I'm on vacation this week! Woot! I really needed a getaway and heard that Tree of Life (Dr. Gabriel Cousens retreat center) had a Thanksgiving day celebration. "It's only a 15 hour drive" I thought to myself. I can handle that. Since I'm passing through El Paso and met the lovely Lisa from the Vegetarian Society of El Paso at the Chili Cook-off, she helped me set up a book signing here. So I'm here in El Paso, staying with my friend's parents who just went vegan a week or so ago, relaxing and such. I head to Patagonia, Arizona tomorrow for three days of bliss and relaxation. So I wasn't going to post anything this week (except a guest recipe post).
Until this happened:
As my friend's dad and I were sharing some Coconut Bliss Granola we chatted about his high cholesterol, his travels to other countries where he lost weight even though he ate more, and how he wasn't on any medication. He told me how he went to the doctor for a routine check-up and they were shocked that he wasn't on ANY medication. The doctor was literally taken a back and didn't believe him. It has become the norm for anyone over the age of 40 to be on at least one if not 10 different medications. I'm reminded of another friend who recently told me her father was on fifteen (yes 15) medications.
How did the United States become such a place where it's the norm that everyone be on medication?? It's not like this in other parts of the world. Since I am not in western medicine circles and haven't had many chances to sit over tea and granola with people of an older generation, our conversation was enlightening. He informed me that doctors have to prescribe medications because they can get sued by their patients if something happens to them. If a patient has complications due to their high cholesterol, and the doctor didn't give them a pill for said high cholesterol a jury will side with the patient saying the doctor was negligent. If the doctor told him or her to eat less foods that are high in cholesterol, change their diet, get exercise and be less sedentary alone without a prescription the doctor is liable for that patient's health. WHAT???
So not only are doctors getting kick-backs from the pharmaceutical companies for prescribing meds they are doing so to protect their asses. They will hand you a sheet that tells you what kinds of foods to eat to help you reduce your cholesterol as well as prescribe a pill that will help lower it. Guess who created that list? Probably a mix of the FDA, USDA, and AMA; all organizations that are in the pockets of big business and have no real interest in your health. This list will include foods like meat and dairy, which are high in cholesterol and contribute to your problem. How many of you have been to a doctor that suggested a mostly or all plant-based diet to you to lower cholesterol?
How have we turned into a society that has no self-responsibility whatsoever? It's maddening.
Doctors are not responsible for anyone's health and well-being. YOU are responsible for your health. No doctor can fix your health issues and it's not really their responsibility. Sure they can give you a pill that will be a band-aid to your symptoms, never truly fixing your ailment or disease. If you want to actually cure yourself of anything you must change your diet and lifestyle. Pills keep symptoms at bay, maybe make your life a little more comfortable, but in the long run they cause more harm than good.
If I told you that you could cure anything, be off all your medications, have more energy, feel and look 20 years younger, save thousands of dollars each year, live 20 years longer and see your grandchildren grow up wouldn't you do anything to make that happen? Doesn't that sound just awesome??
It's never too late. My dad at the age of 65 is living proof that changing one's diet can transform your health, literally curing what ails you, helping you get off your medications. So why aren't more people taking charge of their health? There doesn't seem to be one answer, but there is hope for us. The younger generations will rise up, make change, educate others, share their knowledge. I feel like we are on the brink of something big. A tipping point is nearing. Even though the state of our country saddens me I can't get depressed. I must use this as fuel to help others, to set a good example, to live my truth, to be the change.
Be the change.
(Granted western medicine does have purpose for fixing broken bones and such. I'm not saying it's totally worthless.)
Tuesday, November 22, 2011 - 7:31 am
Preach on, sista! I highly agree with your opinions. It's the same thing in Canada. And it's the very reason I am so resistant to go on any medications that are prescribed by my doctor without digging further and figuring out the root cause of the health issue. I think the majority of health issues in North America can be treated with a simple change in lifestyle and eating habits. It maddens me that we have been brainwashed into believing medication is the only answer.
Monday, November 28, 2011 - 2:47 am
I figured it must be the same way there too. It is maddening! Thankfully our friends and family can be touched by our light and we will continue to fight this brainwashing. Hugs!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011 - 1:22 am
I work in a medical office. Many of our patients are on 10+ medications. That's very common. And I believe most of the conditions that are being treated are brought on or worsened by the standard American diet and lifestyle. From what I've observed, often, a patient is given a time to try out lifestyle changes to reduce the beginning disease process of high cholesterol, diabetes or hypertension without medications. Most of the time, the patient doesn't stick with changes and comes back wanting a pill. Every pill has side effects and there is often a domino effect where the side effects need another pill to take care of them, and so on, and so on. This isn't just in older folks, either. We see thirty-somethings with metabolic syndrome (the triple threat of high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes.) I can also tell you that doctors formal education doesn't adequately cover nutrition or natural healing. And much of the continuing education information is rapidly changing and often comes from the drug companies standpoints. Kickbacks and perks are less of an issue now, however, which is why we see so much advertising for drugs, they are educating the public to ask for the new miracle medications. We would do well to remember that education is often with a bent or an agenda. I do believe most doctors do want to help people. The money is just not that great when you factor in the cost of the lives they lead, on call 24/7 much of the time, the stress, the toll on family life, the expenses of liability insurance, overhead, and staff.
We are responsible for our own lives. In all areas. I answer for what I say and do at work, in my relationships, and my finances. We need to remember that health is something within our control, too. Not 100% but far more that what we think.
On a personal note. My husband is on three medications for Rheumatoid Arthritis. He had worsened to the point they began discussing adding injectibles to his medication cocktail (He was on 5 meds). At that point it scared me enough that we rethought our lives. We stopped the Standard American Diet, went to organic, local and whole food. His disease responded. Didn't go away but became more tolerable and he avoided the injectibles and was able to get rid of two of his medications. In April we went Whole Foods/Plant Based (Vegan) and his body has responded further. He is still on the three meds, but his hands look almost normal and his flareups are few and far between. I believe he will go into remission and be able to come off of those meds.
Monday, November 28, 2011 - 2:46 am
Thanks for sharing Kelly! It’s sad that people aren’t willing to change their diets, especially when WE know it’s so easy and satisfying to do so.
Have you checked out a macrobiotic diet for his arthritis? There’s also inflammation elimination diets out there that use some of the macrobiotic principles in reducing arthritis. Congrats on going whole food vegan! I have a feeling over time, reducing nightshades, sugar, alcohol and other acidic foods he can get even better! I do consulting if you need guidance for his condition or can put you in touch with a macrobiotic counselor that can go more in depth with him.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011 - 4:26 am
We're so excited to have you!
Sarah
Wednesday, November 23, 2011 - 5:26 am
LOVE your blog and completely agree that we have an over-medicated North American population. It is really quite sad. However, what about conditions like bipolar? I do not think this is something veganism and working out can heal. Please enlighten me if I am incorrect, but I have vegan friends who have trouble accepting that their bipolar meds help them and prevent them from feeling suicidal. They want to be off of their meds. I can understand this feeling, but I think its a dangerous idea.
Also- what do we women do about contraception? I take the pill and love not getting pregnant, but do wrestle with forking out a ton of money for it, some side effects, and hate supporting Big Pharma. Am I the only one who struggles with this?
Monday, November 28, 2011 - 2:41 am
Hi! I personally believe that food is all powerful and healing for most conditions, especially mental/psychological. When a healing food plan is mixed with therapy, meditation, other healing modalities I think anything is possible and I’ve seen it. But most people are not willing to give up toxic foods, like sugar, alcohol etc and eat a clean diet and do the serious work that would be needed. It’s much easier to take a pill.
Personally for me I do not take birth control and would never take it. It is horrible for a woman’s body, though I think there are some methods that do not cause such wreckage nowadays (like the copper wire thing?) I’m all for natural methods though that takes a lot of work as well. I’m sort of a purist and I’m willing to do the extra work needed to not deal with those side effects. But you gotta do what’s right for you!
Monday, November 28, 2011 - 6:39 am
[...] beautiful people! Thank you for your comments on my western medicine rant and your emails. I was thrilled to receive an email from my friend Betty at PCRM.org who let me [...]
Monday, December 12, 2011 - 3:42 pm
I'm a scientific reviewer for the FDA, and think that it's very unfair to say we are corrupt and don't care about patient safety or health.