Medical tests are supposed to verify a diagnosis, not make a diagnosis. There is a difference. A big difference. I suggest that MOST medical testing today is useless and only separates us from our health - and our money.
Yes, some people have actually suggested that taking a daily dose of probiotics is unnecessary and a real waste of money. My family and I know without a doubt that good gut health is basic for general good health. If we can't digest and absorb nutrients, our entire body suffers - even our brains. We shouldn't need supplemental probiotics, but we do. After exposing our digestive system to toxins all day, our normal flora is damaged. It needs reinforcement.
Once a day is fine most of the time. In times of stress I'd suggest two, three, or four doses every day - with clean water and on an empty stomach.
It's all about who pays for what we call "health care" and how much they'll pay for it. Here's an article about a Canadian doctor who longed to return home because there is FAR MORE time available for patients - and far less devoted to dealing with the people who pay for the "health care".
Commissions sound like a good idea - particularly for the commissioners. They are often compensated for doing what they would normally do for free. I've asked Tom Cross - but haven't had an answer yet - what this Civil War Commission will cost Illinois taxpayers.
It is also unconscionable that drug makers MIX potent (useful) pain relievers with acetaminophen. Their idea is that it is less likely that someone would abuse the narcotic if its mixed with another, non-addicting drug. The fallacy in that logic is that people who truly need the pain relief are usually forced to consume acetaminophen with each dose. This is a problem for healthy people. It is a disaster for sick folks, especially those with pre-existing liver problems.
There is nothing inherently wrong with using "straight" narcotics. Mixing with a dangerous drug - acetaminophen - is unnecessary.
It seems that more and more people are getting the message about the dangers of taking too many antibiotics. As I posted a couple of days ago, our food supply is also laced with more and more antibiotics. They are being added to feed. That means our meat supply is contaminated with antibiotic drugs - thereby delivering daily doses to all who eat meat.
Do two important things: (1) consume grass fed meat from organic farms (2) take a good probiotic supplement every day.
I am obsessively cautious about immunizations. Gardasil is particularly onerous. Despite mounting reports of dangerous side effects (over 15,000 girls have reported adverse effects) -- and deaths -- it continues to haunt us.
Earlier today I asked Tom Cross (via Facebook) what the 17 commissioners would be paid. No response - yet. As I haven't heard of a voluntary state commission, I have to assume that our tax dollars will be given to some people so they can work on the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
Oh well, what's a few more tax dollars to a state that's already broke?
The placebo effect demonstrates time and time again that belief in the power of a "sugar pill" can actually bring about improved health. In this article, improvements ran in the 50% range. That's worth noting.
If we can prove that a placebo works, we should also be able to demonstrate that believing we "have" illness would also have a significant impact on our health - in the wrong direction.
A mammogram, for example, can detect a small tumor years (10 - 15?) before the tumor reaches a size that may be dangerous. Yet, our system of care announces the presence of the tiny cancer and the patient's subconscious goes to work to "make it so". If nothing else, the patient will suffer for years with the KNOWLEDGE that she "has" cancer. What kind of life is that?
I also call the following "new diseases" to your attention; pre-diabetes, pre-cancerous lesions, osteopenia, pre-hypertension, and all those potential diseases identified with gene and DNA testing. If our unphysical self can make us feel better when we use a placebo isn't it just as likely that the same unconscious program can make us ill when we have been told we "have" something?
We've all been lead to believe that our bodies are made up of multiple, unique pieces. That simply isn't true. Our parts are interconnected and each communicates with and depends on all the others.
Regardless of how strongly we hold a belief, it can still bel untrue unless we can prove otherwise.
I understand that many people are using hcg for weight loss, many pharmacies are preparing it, and many doctors are prescribing it. This article lists three exceptional reasons why I'm not interested in using this hormone for this purpose. (1) the weight loss is because of an exceptionally low calorie intake (2) the weight lost isn't necessarily fat (3) the hcg system fails to teach good eating habits. I'll also add that nobody yet knows the long term effects from using a pregnancy hormone in the absence of pregnancy - and even on males.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, ALL PEOPLE age 6 months and above should get the flu vaccine.I'll pass again. How about you?
In the fields of 21st century professional medicine, the mere idea that a condition like AUTISM is directly related to the gut, healthy bacteria, and good nutrition, is tantamount to blasphemy. Yet, there is significant evidence that there is such a connection and that changing diet can improve or CURE autism. Cure? Yes, something that is basically foreign in a world where the goal always seems to be treating symptoms.
Take a look at this article. Tell me what you think.
Of course, we need to pack healthy lunches for our kids, but what about their parents? BROWN BAG doesn't have to always mean bologna or PB&J. This article offers good ideas for lunch and suggests some valuable reading on the topic. I plan to heed their advice.
I wrote this piece after having a discussion with one of our customers. It is a sad tale, but one that happens all too frequently these days. Doctors commonly prescribe in good faith, but they often aren't aware of the terror their prescription pad can cause, especially when they start ordering benzodiazepines.
These are potent drugs that alter how we think. Starting on them is easy. Stopping is very difficult, maybe impossible.
"Cancer patients would be shocked if they knew just how much of a benefit physical activity could have on their recovery and long term health," Ciaran Devane, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, said in a written statement.
You are more likely to die, have a stroke, suffer falls, fracture bones and have seizures than people who are not using those kinds of antidepressants.
Are the drugs worth the risk?
Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride stated, "By the time I graduated from medical school I had never seen an autistic individual," she says. "… To be honest, the first autistic child that I encountered was my own… Five years ago we were diagnosing one child in 150, which is almost a 40-fold increase in incidence. Now in Britain and some countries, we are diagnosing one child in 66."
It's a lot worse when other doctors order those kinds of mind-altering drugs for other, unrelated conditions that are NOT supported by any clinical evidence.
In fact, I support any/every effort to reduce the insane over-use of statin drugs. Efforts to maintain or increase the use of these drugs ought to be stopped, now.
This is just another example of the kinds of disasters that become common when we industrialize food production and distribution. We have not seen the last food recall. In fact, I suspect we'll see the numbers escalate.
The good news is that reports of sickness from as few as 78 people triggered our system of protection into gear.
This is specifically about High Fructose Corns Syrup (HFCS), but I'd wager that in this set of circumstances, sugar is sugar.
Contrary to what "everyone" is whining about, we're actually looking for more help. Use this link to check out the job description. Be sure to apply if you think you'd want to work with us.
I worked in hospitals - almost in another life. I can tell you that we seemed to always have trouble with newly hired staff. They would begin work and then call in sick a week or so later. I concluded that they became infected with whatever bacterial colonies lived in "our" hospital. After a short exposure, they got sick and developed sufficient antibodies to allow them to return to work. It would probably happen again if they switched to another hospital. Those places are dirty and dangerous.
Now I read that they have something against natural breast feeding. The report says, "less than four percent of U.S. hospitals provide the full support that new mothers need to be able to successfully breastfeed."
