By Carol Harblin
Recently in The New York Times it was reported that "Pills Aren't What They Seem," but as the article goes on they are talking about herbal supplements, not "pills."
The war on Big Pharma versus the holistic world is still going. There really should not be any strife between western and eastern medicines. The disturbing thing regarding that article is that anyone in the holistic market knows to refer to "pills" as supplements. Upon reading the headline of the article it is presumed that it is discussing pills, as in western medicine pills.
After reading the article it is to be assumed by a regular, innocent consumer that herbal supplements are a fraud and a waste of money. What the article lacks to mention is that a consumer should be discerning when purchasing supplements and also be guided by naturopathic physician or a holistic health practitioner.
If a consume buys a supplement in a regular mainstream supermarket then it is likely not as authentic than from a distributor that a naturopathic physician or holistic practitioner may purchase.
Consumers who are being led by the commercialized markets and even by talk shows that mention supplements that have reached "buzz word" status that week think that all they need to do is walk into a mainstreamed supermarket and buy it from the shelf without any problems or consultations.
One of my pet peeves is hearing about those innocent consumers who lack the formal knowledge and education about the supplements and pills, particularly nutrition, and they become their own nutritionist by listening to a talk show or a magazine and then go out to buy it on the shelf. If there is a question or something a person needs to know and discuss then go to a holistic health practitioner, naturopathic doctor, or nutritionist and speak to them directly. Don't do it by yourself.
The Internet is a dangerous place for the innocent consumer. There are many sites that can make believe it is legitimate. To know for sure, they MUST go to a nutritionist, naturopathic doctor, or holistic health practitioner. I cannnot stress this enough.
The American Medical Association or any other association under the FDA invests a lot of money into research of each of the articles in the peer-reviewed articles, but as long as the articles fit their criteria. The FDA is a very wealthy conglomerate and will justify anything they do and will support their associations. They do not want to lose money, like any business. So with that in mind, they will also not support or justify anything that may threaten their business such as anything in the holistic and supplement area.
There really is no war - or at least there should not be any sort of friction. Nobody on the holistic side is trying to steal any sort of business from the Western Medicine side. The holistic side only wants to become ONE and integrate so that the consumers have more to choose from.
The bottom line is that herbal supplements are a very good way to go, but the consumer really must consult with a professional who knows about supplements. The average MD is not knowledgeable about supplements and are bought out by big pharma. The drug companies own most MDs and they MDs only know their drugs. If there is a question about anything natural or a supplement it is best to go to a professional who is not a western MD.
I am not against western medicine; I am an advocate for health and wellness. I hope to see western practitioners and holistic practitioners working together one day. Each side has a lot to offer the consumer without taking from the other. There is not just one way to do something, just as there is not just one diet for the people.
Thank you!
Recently in The New York Times it was reported that "Pills Aren't What They Seem," but as the article goes on they are talking about herbal supplements, not "pills."
The war on Big Pharma versus the holistic world is still going. There really should not be any strife between western and eastern medicines. The disturbing thing regarding that article is that anyone in the holistic market knows to refer to "pills" as supplements. Upon reading the headline of the article it is presumed that it is discussing pills, as in western medicine pills.
After reading the article it is to be assumed by a regular, innocent consumer that herbal supplements are a fraud and a waste of money. What the article lacks to mention is that a consumer should be discerning when purchasing supplements and also be guided by naturopathic physician or a holistic health practitioner.
If a consume buys a supplement in a regular mainstream supermarket then it is likely not as authentic than from a distributor that a naturopathic physician or holistic practitioner may purchase.
Consumers who are being led by the commercialized markets and even by talk shows that mention supplements that have reached "buzz word" status that week think that all they need to do is walk into a mainstreamed supermarket and buy it from the shelf without any problems or consultations.
One of my pet peeves is hearing about those innocent consumers who lack the formal knowledge and education about the supplements and pills, particularly nutrition, and they become their own nutritionist by listening to a talk show or a magazine and then go out to buy it on the shelf. If there is a question or something a person needs to know and discuss then go to a holistic health practitioner, naturopathic doctor, or nutritionist and speak to them directly. Don't do it by yourself.
The Internet is a dangerous place for the innocent consumer. There are many sites that can make believe it is legitimate. To know for sure, they MUST go to a nutritionist, naturopathic doctor, or holistic health practitioner. I cannnot stress this enough.
The American Medical Association or any other association under the FDA invests a lot of money into research of each of the articles in the peer-reviewed articles, but as long as the articles fit their criteria. The FDA is a very wealthy conglomerate and will justify anything they do and will support their associations. They do not want to lose money, like any business. So with that in mind, they will also not support or justify anything that may threaten their business such as anything in the holistic and supplement area.
There really is no war - or at least there should not be any sort of friction. Nobody on the holistic side is trying to steal any sort of business from the Western Medicine side. The holistic side only wants to become ONE and integrate so that the consumers have more to choose from.
The bottom line is that herbal supplements are a very good way to go, but the consumer really must consult with a professional who knows about supplements. The average MD is not knowledgeable about supplements and are bought out by big pharma. The drug companies own most MDs and they MDs only know their drugs. If there is a question about anything natural or a supplement it is best to go to a professional who is not a western MD.
I am not against western medicine; I am an advocate for health and wellness. I hope to see western practitioners and holistic practitioners working together one day. Each side has a lot to offer the consumer without taking from the other. There is not just one way to do something, just as there is not just one diet for the people.
Thank you!
