Over
the past two decades, more and more research continues to
show that various supplements and herbal extracts are potent
and safe remedies for many disease states. These studies
do not get the same publicity or national press attention
as pharmaceutical studies for obvious political and economic
entrenchments. However, with more people seeking alternative
therapies, and with the advent of communication and educational
advancements (i.e the internet) more and more information
on the efficacy of various supplements is being dispersed.
A recent survey demonstrated that the 4th leading cause
of death in hospitals was the appropriate use of appropriately
recommended drugs in the appropriate doses.(1) As a result,
many people are starting to look for alternative ways to
prevent the onset of disease through supplementation and
treat current disease states with natural remedies.
I believe that many disease states come
from various nutritional deficiencies brought about largely
by our diets. A study done by Northwestern University showed
the tremendous difference in mineral content between organic
and inorganic produce. The results are that many of us are
walking around with various sub-clinical vitamin and mineral
deficiencies that over time have serious consequences on
our health. In an extreme turn around, the Journal of American
Medicine recommended that in order to stave off chronic
disease all Americans should take a multi-vitamin. This
flies in the face of the previously held notion that the
only thing you got with a supplement was “expensive
pee”.
I strongly believe in the innate wisdom
of the body. I believe that all accompanying signs and symptoms
of any chronic illness are the bodies attempt to regulate
its own processes. Drugs act by halting symptoms but rarely
act on the underlying cause of the problem, in effect your
turning off the fire alarm…not the fire. Supplements
generally act to feed various body systems and help improve
our metabolism allowing the body to heal itself.
I try and detect the proper supplemental
program for my patients through symptom survey forms, diet
logs, traditional blood tests, metabolic testing, and through
Applied Kinesiology. I primarily use Standard Process, Designs
for Health, Biotics, and Dr. Schulzes supplements and herbals.
1. Dr. Byron Braid, Education
for European Biological Medicine, Marion, MA, 5/5/02
