Doctors an Alternative medicine?
Posted by admin on Aug 9, 2009
Why do many doctors totally discredit nutrition and supplements in health care? Is it because they dont know anything about it since their training in medicine was deficient in nutrition and totally lacks any training in the use of herbs and supplements (Barring Naturopathic Physicians and some Osteopaths)?
I understand that supplements are unregulated, and not subject to the same standards of quality control, but it seems like very often doctors will just crap all over anything that is a natural supplement, even when there is scientific evidence and studies to support its use.
As far as the ignorance posted by Angrydoc, why dont you provide some sources on the minimum nutrition requirements to graduate from med school nationally? What I remember reading is that the number of minimum recommended contact hours averages out to about 2 college credits, but if you have more info then share it.
As far as your study on ‘vitamins’, a lot of vitamins are crap. A lot of minerals absorb poorly unless they are chelated. A lot of vitamins need to be in their organic form. That is why better vitamins will be food based and contain organic forms of various nutrients, and crappy grocery store vitamins are a waste despite being cheaper, at least for some nutrients.
That study did not prove that all supplements do not work, only that some dont work for very specific things. Heart disease is generally related to excess in the diet, not deficiency, so what is the point in that second study you posted?
Chelated iron is safer and more effective than prescription iron.
Hi Nick. Your understanding is basically correct. I would note one important issue: the FDA DOES regulate nutritional supplements, but the regulations are different than for prescription drugs.
Best wishes and good luck.
Hi Nick. Your understanding is basically correct. I would note one important issue: the FDA DOES regulate nutritional supplements, but the regulations are different than for prescription drugs.
Best wishes and good luck.
References :
Doctors know a lot about nutrition. They know that too much fat and salt is harmful. They know that a diet rich in vegetables and fruits reduces risk of cancer. They study the role of nutrients and vitamins in the chemical processes of the human body. They study deficiencies and vitamin overdoses and how to treat them. They look at studies about the benefits and risks of vitamins supplements. New medicines are extracted from studies of herbs and other plants. Basically you don’t know what you’re talking about.
New studies have shown that vitamin supplements don’t have very much benefit. Show me your source where it says there are benefits. Source must be from a scientific article, not testimonials. If you can’t then shut up.
edit:
Oh, it’s you again, Mr. 5 full length classes in nutrition. What are you driving at?
References :
http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/health/Vitamin-Supplements-Dont-Fight-Cancer-Study-Says.html
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2009/02/vitamins_women.html
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17108-vitamin-supplements-may-cut-benefits-of-exercise.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/104188.php
No doctor discredits nutrition. You are using weasel words.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weasel_words
Supplements are no substitute for a healthy balanced diet. Unless there is a deficiency that can’t otherwise be corrected. All doctors know this and it is based in sound medical science.
Science is the study of nature, and medical science studies natural sources for potential medicines. There are reports everyday about this if you read science news. Medical science is the best method we have for discovering, refining, and producing safe, effective treatments.
So why do quacks utilize medical science and profit from it, while trying discredit it? You can’t have it both ways.
References :
Doctors tend not to crap on stuff that has actual scientific evidence and/or studies behind it.
I’m thinking that if you look more closely at the stuff you’ve seen them crap on, you’d find out that it isn’t really supported by evidence or studies.
With alternative medicine, not only are standards horrifically low, but dishonesty runs rampant. For example, homeopath Dana Ullman loves to cite a study that showed homeopathy is no better than placebo, as actually saying homeopathy has some effect. And many other studies have shown homeopathy is completely ineffective in the years since that study was published.
A little research goes a long way. You need to have an open mind but also be able to think critically.
I don’t know where this chelated metal nonsense got into your mind but the way you’re dismissing AngryDoc you’re not getting off to a good start.
References :
Unless a person plans to become a nutritionist they do not need extensive study in nutrition. They don’t train real doctors in the use of the kinds of herbs and supplements that you’re talking about for the same reason that they don’t train them how to use a magic wand. They don’t work. Doctors rely on science, maybe if you did too you would understand the truth of the matter a little better. The third link explains why you are wrong about chelation. The first two explain some problems with supplements, namely that they don’t do anything and often contain poison.
References :
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31190909/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31088175/ns/health-alternative_medicine/
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/chelation.html