Quackpots take Aim at Chelation Study

The usual small group of suspects have recently tried to stop the NIH-funded Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy and discredit every dedicated physician who has ever been associated with chelation for treatment of vascular disease, including yours truly. This group files complaints about good doctors and then serves as expert witnesses for exorbitant fees from medical boards across the country. They usually lose, but they still get their fees, and they cause the docs to spend large sums to defend themselves. The latest quackpot article was published in Medscape, an on-line journal. The NIH, the several medical schools who sponsor TACT, and most of the docs who were defamed have decided to ignore the article rather than be defensive. The quackpots should eventually sink by their own deteriorating reputations.

More than Half of Americans Take Prescription Drugs

The Associated Press reported on May 14 that 51% of adults and children in the US now take at least one prescription drug for a chronic medical condition. Most common are drugs to lower cholesterol and to reduce blood pressure. This could mean that Americans are getting sicker and more obese or that doctors are getting more aggressive or that massive advertising campaigns by drug companies are working. Not mentioned in the article are the resulting impact on the rising cost of health care and the side effects caused by these very same drugs. Herbal blends and nutritional supplements can get the same results, cheaper and safer. A knowledgeable integrative physician can give you guidance.
Contact the International College of Integrative Medicine or the American College for Advancement in Medicine

FDA Finally Admits the Dangers of Amalgum Fillings

Charlie Brown, the brother of our Ohio senator, has been determined to win the battle against mercury in dental fillings. On June 6, he reported that a lawsuit against the FDA was settled, winning a ten-year struggle against the American Dental Association and the FDA. The FDA no longer insists that amalgums are safe. Their official policy states that there are serious health concerns posed by amalgums for children, fetuses, pregnant women and those with mercury sensitivity or high levels of the same. Neurotoxicity can result, which we have known for many years. No longer can dentists lose their licenses simply for discussing this possibility.
For more info, contact web@ProtectHealthcareFreedom.org or http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/amalgams.html

Physicians Commit Suicide More Frequently than Any Other Profession

A new documentary due to be shown on PBS stations in May, 2008 explores why physicians are the leading profession in committing suicides: “Struggling in Silence: Physician Depression and Suicide”. There are many pressures for being a physician and modern medicine is discouraging in many ways, from third party relations to massive debt to malpractice insurance. If you want a doctor who is excited about medicine and who really has fun helping people, I suggest you find an Integrative Doc. The docs I know who have chosen this field are a lot happier than most physicians in the United States, mainly because their practices are so much more positive than prescribing drugs and surgery all day long.
Contact the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Family Practice News April 15, 2008).

Prevention Trumps Surgery for Coronary Heart Disease-Chelation Therapy Works in My Experience

Dr. Simon Capewell reported at a spring, 2008 American Heart Association Conference that despite their enormous cost, angioplasty, stents and bypass together accounted for only 5% of the reduction in cardiac mortality since 1980. Even adding all the drugs prescribed for cardiac, hypertensive and cholesterol treatment, surgical and medical therapy accounted for only one-third of the reduction in mortality. Lifestyle improvements accounted for more than 2/3 of the improvements, and that number was dragged down some by an increase in obesity and diabetes. Integrative Medicine’s impact was not measured. My experience is that one of the best therapies for CHD is chelation therapy, but so far this therapy is not even considered by most physicians.
Contact Amercian Heart Association, Family Practice News (April 15,2008) or the Celebration of Health Association

Control Hypertension in the Elderly the Right Way

The HYVET study in England showed that a reduction of blood pressure to a target of 150/80 significantly reduced mortality. This study was reassuring to doctors because some previous studies did not demonstrate that such a reduction was effective. What was the difference? Perhaps it was the use of safer drugs. The safest and one of the most effective therapies for hypertension in my experience is not a drug at all. Blood Pressure Natural Relief is an herbal blend that is very effective in controlling blood pressure with virtually no side effects. It is cheap and easy to take as well. Contact Celebration of Health Association (800-866-4627) to get this treatment, but you have to be an active patients to be treated.
The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, March 31, 2008.

Hip and Knee Replacement Rates Skyrocket-Try Prolotherapy Instead

The April 15, 2008 issue of Arthritis Care and Research reports that joint replacements are on track to overwhelm the health care system. At the current rates of expansion, the number of these procedures will triple by 2015 and increase sevenfold by 2030. The growth in Obesity is a major factor. Arthritis drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin) and cox-2 inhibitors (Celebrex) have no affect on the progress of the disease and frequently cause serious side effects, such as heart attacks, kidney failure and ulcers. Not only should we control our weight, but we should also take glucosamine and consider prolotherapy injections to strengthen ligaments and avoid the need for surgery.
Contact AMA News (May 5, 2008) and Prolotherapy Doctor Listing - getprolo.com