8 of 9 docs who said to lower cholesterol level profit from drug companies

[madfloridian]

http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/5036162.html

SNIP..."But when these famous doctors advised the government recently on new cholesterol guidelines for the public, something else they had in common wasn't revealed.

Eight of the nine were making money from the very companies whose cholesterol-lowering drugs they were urging upon millions more Americans. Two own stock in them. Two others went to work for drug companies shortly after working on the guidelines. Another was a senior government scientist who moonlights for 10 companies and even serves on one of their boards.

Consumer groups and others now are questioning not only the advice these doctors gave but also their fundamental ability to act in the public's best interest....."

[drdtroit]

1. And to whom is this surprising??? n/t

[madfloridian]

2. It is not surprising to ME, but it was to our doctor.

Some of them are not quite awake yet. I mentioned this to her a few days ago, and she was surprised.

[candy]

5. Agreed,what else would we expect from the drug companies!

Life was much better before they could advertise.

We are becoming a drugged nation.

I DESPISE Big Pharma.

[LunaC]

3. Another entry in the medical "Hall of Shame"

I loathe MD's as much a lawyers. Thank goodness I'm reasonably healthy and can rely solely on alternative medicine.

[Cleita]

7. That's fine until you get old and then you will need a doctor.

Old age diseases often require a lot of professional care and drugs to treat. I would like to see young people get on the bandwagon to reform how health care is done in this country other than the afterthought of "thank god I'm still healthy and don't need it". The persons that will benefit, besides you in your old age, could be your grandparents, your parents and your children.

[LunaC]

10. I've already seen the creep of aging

and so far there hasn't been anything that couldn't be treated outside the MD's office. I've been a proponent of holistic/alternative medicine for 30+ years so I know my stuff. That may not be the case for most people, hence their reliance on the medical "professionals" who are too often likely to do more harm than good. Doctors have no financial incentive to hone their craft - they get paid whether you get better or worse, live or die.

People were healing themselves with great success for thousands of years before the AMA came on the scene. It is interesting to note that the first medical schools were financed by Carnegie and Rockefeller who insisted that pharmaceuticals be emphasized as part of the curriculum and that they had financial interests in the burgeoning pharmaceutical industry. Right from the beginning there was a conflict of interests.

Today, prescription drugs are the fourth leading cause of death in the industrialized world according to a 1998 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association. (The article didn't address drug abuse or overdoses, but rather, adverse effects from appropriately administered, FDA-approved drugs.) Physician-prescribed medicine kills more people annually than illegal drugs.

So I choose to take full responsibility for my own health rather than place my trust in someone who really couldn't care less about my well-being. To each of their own choosing.

[Cleita]

12. I'm not disagreeing with you.

However, I can guarantee you that you can't do your own hip replacement surgery, kidney dialysis or cataract surgery. Also, drugs that help people with old age degenerative diseases must be prescribed. Although I too have used herbs instead of prescription medication, sometimes I can't obtain them anymore. For instance, I used to control my asthma and allergies with Ma Hua tea (Ephedra), which is now being taken off the market because of it's abuse by athletes and dieters. We do need to heal our health care system, so it can work for everyone, not just a few.

[LunaC]

13. Fair enough

but the benefits of a holistic approach to health is its preventative nature so serious injury or disease doesn't become problematic.

If you're intereasted in a good herbal remedy for the lungs/asthma, marshmallow root may be of help. It soothes inflammed tissues. I'm using it now (with spectacular results!) for a lung abscess.

[drdtroit]

8. Agreed, MD's have forsaken the "arts & humanities" aspect

of the medical field. It's all about treating symptoms and doling out prescriptions. I know more than a few MDs who have taken down their shingle and sought out a more honorable vocation.

[Ezlivin]

4. Can I have the name of the 9th doctor?

I'd love to support someone who doesn't suck corporate dick.

[Cleita]

6. There's one sure fire way to lower your cholesterol

and it doesn't cost a thing. Cut animal products in your diet to about 10% and cut out all animal fats. A small percentage of people will still need cholesterol medication, but changing your diet ususally does the trick before you start on the cholesterol meds.

[LunaC]

11. Add this to your arsenal

Research Confirms Tomato Juice Protects Against Atherosclerosis and Coronary Heart Disease

http://www.lycopene.org/GEP/documents/doc/3425letterhead(4).doc

[madfloridian]

9. Gov. Dean required doctors to post contributions over $25. Good idea.

"-Vermont, with the support of then-Gov. Howard Dean, himself a physician, passed a law in 2002 requiring doctors to disclose gifts over $25 and listing them on the Internet."

He practiced what he preaches.