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Permalink Reply by Mark Salinas on June 16, 2008 at 8:13am

Okay...now that you put it that way. Red!

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Permalink Reply by Eve on June 16, 2008 at 9:21am

This is very interesting to me at this time. I have recently had to give up 6 of the medications I was taking because of adverse effects. My doctor is wringing his hands and asking me to try again on my cholestrol/triglyceride medications as he has no idea how to help me without them. So, what's a girl to do when her triglycerides run above 250 with medication and her cholestrol is also out of control? What natural things will bring these numbers into the "normal" range? Another med I had to give up was glucophage for my diabetes. Since then my average blood sugar reading has jumped about 100 points.

An interesting side line on the triglycerides is that I have suffered chronic pancreatitis for 16 years because my triglycerides were so high. After this many years of watching my intake of fats and carbs, of trying to lose weight and be healthy I've pretty much given up. I eat what tastes good and doesn't give me a stomach ache or make me throw up - not always something I can determine beforehand. I figure my body will tell me what it needs and can tolerate. Feeling the way I do (constant abdominal pain, frequent nausea and/or diarrhea, an increase in pain when I breathe hard) I have a very difficult time getting regular exercise. Also, I have a difficult time wearing clothing - anything that doesn't look like a tent increases the pain and the nausea. Underclothing is something I rarely feel well enough to even contemplate - a bra is a torture device to someone who has the kind of pain I deal with every day.

Sorry, this is beginning to sound like a whine. I really want to know some better way to deal with all this. I spend a lot of time looking up stuff online, but I don't always know what to look for. When it comes to natural remedies there is so much that turns out to be nothing but hype - not really helpful and a potential of great risk. So, I'm interested in alternative medicine, especially if it will help me feel well enough to play with my grandkids, take a walk every day, and occasionally go out dancing.

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Permalink Reply by Rachel on June 16, 2008 at 6:10pm

I question everything!

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Permalink Reply by Ask The Dietitian on June 16, 2008 at 7:51pm

Fluoride: Top 10 Scientific Developments of 2007

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Permalink Reply by Christine Braun on June 16, 2008 at 8:04pm

My husband would already be dead without the chemo. He has had his first stem cell transplant and is going to have a donor transplant. There are people who have had this treatment who are having 10 to 15 years added to their lives. We have a cousin who had a lung transplant 15 years ago and is still going strong. Without the intervention of modern medicine he would have been long gone. He does have to take anti rejection drugs. My husband has to take injections to help him make red blood cells. Without this he would be dead. It is not all bad. I am thankful for the chance he is getting. I have a friend who is a cancer survivor. Without medical intervention, she would be dead. I do not know one person who opted for alternative treatment who has survived and I do know a few people who have tried that. We have had people coming out of the woodwork telling us that one thing or the other would cure John. Many of these cures would have killed him due to the kidney damage that the cancer caused. I am not playing down healthy habits in the war against disease but it is not a guarantee against it. I have known very healthy people who have got a cancer and other people who have not took care of themselves live long lives.

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Permalink Reply by Serenity on June 17, 2008 at 12:33am

By all means, Red pill.
But while knowledge is empowering, I dont think its an easy question of one or the other ie modern modern medicine vs natural approach.

It makes sense to be aware of the causes and effects of certain conditions and how they may be alleviated by the natural approach early on.
However, as has been pointed out, western medicine does have its role, and regardless of motivation, doctors have been trained to treat us accordingly, especially when it comes to the big 'bad boys' like cancer etc.

There are too many theories in the natural route that are unsubstantiated and cause even greater grief and loss bec of a similar shroud of ignorance that plagues the 'natural' approach as it does the western approach. At least with the western approach there can be a suit for medical negligence if something goes awry.

In the Caribbean, we generally dont take as many pills as we see advertising on imported cable. There is a pill for ever possible condition! I remem beging shocked at 'restless feet' syndrome, for example. And to hear the horrific side effects listed quietly at the end of the ad makes u think thanks but no thanks, i'd rather be a lil shaky than have vomiting and liver probs.

If I was to go by the number of meds ads per each programme, I'd say Americans take wayyyyy too many pills. We try to mix in local home remedies which work for us. At the end of the day, its all about leading a healthy lifestyle from early on. I dnt believe pills are the cure. Most are to made to deal with symptoms anyway, rather than the actual cause.

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Permalink Reply by Serenity on June 17, 2008 at 12:46am

I forgot to add, I know many ppl who changed their lifestyles completely and with the use of certain herbal medicines, have been able to 'cure' themselves of diabetes, one of the top ailments in our society. A 20 year old girl, for example, who had to take insulin injections three times a day, now, one year later, after being introduced to some herbal remedies, is able to control her diabetes, injection-free and western medicine-free. She's healthier and definitely happier, and has the blessings of her doctor.

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Permalink Reply by Eve on June 17, 2008 at 7:33pm

Did she lose weight?

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Permalink Reply by Jack Kennard on June 17, 2008 at 9:19am

Not sure bliss equates with ignorance, wisdom & knowing is the best way to stay away from suffering.

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Permalink Reply by Steve M on June 17, 2008 at 5:54pm

I think that there is a balance that needs to be struck between both natural and western Medicine. I know people that have had chemo, radiation, and full bone marrow transplants. With the help of anti rejection drugs they are back to normal life as they were before the treatment.

So you can't discount the fact that western medicine has a lot of benefit to it.

I do agree though that the whole system around delivering it is severely flawed. Doctors get regular "visits" from drug company representatives to show them the newest products available as well as which ones are being "discontinued" (are the drugs less effective now, or less profitable?)

I think doctors these days are too quick to prescribe a pill instead of exploring other options. On the flipside though, if they do nothing and you get sick, you sue. So they are in a difficult spot.

Natural medicine has a lot of benefit to it as well. I just wish that there was more time and money spend on development and marketing of it.

Don't forget that cocaine is all natural but you wouldn't prescribe that as a treatment for disease.

Like I said there needs to be a balance.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Wallace on June 20, 2008 at 5:39am

I forget which pill does what but my life is anything bit unexamined. I also try and help others become better. If you haven't read it find the book "The Art of Possibility" by the Zanders. BEST book on personal development bar none! Not a "How To" book but a "think differently" book! Fantastic

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Permalink Reply by Ask The Dietitian on June 20, 2008 at 12:55pm

Well, its received rave reviews according to amazon, so its on my reading list. Thanks for sharing. I love to read.

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