Comments on: How Alternative Medicine Fails Us

By: David Bradley

David Bradley — Thu, 14 May 2009 08:01:08 +0000

Yes, Steve, I’ve written about that radiation hook previously – http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-06/ip-rfh061708.php

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 13 May 2009 20:29:05 +0000

Regarding the natural ionizing radation background: studies of populations in areas of differing background radiation levels show that the curve of mortality rate / exposure has a hook at the bottom. That is, there is a certain (low) level of ionizing radiation that is better for you than none at all. This flies in the face of the “linear no-threshold” assumption that is enshrined in hundreds of laws and regulations. In retrospect, it’s not that surprising. The Earth has always been slightly radioactive, so ionizing radiation is one of the things that life has adapted to from the beginning.

The first axiom of toxicology is “The dose makes the poison.” Too much oxygen will kill you almost as fast as too much chlorine. There are several compounds that are deadly in gram quantities, but are essential nutrients in microgram quantities.

By: David Bradley

David Bradley — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:29:04 +0000

How does one consume Reiki therapy in the raw state? Reiki is like homeopathic massage, the so-called therapist doesn't even need to be in the same room (ditto Bowen technique). I presume you're talking about herbal remedies. Yes, there is some evidence of synergistic effects of different active components in herbal products for some symptoms and also some anti-synergistic effects that inhibit toxicity. However, more often than not a herbal product that works can be stripped down to the single primarily active ingredient and prescribed in a much more controlled way than any random botanical extract. Moreover, fine-tuning of the chemical structure of an active ingredient can reduce side-effects and lead to a better remedy. Viz, ephedra extract used for breathing problems and asthma was redesigned as the bronchodilator salbutamol which has a far less detrimental effect on the heart than its botanically-derived predecessor ephedrine.

By: Robert Henry

Robert Henry — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:05:08 +0000

Lots of people are there who are switching towards Alternative Medicines.I think that they are most effective when consumed in raw state insted of altered forms.

By: David Bradley

David Bradley — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:53:40 +0000

Bridget, I think you’ve missed the point of this post totally! Thankfully, most doctors can see through the smoke, mirrors, and snake oil, that underlies much of alternative medicine and recommend only those practices that have some evidence-based validity unlike homeopathy, for instance.

By: Bridget Reno

Bridget Reno — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 17:20:24 +0000

It’s great to see Doctors realizing the benefits of alternative medicines. Most doctors won’t even bother to do the research because their practice requires them to help patients with modern health procedures and prescribe only FDA approved prescription drugs. Legally a doctor is not allowed to inform a patient of an alternative to treatment if it has not been approved by the FDA. The use of essential oils and carrier oils may benefit people as well, along with taking the proper vitamins on a daily basis. Keep it up doctors, we are heading towards a healthier tomorrow.

By: David Bradley

David Bradley — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:44:46 +0000

And conversely, life is a fact of death. I’m not for or against any form of medicine either. I’m writing a blog, trying to point out the failings of various forms and discussing the issues surrounding the marketing and selling of practices and placebos that often exploit the vulnerabilities of the sick, dying and desperate.

By: Govindan

Govindan — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:20:37 +0000

Death is a fact of life.

Coming to medicine i’m not for or against a form of medicine.

And no one can really guarantee which form of medicine works well. But there are a few practitioners who are on constant research on medicine coupled with his experience in dealing with medicine for a particular symptom/ disease / patient situations.

By: Lucas Gilmore

Lucas Gilmore — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 20:15:07 +0000

David,

I’m an active 68 year old retired airline captain who has been taking supplements for over 30 years. I play tennis four to six hours a day with many talented younger people and hold my own. I’ve been taking rhodiola for two years and definitely notice the difference in my energy level and my competitive results. I often give it to my 65 year old girlfriend when she needs some extra energy. At first I just put it in with her other vitamins without telling her specifically that she was getting something extra. She finally asked me if I had gotten some new vitamins because she was feeling incredibly well. I confessed- and now she insists on taking it every day. So much for the placebo effect. Legally prescribed pharmaceuticals are responsible for about 100,000 American deaths a year. Supplements do not harm anyone- and I believe are responsible for getting me through a 45 year career in aviation. Linus Pauling lived to be 93 after being diagnosed with heart disease in his early 60′s. He started taking large doses of supplements and outlived his critics by decades. I don’t believe that your interest is in saving people’s money. I believe that you are an active promoter of big Pharma. Let people be responsible for their own health instead of trying to debunk natural supplements because they haven’t been “tested” by so called “scientific” methods that have brought us many hundreds of toxic “medicines.”

The scientists that I have known, including many physicians, are some of the most unhealthy people on the planet. If you want to look at some valid studies on the benefits of many supplements go to http://www.lef.org It’s free and is maintained by the Life Extension Foundation.

By: David Bradley

David Bradley — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 23:22:32 +0000

Tom, Tom, Tom…who’s counting, eh? Long-term health failures are common on both sides, but let’s look at the arsenic, mercury, and other toxic elements deliberately added to certain TCM remedies, shall we?