Natural Alternative Medicine
In this report, we take a look at why natural alternatives have a hard time getting a foothold in the marketplace, and why physicians are sometimes slow to recommend them.
A 60-year-old man recently came into my office, and happened to mention that he was about to begin dialysis. He had been on 9 different blood pressure medications, and now his kidneys were failing. I asked whether any of his doctors had ever spoken to him about diet and nutrition, and about making lifestyle changes. His answer was no. Why not?
A 79-year-old lady who was an RN for more than 38 years, and had additional alternative therapy training beyond her RN requirements, recently confided in me that she had secretly suggested lifestyle changes, recommended natural foods and dietary changes, and used alternative therapy as a hospital nurse. She chuckled and said she wasn't supposed to do that, but she always did whatever she thought was necessary to take care of her patients. Why did it have to be that way?
The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human body, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease."...Thomas Edison, 1902
Quick jump list to all the major sections:
- Biologically Based Natural Alternatives
- Vitamin Pioneers First Ignored
- Why Physicians Are Slow To Accept And Recommend Natural Alternatives
- Why Pharmaceutical Companies Don't Develop Natural Products
- Some Ancient Herbs Still In Use Today
- Comments From Your Researcher
| Biologically Based Natural Alternatives |
| We have many different options for healthcare today, but I would like to focus on biologically based treatments and prevention. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine’s (NCCAM) defines the scope of biologically based practices to include, but is not limited to, botanicals, animal-derived extracts, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, proteins, prebiotics and probiotics, whole diets, and functional foods. But first, let’s take a look at the different philosophies of healthcare practiced today. Allopathic, alternative, complementary, integrative…what does it all mean? Each includes many different kinds of therapies, and although alternative, complementary and integrative are sometimes used interchangeably, the general focus of each is different.
Many people are hesitant about trusting their healthcare to anyone other than an allopathic physician. But did you know that Naturopathic Medical Doctors are the only physicians who receive complete training in conventional medicine as well as natural medicine? Licensed naturopathic medical doctors (N.M.D./N.D.) attend a four-year graduate level naturopathic medical school where they are educated in all of the same basic sciences as a conventional M.D. In addition to this training, they are extensively educated in the philosophy and implementation of safe and effective natural therapeutics with a strong emphasis on disease prevention.2 Unfortunately, some states do not yet offer licensing for Naturopathic Doctors. Biologically based medicine is not new. It was practiced for thousands of years before pharmaceutical companies began manufacturing the first synthetic drugs. In addition, many of the pharmaceutical preparations used around the world are based on plants. As late as the 1930's, the formulation of about 80% of synthetic pharmaceutical drugs began with a natural compound.3 Today, about 25% of prescription drugs contain active ingredients derived from plants.3 The United States has the most advanced medical system in the world, yet the population is increasingly turning to natural healing methods. However, the U.S. still lags behind world stats. A survey of 31,000 U.S. adults conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics in 2004 showed that 35 percent use some form of complementary and alternative medicine.4 Today, the World Health Organization estimates that herbal medicine is still the primary source of health care for approximately 80 percent of the world’s population.3, 5 Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. These diseases and other chronic diseases such as obesity, depression, metabolic and digestive disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and fibroids, account for 7 of every 10 deaths and affect the quality of life of 90 million Americans. Chronic diseases are among the most prevalent and most costly, yet they are the most preventable.6 Conventional physicians treat chronic diseases with expensive pharmaceuticals that may temporarily relieve the painful or uncomfortable symptoms, but the drugs do nothing to resolve the underlying cause, and may actually cause other side effects and serious problems. Because nutrition affects our immune system, organ function, hormonal balance and cellular metabolism, many of these chronic conditions and diseases can be traced to a nutrition deficiency. When the deficiency is not corrected, symptoms begin to appear and eventually lead to disease and premature aging. Many pharmaceuticals can effectively be replaced with multivitamin supplements, botanicals, amino acids, prebiotics and probiotics, fresh foods and functional foods for both prevention and treatment. Because herbs work synergistically, combinations of herbs with similar properties enhance the properties of each. This is why choosing a product containing a combination of different herbs is usually more effective than choosing individual selections. An example of this is the combination of valerian, passion flower and hops to promote relaxation and restful sleep. All three have a relaxing effect on the body. Valerian relaxes muscle tension, while hops relaxes the nervous system, and passiflora acts as a sedative. There is a misconception by some that nutritional supplements are not regulated. Before 1994, dietary supplements fell under the same regulations as food. With passage of the Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act (DSHEA) in 1994, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was granted authority to ban products that are proven to be unsafe.7 The manufacture and sale of dietary supplements is actually regulated by quite a few government agencies. On the federal level, the FDA regulates product labeling and other safety and quality-related practices. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulates advertising. Other federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) impact regulations. In addition, a growing number of state laws affect dietary supplements. Research on dietary supplements spans the spectrum of basic to clinical research and includes ethnobotanical investigations, analytical research, and method development/validation, as well as bioavailability, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic studies. However, the basic and preclinical research is better delineated for supplements composed of single chemical constituents (e.g., vitamins and minerals) than for the more complex products (e.g., botanical extracts). There is an abundance of clinical research for all types of dietary supplements. Most of this research involves small phase II studies.8 1. Integrative Medicine: What is it? Victoria Rommel, M.D. 2. Naturopathic Medical Education & Training Chaney Integrative Family Medicine. 3. A short list of plant-based medicinal drugs. World Resources Institute. 4. More Than One-Third of U.S. Adults Use Complementary and Alternative Medicine, According to New Government Survey National Center for Health Statistics. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 5. 6. Chronic Disease Prevention National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention. 7. Overview of Dietary Supplements U. S. Food and Drug Administration. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. 8. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Read the complete research article, by RM Barry Pulbications, by clicking here: I can provide you with excellent options for being pro-active in maintaining your health, dealing with specific health concerns, and living a longer, healthier life. Request information here or at my website. You'll be glad you did. You'll be on your way to feeling better, naturally! |
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