I worked in a fairly large hospital for a few years. I was in IT, but I was fortunate enough to work closely with those in medical field. I did a lot of data gathering. While I am not going to say that I understood everything that was studied, I can tell you one thing. It was shocking to see the number of people that are dying of extremely preventable deceases at ages of less than 50. Those who survive, do so with such morbidity that I would rather be dead.
I've always suffered from allergies and comes spring, I would lose work sometimes when the allergic reactions were too severe. I went to a specialist, she prescribed something that I could have gotten over the counter (but since I had insurance). I had some side effects (nausea, blurred vision). She prescribed something else but it was not nearly as effective as stopping the reactions. Not once did she recommend a change of lifestyle or any other alternatives to, not replace medication, but may be complement it. It was useless.
Going back to my time in the hospital, I realized a couple of things. Whenever I had been invited to luncheons with doctors, there was no fried foods, no red meats and only natural teas to drink (made out of tea bags, no powder). Lots of veggies, fruits and salads ( and I am not referring to a Subway party tray). The vast majority were fit which also applied to many of the most experienced nursing staff. When participating in projects with them, they usually referred to patients with terms like cabbages (brain dead people in ICU). I found that to be a total lack of sensibility. So in my experience, the doctor tells you one thing but they practice another. When they do recommend lifestyle changes they simply repeat the old message (almost like a JW). "work out a sweat 20 min, 3 time a week and eat less food). Not to offend any doctors that may be around here. Please note that I am using words like "most" and "many", not "all doctors".
So I decided to give it a try. I started exercising and eating better and I mean a quite radical change. I started taking the most researched natural supplements. (like krill oil, vitamin D, and the like). Within 3 months I had more energy, I would also sleep better and longer. When the next spring came around, the allergies were so mild I could hardly notice it. I have not had a single allergy attack since 2009. Even when exposed to some of the weeds I am allergic to. Placebo effect? Call it what you want but if it works and only has good side effects, then why not? Why is the medical field not doing more of this?
I am not against medicine or science. But I have experienced first hand that the medical fields has done great strides in the science of alleviating the most life threatening medical conditions, so long they are not chronic. Transplants, trauma and injuries, etc. When it comes to the milder more chronic deceases, like diabetes, blood pressure, etc. Those they ride them on. I know because I provided the data that allowed them to milk insurance companies without crossing the line. There is no conspiracy, it is just the way it works.
Why is it that all vitamin supplements read "these claims have not been verified by the FDA" despite not having any major side effects but most FDA approved medications have more serious side effects than the condition they are meant to treat?
I think the answer is somewhere in the middle. A balance is important in all aspects of life and this is no exception. May be GMOs are not that bad and may be organics are overrated. Rather eat a GMO chicken day in and day out than sticking to nothing but beef because is all organic.
In summary. I still respect and visit my doctor when I need it. I vaccinate my children. But I have come to realize that I needed to take the doc down from the pedestal I had them on and I that I needed to listen to the other side of the story as well.
