I think alternative therapy and Eastern medicine is on the increase in this country. I personally have known a few people who believed herbs are more effective, safe and cheaper then modern drugs. An example is some people might prefer to take garlic to thin blood, lower blood pressure and lower cholestrol over taking multiple, expensive brand name drugs. Accupuncture has been show by some to relieve stress and certain chemicals in the blood associated with heart disease and other health concerns. My gf knows a friend working at a college here in Minneapolis which has started specializes in alternative therapies and medicines.

You see the advertisement on tv for books like, 'Secret Cures they don't want you to know about.' They seem to make the modern drug industry into an evil giant, which only cares about the responsibility to stock holders to pursue big profits. They claim the modern drug industry and the FDA are in bed together, that the protocols are NOT written up to find CURES. They claim the drug industry only wants to 'treat the symptoms', so that you will be taking drugs for the rest of your miserable life and they profit from you for the rest of your life. I did a sixteen page report for a class a few years back on the FDA and alternative medicines. The FDA requires that nobody can make a claim that a 'non-made man', synthesized drug can be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, illness or injury. A place selling herbs can not legally say what they can be used for, however they can sell you the herbs. Vitamin manufactures might put labels on their products not stating, 'This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intentended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.'

I think people with cancer and other serious problems are the biggest victims of all. With most cancers doctors really can't offer much hope to patients and treatsments are expensive, involve massive doses of chemotherapy and radiation. Some alternative therapies and medicines claim to put the cancer into total remission within months. They claim they have the miracle cure and the answer patients so desperately need and want to hear.

The modern health care system in American usually doesn't or look for the root cause of a disease, condition or problem. To make such a possible diagnoses doesn't always change the treatment and it is very costly and time consuming. Doctors have the job to write up drug prescriptions based on 'symptoms.'

I believe the interest in alternative therapy is a barometer, as to how poorly or well our modern health care system is dealing with disease and patients. It is a symptom of the disease of our health care system and our unhealthy, Americanized life style. It is also a indirect indication as to how many people are not properly insured in this country(1 out of 7).

Quakewatch is a good website. Anyone seen, Michael Moore - SiCKO?

This is a topic people have strong opinions about.

Fun though it would be to go through the list of alternative therapies and debunk them one by one - fortunately, Quackwatch has done that already. Better yet, the articles are written by medical professionals, and all the statements are fully sourced.

Shall we start with the "A"s?

Acupuncture won't give you any long-term benefit - but what about the risks? "A survey of 1,135 Norwegian physicians revealed 66 cases of infection, 25 cases of punctured lung, 31 cases of increased pain, and 80 other cases with complications. A parallel survey of 197 acupuncturists, who are more apt to see immediate complications, yielded 132 cases of fainting, 26 cases of increased pain, 8 cases of pneumothorax, and 45 other adverse results" (Norheim JA, Fennebe V. Adverse effects of acupuncture. Lancet 345:1576, 1995.)

I could continue. But instead, I will refer you back to Quackwatch.

I think there are several complex factors at work. To start with the system is not setup to find out if any herbs, natural treatments or alternative therapy have a desired effect or not. I would agree that most alternative medicines and therapies are scams designed to make big profits fast and feed off the need people have. Big pharma is not interested if any naturally occuring free or cheap herb or plant can offer any natural benefit.

Ask a doctor? That is making the assumption everyone has a doctor to ask! Even at that, doctors can't legally give their opinion or advice on any regimen or drug not governed by the FDA. Big pharma invests a good amount of money into paying for loans and or grants for medical doctors. Medical doctors are some what owned by big pharma, so I could understand why some people have distrust in our medical health care system. They effectively push high cost drugs with dangerous side effects for anything.

I am not supporting the idea of using herbs or alternative medicines. But, good medical science has the responsibility to at least do well documented, unbiased trials to make the truth well known.

The medical health care system in the United States doesn't rate among the world best and you can't blame anyone for wanting to investigate alternatives.

Here is an article I just ran into today on Science Daily.

Consuming Extra Virgin Olive Oil Helps To Combat Degenerative Diseases Such As Cancer, Study Suggests

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080117101503.htm

Exactly. Your doctor is unlikely to promote anything not fully-sanctioned by the FDA. The FDA has little or no interest in natural supplements which cannot be patented by pharmaceutical companies. There have been a few notable exceptions, such as the FDA's approval of health claims for soy and soluble fiber for heart heath.

The kind of studies produced by pharmaceutical companies will happen very slowly (if at all) for supplements. Unfortunately, most of these studies are conducted by universities with very limited funding. Hopefully the number and quality of studies will increase over time.

Until then though, I have personally found sufficient evidence for drinking green tea, taking fish oil, and intake of antioxidants (mostly dietary, but some supplements like alpha-lipoic acid). If I'm wrong and they're all quackery, what did I lose? About $15/mo - which isn't much for me.

I wasn't clear, was I?

Ask your doctor if you are using alternative therapies to treat a particular disease. They can't tell you if it will work, but they can tell you if it is safe. It is especially important if you are also on prescription medication. Some herbal remedies DO conflict (possibly dangerously) with other drugs, so please be safe.

What any of you do on the basis of "it might possibly make me healthier" is none of my business (I just think it's a terrible waste of money).