Hey Shootie,
First, how are you! Your PMs meant a great deal to me in a very tough time last year. CW followed a lot of your recommendations. He has had a good year so far.
Last fall, I went to a doctor for my incurable cough. He used to be a normal ENT doc, but when I got into the office, it turned out he no longer practices purely Western medicine, but is not a "Wellness Doctor". He believes Western medicine has a very important place, that it's the best for the unusual, the traumatic. But for normal everyday health, he turns to a holistic approach that seeks a balance among the body's systems. Sadly, my insurance didn't agree with him, and refuses to consider him approved and while I spent a lot of money on the initial tests, I really couldn't justify continuing or taking all his advice. What I did do however, was take away his diet recommendations (although I fail miserably and often) and his vitamins, which he sells through his office. and his exercise plan (at which I also fail miserably).
These vitamins are produced by a company that has voluntarily submitted them for approval and it's the only company he uses. He gave me a study that showed many of the vitamins and supplements on the market, when tested, contained only small amounts, or none, of the alleged ingredients. (I was arguing for saving money by mail ordering or Walmarting.)
So I can see where Alan has a point about responsibility and accountability. You don't always know what you are getting. But I completely agree with you about placing it in the hands of the FDA, which Dr K believes acts against our best interests and is merely an arm of the pharmaceuticals who have a vested interest in NOT really curing us. Could there not be some way of at least making sure what you are getting is what is advertised without this being a "medical" issue- the way we test certain foods.
Dr K is convinced that if one followed his plan completely, one could live to be 140. I don't really want to live that long, frankly, but I would like to live our my years feeling GOOD. And I think this kind of thread and sharing of information is always helpful from any POV.
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