The Truth About Alternative Medicine

Just because the FDA has approved the drug does not mean it is safe! Vioxx anyone? Accutane? Statins? Americans should be looking for alternatives in order to maintain a healthier lifestyle in general or else risk a lifetime dependancy on prescription medication. My doctor was recommending fish oil 10 years ago and was getting criticized for it because it can't be regulated by the FDA. Just because they have yet to find a scientific link on a vitamin or mineral doesn't mean there isn't one...

alternativemedicine @ 12/10/2008 3:49:52 PM

You may wish to look at this monograph on Hawthorn.
http://www.herbdatanz.com/Crataegus-Hawthorn_Picture_Monograph.htm

Excellent article .. Authors Quote:

"women should have learned a few things--like being wary of claims for miracle cures. Other red flags are phrases like "no side effects," "cure-all" or "totally safe and natural." Labeling a product as natural does not automatically mean it's safe for everyone"

I could not agree more the health freedom movement is awash with dubious remedies, The article has subtle bias perhaps the spin is influenced by the statistical source. Government Health Departments of whatever nation tend to be Allopathic systems and one that is dominated by man made synthetics. Most of their vitamins are synthetics. That is the problem with Folic Acid. These isolates of natural substances are totally unatural because they cannot exist in Nature in that isolated form.
http://www.herbdatanz.com/death_by_meds.htm

I would put it to the Authors that governments have an arrangement with the Pharmaceutical Combine over pricing so that there is large amounts of taxpayer money funneled into this dubious system of medicine. I would further say that that in terms of health freedom.

Science is most ingenious when it comes to number and measure but going on the predictive outcomes they would surely get a fail mark. Of late their has been a virtual snow storm of spurious clinical studies and have been shown to be so. Trying to debunk thousands of years of practical experience is little more than blowing in the wind.

Can I get some help with hypertension? I have used beta blockers, diurectics, calcium blockers, ace inhibitors and nothing has really helped and each of them came with bad side effects (cough, swelling of angles, headaches, drowsiness etc.) I need to get my pressure down into the normal ranges, but all of this medicine is making me sick. Any suggestion would be helpful.

I appreciate your article but it is misleading. These surveys and findings may be indicative of some herbs and treatments but its not the truth about alternative medicines. Alternative medicines and herbal medicines alike are preventative measures for optimum wellness. Not cures. They have never been labeled as such and are utilized most effectively by trained professionals when used to treat the person as a whole, not a symptomatic treatment. Without that viewpoint, the surveys and findings are full of variables. You cannot expect ten years of an herb or supplement to eradicate 45 yrs of mismanaged health. This is what makes your article misleading and incomplete.

I appreciate your article but it is misleading. These surveys and findings may be indicative of some herbs and treatments but its not the truth about alternative medicines. Alternative medicines and herbal medicines alike are preventative measures for optimum wellness. Not cures. They have never been labeled as such and are utilized most effectively by trained professionals when used to treat the person as a whole, not a symptomatic treatment. Without that viewpoint, the surveys and findings are full of variables. You cannot expect ten years of an herb or supplement to eradicate 45 yrs of mismanaged health. This is what makes your article misleading and incomplete.

Barbara Kantrowitz andPat Wingert, your excellent article does not mention niacin, vitamin B3, which has been used to controlt high cholesterol for almost sixty years. Recently, over the past few years, BigPharma is struggling to alter or add to niacin in some way to make this non-patentable, over-the-counter madication profitable.

At www.cholesterolscore.com , a website that is primarily about niacin therapy, the research, benefits & techniques are discussed.