The Wall Street Journal

‘Alternative’ Medicine Is Mainstream

Deepak Chopra, Dean Ornish, Rustum Roy, Andrew Weil

The evidence is mounting that what was formerly called ‘alternative medicine’ should be combined with ‘traditional medicine’ and focus on the science—what works and is cost-effective. Last year $2.1 trillion was spent on health care in the U.S., or 16.5% of the gross national product. One-hundred billion dollars was spent on 2 high-cost cardiology procedures—coronary angioplasty and $48,399 each and coronary bypass surgery at $99,753 each in 2006. Neither of these 2 procedures has been shown to prolong life, and they are dangerous and invasive. At the same time, very little money is being paid to provide ‘alternative’ treatments that have been proven to prevent most chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease. This article makes a call to move past the debate of alternative medicine ‘verses’ traditional medicine, and to focus on what works, what doesn’t, for whom and under which circumstances.

Dr. Gardner’s comments: What a refreshing, well-written article to appear in a widely read paper. The research base in ‘alternative’ medicine is much stronger than ‘traditional’ medicine. Herbs are just as effective as medications and have far fewer side effects. In addition to providing superior and safer cardiac care, alternative medicine provides amazing care in the case of neurologic conditions, such as strokes, through hyperbaric oxygen treatments. These are not reimbursed by insurance, yet they have equal research support to the traditional insurance-company-approved diagnoses. Diet, supplement and lifestyle changes are still the most effective treatments for the chronic diseases, yet powerful lobbyists drive media and government support, so instead of common sense, we get treatment prescribed by pharmaceuticals, food producers and marketers. At the core of all this is this maxim: Personal responsibility and affordable opportunity need to be at the forefront of the health care program.