to receive the earliest, crudest methods of protecting people, the development of these current vaccines is even more miraculous. I’m grateful for big pharma in this particular, singular instance.
I’m not interested in getting the vaccine, but this article was excellent. Makes me feel better if there comes a time when these vaccines will be required. I’m just not in any rush right now. My question is, if it’s faster to make the mRNA than wait for the protein to be made, how come they haven’t done that before? Or have they tried and it didn’t work? It seems like it’s the better technology so why have pharmaceutical companies not used it before?
My best guess is just plain old fear of change. Medicine is full of inertia. They were talking about doing it for years and years with flu shots and other shots, and only with pandemic fever did they finally break through the inertia.
Dr. Cate, in my country my only options are Sputnik or AZ. I would love to hear your thoughts on Sputnik? I have lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome, I have been in remission for over 10 years but I think my best bet seems to be Sputnik?.
Hi Dr. Cate,
Thank you for writing this article. Reading your book Deep Nutrition a few years back was a bit of turning point for me, and I trust your opinion. Ditching processed foods and following your nutritional recommendations, along with other good lifestyle habits has gotten me to a point of being in great health. So I struggle with the decision about getting vaccinated against COVID since I haven’t had so much as a cold in the last 3 years. I appreciate your advice to “consider as much available evidence from credible sources as possible”. That being said, are you aware of any reliable stats or case reports of relatively young people in good health (not eating the SAD), with no co-morbidities, etc. contracting a severe case of COVID, or developing long term symptoms from the virus?
I still stand by my statement “take away seed oils 5 years ago and we don’t have people under 65 sick in the ICU–unless they’re immune compromised in some way” There are no people collecting seed oil data to my knowledge so we don’t have that info. Just anecdotes.
We can have a conversation and disagree and still be respectful. I have a problem with the government using coercion to get people to get the shoot. (Free donuts, weed, ice cream, 40k drawing.) That’s a problem – it’s between me and my health care provider. We’ll see how long we’re free to choose.
Yes can’t we all just agree to disagree. I guess one thing you’re missing is the actual fatality rate for covid is really low. Also Doctors avoid use of certain herbs/medicines while pregnant with lack of studies so why would you take experimental vaccine? My friend who was pregnant got covid and was fine. My friends 85 year old dad with heart problems at 85 was fine and I myself was fine with covid. Yes everyone health is different but we’re failing to recognize how low mortality really is.
Yes you can get a religious exemption and your work can be responsible if they require it (see OSHA) for any negative side effect since Pzifer and Moderna are protected.
Dr. Cate, I was disappointed in the article you wrote. It seemed like you were addressing an audience of kindergartners. I think you are a smart human and have helped and educated many people. I know your intentions are the best. May I suggest that you read/ watch/ listen to Dr. Mercolas interview with Stefanie Seneff.
She is a senior research scientist at MIT and has been for 5 decades. Hopefully this will inform you of much need to know information. An example is you failed to communicate, or maybe you just didn’t know that the mRNA and the DNA in the vaccines are genetically modified. And of the possible serious consequences these so called vaccines could generate.
Thank you for your candor Dr. Cate. I still love you and your work! It is a very weird time to be living on this planet and it’s unfortunate that we are even having a discussion about this. Covid, vaccines, health and politics is an awful mix. With that being said, my employer recently mandated ‘the jab’ so I exercised my right to say no, turned my notice in, and have now accepted another position with a different company. But I believe the bigger issue we have as a society is the imfringement on our liberties. On our ability to have control over our health decisions seems like a basic human right.
Get the truth about these emergency authorized use injections from a credible source in this one-hour video by a physician who is honest and has the data to back it up: https://www.americasfrontli…
Dr. Cate, I’m disappointed that you did not provide such credible sources in your article above but simply suggested that your readers find their own! It likely that you are aware that such data continues to be censored and is not readily available yet I will give you the benefit of the doubt and provide it here now instead of making any assumptions about why you did not provide such information.
Look people the mRNA vaccines are more than likely just to help control the population in the rich countries because that’s the only countries that really got it ( bill gates made that clear) . The way it does it is just simple gene therapy it’s not a vaccine it’s a gene therapy injection .It’s very well known that the gates family and the Rockefeller’s have been involved in eugenics for years . Gates dad run plan parenthood. What does plan parenthood do??? we can go on and on and on about how gates is the largest funder of the world health organization (who) once trump stop the funding from the USA . The pink elephant in the room is world population .humans don’t have a predator we are an apex predator. We have out smarted the predators – viruses, bacterial infections, other animals, starvation, etc. so the human race had to keep itself in check. The rich countries have been doing that for the last 50 years a lot better than the poor countries by putting chemicals like roundup, BPA, linolauic acid ( PUFA) and the other 88,000 chemicals in our food,air and water and also teaching our dr’s to how to do it through capitalism of the medical system. They hand out opioids like candy it helps keep the population in check. There is reason if you research the top 10 causes of death You quickly understand that the top 4-5 are all created – cancer, heart disease , medical malpractice, diabetes, etc . We also have SIDS it’s the highest death rate of babies of any civilized country. do people really think that our genetics just all the sudden went bad and that 1 of 2 people that are living right now will get cancer. It’s ludicrous to believe that but if that’s not the case then what is causing it???? you really need to understand that we have to control the population growth . The earth cannot supply the resources to sustain 10 billion people. That’s the reason you are eating nasty ass processed food filled with toxins because it had to be made on an assembly line to feed all the people. There really no way to clean up our food , air, and water without depopulating. Your best bet is to grow your own food ( grass fed meat and organic vegetables) and tap your own well while you still can. As for the non – mRNA vaccines they are mainly for poorer countries where depopulating is a much bigger agenda because they can breed like flies . American men sperm count is down 50% before Covid and alot of couples where already having fertility issues so the depopulating agenda had been working here ok for quite some time now. There is alot more going on behind the scenes with the World economic forum “great reset” but for now maybe this will open people’s eyes and you might get your head out of the sand before your ass gets waxed by the elite apex predators .
I felt the exact same way. I want to ask, “Who’s paying for this opinion?”
I am grateful to those of you who understand that the US Government has a terrible track record for funding good science and dispensing honest health information. As you know, this unfortunate reality is a big part of what drives my work. So when you feel that the Government/Big Pharm/Junk Food apparatus is not to be trusted, I get it.
As you may or may not know, many colleges across the country are now mandating Covid vaccination for their students, as they have, in the past, required other vaccinations. And now nearly half the country has already received one form or another of the Covid vaccine, so it’s a relevant topic worthy of discussion.
With all that in mind, it seemed entirely reasonable to give my take on which vaccine I thought was likely to be the safest for those considering joining the population that has, for their own informed personal reasons, decided to get the shot.
Which, not incidentally, is exactly how I closed the article: Get information from sources you trust, weight the risk vs. reward, and then make the choice that works best for you. That’s called freedom of choice, something I happen to know many of my readers believe in. With that in mind, I think readers contemplating getting vaccinated should have the freedom to hear my views on the comparative risks of the various vaccines.
Let’s please not succumb to the impulses of “cancel culture,” even when—I should say particularly when—someone is discussing a topic you feel should be off limits.
yes, unfortunately another consequence of high PUFA oil consumption
How can you in all honesty recommend any of these vaccines to pregnant women when there is practically zero research or evidence supporting their safety. I am appalled that you would be so irresponsible, really I think it’s shocking that anyone would even encourage anyone to take an untested drug when pregnant so casually, whilst having no idea about the potentially devasting and life altering consequences your advice could have. We do have a thing called an immune system you know, and thankfully for most healthy people, there is an extremely high survival rate. Did you bother to check how many pregnant women have died from covid? The fact about any drugs that are approved for emergency use is that the benefit has to out weight the harm, in this case as you admitted yourself, you have no idea what that harm could be.
Your advice is dangerous and uninformed.
Thanks for being brave enough to share your opinion even when you knew you would get backlash! I have been skeptical about getting a vaccine but am coming around based on folks like you (that I respect) coming forward. Many folks in the holistic health space get tyrannical when they talk about it (Mercola) or are largely silent (Wellness Mama – Katie Wells). When folks do talk about it, they definitely lose “fans” in this two-sided battle, void of any middle ground, debate. So again, thank you!
I have been on the fence about all of the vaccines for a while now given I’m a skeptical person in general, especially when it comes to big pharma. However, a podcast by Peter Atia, and then this write up has helped me with my decision to get the vaccine, and to get the one you recommend. Thanks! 🙂
Dear Dr Cate, I am sorry for so much negative feedback to your article. I personally do not plan on getting vaccine myself or to give it to my kids, my husband will not be getting it either. I am however open minded and grateful for the information you have shared. I want to learn, I have been following you for 5 years and love and respect your work. If for whatever reason anyone in my family had to get the vaccine, I do feel better now knowing what you have shared. I also was surprised you got the vaccine, but I do respect you decision as I expect people would respect mine. Thank you.
Regarding folks who had written here threatening that I should lose my license for writing this article, or making accusations that I was paid by big pharma to “promote vaccines,” I understand there’s a lot of fear and politics around this vaccine and vaccines in general, and the negative comments came from people who seem to have made assumptions about my politics. The fact is, politics and science are a dangerous mix. I want to keep focused on science, don’t need any more negativity in my life, and to protect the integrity of my community I’ve deleted those sorts of unhelpful comments.
Sorry Dr. Cate, but I strongly disagree. Getting any of the vaccines is just too risky. I expect the downvotes to follow, but the truth about the dangers of being vaccinated is everywhere.
Funny that you call yourself Truth59, hehehehehe!.
Martin, the ARs reported in VAERS are not proven to be causal of a person receiving a vaccination. Any one can report any reaction to VAERS (even an individual who, for argument’s sake, had a headache because of consuming too much alcohol, can report that headache to VAERS — it is just a starting point for data collection and it does not prove, with causality, that vaccines caused any of what is reported in it. The CDC uses the information reported in it to determine what to investigate further and which possible adverse reactions to look into. I wonder why you have to feel that you have to let Dr Cate know that you unsubscribed to her newsletter. It is just a form of social media emotional blackmail and just so childish. We don’t really mind or care if you are subscribed or not. Your choice if you want to hear Dr Cate’s views: no need to advertise it as we really don’t mind or care if you are subscribed or not.
Liza, I implore you to find the first hand scientific evidence of the views that you have expressed here. Then again, you think that Dr Cate will be “charged with crimes against humanity. The devil tempts you to commit a crime and reassuringly tells you that you’ll be fine…and then he leaves you alone to pay for it.” Wow! And you want us to take your ‘opinions’ seriously or pay any attention to the concerns you raise?
You should lose your license to practice medicine for malpractice!
The information readily available about these (non) vacinne injections is NOT good!
https://bit.ly/2TdxFvt
I find it incredibly irresponsible of ANY doctor to recommend any of these (non) vaccines to anyone without knowing their exact situation. Also the potential side effects are so incredibly vast and extreme and why these are still only EUA and deemed experimental!
Shame on you!
Yes, Laura. EVERYONE knows which shot they got! That one statement causes her to lack credibility IMHO.
I also don’t believe that you “forgot” which one you got, given how much research you did and how big of an event it is for everyone. That’s not believable.
While I was also looking forward to reading this, I was profoundly disappointed at the lack of research and the answers and views you put forth.
None of the vaccines are safe. Between the US and Europe there’s been over 10,000 reported deaths post-vaccine. Worst vaccine rollout ever. I’ve also read articles from doctors laying out possible pathways the mRNA may permanently change one’s DNA – not saying it does, but that it’s possible and more research is needed.
I first heard about you on WAPF and so disappointed in this article. If you want to get a vaccine, fine, but why take an experimental product for a virus that you’ve got a 99% survival rate from?
I’m extremely surprised to hear that you are on board with the vaccines given your incredible history in helping so many people getting connected with real food. Your book Deep Nutrition changed my life. That being said, I have always respected your opinion tremendously, but this is really not lining up for me, seems to be two very different camps, and I would have put all my money on you being in the camp completely against this so called vaccine.
What about long-term effects?
What about immediate effects on the egg and sperm? (hint: they are no longer viable)
As a doctor, have you looked at blood and cell samples before/after injection?
What is the immediate effect of those vaccinated when they have SARS-COV2 in their system but are asymptomatic and aren’t tested (hint: they die)???
What about alternative therapies like HCQ and ivermectin that are less invasive and proven to work by Fauci in 2005?
HOW MUCH WERE YOU PAID BY BIG PHARMA TO WRITE THIS ARTICLE???
WE SEE YOU! WE KNOW HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS!
It’s interesting that you think you’re protected against being charged with crimes against humanity. The devil tempts you to commit a crime and reassuringly tells you that you’ll be fine…and then he leaves you alone to pay for it.
Have you ever looked at detailed VAERS data? None of them are safe! What a stupid header question! If you plot data from VAERS and you count onset of adverse reaction (AR) of any of 4 vaccines from the date of vaccination – it is safe to say that ARs would be equally distributed from day 0 till day 28, correct? Did you do that? You would find out that it is not valid for those vaccines! Deaths, immunological ARs, neurological ARs, all are peaking from day 0 do day 2 and then dropping down! Number of reported ARs for those 4 vaccines is higher (within 5 months of their applications) than all previous records for past 20 years. Just unsubscribed from your newsletter, Dr. Kate…
I find it unbelievable that you can’t remember which one you got, especially considering there are two shots in the series. The vaccine was a huge event for pretty much everyone I know (I am also in healthcare). If you don’t want to say that’s fine, but to say you can’t recall is disingenuous. I respect your knowledge and have read most of the books you have written and I just can’t see you “forgetting” this. Not to mention you have a vaccine card with all the information on it.
How about none of them are safe. They aren’t really vaccines but bioweapons. They are still experimental for emergency use only.
Dr Cate — thank you so much for the information that you shared and how brave you were to publish this. The reactions to your article is just a reflection of the scary place of health sciences and information in the USA. It is unreal to me how divisive the US has become that it is automatically assumed that if one believes in whole foods, metabolic health, and the evil of PUFAs, that one cannot also trust the science of the vaccines. The misinformation online and the uninformed (non scientist) anti-vaxxer community’s comments on this blogpost is jaw dropping. I am sorry that you are subject to this kind of vitriol. I wonder how the anti vax community can scream the language of ‘science and evidence’ until the science and evidence does not confirm the uninformed, social media frenzied opinions of google-scientists. Thank you for article and for speaking up against this.
What!?!?! Can’t believe dr cate has this perspective! Don’t eat toxic vegetable oils but inject toxic chemicals right in your body?! Wow. She has been on Mercola & the Wise Traditions podast so surely she would be hearing what other doctors/researchers are saying in the natural health space!? I would suggest the Highwire as well if you actually want to hear real science, it might surprise you the amount of research that is out there. I’m highly disappointed.