Question:
I'm trying to turn the same skeptic's eye on the alternative medicine field that I do on drug companies'pitches. In both cases, follow the money. The drug companies' goals areto...make drugs and sell them at a profit! When a drug company informs me about a product, I ask - is it safe?is it effective for what it's supposed to do? What evidence is thereto back up the claim? Are there similar drugs the produce the sameeffect? Are they cheaper? What compelling reason is there that Ishould use this drug? CAN WE GET THE SAME RESULTS BY USING NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL METHODS (E.G. DIET, EXERCISE?)

Answer: I want to make an explicit distinction between what #1) I wouldrecommend, and #2) what interests A PARTICULAR PATIENT has inalternative remedies.

I am not happy with RECOMMENDING any nutritional supplements whichare not shown to be effective. I acknowledge that some people feelbetter after some alternative treatments, and I generally amcomfortable with that (if you want more on this issues, please see myposting on the "Alternative Medicine - Give me Feedback" thread at thissite.)

I feel that I must substantiate in my own mind that a recommendationis both safe and effective before I recommend it.

The nonpharmacological methods I'm referring to: regular exercise,losing weight (as a majority of Americans need to do), STOP SMOKING!!!!Use alcohol only in moderation, limit caffeine use, get regular sleep,eat more fiber and less fat...I could go on. People don't seem to getexcited about this approach - it's a lot less sexy than popping a pill(drug company OR "alternative provider.")

One thing that depresses the s*** out of me is that the AlternativeMedicine site doesn't tell these stories: "Hey, I'm exercising, and mydepression is better!" "I quit smoking and my angina is almostgone!" "I lost 50 pounds, and my diabetes is much better!" "I cansleep, I can run, I can live, I can enjoy life!" Instead, I see a lotof pushing dubious and expensive remedies with minimal possiblesubstantiation. Ozone generators...all of the schoolchildren in LosAngeles have been shown to have inpaired respiratory functionattributed to air pollution; and ozone, one of the big players in LosAngeles air pollution, is being touted as an alternative health BENEFIT.

All that I flamed off about the drug companies goes true with a hellof a lot of "alternative health providers." FOLLOW THE MONEY. Theyare in the business to make a profit. One of the major "AlternativeProviders" is on the New York Stock Exchange...what do you think theirstockholders want? I'm surprised that there's not more attention paidby people supporting alternative medicine to phony "alternativeprovider" ripoff artists. If the phonies could be exposed, a lot ofpeople would be less disillusioned by alternative medicine.