Posted by BarbaraCat on August 21, 2002, at 18:10:20
In reply to Re: Mercola and Quackwatchers » BarbaraCat, posted by Randal on August 19, 2002, at 19:53:25
Hi Randall,
Your comments are appreciated and well-taken. You're very right-on about how most of us wouldn't be here were it not for western medicine. I know I wouldn't. No matter how many naturopaths or accupuncturists I go to, I take my psych drugs with a prayer of thanks each day. St. John's Wort may be effective for some folks, but certainly not for me. Also, when I've had a serious illness, accident, or any acute condition, my first thought is ER! primary care doc! dentist! pain medication!!! Medical researchers are coming up with miracles and even though I grouse about how medical care has devolved with the HMO era, I'll not stop paying my insurance premiums.My point wasn't with the AMA (oh, maybe some), but more with Quackwatchers. They've lambasted quite a few 'marginal' healing methods that turn off people who might be helped. So much of their reporting style is the rolling of the eyes, can you believe these kooks category. I remember a few years ago the roasting they gave homeopathy, and another their scathing views on the mercury dental amalgam opponents. As far as the 'esteemed groups' you asked I cite, well, the royal family's physician is a homeopath. In fact, much of European medicine takes homeopathy, as well as banning mercury amalgams very seriously. Homeopathy may not show up on 'sensitive clinical lab tests', but something else is going on that shouldn't be dismissed so lightly. The smallpox vaccine is a good case in point of homeopathy's law of similars. Also, other esteemed groups of folks that come to mind are Chinese doctors and healers who have studied some pretty esoteric stuff for thousands of years - and are finally given credence to by western medicine.
Speaking of vaccines, something not widely known is the fact that since the 1930's, most vaccines have been preserved with thimerosal. Thimerosal contains mercury and these vaccines are being implicated in autism and asperger's syndrome. Even though this is a growing alarm, it's still not 'clinically proven' so there's no need to stop. The real reason is that it's expensive to do so.
You make a good statement about who's interests are being served. That is the question. I'd say that anyone in competition for our money, whether on the internet or otherwise, is suspect of not having our personal benefits as their reason d'etre. Although there's alot of cooperation and dialog between the alternative/alleopathic factions, it's still in early stages and both sides get defensive. I sure do and I waffle from one side to the other. So, that's my soapbox speech and we'll probably get bumped to psycho-social pretty soon anyway.
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> Modern medicine has been responsible for a dramatic increase in over the last 100 years. This is largely due to two things: antibiotics and vaccines.
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> The mainstream medical community, which has been responsible for these advances, is not in a conspiracy to wreck our health. Scientists and physicians have devoted their lives to find cures and treatments for what ails us.
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> Think of the difference it would make in sub-Saharan Africa if there were an AIDS vaccine, to again mention the good of vaccines. Lifespans there have decreased as much as 20 years in some countries! The research and medical community does not want to see people suffer. You may possibly be here to read this only because we have vaccines for smallpox, polio, measles, etc.
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> Look at the organizations who make health claims. One can certainly criticize the AMA (American Medical Association) for their power as a political lobby, yet they have no reason to recommend things that endanger our health. They have been at the forefront of promoting healthier diets. The Stoll fish-oil study, which more than anything has catalyzed the use of fish-oil as a treatment for psychiatric disorders (and which started this thread), was published in the Archives of General Psychiatry. This is in fact the psychiatry journal of the AMA!
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> By the way, what are these "more esteemed circles" who greet Quackwatch with "derision and sniggers". Examples, please. Unsubstantiated claims should always be questioned.
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> Again, look at which organizations support which health claims. Who stands to make a profit? Who do you trust? I'm sorry, but there is no conspiracy by the medical establishment to perpetuate illness. Look at their track record over the last 100 years.
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> Randal
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> > Hi Scott,
> > I checked out Dr. Mercola's website and agree with you. His ideas are somewhat severe, but I know from my own research and experience that he's right on. The only downside I see is in the strictness of his health plan. But that doesn't detract from the soundness of his ideas. I guess the negative reactions are typical from those who will not look further or will not look within, and his being exiled to 'Quack-dom' is pretty extreme and rather ridiculous.
> >
> > Listen up, folks, ignore what he has to say at your peril (what, flouride bad for me? bah! What's wrong with vaccinations anyway?). He's by no means the first one to sound these warnings about our water, lousy diets, electronic pollution, insulin resistance, animal and human vaccination-induced illness, etc. There are definitely things out there that we'd prefer not to see, and it's so much easier to just drive on up to a McDonald's. Spongiform encephalitis with fries, anyone? You know, one has to be discerning with everthing and not be conned or hoodwinked - the research has to be done impeccably. There's so much crap that will readily relieve you of your money. But Quackwatchers throws the baby out with the bathwater. They throw in a few good nuggets and then flood you with disinformation. They're pretty much greeted with derision and sniggers in more esteemed circles than are ever reported in US News, CNS, or God forbid, the AMA.
> >
> > > People, please all go to http://www.mercola.com and check out some of his info on fish oil (do a search for fish oil). Also, while you're there, check out his eating plan. I think it's been the best thing for me, I'll never eat another way. I feel so good.
> > >
> > > -Scott
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> >
> >
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poster:BarbaraCat
thread:111261
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020821/msgs/117304.html