A recent report in the Wall Street Journal stated that Steven Nissen, a Cleveland Clinic cardiologist, is urging the FDA to raise its standards for approving drugs prescribed for diabetes. Dr. Nissen wants to ensure that the prescription drugs that treat one disease effectively do not cause damage in another area. As an example, Vytorin and Avandia, both anti-diabetes drugs, have been shown to cause cardiovascular disease.
Herein lies the problem with all medications: we call it “side effects.” Side effects are a misnomer. All drugs have effects on the body, not just “side effects.” Some of the effects are desirable and others are lethal. Many drugs exist on the market today that have been proven effective in one arena (ex: lower blood sugar levels) while at the same time they have other, harmful effects that can injure or kill the patient (ex: cause cardiovascular disease). If drugs are to be truly effective, they cannot target and aid just one part of the body system, if they are causing damage to another body system.
This study brings out the importance of looking at all areas of potential risk to a patient before prescribing any medications—and even more importantly, minimizing drug use wherever possible. Bottom line? There ARE safe alternatives to drugs and surgery!
My doctor says I can get all the vitamins and minerals I need from my food. What is your opinion on this?
I used to say the same thing to my patients, back in the days before I studied healthy alternatives. It is the party line of allopathic medicine, although that is starting to change. Here's the bottom line, and I'll follow up with some info on what allopaths are now doing:
4 responses so far ↓
1 Philip Rudnick // Jul 5, 2008 at 9:30 pm
1)We give drugs a pass when we accept the terminology used by the Medical Establishment of the
“side effects” of a drug.
I suggest that the expression “collateral effects” may be more accurate.
2) Re:” A recent report in the Wall Street Journal…”
Where is the report?
2 Bob C // Jul 7, 2008 at 9:52 pm
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121495996433621583.html
Wall Street Journal
FDA Urged to Test
Diabetes Drugs’ Heart Risk
By JARED A. FAVOLE
July 2, 2008; Page D3
3 Dr. Stan Gardner // Jul 8, 2008 at 5:52 am
Thanks for your help, Bob
4 Chris Lee // Jul 1, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Thank you for the great info and wonderful website. If you send or start sending any newsletters please include my email on the list. Sincerely, Chris Lee
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