Everyone is more concerned today about staying healthy. Conflicting advice is everywhere regarding natural and medical solutions to health problems. It is necessary to take charge of your own health. You must be as informed as possible about health alternatives and the status of your personal health and specific risk factors.
Much of this information must be ascertained in a comprehensive physical with weight, blood work, etc., preferably done by a medical doctor who has treated you for sometime. Some risks will be determined by your family history and current lifestyle.
There are also questions about the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs, as well as the cost. The renewed interest in health has, unfortunately, opened up tremendous opportunities for what used to be called “snake-oil salesmen,” those who promise cures for everything in a simple pill or tonic. Below is a brief description of a few alternatives available today, in addition to conventional medicine.
Vitamin/Mineral Supplements
Who hasn’t taken 500 mg. of Vitamin C for a cold? Many Americans now take a fish-oil supplement daily. Taking levels of nutrients slightly above that recommended by the FDA is probably a good idea, given our modern lifestyle. See article, “Loss of Nutrients After Leaving the Store”. However, your body can only absorb and use so much. Any excess must be processed or gotten rid of by your digestive system.
Also, there are toxic levels for many vitamins that you should be aware of, i.e. Vitamin A. High, therapeutic doses of any nutrients, even natural ones, should only be taken under medical supervision.
Herbal Supplements
Herbs do have their place and have been used for various ailments for centuries. In fact, in Medical Myths That Can Kill You, Dr. Nancy Snyderman indicates about 25% of our medical drugs come from trees, shrubs, or herbs. For instance, aspirin comes from willow trees and digitalis (for the heart) from foxglove. Stinging nettle has long been used to ease hay fever symptoms.
However, everyone should be aware by now that, even though they are natural, herbs can be harmful. You should be aware of any interactions they may have with other medications taken. Dr. Snyderman has a handy chart of some herb-drug interactions in her book. Most importantly, only take recommended amounts and keep your medical practitioner informed.
Homeopathy
This alternative therapy uses the principle of like cures like or the law of similars. This is also the basis of our vaccines. Basic principles are as follows:
- Small doses of what you have or a virus enables your immune system to prepare a defense.
- The more dilution done to a remedy, the greater the potency. A notation on a homeopathic container of 80X means a ten-to-one dilution has taken place 80 times.
- Any illness will have unique symptoms common only to you which call for appropriate therapies. If you have watery eyes, onion extract might be used since it normally produces this reaction.
Integrative Medicine
In this therapy, you and your doctor use conventional medical therapies in combination with proven alternative treatments. Integrative medicine should be utilized by everyone today to take advantage of ages-old wisdom, as well as the new modern discoveries.
Listen to Your Body
Because each of us is unique, what works for one person may not work for another. Only you will be able to determine if a therapy or medicine is right for you. Use alternative medicine and a healthy diet as much as possible, but rely on medical science when necessary. Use common sense in evaluating claims. There is no magic potion for everything and no substitute for a healthy lifestyle.
Resource
Snyderman, Nancy, MD; Medical Myths That Can Kill You; Crown Publishers, 2008
