DEATH BY MODERN MEDICINE: Seeking Safe Solutions · people around the world. Most notable is...

DEATH BY MODERN MEDICINE: Seeking Safe So lu t ions

Carolyn Dean MD ND www.drcarolyndean.com 1



DEATHBYMODERNMEDICINE:

SeekingSafeSolutions

CarolynDeanMDND

MeetTheDoctoroftheFuture:Dr.Deanisamedicaldoctor,naturopath,herbalistandacupuncturist.She’sauthoredandco‐authored18booksincludingTheYeastConnectionandWomen’sHealth,IBSforDummies,IBSCookbookforDummies,andtheMagnesiumMiracle.She'sthemedicaldirectoroftheeducationalNutritionalMagnesiumAssociation.You’reinvitedtojoinheronlinewellnessprogramFutureHealthNow!andreceiveafreesubscriptiontoherDoctoroftheFuturenewsletter.Disclaimer:Thepurposeofthisbookistoeducate.Whileeveryefforthasbeenmadetoensureitsaccuracy,thebook’scontentsshouldnotbeconstruedasmedicaladvice.Eachperson’shealthneedsareunique.Toobtainrecommendationsappropriatetoyourparticularsituation,pleaseconsultaqualifiedhealthcareprovider.Withyourpurchaseyouacknowledgethatthepublisherandauthorshallhaveneitherliabilitynorresponsibilityforanyinjurycausedorallegedtobecauseddirectlyorindirectlybytheinformationcontainedinthisbook.Ver1.2



CONTENTSForeword:byDr.AbramHofferForeword:byDr.JosephMercolaForeword:byDr.JulianWhitaker

Introduction

Chapter1:DeathbyModernMedicalDoctors

Chapter2:DeathbyDrugCompanies

Chapter3:DeathbyHealthCareBureaucracy

Chapter4: DeathbyMediaChapter5:

DeathbyPropagandaChapter6:

DeathbyModernDrugsandProceduresChapter7:

DeathbyModernScienceChapter8:

DeathbyCancerInc.Chapter9:

DeathbyModernChemicalsChapter10:

DeathbySugarChapter11:

DeathbyAddictionChapter12:

DeathbyDenialChapter13:

DeathbyLifestyle

References:Appendices:

AppendixA:HenryVIIIHerbalistCharterAppendixB:DeathbyMedicine—JournalofOrthomolecularMedicineAppendixC:Dr.AbramHoffer:“OvertheCounterDrugs”AppendixD:Dr.NancyAppleton:136SugarReferencesAppendixE:HelkeFerrie:“theQuackbusters—Busted!”



INTRODUCTIONTOTHESECONDEDITIONThefirsteditionofDeathbyModernMedicinewaswrittenin2005.It’sonlybeenthreeyearssincethefirsteditionandmuchhaschanged;somethingsforthebetterandsomethingshavegottenworse.I’moftenaskedonradioshowstoconfirmthatnaturalmedicineisbecomingmorewidelyacceptedandbenefittingthegeneralpopulation.IhavetosaythatIreallydon’tseewidespreadevidenceofthathappening.Aslongasallopathicmedicineremainsthegatekeeperforaccesstohealthservicesandinsurancereimbursement,healthproviderswithotherskillswillnotbeallowedtoplayintheirsandbox.Evenworse,allopathicmedicinecontinuestoprosecutedoctorswhoofferhealthcarethatisoutsidethestandardpracticeofmedicine,whichislimitedtodrugsandsurgery.Also,theFDAhastakenarenewedinterestin“regulating”dietarysupplementsmakingitincreasinglychallengingforsmallcompaniestostayinbusiness.Therecanbenorenaissanceinmedicinewithsuchlimitationstoourfreedomofchoiceandfreewill.DeathbyModernMedicinewonthe2006IndependentPublisherBookAwardscategoryofMostProgressiveHealthbook.Ithasbeenreferencedbythousandsofpeoplearoundtheworld.MostnotableisShirleyMacLaine’sSageingWhileAgeing.DeathbyModernMedicineandthepaperthatprecededit,“DeathbyMedicine,”writtenin2003,struckaresoundingcord.Nolongerabletodenythenegativeimpactofmodernmedicine,books,papers,websites,andtestimonialsbegantoproclaimtherealitythathadforsolongbeendenied.NotonlytheEmperorbutheandhiswholeentouragewerebarenakedforalltosee!InmygeneralmedicinepracticeIalwayskeptadrugcompendiumforpeopletolookupthesideeffectsofthedrugstheyweretaking.Suchreferencetextsarealsokeptinlibrariesandpharmaciesbutit’seasierthesedaystogoogledrugsontheinternetandbeawareoftheirpotentialforharm.Ifyouvisitadrugcompanywebsite,thesideeffectswillbedownplayed,evenso,youmightjustbethatone‐in‐a‐millionpatientthatdevelopsastrangesideeffect,soit’simportanttoknowasmuchasyoucanaboutthedrugsyouaretaking.AsIwritethissection,I’mthinkingaboutatelephoneconsultwithanewclientwhohashadintolerableskinitchingforoverayear.Inthehistoryshesentmeit,everydrugsheistakingcausesskinitching.Thefollowingwebsiteswillhelpyoulearnmoreaboutdrugsandtheirsideeffects.Remember,youcannotassumethatthedrugsyourdoctorgivesyouareharmless.Andwhenyoutellyourdoctoryouarehavingsideeffects,heorshemaynot“believe”you.Theyarenottrainedtoidentifydrugsideeffectsandtrytoignorethemasmuchaspossible.



DRUGWATCHWEBSITES1.WorstPills:http://www.worstpills.org2.PrescriptionDrugWatch:http://drugs.healthdiaries.com/3.DrugInjuryWatch:http://www.drug‐injury.com/4.SideEffectsMadeSimple:Shopper'sGuideto22WorthlessDrugs:http://www.bonkersinstitute.org/simpleside.html

FDAAdverseDrugReactionsEvenwithsomuchattentiononthedangersofmodernmedicine,thefollowinginventorycompiledbytheFDA'sAdverseEventReportingSystemfortheyears1998‐2005showsthatit’sjustgettingworse.Beawarethatthisreportingsystemisvoluntary,notmandatoryandresearchshowsthatonlyaboutoneoutoftenadverseeventsareeverreportedtotheFDA.1AdverseEventsComparison199820051.Seriousadversedrugeventsincreasedby260%.2.Fataldrugeventsincreasedby270%.3.Drugswithdrawnfromthemarketduetoseriousadverseeventsup26%.4.For13newbiotechnologydrugs,seriouseventsgrewby1,580%.5.Outof1,489drugsrelatedtoseriousadverseevents,20%caused97%ofalloftheseevents.IbeganwritingDeathbyModernMedicine(2005)ataCodexmeetinginBonn,GermanyinOctober2004asIwrestledwiththeincongruityofasystemthatclaimedtopromotesafefoodanddietarysupplementtradingacrossbordersbutmadenoreferencetothehealthofthepeoplethatwouldingestthesefoodsandsupplements.AsyouwillreadinChapter3,CodexAlimentariusisnotconcernedwithfoodforitsvitalhealth‐givingpropertiesbutonlyasacommodity.IobservedaduelagendaintheCodexproceedingsthatappearstoencouragethemaximumlevelsoftoxicityinthefoodsupplyandthelowestamountofnutrientsinsyntheticsupplements.Codexwasinitiatedin1962undertheauspicesofTheWorldHealthOrganization,whichdefinestraditionalornaturalmedicineas:“Healthpractices,approaches,knowledge,andbeliefsincorporatingplant,animal,andmineralbasedmedicines,spiritualtherapies,manualtechniques,andexercises,appliedsingularlyorincombinationtotreat,diagnose,andpreventillnessesormaintainwell‐being.”2In1995,theWorldTradeOrganizationdivertedCodexawayfromsafeguardingfoodforhumanstocommercializingfoodforcorporations. 1 Moore TJ, et al. Serious Adverse Drug Events Reported to the Food and Drug Administration, 1998-2005. Arch Intern Med. 2007;167(16):1752-1759. 2 Dean C, Null G. “Death by Medicine.” Nutrition Institute of America, November 2003. www.lef.org and search Death by Medicine.



IbegantoseeksolutionstothecrisesofmodernmedicineafterparticipatingintwoCodexmeetingsinEurope.Primarily,Iwantedtoaccentuatepositivewaysthatcanbenefitourhealth.AfterwritingDeathbyModernMedicineIdidn’twanttospendmytimediscussingthenegativeaspectsofourhealthcaresystem.Afterall,it’snotjustmedicinethatisincrisis;thereisabreakdownatalllevelsofsociety.YoucanreadmythoughtsonthisinChapter4;simplyrecognizingtheneedforasystem‐widetransformationmaymakeiteasierforusto“accept”thatmedicineisnolongerservingus.AtCodex,wheretheyhavesetaverylowlimitonthepotencyofsupplements,Ibegansearchingforhigh‐quality,low‐potencysupplementswouldbeconsidered“safeenough”topasstheCodexregulations.Iwasalsolookingforlowpotencyvitaminsandmineralsmanufacturedbyprivatelyownedcompanies—notpubliclytradedcompanieswhose‘bottomline’isstockholderprofitandnotproductquality.AtCodex,Iwatchedashigherlevelsofmercuryandpesticideswerebeingallowedincommercialfoods.IbecameawarethatfarminginAmericawasbeingdiscouragedandimportationofallourfoodproductsfromdevelopingnationswasbeingencouraged.IknewIneededtobeinacleanandsafeenvironmentwhereorganicfoodcanbegrownyearround,wheretheairisclean,andthewaterisunpolluted.Ratherthantryingtofightagainst,whatappearstobe,theinevitabledeclineoffoodandsupplementsinAmerica,IsoughtoutsupplementcompaniesthatwouldfittheCodexcriteriaoflowpotency.Irealizedthatfood‐basedorganicproductsarewellabsorbedandlowpotencyasareangstrom‐sizedcellularabsorbedminerals.Myfavoritecourseofstudy,presently,isRecallHealingascientificsystemthathelpsdiscoverthestressfulconflictsinthemindthataresystematicallydownloadedintothebodyasadiseaseinorderto“keepthebodyaliveforanotherday”.CTscansofthebraincanidentifyfocalpointsthatcorrespondtotheaffectedbodypart.Athousanddiseaseconditionsandtheirconflictshavebeenidentified.Itisbreakthroughmedicinethatinformsmyworkwithclientsandcanoffermiraculousbenefits.INTRODUCTIONTOTHEFIRSTEDITIONInthefallof2003,Ispentanintense3weeksworkingonapaperaboutmedicaliatrogenisisforTheNutritionInstituteofAmericapublishedinLifeExtensionMagazine.Throughoutthebookareexcerptsfromthispapercalled“DeathbyMedicine.”IalsoeditedaversionofthepaperfortheJournalofOrthomolecularMedicine,whichisincludedinAppendixB.NOTE:(dbm)throughoutthetextisanotationforreferencesyouwillfindintheJournalofOrthomolecularMedicinearticleandawiderdiscussionofthetopic.



NOTE:InDeathbyModernMedicineIusethetermsnaturalmedicine,naturalhealingarts,andsimilarwordstodescribethekindofmedicineIsupportandenvision.Allopathicmedicineandmodernmedicinewillbeusedinterchangeablytodescribedrug‐basedmedicinethatseekstomonopolizemedicalcare.



CHAPTER1DEATHBYMODERNMEDICALDOCTORS

Ihaveendeavoredtoshowthatthereisnorealserviceofhumanityintheprofession(ofmedicine)andthatitisinjurioustomankind.

MahatmaGandhi

WhatdidGandhiknowthatwechoosetoignore?Let’sexplorewhyhewouldmakesuchan‘extreme’statementastheabove“thereisnorealserviceofhumanityintheprofession(ofmedicine)andthatitisinjurioustomankind.”Medicaldoctorsarelicensedandregulatedbytheirownmedicalboards.Increasingly,theseboardsarepopulatedwithrepresentativesofthedrugindustry,healthinsuranceindustry,anddoctorswhoarepaid“advisors"forpharmaceuticalcompanies.Drugandinsuranceaffiliationsrepresentaconflictofinterestorattheveryleastavestedinterestinpromotingallopathicmedicine.Doctorsmayhavebeendrawntostudymedicineforavarietyofreasons:humanitarian,financial,andprestige.WhenIwasinmedicalschool,manyofmyclassmateshadparentswhoweredoctors;theywereraisedinamedicalworld.Others,especiallyinthebabyboomeragegroup,grewupwiththeMarcusWelbyandDr.Kildareimagesofcaringdoctorswhowereanextensionofthefamily,makinghousecallsandaddingameasureofcommonsensetoeveryprescription.YoungmedicalstudentsthesedayshavebeenbrainwashedbythecontentofmoviesandTVshowslike‘ER’.ThedramaofanEVAChelicopterrescueofaseverelyinjuredaccidentvictim,bleedingandcomatose,miraculouslysnatchedfromthegripofdeath,ispresentedastheepitomeofmodernmedicine.Surgicallyreattachinglimbs,revivingsomeonefromanearfatalheartattack,orsavingthelifeofa2pound2ounceinfantismodernmedicineatitsbest.Technology,autopsy,andforensicsareplayedoutinfilmandtelevisiondramasandgonearethehousecallsandconcernforthepatientwhohasanyformofchronicdiseasethatwon’tresolvewithinaone‐hourdrama.Themostpopularmedicaldramain2006‐2007was“House”.Eachweektheirfeaturedpatientsaregiventhe‘milliondollar’workup,multiplemisdiagnosesandalitanyofsideeffectsbyateamofsupposedlybrilliantdoctors.Thisprogramdoeslittletomakepeopleconfidentwithmodernmedicine.A2007book,Overtreated:WhyTooMuchMedicineIsMakingUsSickerandPoorerbyShannonBrownleeisthesubjectofaMossReportbookreview,January13,2008atralphmoss.com.Dr.Mosssaysthat“Increasinglysophisticatedtestsandimagingtechniqueshavelargelysupplantedthetraditionalprocessofdiagnosis,andhave,ineffect,becomethenewphysicalexam.”HequotesBrownleewhoisconvincedthat



"Testinghasreplacedthinkingonthedoctor'spartandfeelingcaredforonthepatient's.What'slostintheprocess...isthepersonalrelationship,thetrustinginteractionthatonceformedthebasisforhealing.Butwhenthepatientviewsthedoctorasatooloftheinsurer,andthedoctorviewsthepatientincreasinglythroughthenarrowlensofacomputerscreen,it'sdifficultforeithertoseetheotherasapartnerintheprocessofhealing."Mosscontinues.“EveryyearintheUS,weundergomillionsoftests‐MRIs,CTs,PETscans,bloodtests‐thatfrequentlyleaddoctorstodiagnoseconditionsthat,ifleftalone,mightneverhavedevelopedintoovert,detectabledisease.Averyhighproportionofthenormal,wellpopulationharborswhatareknowninthemedicalprofessionas'incidentalomas'‐lesionsoflittleornoclinicalsignificancethatareonlydetectedasaresultofatestorscanforanotherconditionentirely.Butbecausetheoreticallyanysuchlesionmight‐justmight‐progress,furtherinvestigationsarealmostalwaysrecommended.Thesefurtherinvestigations‐biopsies,excisions,tests‐notonlyrepresentanenormousfinancialburdenonourhealthcaresystembutmayalsolead,intheirownright,toillness,complicationsandevendeath‐allintheserviceofpreventingor"curing"whatareessentiallypseudo‐diseases.”Brownlee’sbookcoverstheproblemsencounteredinhospitals,theriskofinfection,andiatrogenicillnessreportedinDeathbyModernMedicine.Shethenfocuseson“thedeliberateuseof"disease‐mongering"bythedrugindustryinordertocreatelucrativenewmarkets…andtheworriedwell”Herestimateoftheadvertisingbudgetforthedrugindustryis$29.9billionin2005.AnewstudyoutofCanadadiscussedinChapter5placesthedrugindustryadvertisingpricetagat$57billion.3InOvertreated,ShannonBrownleeoffersbothacompellinginvestigationoftheeconomicforcesthatdriveunnecessarycare,andarationalprescriptionforwhatcan‐andmust‐beurgentlydoneaboutit.Itishighlyencouragingthatvariousprominentmembersofthemedicalprofessionhaveenthusiasticallyreceivedthisbook.Inaglowingreview,MarciaAngell,MD,formereditor‐in‐chiefoftheNewEnglandJournalofMedicine,haswritten:"Thisbookcouldsaveyourlife.Ingrippingdetail,Brownleeexplainshowwell‐insuredAmericansgetmuchmorehigh‐techmedicalcare‐CTscans,angiograms,andthelike‐thantheyneed,enrichingthehospitalsanddoctorswhoprovideit,butdrivinguptheoverallcostsofhealthcareandoftenendangeringpatients'lives.Brownleeclearlyshowsinthisimportantbookthatovertreatment,likeunder‐treatment,isverybadmedicine."Wecansafelysaythehighpointsofmodernmedicineare:

1. Emergencymedicine2. Surgery3. Diagnostics

3 Gagnon MA, Lexchin J (2008) The Cost of Pushing Pills: A New Estimate of Pharmaceutical Promotion Expenditures in the United States. PLoS Med 5.



However,thereisagrowingfocusonthetechnologyof:4. Geneticengineering5. Vaccines

Yet,wehearfromallopathicmedicinecheerleadersthattoday’smodernmedicineisunsurpassed.Let’slookatthereportcardonamedicalsystemthatreliesondrugsandsurgeryasitsmainstay.Only55percentofpatients,inarecentrandomsampleofadults,receivedrecommendedcare,withlittledifferencefoundbetweencarerecommendedforprevention,toaddressacuteepisodes,ortotreatchronicconditions.4AccordingtoanInstituteofMedicinereport,morethan50%ofpatientswithdiabetes,hypertension,tobaccoaddiction,hyperlipidemia,congestiveheartfailure,asthma,depression,andchronicatrialfibrillationareinadequatelymanaged.5Awell‐knowncommentonscientificmedicineisthelonglagtimebetweenthediscoveryofamoreeffectiveformoftreatmentanditsincorporationintoroutinepatientcare.Onestudysaysthatthewaitingtimeforsuchincorporationaveragesseventeenyears.6NOTLeaderofthePackForallthebravadoandhypeaboutthehighqualityofhealthcareinAmerica,ScienceDaily(01‐08‐8),anonlinejournal,remindedusexactlywherewerankamongotherindustrializednationsontheissueofpreventabledeaths‐LAST.7We’renotthealphadog,we’renoteventhealphadog’slieutenant,we’resofardownthescale,we’rehardlysignificant.TheCommonwealthFund,anindependentfoundationworkingtowardhealthpolicyreformandahighperformancehealthsystem,financedastudycalled“MeasuringtheHealthofNations”.InthereporttheU.S.placedlastamongthenineteencountriesstudiedwhenitcomestopreventabledeaths.8Theauthorsstated"ItisnotablethatallcountrieshaveimprovedsubstantiallyexcepttheU.S."Inthesixyearsfrom1997‐2003theU.S.droppedfrom15thto19thinrank.ProjectedstatisticsbytheauthorsshowedthatiftheU.S.matchedtheperformanceofthetopthreecountries,France,Japan,andAustralia,itcouldhavesaved101,000Americanlivesannually.Thereportfurtherstatedthat,“Thefactthatothercountriesarereducingthesepreventabledeathsmorerapidly,yetspendingfarless,indicatesthatpolicy,goals,andeffortstoimprovehealthsystemsmakeadifference."TheothercountriesincludedinthestudywereAustria,Canada,

4 McGlynn EA, Asch SM, Adams J, Keesey J, Hicks J, DeCristofaro A, Kerr EA. “The quality of health care delivered to adults in the United States.” N Engl J Med. 2003 Jun 26:348(26):2635-45. 5 Institute of Medicine, 2003c; Clark et al., 2000; Joint National Committee on Prevention, 1997; Legorreta et al., 2000; McBride et al., 1998; Ni et al., 1998; Perez-Stable and Fuentes-Afflick, 1998; Samsa et al., 2000; Young et al., 2001. 6Balas EA. “Information systems can prevent errors and improve quality.” J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2001 Jul-Aug:8(4):398-9. 7 http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080108082944.htm 8 http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Content/Publications/In-the-Literature/2008/Jan/Measuring-the-Health-of-Nations--Updating-an-Earlier-Analysis.aspx



Denmark,Finland,Germany,Greece,Ireland,Italy,Netherlands,NewZealand,Norway,Portugal,Spain,Sweden.andtheUnitedKingdom.TheBiggestSpenderIna2000healthcaresurvey,theWorldHealthOrganizationlistedtheU.S.asthebiggestspenderintheworldforhealthcarebutamongthelosersranking37thintheworldintermsofoverallhealthsystemperformance.Atthesitegeographic.org,youcanfindthisrankingsystemforhealthcare.9Anotherrankingsystemchartshealthylifeexpectancyglobally.Inthatcategory,theU.S.ranks24th.EmergencyMedicineERdoctorsaretrainedtohandlemedicalcrises.Heartattack,motorvehicleaccidents,andoverwhelminginfectionsarethemajorcrisesthataffectpeoplewhocomethroughtheirdoors.Howmanyoftheseeventscanbepreventedanddon’tneedemergencyinterventionisahottopicofdebate.Buildingsafercarswithguidancesystemsandwarningdevicescouldpreventmotorvehicleaccidentsandcountlessdeaths.Heartdisease,althoughsaidbymodernmedicinetohavenospecificcausebutmanyriskfactors,isalsohighlypreventable.Evenoverwhelminginfections,oftenduetoacompromisedimmunesystem,couldsometimesbepreventedbytheproperattentiontoimmuneboostingandlifestyle.Yourbodyisamiracleofcreation;learningtoprevent,treat,andcurehealthchallengesareallavailableoptionstoaninterestedpublic.SurgeryPeeringintosomeone’sbodyissuchanintimateactthatmanydoctorsdetachthemselvesemotionallytohandlethestrain.Surgery,however,hasbecomesocommonplacethatbodypartsarebeingremovedand/orreplacedatanunprecedentedratewithoutmentionofalternatives.Alongwiththerushtooperatecomethemistakes.Cuttingoffthewronglimb,operatingonthewrongorgan,andsurgicaltoolsleftinsidethebodyaremountingeffectsofasystemoutofcontrol.DiagnosticsDiagnosingdiseaseiscrucialinmodernmedicine—tonametheconditionthenallowsanagreed‐uponinterventionwithadesignateddrugorsurgicalprocedure.Inourhastetoconquerallthecrevicesofthebodyand“leavenoorganunturned”,weusestrongerX‐raytoolsthatweconsiderharmlessbecausetheyaresocommonplace.CTscansthatslicethebodyintosmallerandsmallerpieces,infact,offerdosesofradiationhundredsoftimeshigherthananaveragechestX‐ray.WhatisnotconveyedtothepatientisthatanyamountofX‐raytothebodycanresultindamagetothebody’sDNAandpavetheroadtocancer.Ifyouareundergoinginvestigationsforamedicalcondition,youmustalwaysask—howwilltherecommendedtestalterthecourseofmytreatment?Atestbeingdone 9 http://www.photius.com/rankings/healthranks.html



todeterminethetreatmentplanisfardifferentthanonethatisdone“justtosee”what’sgoingon;it’saverydangerousformofvoyeurism.Itisyourrighttorefusetestingifitisnotgoingtobenefityourhealth.GeneticEngineeringGeneticengineering,andgenetherapy,aremajoravenuesthatdrugcompaniesandmodernmedicinearepursuingtodevelopnewlinesofrevenueasmoreandmoredrugsarerecalledbecauseofthehighrateofsideeffects.WhenscientistsontheHumanGenomeProjectclaimedthatidentifyingallthegenesinthebodywouldallowustohavecompletecontroloverourbodies,everybodybelievedthisStarTrekfantasy.In1990,Dr.FrenchAnderson,DirectorofGeneTherapyattheUniversityofSouthernCaliforniaMedicalSchool,performedthefirsthumangenetherapyexperiment.Unfortunately,theprocedure,onayoungfour‐yearoldgirlwassuccessful.Unfortunate,becausethefirstexperiencewassuchahugesuccess,itcreatedaveryoptimisticviewoftheprocedure.By1996,accordingtoDr.Anderson,geneexperimentsinover3,000participantsmostlyendedintragedy.10

Tenyearslater,theevidenceforgenetherapysolvingallourproblemsisstillremote.In1999genetherapyresearchintheU.S.cametoanearstandstillwhenahealthyteenagerdiedwhenhisimmunesystemwaswildlytriggeredaftergenetherapyforararemetabolicdisorderattheUniversityofPennsylvania.In2002agenetherapytrialinFrancewashaltedbecausetwoofthefifteenchildrengivenanewgenetotreatsevereimmunedeficiencydevelopedleukemiaasaresult.11By2006,havingforgottenthetragediesofthepast,genetherapyisagainaboomingindustry.Manyresearchprojectsareunderwaytoinsertgenestodelivermedicationtoarthriticknees,tohelpbuildcartilage,totreatcancersandadozenotherconditions.Timealonewilltellifgenetherapywillbesuccessful.Perhapsinthefardistantfuture,wewillbeabletocontrolourbodiesbymanipulatinggenes,however,itisfarwisertostudyEpigenetics,thestudyoftheenvironmentsurroundinggenesandhowvitaminsandmineralsandotherfactorsturngenesonandoff.Wehavefarmorecontroloverourgenesbymanipulatingourenvironmentthanscientistsdowiththeirgenesplicingtools.VaccinesTherearemanyconcernswithvaccines,nottheleastofwhichistheinclusionofamercurypreservative(thimerisol)introducedinthe1930’s.Overthepastdecade,therehasbeensomuchconcernexpressedbythepublicaboutthispreservativethatdrugcompaniesarefinallyremovingitfromchildren’sshots.Mercury‐

10 PBS Online NewsHour, Online Focus. Gene Therapy, December 8, 1999. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/health/july-dec99/gene_therapy.htm 11 http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn2878



containingvaccinesmaystillbeontheshelves,however.Thimerisolwasneverrecalled,it’sjustbeingphasedoutvoluntarilybydrugcompanies.Thismeansmercurycanbeusedinpartoftheprocessofmakingvaccinesandthen“removed”.A2005analysisofvaccinesfoundthatvaccinesstillcontainedmercuryinspiteoflabelsandcompanypolicythatsaidtheopposite.HealthAdvocacyinthePublicInterest(HAPI)commissionedasmallstudytotestfourvialsofdifferentvaccinesformercurycontent.ThevialsweresenttoaheavymetaltestinglabcalledDoctor'sData.Theresultsshowedthatallfourvaccinescontainedmercury,eventhoughtwoofthefourcompaniesclaimedthattheirvaccinesweremercuryfree.Anothertoxicingredientinallfourvaccineswasaluminum,aheavymetalthatincreasesthetoxicityofmercuryinbraincells.Eventhoughsomecompaniesclaimthattheirproductsaremercury‐free,mercuryisstillusedinthemanufactureofmostvaccineswiththeclaimthatitisfilteredoutduringthefinalstages.Mercuryexpertssaythatit’simpossibletoremovemercuryfromvaccinesbecauseitbindssoirreversiblytoproteins.Ironically,whileconcernedparentsaretryingtogetthemercuryoutoftheirchildren’svaccines,themostrecentindustryandgovernmentadvertisingforflushotsrecommendsthatchildrenfromage6monthsreceiveanannualflushot.InDecember2007,NewJerseylegislatorssignedabillmakingitmandatoryforpreschoolerstoreceiveanannualflushot.Themercuryinflushotsisnotbeingphasedout.Flushotscontainhighlevelsofthimerosal.InChapter5youwillreadhowthepharmaceuticalindustry,rockedbythelawsuitsagainstblockbusterdrugs,isdependingonvaccinesasanimportantmeansofboostingtheirprofits.Thefactthatmercuryisstillinchildren’svaccinesandinflushotsmeansthattherewillnotbeadecreaseinautism.Yet,thevaccineindustrywillclaimthatthereisnomoremercuryinchildren’sshotsandchildrenarestilldevelopingautism–thereforemercuryneverdidcauseautism.Californiastatisticsdidshowaslowbutsteadydeclineinnewcasesofautismsince2002,threeyearsaftersomecompaniesvoluntarilyreducedtheamountofmercuryintheirvaccines.In2007,anotherCaliforniastudysaysthatautismisstillontherise.12AsIpredictedin2005,thepro‐vaccinelobbyisusingthisfindingassocalled“scientific”evidencethatmercurycan’tbeacauseofautism.HerefollowsaninsightfulrebuttaltotheCaliforniastudybyJulieDeardorffontheRushUniversityMedicalCenterwebsite.13

12 Schechter R, Grether JK. Continuing Increases in Autism Reported to California's Developmental Services System. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008;65(1):19-24. 13 http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/features_julieshealthclub/autism/index.html, Jan 16, 2008.



AutismIncreasesinCalifornia…AnewstudythatshowedautismcasesinCaliforniacontinuedtoclimbevenafterthimerosal,amercury‐basedvaccinepreservativethatsomepeopleblamefortheneurologicaldisorder,wasremovedfromroutinechildhoodshots.

Thestudy,publishedinJanuary'sissueofthejournalArchivesofGeneralPsychiatry,didnotexplorewhytherehasbeenanincreaseinautismcases.

"ResearchersfromthestateDepartmentofPublicHealthfoundtheautismrateinchildrenrosecontinuouslyduringthe12‐yearstudyperiodfrom1995to2007,"wroteAssociatedPresssciencewriterAliciaChang."Thepreservativethimerosalhasn'tbeenusedinchildhoodvaccinessince2001,butisusedinsomeflushots.Doctorssaythelateststudyaddstoexistingevidencerefutingalinkbetweenthimerosalexposureandautismriskandshouldreassureparentsthatthedisorderisnotcausedbyvaccinations.Iftherewasarisk,theysaid,autismratesshouldhavedroppedbetween2004and2007."

Likealltheotherstudiesthathavefoundnolinkbetweenautismandthimerosal,thisonesettlednothingandonlyaddedtothedebate.Inthedaysfollowingthenews,Iwasfloodedwithe‐mailsfromthosepromotingvaccineawareness,agroupthatincludesanti‐vaccineadvocatesanddoctors.

Inastatement,RickRollens,thefatherofa17‐year‐oldsonwithautism,theco‐founderU.C.DavisM.I.N.D.InstituteandamemberoftheCaliforniaLegislativeBlueRibbonCommissiononAutism,explainswhywehavetowaituntil2009inordertodeterminewhetherCalifornia'slawbanningmercuryinvaccinesaffectedtherateofnewcasesofautism:

"Althoughthemercuryburdeninvaccineshasbeenreducedovertheyears,weknowthatevenverysmallamountsofmercurycancauseserious,lifealteringneurologicaldamage,"hesaid."California's(partial)banonmercurycontainingvaccinesforpregnantwomenandchildrenunderthreedidnottakeeffectuntilDecember2006.Today,thosechildrenbornafterthebantookeffectarebetween4monthsoldandoneyearofage.California'sdevelopmentalservicesreportingsystemDOESNOTincludechildrenundertheageofthreeyearsold.ItwillnotbeclearwhatimpactCalifornia'slawbanningmercuryinvaccineshashadontherateofnewcasesofautismuntilatleast2009‐2010andlater.Historically,themajorityofchildrenwithautismenterCalifornia'sdevelopmentalservicessystembetweentheagesof3+and9yearsold.Ifby2009‐2010therehasnotbeenANYchangeintherateofincreaseofnewcasesofautismenteringCalifornia'sdevelopmentalservicessystem,thenwecanscratchmercuryinvaccinesoffourlistofagentscontainedinvaccinesasacause,and;thenbeginconcentratingonthenumerousotherpoisonsandtoxicagentsinvaccinessuchasaluminum,



formaldehyde,MSG,liveviruses,etc.,andmostimportantly,theinteractionoftheseandothertoxicagentscontainedinthe34dosesofvaccineschildrenreceivefrombirthtotwoyearsoldtoday.AlthoughthisstudybyCalifornia'svaccineestablishmentclearlysustainsthefactthatCaliforniaisinthemidstofagrowingautismepidemicandthatCalifornia'ssystemofreportingprofessionallydiagnosedcasesoffullsyndromeautismisthegoldstandardinthecountry,theconclusionsinthestudyareflawedandpremature,anddoesnothingtoexoneratevaccines,particularlymercurycontainingvaccines,asacauseofCalifornia'sautismepidemic,"hesaid.

LifeasaMedStudentIfthethird‐yearmedicalstudentsthatinterviewedmewhenIappliedformedicinehadtheirway,Iwouldneverhavesetfootintomedicalschool.Iwouldprobablyneverhavetrainedinnaturopathy,acupuncture,homeopathy,herbalism,nutrition,andChinesemedicine,allofwhichwereinvaluabletoolsinmymedicalpractice,andcontinuetobepricelessinmyconsulting,herbalresearch,andwritingcareer.IfIhadnotgonetomedicalschoolIwouldneverhavedevelopedanunderstandingofhownaturalmedicineandallopathicmedicineworkandIwouldneverhavewrittenthisandadozenotherbooks.AtDalhousieMedicalSchool,inHalifax,NovaScotia,third‐yearmedicalstudentswerepartoftheinterviewprocessforacceptingnewmedicalstudents.Duringmyinterview,IwasaskedifIthoughtIcouldmakeadifferenceinmedicine.IsaidthatIsuspectedIcouldandsaidIwasinterestedinnutritionandlifestylechangestohelppatients.AweeklaterIwascalledinforanappointmentwiththeDeanofStudents,Dr.FraserNicholsonawonderfulpsychiatristandagentleman.Hetoldmemythird‐yearinterviewdidnotgowell.TheinterviewersthoughtIwouldnotmakeagooddoctor.TheyfeltIwasnaïveandhadaPollyannaapproachtomedicinebecauseIthoughtIcouldhelppeople.Welaughed!Irealizedlater,asIwentthroughtheagonizinggrindofmedicalschool,thatbythirdyear,medicalstudentsaresobeatendownbythesystemandhaveseensomanysickpeopleinhospital‐basedsettings,noneofwhomseemedtobegetting“cured”,thattheyknowmedicineisnoplaceforahealer‐andnoplacetogethealed!Priortomeetingwiththethird‐yearmedicalstudents,IhadalreadybeeninterviewedbyDr.NicholsonwhoseemedtothinkIhadagoodheadonmyshoulders,asparkleinmyeye,andasharpwit,allofwhichwouldmakemeaveryfinedoctor.Webothagreedthatthethird‐yearstudentshadgottenitallwrong.Thankfully,theirnegativeopinionofmewastossedoutthewindowanddidn’tfactorintomyapplicationormyacceptanceintomedicalschool.Thatinterviewwasin1973,andidealisminmedicinewasararecommodity.Alsoontheendangeredlistwerenutrition,naturalmedicine,spirituality,andethics.IenteredmedicinewithaviewtoeducatingpeopleaboutnutritionandlifestylebutwhatIfoundwasapervasiveindoctrinationagainstanythingnotdrug‐andsurgery‐



oriented.Inmyfirstdaysofmedicalschoolwewererepeatedlywarnedagainstchiropractors,herbalists,andhealthfaddists.Makingmyownyogurtandeatingitduringbreaksmademeasubjectofderisionamongmyclassmates,whichonlyendedwhenDr.Nicholsonaskedmeinfrontofmyclassfortherecipe!ThethreemainbattlesIhadinmedicinewerethe“boysclub”,lackofethicstraining,lackofnutritioneducation.TheNaughtyBoysClubIntheveryfirstweekofmedicalschool,oneoftheintroductoryinstructorsspiceduphistalkwithslidesofnudefemalesfromPlayboyMagazine.Itwasobviousthiswas‘standardoperatingprocedure’atDalhousieandIwasshockedandoutraged.Icouldseethattheotherwomenintheclassweresimilarlyhorrified.Whatcouldwedo?Wemutteredunderourbreathsandmostofthemenjustlaughed,albeitsomewhatnervously.Ididn'tknowanyoneintheclassyet.WhenIappliedformedicalschoolIlearnedthatDalhousieusuallyadmittedtwenty‐fivewomeninaclassof100.Myclassovercamethatbarrierbyacceptingthirty‐threewomen.Evenso,wewereoutnumberedbutIknewsomethinghadtobedone.PlaygirlMagazinehadjusthitthestands.Iboughtacopyatthelocaldrugstoreamidstthestares.IonlyhadtwodaysbeforethatlecturerwasbackandIhadtoworkfast.Iconvincedamedicalprofessorfriendtomakemesomenudemaleslidesattheuniversity.Miraculously,hegotthembacktomethenextday.HehadawickedsenseofhumorandIthinkhewantedtoseetheproverbialdunghitthefan.Tellingnoonemyplan,minutesbeforeclass,Iinsertedthenudeslidesinthechauvinistlecturer’sslidecarouselandwaitedfortheexplosion.Myheartwaspoundingfromtheexcitementandanticipation.Thelightswentdown,agorgeoushunkinhisbirthdaysuitfilleduptheroomandtheclasswenthysterical.Thewomenhooted,themenhowled.Theclassimmediatelybonded.Menandwomenlaughedtogetherasthefumblingprofessortriedtoregainhiscomposureandhisslides.Weactuallyneversawhimoranothernudefemaleslidefromanyoneelsethewholeyear.Iwastoldthatsimilarly“insensitive”pictureswereimmediatelytakendownalloverthemedicalcampus.Thatonesimpleactleveledtheplayingfieldwithnoprotests,nowhiningandcomplaining,nolettersofprotesttotheschoolmedicalboard.DirectAction.Thatwasthehighlightoffirstyear.InsecondyearIorganizedandlaunchedthefirstsnowballfightoftheseasonagainstthefirstyearstudents.TherestofthetimeIwasstudying!LackofEthicsTraininginMedicineAfellowmedicalstudentandIrecognizedahugegapinoureducationandwestartedanEthicsClub.Inconceivably,therewerenoethicscoursesinourmedicaleducationprogram.Youngmedicalstudents,someasyoungas19,withonlytwo



yearsofundergraduatetraining,arethrownintotheworldoflifeanddeathmedicinewithoutanylifesurvivalskillsforthemselvesorfortheirfuturepatients.Theythenliveaveryabnormallifeofstressandstudyforsixtoeightyearsafterwhichtheyareexpectedtogooutintotheworldandactasiftheyknowallthereistoknowaboutthehumanbody,mind,andspirit.Infact,weweretoldmanytimesthatifwedidn’tlearnitinmedicalschoolitmustbequackery!Atournoon‐hourethicsmeetingsweshowedfilmsandhaddiscussionaboutlifeanddeathquestionsfacingburnvictims,cancerpatients,anddepressedpatients.Ourethicsclub,besideshelpingstudentscopehadanotherwelcomeoutcome.Itembarrassedtheadministrationintoforminganethicscourseinthefollowingyears.Animportantethicsquestionthatwasneveraddressedinmedicalschoolwaswhetherdoctorsandmedicalschoolshouldacceptdrugcompanyfunding.Doesthelackofethicstraininginmedicinehelptoexplainwhymedicalschoolseagerlyacceptgrantsfrompharmaceuticalcompanieswhoendowchairs,donatelibraries,andfundmedicalresearch?Theschooladministrationandstudentslearnearlyontoturnablindeyetotheinfluenceofdrugcompanymoney.Itbecomesasheercaseof“don’tbitethehandthatfeedsyou”.Astimegoesondrug‐companysalesrepsbecomeadoctor’ssourceofinformationaboutthedrugstheyprescribeandshapetheirpatternofpractice.Presentlytherearerecommendationsproposedtobandrugcompaniesfromofferinggiftstodoctorsandbandoctorsfromacceptingthem.CookbookMedicineDr.RussellBlaylock,arenownedneurosurgeonandtheauthorofExcitotoxins:TheTasteThatKills,writesaboutthebraindamagecausedbyMSGandaspartame.HealsowarnsofthedangersofregimentationinmodernmedicineintheU.S.Inthepoignantstoryofhisbrother’sdeathinhospital,hisbrother’sdoctorsrepeatedlyshunnedDr.Blaylock’squestionsandattemptstohelphisbrother.Promptedbyhisexperience,Dr.Blaylockdeliversaveryharshindictmentofmodernmedicine.Hesaysthatlonggonearethedaysofindependentmedicalpracticewherethedoctorisabletomaintainacloserelationshipwiththepatientandthepatient’sfamily.Dr.BlaylockandIbothrememberthetimewhenanespeciallymysterioussetofsymptomswouldsendusofftothelibrarytodoresearch.Wewouldstudynutritionandusenaturalmedicinetohelpourpatients.Infact,muchoftheimpetustolearnnewtreatmentscamefromourpatientssincemanyofthemcamewithsymptomsthatotherdoctorscouldn’ttreat.Thesepatientswouldalsobringusarticlesandinformationtotryandhelpsolvetheirproblems.Now,theoverridingthinkingbymostdoctorsisthatmedicineissocomplexandsolitigiousthatthedoctorinpracticemustfollowaregimentedsystemoftreatmentprotocols,mostlytoavoidlawsuits.



Dr.Blaylocksaysthat“Eliteboardsappointedbymedicalassociations,suchastheAmericanMedicalAssociation,AmericanAcademyofFamilyPracticeandothers,designthesetreatmentprotocolsandhandthemdowntothe‘ignorantautomatons’makingupthevastmajorityoftreatingphysicians.Theyaretofollowtheseregimentedtreatmentswithoutquestionandtotheletter.”WhenDr.Blaylock’sbrother’slungcancerwas,first,misdiagnosedformonthsasbronchitisandthenpneumonia,Dr.Blaylockcameupagainstthisnewbreedofdoctor.Hesaid,“Theyareconvincedthis‘cookbook’medicineissuperiorandtheirelitejournalsandmedicalassociationsknowbest.LikemembersofthesocietyAldousHuxleydescribedinABraveNewWorld,theyaremerecogsinthewheelofthestate'smachinery.Theydonotquestiontheauthoritiesorthewisdomoftheirdecrees.Theydowhattheyaretold.Theyareunabletothinkforthemselves.”Dr.Blaylockfearsthat“Thiscollectivistregimentationofmedicinewillonlygetworse.Familiesarenowexcludedfrommedicalcaredecisions,eveniftheyaremedicaldoctorsthemselves.Doctorsdonotcommunicatewithfamilies,theentirehospitalexperienceisshroudedinsecrecyandpatientshavenosayintheircare.Whilemoreinnovativedoctorscanaltertheprotocolsorevenrejectthem,soontheywillnothavethatoption.Todeviatefromthecollectivistplanistoinvitethewrathofthelegalsystem.”Dr.Blaylockgoesontosaythat,“Infact,theseprotocolshavebecomethe‘standardofcare’usedbythelegalsystem.Unfortunately,doctors,likethosewhokilledmybrother,arebeingturnedoutofmedicalschoolsalloverthecountrylikerobots.Theyrepeatthemantraofcollectivismasiftheythoughtofitthemselves.Tothisnewbreedofdoctors,individualismandindependentthoughtistobediscouragedandreviled.Dependenceoneliteleaderswillbeautomatic.”NoNutritioninMedicineAlthoughtherewereveryfewhoursdevotedtonutritioninmymedicalschool,becauseourDeanofMedicine,atthattime,wasabiochemist,wediddelvedeeplyintonotoriouslyboringtopicsliketheKrebscycle.However,it’stheKrebscyclethatcreateslife‐givingenergyforthebodyinmicroscopicmitochondria.Inordertocreatethisenergy,vitaminsandmineralsareessentialforeveryphaseoftheten‐stepcycle.BylearningtheKreb’scycleandrelatingittowhatIhadalreadylearnedaboutnutritionbeforeenteringmedicalschool,Irealizedtheimportanceofnutrientsatacellularlevel.ReadingPreventionMagazinealongwithmy1,000pagemedicaltextsIcametounderstandhownutrientdeficienciescouldbemistakenfordiseasesandhownutrientsupplementationcaneliminatethoseconditions.Afterallofmyyearsofcrossdisciplinepracticeandstudy,itismyopiniontodaythatlifestyleandnutrientapproachescaninmanycases,effectivelytreatthemajorityofmoderndaychronic“diseases”.



PuttingItAllTogetherDuringmyfinalyearinmedicinein1977,whichIspentatMacMasterUniversityinHamilton,Iarrangedanelectivemonthanda‘vacation’monthback‐to‐back.Asaresult,myhusbandandItraveledtoLosAngeleswhereIwasabletoauditnutritioncoursesandapprenticeintherecentlyopenedPainControlClinicatUCLA.Dr.DavidBreslerhadmiraculouslybeenabletocreateauniversityclinicthatofferedacupuncture,hypnosis,diet,meditation,andpsychologicalcounseling.ThereIwasgiventhegiftofseeinghownaturalmedicineandallopathicmedicinecouldbeintegrated.DuringmyinternshipinToronto,Ibeganmytraininginnaturopathy,whichhelpedsolidifyyearsofprivatestudy.WhenIstartedmypracticein1979Iimmediatelyrecognizedsymptomsofmalnutritionandsugaroverloadinmanypatients.Hypoglycemia(lowbloodsugar)seemedtobeverycommon.Peoplewithhypoglycemia,sufferingsymptomsofanxiety,depression,irritability,fatigue,skinrashes,headaches,andintestinalupsetwouldallimprovewhenIcouldconvincethemtogoonasugarholiday.Troopingthroughmyofficeinthe1980’swerehundredsofpatients,mostlywomen,exhibitingtheravagesofastressed,malnourished,overmedicatedlifestyleandanincreasinglytoxicenvironment.Chronicfatiguesyndromebeganshowingupinthepopulation,andthosepatientsaswellasmanyotherspresentedwithsymptomsofCandidiasis.Candidaalbicansisayeastorganismthatnormallymakesitshomeinourintestines.Candidaorganismscancreateanabnormalpopulationinourintestinesundertheinfluenceofantibiotics,whichkilloffgoodbacteriaandallowyeasttooccupymorespace;sugar,whichstimulatesyeastgrowth;andstress,whichimpairstheimmunesystemandallowsyeast,toovergrow.Candida,duringitslifecycleproducesupto180differenttoxins.Alcoholproducedbyyeastcanmakesomeonewithsevereyeastovergrowthappeardrunk;acetaldehydeisatoxicbyproductofyeastandalcoholthatdamagestheliver;zymosanfromyeastcauseswidespreadinflammationandpsoriasis;yeastcreatesarabinitol,whichproducestoxiceffectsonthebrain,nervoussystem,andimmunesystem;andyeastproduceshormonemimickingchemicalsthatshatterawoman’shormonalbalancecreatingPMS,perimenopauseandmenopausalsymptoms.14TheCandidaFoundationofCanada,createdbyMaggieBurston,operated,foratime,onthethirdfloorofmyofficebuilding.AttheFoundation,IgavemonthlylecturestothepubliconCandidiasisandrelatedtopics.BecauseofmyworkwithCandidaIwasinvitedonaTVOntarioshowcalledSpeakingOut,withhostHarryBrown.OnNovember20,1986,IwasaguestwithCandidaexpertandthewriterofTheYeast 14 Crook WJ, Dean CFA. The Yeast Connection and Women’s Health. Professional Books. Tennessee. 2005.



Connection,Dr.WilliamCrook.Duringthat90‐minuteprogramanastounding80,000callsweretabulated.AfterDr.Crookpassedawayin2002hisdaughterElizabethCrookinvitedmetobecomethemedicaladvisortoWoman’sHealthConnectionandthewebsiteyeastconnection.comandfinishtheworkonhislastbookTheYeastConnectionandWomen’sHealth.Asof2008,theyeastconnection.comwebsiteisstillavailablebutunfortunatelythereisnoactiveresearchduetolackoffunding.TroubleinParadiseYes,italllooksrosy‐practicingmedicine,helpingpeoplestayhealthy,writingbooks,anddoingmedia.Readersmaynotbeaware,however,thatthereisanorganizedattackagainstanydoctorwhopracticesnaturalmedicineorspeaksoutagainstthestandardpracticeofdrugsandsurgery.Themomentdoctorswhopracticenaturalmedicineentermainstreammediaaswitchistrippedandthevitriolflows.Weareattackedanddefamedinordertomanipulatepublicopinionanddiscreditnaturalmedicinepractices.It'scalledtheDelphiTechniqueandthisformofmanipulationshouldbestudiedsoyoucanbeawarewhenit’sbeingusedonyou.IgivemoredetailsontheDelphiTechniqueinChapter5.Thistypeofabuseisveryfamiliartothoseofuswhohavebeenpracticingnaturalmedicineforthepast30years.Wehaveallbeenattacked.AWhistleBloweronSugarIhadsuchsuccessgettingpeopleoffsugarthatIdecidedtowriteabookonthesubject.Itwastobemysecondbook.AtthetimeIfinishedthefinaldraftIwasaskedtodoasegmentonTheDiniPettyShowonCTV,Canadiantelevision.ItwasaChristmasshowonDecember11,1989,andthetopicwasoverindulgenceovertheholidaysandhowtocounterit.Diniwantedmetotalkaboutsugaranditseffects.Icamepreparedwithmyresearchandmyprops.Infrontofagapingaudience,Ispoonedoutthetenteaspoonsofsugarinacanofsodaandthetwenty‐seventeaspoonsinamilkshake.AscientistinMontrealonfriendlytermswithasugarlobbygroupinOttawaapparentlywasnotimpressed.HeandthelobbygroupenlistedaTorontodoctorwhohadneverseentheshow,whodidn’tknowme,andtogethertheysentaletterofcomplainttotheCollegeofPhysiciansandSurgeonsofOntario(CPSO).TheCPSOisalicensingbodyforphysiciansandhasamandateto“protectthepublicandguidetheprofession.”Theyreallyhadnoauthoritytoacceptacomplaintfromthesugarindustry.However,atthattimetheCPSOwasstaginganall‐outwaragainstnaturalmedicine.Dr.JosefKropwasunderattack,andasystematicattackwasbeinglaunchedagainstallOntariodoctorspracticinganyformofalternativemedicine.Dr.Krop’sattackiswelldocumentedbyHelkeFerrieinherbookMaliceinMedicine:The14YearTrialofEnvironmentPhysician,Dr.JosefKrop.



TheCPSOwasnotconcernedaboutthedangersofsugarortheneedtohelpalerttheunsuspectingpublic.Theyonlyseemedtocareaboutkeepingthestatusquo,supportingindustry,andadmonishingdoctorswhowerenotconformingtothe“standardpracticeofmedicine.”Thatstandardforageneralpractitionerallowedthemtoprescribedrugsandrecommendsurgery.TheCPSOreprimandedme,threeandone‐halfyearslater,onMay25,1993,formaking“misleadingstatementsaboutsugarandsugarsubstitutes...andtheirrelationshiptodiabetes,infection,osteoporosis,hyperactivity,andaddiction.”Thereprimandcontinued,“Dr.Deanisherebyadmonishedregardingsensationalandscientificallyunsubstantiatedcomments.”TheCPSOchosetoignoremysugarbookwithhundredsofsupportingreferences.GoinginfortheKillWithafootinthedoorandhotontheheelsofthesugarcomplaint,theCPSO,Ibelieve,senta“plant”tomyofficeinJuly,1990.Isawthis“plant”onceandreferredhimtoanotherdoctorinmyclinicbuthelodgedacomplaintaboutmethatwascompletelyfabricated.Icounteredthisimmediatelyandthoughtthatwastheendofthat.However,thispersonwroteanothercomplaintanddeclaredme“incompetent”becauseinthatbriefvisitwithmehesaidIrefusedtogivehimahomeopathicremedyforhisallergies.Basedonthatincrediblefabrication,theCPSOleaptatthechancetoentermyofficeswithoutwarningandtakethirty‐sixpatientcharts,withwhichtheycouldgoona“huntingexpedition”tofindsomethingwrongwithmypracticeandremovemylicense.WhentheCPSOtookthefilesfrommyoffice,inDecember1991,itwasfourdaysbeforeIwasduetoleaveonaone‐yearsabbatical,whichIhadbeenplanningforthreeyears.Afterseveralmonthsmychartswerereturned,withnochargesbeinglaid.Ayearpassed,andtherewasstillnowordfromtheCPSOaboutmycase.AtthispointIspokewithmylawyer,whocorrespondedwiththeCPSOaboutmycaseandwastoldthattheywerenotproceeding.Iwasfairlysurethiswastrue,becausemylawyerreturnedmyretainer.MyyearlongsabbaticaltostudyanewmedicalmodalityturnedintoapermanentpositionformeinNewYorkwhenWalterFischman,thedoctorIwasworkingwithsuddenlydiedandleftmetocompletehiswork.TheCPSO,however,hadapparentlynotforgottenaboutme.Somewhereinmid‐July,2005,almostfiveyearsafterthefrivolouscomplaintwaslodged,withoutmyknowledgeandwithoutmebeinginattendance,theCPSOstolemylicense.Ididnotlosemylicense,Ididnotmisplaceit,mylicensewasstolenbyshortsighted,angrypeople,whowanttocontrolmedicineandareterrifiedofanyonewhodoesn’tthinkliketheydo.Ironically,InolongerhadaOntariolicenseatthetimeitwas“taken”.IhadstoppedpayingtheexorbitantOntariolicenserenewalfeewhenIrealizedIwouldremaininNewYorkandIdidholdaCaliforniamedicallicense.TheCPSOessentiallyrevokedanon‐existentlicense.Theirintentwastosendawarningtootherdoctorstostay



withintheboundariesofallopathicmedicine.NoticeofmylicenserevocationwasreportedinthequarterlyreportsentoutbytheCPSOtoalldoctorsinOntario.ThatishowIfoundoutaboutmycasewhenafriendcalledtoexpresshershock.IntheaftermathofmylicenseremovalinOntario,IhiredaTorontolawyer.SpeakingwithaCPSOlawyer,weweremadethefollowingoffer.IcouldrecoupmylicenseifIagreedtosignastipulationthatIwouldnotpracticenaturalmedicine.IfIcommittedtodollingoutprescriptionsfordrugsthatIknewhadsideeffectsandrefusedtogivemypatientsthesafeoptionsaffordedbytraditionalmedicine,Iwouldbe“free”topractice.Inmymindthatwouldbetantamounttotyingmyarmsandlegstogether,gaggingme,andrippingmyheartandsoulout.Irefused.KnowingwhatIknowaboutmodernmedicineandcomparingthattonaturalmedicine,itwouldbelikeasoldierkillinginnocentvictimsontheordersofaninsanegeneral.Somebodyinthechainofcommandhadtotakeamoralstand.Realistically,inlate1995,IcouldnotaffordthemilliondollarsitwouldtaketowinmycaseandIwasneededinNewYorktotreatpatientsafterDr.Fischmandied.IwasinanincrediblebindandIchosetostayinNewYorkandhelppeopleinsteadofreturningtoTorontotofightawar.LicensedinCaliforniaIcontinuetoholdalicensetopracticemedicineinCalifornia.ShortlyafterIfoundoutfromafriendthatmylicensehadbeenstoleninOntario,theCaliforniaStateLicensingBoardsentmealettersayingthatOntariohadnotifiedthemthatIwasunfittopracticemedicineandadvisedthemtorevokemyCalifornialicense.IimmediatelyhiredalawyerinCaliforniaandsuccessfullysavedmyCalifornialicensebyprovidingtheCaliforniaauthoritieswiththefactsaboutmycaseinOntario,whichwereriddledwithinconsistenciesandproceduralerrors.ThiswasanovelmovefortheCaliforniaStateLicensingBoard,whichusuallyjustfollowsthedirectionofanotherjurisdiction.DoctorsWillNotSpeakOutMy“sugaradventure”reiteratesthelengthstowhichthesugarindustryandmodernmedicinewillgotoretaintheirmonopolycontroloverourhealth,tastebuds,andpurses.Youwouldberighttosuspectthatdoctorsliveinfearofhavingacomplaintlodgedagainstthem.Thereforepublicizingcaseswhereanaturalmedicinepractitionergoesagainsttheallopathicstandardpracticeofmedicineislikelytokeepotherdoctorsfromsteppingoutofline.Patients,ontheotherhand,assumethatdoctorswouldtellthemifsugar,environmentalpollution,prescriptiondrugs,oranyothersubstanceweredangerous.However,sinceitcancostthemtheirmedicallicense,mostdoctorsareunwillingtopaytheprice.Accordingly,therearefewhealthprofessionalswhowilltellthetruthaboutthesedangeroussubstances.Mostdoctorsknowverylittleaboutnutritionanddonotthemselvesrealizethedangersofsugar.Manyofthecliniciansduringmymedicaltrainingwereoverweight,smoked,drankgallonsofcoffee,and



atejunkfood.Onegastroenterologistdisregardedmysuggestionthathisbagofchips,coffee,andcigarettescouldbethecauseofdigestiveproblems.Wenowknowfrommanystudiesthatsuchisthecase.Wealsoassumethatdoctorswillnotprescribedrugsthatareunsafe,butasyouwillseeinChapter5,thisisaninvalidassumption.WhoDoestheCPSOProtect?TheCollegeofPhysiciansandSurgeonsofOntarioisoneofdozensofprovincialandstatelicensingboards.Aretheymoreinterestedinprotectingtheallopathicmonopolyinthepracticeofmedicinethaninthehealthandwellbeingofpatients?HereareafewstoriesofdoctorsunderattackinOntario.DoctorsineverystateintheU.S.havesimilarstoriestotell.Dr.JosefKropUnlikemanyotherdoctorswhowerehunteddownandattackedbytheCPSO,IwasnotlivinginOntariowhentheCPSOstolemylicense.Dr.JosefKrop,however,hadtodefendhimselfwhilecontinuingtopracticemedicineandraisingfundstodefendhimselfduringhisfourteen‐yearinquisition.HiscasecosthimonemilliondollarstokeephislicenseandprobablycosttheCPSOtwomilliondollars.Dr.Krop,likemyself,wasaccusedofnotconformingtothe“standardpracticeofmedicine.”TellingpatientstodrinkspringwaterandeatorganicfoodswasworthyofcondemnationintheeyesoftheCPSO.Asmentionedearlier,HelkeFerrie’sbookMaliceinMedicinedocumentsDr.Krop’sKafkaesquejourney.Dr.FrankAdamsDr.FrankAdams,aninternationallyrecognizedneuropsychiatristandpainspecialistwhowrotetheWorldHealthOrganizationprotocolsonthetreatmentofpain,waschargedwithincompetenceinthetreatmentofhispatientsandhadhislicensestolenin2000.Dr.Adamsandagrowingnumberofpainspecialistshavecometotheconclusionthatnarcoticmedications,whenproperlyused,arethemosteffectiveinrelievingpain,donotbecomeaddictive,anddonotproducea“high.”Properlytrainedpaindoctorsmakeanassessmentandworkindividuallywiththeirpatientstohelpmeettheirneeds.Thereisno“onesizefitsall”prescriptionforpeoplewithseverepain.However,thestandardpracticeofmedicine,whichsaystousetheleastamountofpainmedicationpossible,resultsinmanypeoplesufferingunnecessarily.WhenDr.Adams’licensewasrevoked,hispatientswerelefttosufferbecausenodoctorwaswillingtoworkwiththemthewayDr.Adamshad.Unabletokeepupwiththetremendouscostsforhisdefense,Dr.AdamswasacceptedwithopenarmsintheUnitedStates,wherehecontinuestopractice.Dr.MichaelSmithDr.MichaelSmithandhisfamilysufferedgreatlyatthehandsoftheinquisitorialCPSO.Amedicaldoctorandpsychotherapistwhopracticedhands‐onbioenergetictherapy,Dr.Smithhadacomplaintofsexualimproprietylaidagainsthimbyanunstablepatient.WhenthepatientsawthevenomwithwhichtheCPSOwasattackingDr.Smith,supposedlyonherbehalf,shewithdrewhercharges—buttono



avail.TheCPSOsteppedupthepressureonDr.Smith,tothepointofrevokinghislicenseinDecember1992,afewdaysbeforeChristmas.Twoweekslater,Dr.Smithquietlywenttohishomeofficeandshothimself.Dr.RavikovitchDr.Ravikovitch,aninternationallyrespectedallergist,hadsuchextraordinaryresultswithhisasthmaandallergypatientsbyusingthesimplemedicationhistaminethathecameunderattackbytheCPSO.Inspiteofgettingwonderfulresults,notusingthestandardlistofdrugs—prednisone,ventolin,alupent,etc.—madeDr.Ravikovitchatarget.Thelistgoesonandon,asdocumentedbyhealthfreedomactivistandwriterHelkeFerrieinhermanywritingsatkospublishing.com.It’snotjustOntariothatsufferstheeffectsofmodernmedicalcontrol.PharmacistsanddrugrepsalloverNorthAmerciaareabletocaptureprescribingpracticesoflocaldoctors.Lawyershavetoldmethatifadoctorfallsbelowthestandard“drugquota,”theycanbe“turnedin”tothelocalmedicalboard.Mostpatientsandhealthconsumershavenoideathisishappening.Doctorsaretoohumiliatedtogopublicwhenattackedbytheirmedicallicensingboard,andtheyacceptwhateverpenaltiestheboardmetesout,justtostayinpractice.SpeakingOutAboutNutritionWithnotraininginnutrition,doctorsfeeloutoftheirdepthgivingdietaryadvicetotheirpatients.Patientslooktotheirdoctorsforhelpinstayinghealthy,however,doctorsaretrainedtoinvestigateandtreatdisease.Evenifpatientsarereferredtoahospitaldietician,therecommendationscarrylessweightthaniftheycamefromtheirdoctor.Anotherreasonwhydoctorsdon’tgivenutritionaladviceisthatitdoesn’tfallunderthe“standardpracticeofmedicine”.Amedicallicensingboardcaninvestigateadoctorwhodoesnotmaintainthestandardsofdrugprescribingandreferraltospecialists.Inaworldwhereadoctorcanbedisciplinedforprescribinglessthantheaveragenumberofdrugstohispatientsheiswillbeafraidtoprescribenutritionornutritionalsupplementation.Hispatients,however,believethattheirdoctorwouldautomaticallyprescribenutrientsifhethoughttheywereimportant.Andsincehedoesn’t,thatmustmeantheyareunnecessaryorunimportant.Anotherreasonwhydoctorsdon’tinvolvedthemselveswithnutritionalcounselingisbecauseitisnotlistedoninsurancebillingcodes.Thesecodesaretheonlymeansbywhichpatientscanbereimbursedbytheirinsurancecompaniesforadoctor’svisit.YouAreWhatYouEatArecentmillion‐dollarworkuponateenagerforsymptomsofIBSdidnotevenuncoverthefact,bysimple,inexpensivequestioning,thathewasaddictedtosugar,friedfoods,andicecream–heatelittleelse.Thelackofacceptanceofnutritional



medicinebyinsurancecompanieswillcontinuetodriveupinsurancecostsasmorepeoplerequirethemillion‐dollarworkupforproblemscausedbyabaddietTheAmericanMedicalAssociationownsmostU.S.healthinsurancebillingcodesandtheAMAisnotpreparedtoreleasetheirmonopolyoninsurancereimbursementthatmostlycoversmedicaldoctors.MyarticleonhealthinsurancebillingcodesisincludedinChapter2.InitIexplainhowthelackofappropriatecodeshaskeptnaturalmedicinefrombeingusedbymorepeople,curtailedresearchforlackoffunds,keptstatisticsaboutitsuseoutofmainstream,andmadeitatherapyonlyavailabletothosewhocanaffordit.HistoryofMedicineModernmedicinewouldlikenothingbetterthantohaveamonopolyonhealthanddisease.ThebattleforcontrolofourhealthsystemintheU.S.andCanadabegancenturiesago.PrinteddocumentationaboutthebattlegoesbacktothetimeofHenryVIII(1491‐1547).Duringhisrule,theHerbalistGuildapproachedHenryVIIIbecausetheallopathicdoctors,orblood‐lettersofthetime,hadconvincedthecitytopassalawallowingonly‘doctors’withalicensetopracticemedicineandtherebystopherbalistsfrompracticing.TheherbalistswentdirectlytotheKing,whowasontheirside.Heissuedaproclamationthatthepracticeofmedicinewasnotlimitedtoblood‐letters.Hedeclaredthatherbalistswerepermittedtopracticemedicinefromthenceforthintherealm.ThatdocumentisreprintedinAppendixAandisstillalegalentityandcanbeusedincourttosupporttherightsofanindividualtopracticeherbalmedicine.ThemonopolyofmedicineactuallygoesbackcenturiesbeforethetimeofHenryVIII.Thinkofthemillionsofwomenburnedorburiedalivebythechurchforallegedlypracticingwitchcraft.Themajorityofthesewomenwereherbalists,midwives,andskilledhealersthatraisedtheireofthelocalclergyandblood‐letters.Manyreaderswillbesurprisedthattherecontinuestobeanongoingbattletomonopolizethepracticeofmedicinethatdoesnotincludetheneedsandrightsoftheconstituencythatitpresumestoserve.Medicine’sRootsinCorporatePhilanthropy–PublicationoftheFlexnerReportAnhistoricalanalysisoftheU.S.andCanadianhealthcaresystemsshowsthattheywouldnothaveevolvedassuchwithouttheintrusive“help”ofcorporatephilanthropy.AccordingtoDr.RichardBrown,whowroteRockefellerMedicineMen,“…theclassthatdisproportionatelyowns,directs,andprofitsfromthedominanteconomicsystemwilldisproportionatelyinfluenceotherspheresofsocialrelationsaswell.”15In1908anon‐medical,educationalreformer,AbrahamFlexner,wascommissionedbyHenryPritchett,presidentoftheCarnegieFoundationfortheAdvancementof 15 Brown RE. Rockefeller Men: Medicine and Capitalism in America. University of California Press. 1981.



Teaching,tomakeasurveyofNorthAmericanmedicalschools.Pritchettbecameinvolvedbecausehewantedtomakesurethattheburgeoningfieldofmedicinewasguidedbycapitalism.16

FlexnerhadearlierfalleninlovewiththeGermanscientificmodelofeducationonavisittoBerlinin1906.HewasthereforetheperfectcandidatetoevaluateCanadianandAmericanmedicalschoolsonthebasisofhowtheystackedupagainstthenewlyopenedJohnsHopkinsMedicalSchool‐aperfectreplicaofthefinestofGermanmedicalschools.WhenhiredbytheCarnegieFoundation,FlexnersawthathismissionwastoreformmedicaleducationinAmerica.17HeandPritchettadvisedtheadoptionofGerman,scientific‐based,laboratorymedicine,asharpcutbackonthenumberofmedicalschoolsandthenumberofphysiciansinordertoelevatethemedicalprofessiontoamoreelitestatus.TheFlexnerReportwasameansbywhichtheCarnegieandRockefellerfoundationswereabletoestablisha“scientific”medicalmonopolyinNorthAmerica.Youcanaccessthereportforyourselfonlineandreadhowtheallopathsworkedalongsidethewealthyfoundationstoremoveevery“rudeboy”and“jadedclerk”fromthebusinessofmedicine.

MedicalLicensingBoardsYouknowhowlittleIlikelicensingboardsfrommypersonalexperiencewiththeOntarioCollegeofPhysiciansandSurgeons.Thatbody,alongwitheveryotherlicensingboardinNorthAmericagainedabsolutepowerandcontrolovermedicinewiththehelpoftheFlexnerReport.InordertogetaroundthefactthattherewasnoprovisionintheU.S.Constitutiontoestablishamedicalmonopolyunderfederallaw,Flexnersuggestedthatalicensingorganization,notcontrolledbygovernment,bedevelopedsothatallopathscouldestablishuniformmedicallicensinglawsinallstates.Theideawastocreateonlyonelicensingboardineachstateunderthecontroloftheallopathsforallmedicalcare.Noone,whohadnotgraduatedfromanapprovedallopathicmedicalschool,wouldbepermittedtotakealicensingexam.Homeopaths,eclectics,osteopaths,andothersweretogiveuptheir"dogma"and"surrender"to"science"asthesemedicalphilosophieswere,accordingtoFlexner,nothingmorethan"unscientific""cults".AfterFlexner'sReportwaspublished,itwascirculatedtophilanthropists,asaguidetomakesurenoschoolthatFlexnerhadratedpoorly,wouldreceiveanymorefunding.

16 D’Adamo P. "The ‘Rationalization’ of Health Care: 1911-Present.” The Journal of Naturopathic Medicine. Volume 4, Number 1B. 17 Flexner Report: http://www.carnegiefoundation.org/eLibrary/docs/flexner_report.pdf



Homeopathy–PrincipleTargetoftheAMAInaninterviewwithakeenstudentofmedicalhistoryandco‐founderofHealthFreedomActionNetwork,ElissaMeininger,Ilearnedthatmedicalhistorian,Dr.HarrisCoulterhaswrittenextensivelyabouttheriseofmodernmedicineoverthetrampledbodiesofthenaturalhealthprofessions.InCoulter'sbook,DividedLegacyVolume3:TheConflictbetweenHomeopathyandtheAmericanMedicalAssociation,hefootnotestheactualnumbersofhealthprofessionalsintheearly1900’s.Includedarehiscitations.“In1901theAMAJournalestimatedthattherewere104,094"regulars”,(allopaths)10,944homeopaths,and4,752Eclecticsandothers(JournaloftheAmericanMedicalAssociation,XXXVI[1901],838).In1894thehomeopathsestimatedtheirownnumbersat14,000(TransactionsoftheAmericanInstituteofHomeopathy,XLVII[1894],131.Therewereprobablyfromtentotwentythousandhomeopathsofvariousshadesinpracticeinthefirstdecadeofthetwentiethcentury(JournaloftheAmericanInstituteofHomeopathy,II[1910],75)."

Elissasaidthat,“WhilemosthistoricaltextsskipoverthemajormedicalfightthatwasgoingonbetweenallopathsandhomeopathsandbecausetheAMAismorethanhappytoprovidetheirversion,nobodythoughttotrackdownthehomeopathicversion(exceptHarrisCoulterandhomeopathswhowrotetheirownbooksonthesubjectaseye‐witnessaccounts),homeopathyhasbeendismissedasjustanothersectthatbitthedust.TheAMAclaimsthehomeopathsdiedoutbecauseoflackofpublicsupport.”

Eveninmyownfamily,myfather’smotherwasanurseandahomeopathinBostonintheearly1900’s.Whilestillinhighschool,myfatherwasregisteredtoattendBostonUniversityMedicalSchool.WhenthefamilywasforcedtomovetoNewfoundlandbecausemygrandfather,aphotoengraverandinventor,wassufferingfromleadpoisoning,mygrandmotherbroughtalongherhomeopathickitandbecamethelocalhealer.MydearfatherneveroncementionedthathehadlosthisdreamofbecomingadoctoruntilthedayItoldhimIhadbeenacceptedintomedicalschool.HowBostonUniversitySchoolofHomeopathicMedicineBittheDustAlonzoJ.Shadman,MD,ahomeopathofnote,who,inhisbook,WhoisYourDoctorandWhy?describedtheeffecttheFlexnerReporthadontheverysurvivaloftheschool,evenbeforeAbrahamFlexnermadehisofficialvisittoinspectBostonUniversityMedicalSchool.ShadmandescribedhowhewassummonedbythepresidentoftheschoolandtoldthattheAMAhadusurpedauthoritytoclassifyallmedicalschools.IfBUdidn'tdiscontinuetraininghomeopaths,theschoolwouldgetaCratingandgraduateswouldhavedifficultytakingandpassingthestateboardexaminationstoobtainalicensetopractice.BUwastransformedintoanallopathicschoolteachinghomeopathyonlyasanelective.Graduateswerenolongerknownashomeopathsandthepracticeofhomeopathywasgraduallylost.



WomenMakeBetterPatientsThanDoctorsFlexnerandthemedicalestablishmentmadesweepingsocialreformsinmedicine.Thesevenblackmedicalschoolswerereducedtotwo,thethreewomen’smedicalschoolswerecompletelypurged,and31homeopathicandeclecticschoolswereunabletomeettherequired“scientific”standardsdesignatedbytheFlexnerReportnecessarytoreceive“philanthropic”funding.Regardingwomeninmedicine,Flexnerbelieved,asdidmostofhispeers,that,"Womenareseldomequippedforthementalrigorsofmedicineand,ifmiddleorupperclass,makebetterpatientsthandoctors.”

OnlythosecollegeswillingtoadopttheGermanscientific,hospital‐basedmedicalapproachremainedstandingshoredupwithfatgrantsfromboththeCarnegieandRockefellerfoundations.TheFlexnerReportresetthedemographicsofmedicaleducation,encouragingthepredominanceofthewhite‐male,upperclass,technology‐based,biomedicalmodel.Todaywomenconstituteaboutonethirdtoonehalfofallmedicalstudents,andAfrican‐Americansabout6percent.Botharestillunder‐represented.

TheAMAGratefultoPritchettandFlexnerTheAmericanMedicalAssociation(AMA)waspartoftheteambothmonitoringanddirectingthetransitionofpowertohospital/laboratory‐basedmedicine.ThechairoftheAMA’sCouncilonMedicalEducation,ArthurBevan,wasinclosecommunicationwithbothHenryPritchettoftheCarnegieFoundationandAbrahamFlexner.Afterall,theAMAhaddoneasurveysimilartoFlexner’safewyearsbefore,butwasafraidtobetoopublicaboutitbecauseoftheinevitablebacklashbythenon‐allopaths.Bettertodoitthroughthefoundations.Bevanwasintentonmedicaleducationreformtocreatebetterdoctorsbutjustasintenttoreducethenumberofgraduatesinordertoraisetheirincomeandsocialstatus.AccordingtoBrown,“PritchettcompliedwithBevan’srequestthatthefoundationconducta‘noholdsbarred’critiqueofAmericanandCanadianmedicalschools,keepingsecretthefoundation’scloserelationshipwiththeAMA.”Bevanremarkedwithappreciationin1932:"Wewere,ofcourse,verygratefultoPritchettandFlexnerforenablingustoputoutofbusinessthehomeopathicandeclecticschools.18ThemarriageofmedicinewithscienceandtechnologywasashrewdbusinessmoveonthepartofthecorporatefoundationsandtheAMA.TheAMAwantedtocontrolmedicineandestablishdoctorsinthehigherincomebracketofsocietybymakingmedicinesynonymouswithscience.Thereisnoquestionthattheyachievedthisgoal.Asmedicaltechnologygrows,itbecomesmorevoracious‐consumingagreaterpercentageofthehealthcaredollar.Italsoseparatesdoctorsfromactualpatientcare,especiallywiththeriseofHMO’sturningthemintohealthcaremanagerswhojustgiveoutprescriptionsorassignpatientsintohospitalsorspecialists’offices. 18 D’Adamo P. "The ‘Rationalization’ of Health Care: 1911-Present.” The Journal of Naturopathic Medicine. Volume 4, Number 1B.



OncetheCarnegieandRockefellerfoundationsforcedmedicineinthedirectionofscienceandtechnology,therewasnoturningback.Toomuchwasinvestedinthehardwareofmedicine.Earlyon,thepoliticalpowerofthemedicalprofessionwasstrongenoughtoblockeffortstosubordinateallelementsofthehealthcaresystemtoahierarchyoforganizationalauthority.Doctorsdemandedautonomyoutsidegovernmentrestrictionsandtothisdayhavesoleauthorityoverthepracticeandregulationofmedicine.ChiropractorsBreaktheAMA

AninterviewinTheSpectrum19withJohnRobbins,authorofDietforaNewAmerica,describestheeventsthatledtochiropracticautonomy.Fordecades,thestandardpracticeoftheAmericanMedicalAssociation(AMA)wastoadviseitsmembersthatitwasunethicaltoreferpatientstoachiropractor.

Falserumorswerecirculatedthatchiropractorswereunscientificcultists,andtheyweredenouncedateveryturnandoneveryoccasion.Robbinssaidthatagroupofchiropractors,includingChesterWilk,fedupwiththisnonsense,suedtheAMAintheearly1980sforconspiringtodestroyandeliminatethechiropracticprofession.TheAMAfoughtthecaseinalong,drawn‐outbattlethatlastedfifteenyearsandcosttheAMA$20million.Intheend,theAMAwasfoundguiltyofintentionallyconspiringtodestroytheircompetition,andtheU.S.SupremeCourtupheldtheverdict.RobbinspointsoutthattheAMArevealed,inthenearlyonemillionpagesofdocumentationthatenteredthepublicrecord,itstrueintentregardingallformsofnaturalmedicine.Clearlystatedininternalmemosandfileswasadeliberateandsystematicconspiracyto“destroynotonlychiropracticsbutmidwifery,homeopathy,naturopathy,andherbalism.”Robbinssays“clearly,theAMA,whosemottois‘PhysiciansdedicatedtothehealingofAmerica,’wasdeliberatelyunder‐miningwhatitsawasitscompetitionforthemedicaldollar.”Thisbattleendedaroundthemid‐1990s.BeingfoundguiltyofconspiringtodestroythecompetitioncausedtheAMAtopullback,somewhat,andallowthebenefitsofothertraditionalformsofmedicinetocometolight.Weowethechiro‐practorsadebtofgratitudeforfightingthisbattle…andwinning.Similarbattlesneedtobefoughttoallowtheequalpracticeofmedicinebyallhealingarts.HistoryofMedicineinCanadaAllopathicdoctorsinCanadabeganamassingpowerasearlyas1759.Atthattime,legislationwasdraftedtoprotectan“unsuspectingpublic”againstquacksor“snakeoilsalesmen”.Sincemanyphysicianswereintheupperechelonsofsociety,theysatongovernmentbenchesandhelpedcreatelawsandregulationsthatwouldbenefit

19 http://www.garynull.com/Documents/Spectrum/interview_with_john_robbins.htm

D e a t h b y M o d e r n M e d i c i n e



them.Lumpedintothecategoryofquacksandsnakeoilsalesmen,werebonafidehealthpractitionerssuchasherbalistsandlater,homeopathsandosteopaths.By1839,individualCollegesofPhysiciansandSurgeonsresidingineachprovincewerewellestablishedinCanada.TheCollegesheldthemandatetodeterminewhocouldentertheprofession,toestablishthecontentofthecurriculum,andtosetstandardsofpractice.Inthemid‐1800’s,anotherbranchofmedicinehadestablisheditselfinEurope‐homeopathy.Unlikeallopathicmedicine,whichproposedtheuseofdrugstoquellsymptomsofdisease,homeopathyusedminutetracesofnaturalsubstancestoencouragethebodytofightthediseaseusingitsownremarkableresources.Asmostpeopleareaware,tothisday,homeopathyremainsamajortreatmentmodalityinEuropeandIndia.ItsmostcelebratedadherentsaretheBritishRoyalfamily,mostofwhomarewellrecognizedfortheirgoodhealthandlongevity.By1859,Canadianhomeopathshadtheirownboardofexaminersandatrainingprogram.Theprofessionwasidenticaltoallopathicphysiciansapartfromtheuseofnon‐toxichomeopathicremediesinsteadoftoxicdrugsandbloodletting.Unfortunately,itwasnottoremainthiswayforlong.Homeopathsandeclectics(similartotoday'snaturopaths)weremakingseriousinroadsintotheallopaths’“marketshare”andincome.Thesenature‐basedpractitionerswerethreateningthebusinessofallopathsbyadvocatingproperdiet,freshairandsunshine,plentyofrest,andgentleremedies,tomaintaingoodhealth.Allopathicdoctorsofthetimewererelyingonbloodletting,blistering,purgingbowelswithlargedosesofmercurouschlorideandanantimonycompound(bothofwhicharehighlytoxic),andprescribingarsenicandopiumastonics.Unabletodislodgetheircompetitorstheallopathstookanothertact.Theallopathsprevaileduponthegovernmenttoencouragehomeopathstojointheminonecollegewithoneboardandonetrainingfacility.Itwasproposedthateachmodalityhaverepresentationontheboard,developitsowncurriculum,andexamineitsowncandidates.Aslogicalasthismayhaveappearedtothehomeopaths,inenteringthisagreement,theyhadunwittinglysignedthemselvesintooblivion.Inaclassicexampleof“Stepintomyparloursaidthespidertothefly,”thehomeopathsandeclecticsweregraduallyandeffectivelysqueezedoutofkeypositions,andtheirtreatmentsandtheorieswereone‐by‐onedroppedfromthecurriculum.By1928,itwasillegaltopracticehomeopathyinOntario.Osteopathy,amodalityinvolvingmanipulationandmassage,wasalsobanishedfromCanada,althoughitflourishestodayintheU.S.,throughoutEurope,andintheUK.Onlythechiropractorshavemanagedtoevadethemanyattemptstodiscredittheirprofession.



InsuranceforDiseaseCareVoluntaryhealthinsuranceprograms‐privateandlaterpublicones‐weredevelopedmainlyaroundhospitalcare,financingtheexpansionofhightechmedicinewiththehospitalatitscenter,leavingoutwellnesscareandconcentratingondiseasecareandmanagement.Healthcare,potentially,hasagreatdealtooffer.Werightfullyexpectourhealthcaresystemstopreventsickness,diagnoseourills,relieveourpains,and,whenwearesick,returnustoourusualleveloffunctioning.Ifhealthcarehadbeenallowedtodevelopalongamorenaturalmedicinemodelandnotprimarilyanallopathicmodelthefocuswouldbeonprevention,assumingresponsibilityforself‐treatment,andinformedlifestylechoices.SeebelowforanoverviewofthemonopolyinhealthinsuranceandadiscussionofABCCodesPatentingLifeNow,it’snotsomuchcorporatedollarsbutdrugcompaniesthatfinancemedicaleducationandmedicalresearch,makingsuretheresearchtheyfundisdevotedtopatentedandpatentabledrugsandtechnology.Non‐drugsolutionstohealthproblemsareindirectcompetitionwiththisgoal.Rareplantshavebecomeatargetforbiotechcompanieswhoscourandravagetherainforestfor“patentable”chemicalcomponentsofindigenouswildlife.Youcannotpatentrawproductsthatoccurinnature;sofar,that’sanunbendingruleinpatentlaws.From1980,however,life,intheformofDNAproducts,whichhavebeenisolated,purified,ormodifiedtoproduceauniqueformnotfoundinnaturearepatentable.Pharmaceuticalcompaniesseekoutplants,whichhavebeenusedforcenturiesinprimitiveculturesforparticulardiseaseconditions,breakthemdowninto,whattheydeterminearetheirmostactivechemicalingredients.Thentheyalterthoseindividualchemicalsmolecularlytomakethemnon‐naturalandcreatesomethingelseentirely,justtoobtainapatent.Usually,bythisprocessofstrippingchemicalsandreproducingthemsynthetically,theirnaturalabilitytohealvanishes.Thenewchemicalmayhavesomefunctionbutalwayswithsideeffects.KeepthisinmindthenexttimeyoureadaboutsomewonderfuldiscoveryintheAmazonjungleofanewplantthatshowscancer‐fightingproperties;it’sallaboutthepotentialpatentandneverabouttheplantoraboutthehealing.Ifitwereaboutthehealingwewouldbegrowinghealingplantsinabundanceandtakingthemeverydayaspartofourdiet.TheRiseofNaturalmedicineInthe1970’s,inklingsoftheoldhomeopathic,eclectic,Asianacupuncture,andherbalmodalitiesstartedappearingbetweenthecracksinthemedicalassemblylineaspeoplebegantolookforwaystostayhealthyandmeansofavoidingmodernmedicine’ssideeffects.OnefamousmovementwastheBostonCollectiveandtheirself‐carebookOurBodiesOurselves.Thereweremidwiferygroups;backtothelandorganicfarmingcollectives;andanexplosionofhealthfoodstoresallfocusedonself‐help,self‐care,andself‐responsibility.IwitnessedabacklashtothismovementwhenIwasinmedicalschool.Weweretoldthatchiropracticcareandhomebirthsweredangerous,thatorganicfoodswerenodifferentfromsupermarketfoods,andthatpeoplewhoatehealthfoodwerefaddistsandhealthnuts.Asnaturalhealth



professionssuchaschiropractic,naturopathy,massage,herbalmedicine,andhomeopathybegantobemorepopulartheywereeitherignored,suppressed,orfinallyregulatedinsuchawaythatthemedicalprofessionalwayspreserveditsroleascentralgatekeepertopeople’shealth.FreedominOklahomaTheoneexceptiontothemonopolyofmodernmedicine,asexplainedbyElissaMeininger,co‐founderofHealthFreedomActionNetwork,isinthestateofOklahoma,whichallowsallnaturalhealthprofessionalstopracticefreelyandopenlyandithasalwaysbeenthatway.ThecolorfulhistoryofOklahoma’sinaugurationintostatehoodin1907sawapopulistmovement,whichstipulatedthatthepeopleofOklahomaandnotgovernmentorcorporations,oranylobbygroupswouldcontroltheirstate.FromatextbookpublishedbytheUniversityofOklahomaPressaboutthe1906OklahomaStateConstitutionalConventionthefollowingexcerptsetsthescene.

Thiswastheageofmuckrakers,andemergingprogressivism.IdaTarbell,LincolnSteffens,andotherwriterswereusingtheirliterarytalentstoexposecontemporarypolitical,social,andeconomicevils.Itwasalsoatimeofpoliticalfermentandchange.Daringreformersweredevelopingplanstopurgecorruptionfromgovernment,controlabusivetrusts,andrestorethegovernmenttothepeople.ThustheOklahomaConstitutionalConventioncameatacriticaljunctureinnationalhistory.Itsdelegates,especiallytheconventionpresident,BillMurray,weresteepedinthenewthought,andtheirdedicationtotheideasofreformmadetheOklahomaConstitutionalConventionasortofpoliticallaboratory.

SoexcitingweretheprospectsofproducinganewsocialandpoliticalorderatGuthrie,thatleadingnationalnewspapersandmagazinessentwriterstocovertheconvention.TheSaturdayEveningPostcorrespondentwroteofthegoalofthedelegates:"Itwasnotmerelythebirthofthenewstate,itwasthebirthofanewkindofstate."ThesamewriterprovidedfuturegenerationswithagraphicwordpictureofthecolorfulAlfalfaBillMurrayandthehighhandedmannerinwhichherantheconvention:ChairmanBillMurraymountstheplatformandsweepsthehallwithhispiercingglance.Downcomeshisgavelwithrepeatedcrashesofthetable.Thetumultceases."Theconventionwillcometoorder!"Murrayshouts,withafinalblowofthegavel."Delegateswilltaketheirseats,loafersandlobbyistswillgetout!Wewillbeginbysingingthatgrandoldhymn,"Nearer,MyGod,toThee.'"

Theconstitutionstipulatesthat:

“Thelegislativefunctionwassharedwiththepeoplethroughthethenrevolutionaryinitiativeandreferendum.Thenewconstitutionprovidedthat8percentofthevoterscouldinitiateaconstitutionalamendmentbypetition,and



5percentofthevotersbypetitioncouldobtainareferendumonanactofthelegislature.”

ElissasaidtherewasnoplacefortheAmericanMedicalAssociation(AMA)tobuyitswayintoOklahomaorinfluence‐peddlethroughitsusualfriendsinpowerfulcorporateplaces.Therewasnoroomforamedicalmonopolyinastateofself‐reliantpeople,Indianshaman,andhealerswhoknewmoreabouttreatingsnakebitethanallopathsorevennaturopaths.Thesepeoplewouldnotbetoldwhattodobyanyone.Whenthelocalallopaths,in1917,triedtointroduceabillintothelegislaturetoexpandtheirpowersandgainmorecontroloverchiropractorsandotherdruglesshealers,alawyeropposingthebillgothimselfarrested,triedbytheOklahomaSenate,andthrowninjailfortendaysforwritingafrontpagearticleinalocalnewspaperwiththeheadline,“WastheSenateBought?”Whilethelawyerremainedinjail,thebillwaspassedbutitengenderedsomuchanimositythatastatewidereferendumwascalledin1920askingthepeopleiftheywantedmedicineregulatedaccordingtothe1917law.Happytofinallybegiventhechancetosayso,theyvoted“no”withapluralityof46,000votes.Elissaco‐foundedHealthFreedomActionNetworkin1993,justayearbeforetheOklahomaallopathslobbiedagaintowintherighttocontrolthepracticeofallnaturalhealingarts.Thus,modernmedicineinOklahomawantedwhateveryotherstateintheUnionandeveryprovinceinCanadahad—fullcontrolofallmedicalcaredecisions.Therewasahugepublicoutcryaboutthisattempt.ElissasaidthatinOklahomacitizenswereveryconcernedthiswouldmeanalossoffreedomofaccesstonon‐allopathicpractitionersandwereveryvocalaboutprotectingtheirrighttoobtainthehealthcareoftheirchoice.Thefinalresultputallopathicmedicineinitsownallopathicbox.Theactualchangesintheallopathiclawwerepennedbyordinarycitizenswho,truetotheirOklahomaheritageasafreepeople,wereabletosuccessfullylobbytohavethefollowingamendmentvotedintolaw–andwithonlyfivevotesshyofbeingunanimous.TheOklahomaAllopathicMedicalandSurgicalLicensureandSupervisionAct.“Sections481through518ofTitle59oftheOklahomaStatuesshallbeknownandmaybecitedasthe"OklahomaAllopathicMedicalandSurgicalLicensureandSupervisionAct".Itistheintentthatthisactshallapplyonlytoallopathicandsurgicalpracticesandtoexcludeanyotherhealingpractices.AllopathyisamethodoftreatmentpracticedbyrecipientsofthedegreeofDoctorofMedicine,butspecificallyexcludinghomeopathy.Thetermsmedicine,physiciananddrug(s)usedhereinarelimitedtoallopathicpractice.”Section492(F)“NothingintheOklahomaAllopathicMedicalandSurgicalLicensureandSupervisionActshallprohibitservicesrenderedbyanypersonpracticingnonallopathichealingpractice.”



Section493.1(M)“TheBoardshallnotdenyalicensetoapersonotherwisequalifiedtopracticeallopathicmedicinewithinthemeaningofthisactsolelybecausetheperson'spracticeortherapyisexperimentalornontraditional.”Section509.10(2)“TheBoardshallnotrevokethelicenseofapersonotherwisequalifiedtopracticeallopathicmedicinewithinthemeaningofthisactsolelybecausetheperson'spracticeisexperimentalornontraditional.”TheOklahomaAllopathicAct,infact,restrictsallopaths.TheAllopathicLicensureBoardcannotprohibitanyonefrompracticingnon‐allopathichealing,hasnojurisdictionovernon‐allopathicpractices,andcannotinterferewiththepracticeofamedicaldoctorwhooffersnon‐allopathicservices.InOklahoma,withtheexceptionofchiropractors,nootherprofessionorgroupthatpracticesahealingarthasoptedtoestablishalicensinglaw.Eventhosepracticessuchasacupuncture,massagetherapy,midwifery,naturopathy,homeopathy,andothersthataresometimeslicensedelsewhere,practicefreelyandwithoutrestrictioninOklahomaandhavedonesoforover100years.

AcommonconcernforpeoplenotfamiliarwiththestateofaffairsinOklahomawouldbe‐whatdopeopledoiftheyhaveacomplaintagainstahealthprofessionalandnoregulatorybodytocomplainto?InanswertothisquestionElissasaidthatquestionsofsexualmisconduct,failuretodiagnose,andphysicaloremotionalinjuryrelatetoqualityofservice.Ifapractitionerprovidesbadserviceoractsinaninappropriatemanner,acustomerhasseveralchoices.

1.Stopgoingtothepractitionerandtelleveryoneyouknowaboutyournegativeexperience.2.Inthecaseofsexualmisconductorfraudorothercriminalact,godirectlytothedistrictattorneytofileacriminalcomplaint.3.Sueincivilcourtfordamagesduetobadoutcome.Elissasaidpeoplearehappytomaketheirownchoicesabouthealthcare.Iftheydon’tlikesomeonetheydon’tgotothemandtheytakeresponsibilityforthosechoices.Shecouldnotfindanyrecordinthepublicmemoryaboutapractitionerbeingtakentocourtforanyreason.Elissasaidthat“suchaneventwouldbeanextra‐ordinarysituationandthegrapevinewouldprovideeveryjuicydetailthatIwouldbeamongthefirsttoknowbecausenaturalhealthpeopletendtocallmeoverlegalmatters.We'reasmallpopulationstatesonewstravelsfastaseveryoneknowseveryone.”Elissaevenaskedseveraloftheoldtimerswhohavelargenaturalhealthpracticesandhavebeeninbusinesssincetheearly1980'sandtheycouldnotrecallanyincident,either.



WecanonlywonderwhattheNorthAmericanhealthcaresystemwouldlooklike,ifcitizensintheother49statesandthoseinCanadahadbeengrantedthesameconstitutionalpowerovertheactionsoftheirpublicservantsasthecitizensinOklahomaareluckytohave.Youcanreadthepaper,“TheCaseAgainstMedicalLicensing”20byDr.LawrenceWilsonandtakeheartinthefollowingquotefromRonPaul,MD,apracticingobstetricianandaCongressmanfromTexas:“Letusallowphysicians,hospitalsandschoolstospringupwherethey'reneeded,abolishtherestrictivelicensurelaws,andsimplyinvokethelawsagainstfraudtoinsurehonestyamongallprovidersofhealthcare…Thatwillmakehealthcareaffordableforeveryone.”InsuranceandHealthCareMalpracticeinsuranceisBigBusiness.However,ifpeopletookresponsibilityfortheirownhealthcareandwereallowedtogotopractitionersoftheirchoice,isthereapossibilitythatthehugemalpracticeratesthatinsurancecompanieschargewouldnotbenecessary?Paying$1,000permonthforindividualhealthinsuranceisnotwhatBenjaminFranklinhadinmindwhenhesponsoredthefirsthospitalsinAmerica.Suchhighpremiumsareespeciallygratingtopeoplewhowanttostayhealthy,becausehealthinsurancewillnotcoverpreventivehealthmeasureslikevitaminandmineraltesting,dietanddetoxadvice,ornutritionalprescriptions.Healthinsuranceonlycoverscostlydrugsandhospitalizationswhenyousuccumbtodisease.Mostpeopleareforcedtotakethedrugsthatareprescribedbecausetheyarecoveredwhentheywouldrathertakethealternativesbutcan’taffordtheextraexpense.ConsumerHealthInformationResearchInstitute(CHIRI),whichsoundslikeapublicserviceinstitutionisacreationofthehealthinsuranceindustry.Dr.JamesCarterinhisbookRacketeeringinMedicine:TheSuppressionofAlternatives,saysthat,“CHIRIhasforitsconstituencythehealthinsuranceindustry.21Itpurportstoservethatindustryinanadvisorycapacity,byapprovingordisapprovingaparticulartreatmentprovidedbyahealth‐careprovider.Itservesasahealth‐insuranceconsultantregardingthelegitimacyofcertaindisabilitiesandhealthpractitioners.Anexampleofan"illegal"disabilitywouldbechronicfatiguesyndrome.CHIRIisalsosaidtohaveacomputerizedlistofmorethan40,000Americanphysiciansandothermedicalpractitionerswhoaresuspectedofusing"questionablemedicalpractices."Iknowmanypatientswhohadtofightforhealthinsurancecoverageoftheirchronicfatiguesyndromealmostashardastheyfoughttheirdisease.

20 http://www.drlwilson.com/articles/licensing.htm 21 Carter, M.D., Ph.D., James P., Racketeering in Medicine: The Suppression of Alternatives, Hampton Roads Publishing, VA, 1992/93, pages 44-45.



Inthefollowingarticle,writtenforTotalHealthandLongevitymagazine(June2006),Itacklethemonopolyintheuniversalhealthinsurancecodingsystem. TheHealthcareCodesMonopoly

Mostpeoplehavenoideathatthereisahealthcarecodemonopolyanddon’tevenknowwhatitmeans.It’stimewedid.BillingCodesThebillingsystemofAmericanhealthcareisbasedonacomplexcodingsystemcalledCurrentProceduralTerminology(CPTcodes).Establishedin1966bytheAmericanMedicalAssociation(AMA),thecodesgarnertheAMAheftyannuallicensingfees.EachtimeaCPTcodeisused,theAMAgetspaid.TherehasneverbeenalawagainstincludingcodestocoverallhealthcarepractitionersbuttheAMAhasdevelopedveryfewcodesfornon‐medicalpractitioners.Thiskeepsotherpractitionersfrombecomingequalbusinesspartnersintheworldofinsurancereimbursementforservicesrendered.CPTcodesaredesignedtodocumentwhatamedicaldoctordoesforapatient.Thinkofadepartmentorgrocerystorewhereeveryitemhasabarcode,andifitdoesn’t,theitemcan’tbesoldwithoutaclerkrunningbacktotheaisletofindtheprice.Swipingabarcodeacrossthecashier’sscannernotonlycalculatestheprice,butalsoautomatesinventorycontrolandfinancialmanagement.It’sthesameforhealthcare,withoutacodethereisnowaytocalculateappropriatepaymentandnoitemizationofwhathastranspired.It’sthatsimple.Thecurrentcodingsystemscoveronlyafractionofwhatishappeninginhealthcare—codedinterventionsaretheonlytransactionsthataretracked,marketed,andreimbursed.Thisiswhysolittleisknownaboutwhattranspiresinthemarketplacewithregardtohealthcarepractitionerswhoarepaidcash.Withoutcodesforalltypesofhealthcarepractitioners,wecan’tdocumenttheeffectivenessoftheircareorthepotentialmoneythatissavedbyincludingthemininsurancereimbursement.It’salose‐losesituation.Patientslose,practitionerslose,andthenationkeepslosingmillionsofdollarspaidouttoineffectiveandcostlydrug‐basedmedicine.Forexample,healthcaretrendsaretrackedbydataobtainedfrominsurancecompanies.Sinceinsurancecompaniescan’tmeasuredatatheydon’thave,theyhavenowayofknowing,forexample,thatpatientswhoseemidwiveshaveamuchlowerrateofcesareansection,about10‐15%,comparedtopatientswhoaredeliveredbyobstetricianswithovertwicetherate–ofabout30%.Lackofrelevantdataisalsowhywecanonlydependonsmallsamplesandsurveystotelluswhatformsofnaturalhealingartspeopleareusingbecause



wehavenootherwayofgatheringthedata.It’sGettingWorse,NotBetterThereusedtobestatecodes(HCPCSIII)thatindividualstatescreatedtomeettheirneeds.Thestatecodeswereabolishedin2003,costingmanystates’Medicaidprogramsmillionsofdollars.SquarePegsinRoundHolesBeingrequiredtofiteverythingapractitionerdoesintoanallopathic/medicalcodeleadstoahighdegreeofinexactness.BecauseCPTcodesincludeveryfewnon‐medicalmodalities,manydoctorsmustlimittheirpracticetoallopathicmedicine—sotheycangetpaidbyinsurance,which,inturn,limitsthetypeofcareavailabletothepublic.Practitionerswhousenon‐allopathicmodalitieshavetofittheircareintoaCPTcode—squarepegsintoroundholes.Forexample,allstatesallownursepractitionerstobilldirectlyfortheircare,buttheylackappropriatecodes.So,whileinsurancecompaniesmaydirectthemtobillusingCPTcodes,theAmericanNursesAssociationhasdeterminedthatCPTcodesdonotdescribeordocumentthatthecareisfromanurse.ABCcodessolvethisproblem,forallpractitionersbygivingeachpractitionertheirownsetofcodes.StateofExclusionDuetodiscrepanciesinstate“scopeofpracticelaws”,insurancecompaniesdon’tknowthescopeofpracticeforeachtypeofpractitionerineachstate,andbecauseofpotentiallegalliabilities,theyjustdon’tpayfortheseservices.Tobefair,theydon’twanttopayaclaimillegally,butitsuitsthemjustaswelltonotpay–itsavesthemthehassleofprocessingclaimswithoutcodes.Agraphintheoriginalarticledemonstratedthatthevastmajorityofhealthcodesservicetheminorityofallopathicmedicaldoctors,whereasthemajorityofhealthpractitionersinthecountrydonothavecodesthattheycanuse.ABCCodesKnowingthelimitationsoftheCPTcodes,auniquecompanycalledABCCodingSolutionsdeveloped“ABCCodes”thatdescribeservices,remedies,andequipmentitemsusedbyallhealthcarepractitioners,notjustmedicaldoctors.And,theyincludecodesformostaspectsofalternativemedicineaswellincludinghomeopathicremedies.Ms.Giannini,theCEOofABCCodingSolutionsknewthehealthcaresystemwasunhealthy.Butitwasn’tuntilsheexperiencedachronicillnessthatshebecameavictimofitherself.Shestruggledwithherillnessfortwoyears,goingtomedicaldoctorswhobilledherinsurancecompanyatotalof$15,000‐alllegallycodedandabsolutelyineffective.Afternoneofthemedicaltreatmentsworked,itonlytookafewvisitsandwithadoctorwhoprovidedcarethatwasnotintheCPTcodes,and$500inoutofpocketexpenses,togetherwell.



Ms.Gianninifounditincrediblethataninsurancecompanywouldgladlypay$15,000fortreatmentsthatdidn’tworkandrefusetopay$500fortreatmentsthatdid.Thedoctorthathelpedhergetwellisoneofmillionsofpractitionersforcedtooperateoutsidethe“system”,whichalsoforcesmillionsofpatientslikeMs.Gianninioutsideaswell.PlayingMonopolyTheAMAwastoldbythefederalgovernmentin1993tocreatecodesfornon‐MDs,buttheyhaven’tcomplied.It’slikeaskingFordtocreateserviceandsupplycodesforChrysler!Nobodyisgoingtowillinglystopsomethingthatworksinhisorherfavor.NurseshavetriedfordecadestogetnursingcodesbyparticipatingonacodingpanelwiththeAMAwithoutmuchluck.And,asof2006,outofover8,000CPTcodesformedicalcare,thereareonlyfourCPTcodesforchiropractorsandacupuncturists,andmassagetherapistshaveonecode.CuttheBureaucracyABCCodingSolutionskeepscurrentonthelegalscopeofpracticeofallpractitionersinall50statesandABCcodeslegallyreflectthepracticesofmorethan3millionunder‐servedhealthcarepractitioners.Buttheyarenotmeanttosupercedethecurrentcodes;whenusedtogetherwithCPTandgovernmentcodes,ABCcodessupportacomplete,accurate,andprecisedocumentationofpatientencountersandacommonlanguageforcomparingtheeconomicandhealthoutcomesofcompetingapproachestocare.ThefactthatABCCodingSolutionscandetermineifacodeislegalornotsavesbillionsinadministrativecostsspenthagglingoverinappropriatecodes.ABCCodingSolutionsestimatesthatusingABCcodeswillsavemorethan$51billionperyearinU.S.healthcarecostswhenimplementedacrossthehealthcareindustry.UsingtheexampleoftheMedicaidBehavioralHealthDepartmentinAlaska,byusingABCcodesinplaceofstatecodesthatwereretiredin2003,thisdepartmentsaved$2millioninoneyear.ThisdepartmenthasthusfarusedABCcodestoprocessmorethan500,000healthclaimandpaymenttransactions.AMedicareAdvantageplaninNewMexicohaspaidclaimsonABCcodesforoverfiveyearswithsimilaroutstandingresults.HavingABCcodeswillnotchangehealthcareovernight—butABCcodesareabigstepintherightdirection.Unliketechnologiesthatcostmillionsandtakeyearstoreturnaprofit,ABCcodesareaturnkeyoperationandbeginsavingeveryonemoneyimmediately.WithABCcodes,insurancecompanies,governmentandthepublicwillhaveinformationtomakeinformeddecisionsonhealthcarespendingandreimbursement.



ConsumerDirectedHealthcare(CDHC)CDHCandHealthSavingsAccounts(HSAs)areanattemptto“solve”theproblemofrisinghealthcarecosts.Theyraiseconsumerawarenessabouttherealcostsofhealthcareandhelppeoplemakebetterdecisionsabouthowtospendtheirhealthcaredollars.However,theyarecurrentlysetupusingonlythemedicalmodelofcareandAMACPTcodes.Theydonotcurrentlyaddressthedemandsofmillionsofpeoplewhowantalternateoptionstoprescriptiondrugsandsurgery.ABCcodes,however,allowallpractitionerstoeffectivelydocumenttheircareandtherebypotentiallyparticipateininsurancereimbursementandHSAs.ThusABCcodeswillhelpmaximizethebenefitsofHSAsbyprovidingconsumeraccesstoawidervarietyofcaregivers.WhatYouCanDoABCcodeshavebeeninusesince2003.However,ABCcodesneedtoleapoveronemorehurdle.Theyneedtobenamedapermanentgovernmentstandardsothatinsurancereimbursementwillbealsobecomestandardforalltypesofhealthcare.ABCcodesareauthorizedforusethroughOctoberof2006.WehaveuntilthentolobbyourelectedofficialstohaveABCcodesmadeagovernmentstandard.Pleasevisitwww.ABCcodes.comforinformationonhowyoucanurgeyourelectedofficialstobreakthehealthcarecodesmonopoly.FromthereyoucansendyourelectedofficialsanemailurgingthemtosupportnamingABCcodesapermanentgovernmentcode‐set.YoumayalsocontactABCCodingSolutionsat1‐877‐621‐5465.Wedon’tneedmorecaregiversinAmerica;insteadweneedtorethinkcoding.Codingiscreatinganartificialbottleneckfordirectconsumeraccesstoqualityhealthcare.Consumersaredemandingchoiceinhealthcare.YoucanhelpcreatechoicebydemandingthatABCcodesareavailabletodocumentthecarethatconsumersarealreadyusing.(EndofArticle)

FiveMinuteMedicineTimBolen,anoutspokencriticofNorthAmericanmedicineandadvocatefornaturalmedicine,callsmodernhealthcare“FiveMinuteMedicine”,whichdescribestherealityofconventionalhealthcare.

(1)Apatientwaitstwomonthsforanappointmenttoseeadoctor,waitsanhourinawaitingroom,thentwentyminutesinanexaminingroom,to“consult”withadoctorwhospendsfiveminuteslisteningtotheirproblemsandoneminutewritingoutthreenew“prescriptions”fordrugs,whose“copay”atthepharmacyisequivalenttothepriceofgroceriesfortwoseniorcitizensforawholeweek;



(2)Thetermalsoreferstotheamountoftimeapatientcanexpecttoactuallyinteractwithalicensedhealthprofessionalduringaweek’sstayinanyNorthAmericanhospital—fiveminutes.22

TheQuackbusters

Bolensaysthatmedicaldoctorswhostepoutsidethe“FiveMinuteMedicine”boxareimmediately,andsometimespermanently,preventedfromusingmodalitiesotherthantheso‐calledscience‐based,sanctioneddrugsandsurgery.Bolenhasconsiderableexperienceinvestigatingthereasonswhysuchdoctorsaretargeted.He’sspentseveralyearsstudyingtheQuackbusterorganizationandparticipatedinseveralcourtbattleswheretheQuackbusterswereengagedasso‐calledmedicalexpertwitnesses.TimBoleninsteadputtheexpertsontrialandvettedtheircre‐dentialsincourt;theycameupshorteverytimeandarenolongerconsideredexpertwitnessesinmostcourtroomsofAmerica.HelkeFerrie’sarticle“Quackbusters—Busted,”reprintedinAppendixEdescribestheQuackbusterorganizationandreferencesBolen’sworkonhissite.www.bolenreport.net.It’swellworthstudyingthepeoplethatarelikelybeingpaidbycorporationstolimityourchoiceinhealthcare.Bydoingsoyouwillmoreeasilyseethroughthesmokeandmirrorsandfeartacticsthattheyuse.Thedefinitionofaquack:“apractitionerwhosuggeststheuseofsubstancesordevicesforthepreventionortreatmentofdiseasethatareknowntobeineffective”.Considerthatthetableshaveturnedsinceallopathicmedicineseemstobesoineffectiveinitstreatmentofchronicdisease.Eisenberg’s1993‘Unconventional’MedicineStudyThegeneralpublicbeganclamoringfornon‐allopathicmedicineinthe1970’sand80’s.Throughthepowerofthepurse,theybrokefreeofallopathicmedicine’sstrong‐armtechniques,buyingtraditionalhealthservicestotheextentthat,by1993,Dr.DavidEisenbergfoundthattheamountspent,outofpocket,onnaturalmedicineequaledthatspentonstandardmedicalcare.23Eisenberg’ssimplestudychangedthefaceofmedicine.Modernmedicinehadnoideasomanypeoplewereusingandspendingsomuchmoneyonnaturalmedicine.Inhis1993study,Eisenberginterviewed1,539adultsbytelephoneonthetypeofmedicinetheyfavored.Oneinthreepeoplereportedusingatleastonenaturalmedicinetherapyinthepastyear,andathirdofthesesawnaturalmedicineproviders.Thosewhosawnaturalmedicineprovidersmadeanaverageof19visitsduringtheprecedingyear.Themajorityofpeopleusednaturalmedicineforchronic,asopposedtolife‐threatening,medicalconditions.Amongthosewhousednaturalmedicineforseriousmedicalconditions,thevastmajority(83percent)alsosought

22 http://www.bolenreport.net/feature_articles/feature_article032.htm 23 Eisenberg D. “Unconventional Medicine in the United States – Prevalence, Costs and Patterns of Use.” NEJM 328:246-52 no.4. Jan 28, 1993.



treatmentforthesameconditionfromamedicaldoctor;however,72percentoftherespondentswhousedunconventionaltherapydidnotinformtheirmedicaldoctorthattheyhaddoneso.ExtrapolationtotheU.S.populationsuggeststhatin1990Americansmadeanestimated425millionvisitstoprovidersofnaturalmedicine.ThisnumberexceedsthenumberofvisitstoallU.S.primarycarephysicians(388million).Thestudyreportedthatexpendituresassociatedwithuseofnaturalmedicinein1990amountedtoapproximately$13.7billion,threequartersofwhich($10.3billion)waspaidoutofpocket.Thisfigureiscomparabletothe$12.8billionspentoutofpocketannuallyforallhospitalizationsintheUnitedStates.Eisenbergandhisteamcompletedafollowupstudyin1998andfounda10percentincreaseintheprobabilityofusingnaturalmedicineanda47.3percentincreaseintotalvisitstonaturalmedicinepractitioners.24Thenumberswentfrom427millionin1990to629millionin1997,exceedingthetotalvisitstoallU.S.primarycarephysicians.Estimatedexpendituresfornaturalmedicineprofessionalservicesincreased45.2percentbetween1990and1997andwereconservativelyestimatedat$21.2billionin1997,withatleast$12.2billionpaidout‐of‐pocket.Thisfigureexceedsthe1997out‐of‐pocketexpendituresforallU.S.hospitalizations.Total1997out‐of‐pocketexpendituresrelatingtonaturalmedicinetherapieswereconservativelyestimatedat$27billion,whichiscomparablewiththeprojected1997out‐of‐pocketexpendituresforallU.S.physicianservices.ModernmedicineandBigPharmawereimmediatelyconcernedthatthismoneywasbeingdivertedfromthem.InsteadofblatantlyannouncingtheirfinancialfearsmodernmedicineandBigPharmahitononemajorpointintheEisenbergstudyandusedthattobashtheuseofnaturalmedicine.TheyexpressedgraveconcernsthatthemajorityofpeopleinEisenberg’sstudydidnottelltheirallopathicdoctorwhentheywereusingnaturalmedicine.Theyinstilledfearinpeopleusingnaturalmedicinethattheycouldbemissingoutonthebenefitsofdrugtherapyandthattherecouldbedangerousinteractionsoftheirdietarysupplementswithdrugs.Tomeitmadeabsolutesensethatpeoplewouldnottelltheirdoctors.Iknowfrommyownclinicalexperiencethatpatientswereafraidtotelltheirotherdoctorsthattheyweretakingdietarysupplementsorseeingsomeonepracticingnaturalmedicine.Doctorsregularly“fire”theirpatientsforsuchbehavior.Asfordruganddietarysupplementinteractions,theycomeabout,ifatall,whenadrugisnolongerneededandthedietarysupplementishealingtheconditionandthedrugbecomestoxic.Adoctor’smainfocusshouldalwaysbetogetpeopleoffdrugsandontodietarysupplements.

24 Eisenberg DM, et al. “Trends in Alternative Medicine Use in the United States, from 1990 to 1997: Results of a Follow-up National Survey.” JAMA 1998; 280 (18) Nov 11: 1569–1575.



EisenbergUpdatedNolongercalled“unconventionalmedicine”butlabeledCAM(complimentaryalternativemedicine)themostcompleteandcomprehensivefindingstodateonAmericans'useofCAMwerereleasedonMay27,2004,byNCCAMandtheNationalCenterforHealthStatistics(NCHS,partoftheCDC).25Toobtainthesestatistics,adetailedsurveyonCAMwasincludedforthefirsttimein2002intheannualNationalHealthInterviewSurvey(NHIS),oftensofthousandsofAmericanhouseholdsabouttheirhealth‐andillness‐relatedexperiences.AspostedontheNIHwebsite,thesurveyshowedthatalargepercentageofAmericanadultsareusingsomeformofCAM‐36percent.26WhenprayerspecificallyforhealthreasonsisincludedinthedefinitionofCAM,thatfigurerisesto62percent.StephenE.Straus,M.D.,NCCAMDirector,said,"ThesurveydatawillprovidenewandmoredetailedinformationaboutCAMuseandthecharacteristicsofpeoplewhouseCAM.OnebenefitwillbetohelpustargetNCCAM'sresearch,training,andoutreachefforts,especiallyasweplanNCCAM'ssecond5years,2005through2009."It’swonderfultoseepeopleusingnaturalhealthmethodsbutisitchangingmedicine?Asifinretaliationagainstnaturalmedicine,Ihaveseenanunfortunatetrendinmytelephoneconsultclientswheredoctorsarenolongercontentwithanormalcholesterolornormalbloodpressurereading.Theyarenowprescribingstrongandpotentiallytoxicmedicationsasapreventivemeasure,withnosciencetobackthemup.Here’swhatIwroteinaguestblogforwww.basilandspice.comthatsumsupmyconcerns.

WhenIwasinmedicalschool,backinthemid‐1970’s,welearnedtodiagnosediseaseandtreatsymptomswithdrugs.Instilledinuswasahealthyrespectforthesedrugsandtheirsideeffects.Wewerecautionedtoprescribethemonlyforthedurationofthepatient’ssymptoms.Forexample,anti‐anxietydrugsarestilllabeledforuseinshorttermanxietyfornomorethantwoweeks.Inthepastdecade,however,I’venoted,inmytelephoneconsultingpractice,thatclientsarebeingtoldtokeeptakingtheirmedicinesforanxiety,hypertension,highbloodsugar,andcholesterol“asapreventivemeasure”eveniftheyhavenomoresymptoms.Thisadviceisbeingofferedinspiteofthefactthattherearenostudiestoshowthatthesedrugscanimproveaperson’sfuturehealth.Onthecontrary,takingmorethan2drugsatonetime

25 Barnes P, Powell-Griner E, McFann K, Nahin R. CDC Advance Data Report #343. 26 http://nccam.nih.gov/news/newsletter/previous/index.htm



hasneverbeenscientificallystudiedandcanresultinseriousdruginteractionsandsideeffects.OneofmylatestbooksisaneBookcalledDeathbyModernMedicine:SeekingSafeSolutions.InitIreportthatAmericansaretaking,onaverage,tenprescriptionmedicationsperday.DirecttoConsumerAdvertisingandamediathatisfinancedbydrugadvertising,promotethemessagethatyoucaneat,drink,andbemerryandexpectaprescriptionfromyourdoctorwhenyougetsick.ThequicktalkattheendoftheTVdrugadslegallymustlistthesideeffects,someofwhichareuptoandincluding“suddendeath”.Yet,peopleflocktotheirdoctors,askingforthemiraclecureandaresurprisedwhenitdoesn’twork.Thesolutionsforourfailinghealthandfailinghealthcaresystemarenotatthebottomofapillbottle,theyincludebettereatinghabits,organicfood,exercise,restfulsleep,stressreduction,andorganicfoodbasedvitaminsandangstromsizedminerals.Ifyoufollowhealthylifestylehabits,highbloodsugar,hypertension,anxiety,andhighcholesterolwillbeathingofthepast.Ifyoupresentlyhaveoneormoreoftheseconditions,youcanreadmyeBook,FutureHealthNowEncyclopediaforhealthysolutions.

TheGreatDivideOverseventyyearsagodoctorswerespeakingoutagainstsyntheticdrugs.HenryPleasants,Jr.,A.B.,M.D.,F.A.C.P.AssociateEditorofTheMedicalWorldJournalwrotethefollowinginthe1930’s.ItispartoftheintroductiontoacompilationofarticlesfromTheMedicalWorldJournalpublishedin1935.27

Wehavebeenledalongthepathofsyntheticmedicationsfortoomanyyears,tothedetrimentoftoomanysufferers,asevidencedbythegrowingincidenceofseriousblooddisturbances,suchasagranulocytosis,methemoglobinemia,andothers.Wehaveoftenrelievedpainwithoutattackingtheunderlyingcause;wehaveoperatedwhenresistancewasattoolowebb;wehaveprescribedremediesempirically,withoutclear‐cutknowledgeoftheiractionorcollateraleffect.Letusmakeadeterminedefforttofollowourlinesoftreatmentwithscientificexactness,and,ifwefeeljustifiedinassistingtheworkof…others,wemayeitherofferconclusiveproofincondemnationofitsprinciplesorcongratulateourselvesonbeingabletosupporttheeffortsofitsadvocatesbyaccurateclinicalproofsandpainstakingcaserecords.

Itisdiscouragingthatitdoesn’tlooklikethingsaregoingtochangeinmainstreammedicine,whichmeansconcernedindividualsneedtotakemoreresponsibilityfortheirhealthandconcernedpractitionersneedtocontinueusingnaturalmeansto



helpmorepeople.AsImentionedabove,mylong‐termsolutionforthefutureofhealthincludeslowpotencyfood‐basedorganicvitaminsandangstrom‐sizedcellularabsorbedminerals.I’vealsodevelopedanonlinewellnessprogramcalledFutureHealthNow!It’salifestyleprogramthatshouldbetaughtinschools.It’smyanswertothehealthcarecrisis.Takingresponsibilityforyourownhealthisachoicethatyoucanmake.



CHAPTER2DEATHBYDRUGCOMPANIES

Avariceisalwayspoor.SamuelJohnson(Englishpoet1709‐1784)

Isthemissionofdrugcompaniestomakesafedrugstohelpalleviatesufferingortomakeprofit?WhenIwasinmedicalschool,IoncemadeacommentinclassaboutanarticleoncancertherapyinPenthouseMagazinewrittenbyGaryNull.Nullsaidthatpharmaceuticalcompaniesweresometimesguiltyoffalsifyingclinicaltrialresults.Thereactionfromseveralofmyclassmateswasofincredulity.Iwaschastisedforthinkingthatdrugcompaniescouldhaveanythingotherthanthebestinterestofthepublicatheart.AsyoureadChapter5,youdecidewhatisthehigherpriorityfordrugcompanies—profitsorpeople.FormereditoroftheNewEnglandJournalofMedicine(NEJM),Dr.MarciaAngell,struggledtobringtheattentionoftheworldtotheproblemofcommercializingscientificresearchinheroutgoingeditorialtitled“IsAcademicMedicineforSale?”28Angellcalledforstrongerrestrictionsonresearchersreceivingdrugcompanystocksandotherfinancialincentives.Shesaidthatgrowingconflictsofinterestaretaintingscience.Shewarnedthat,“Whentheboundariesbetweenindustryandacademicmedicinebecomeasblurredastheyarenow,thebusinessgoalsofindustryinfluencethemissionofmedicalschoolsinmultipleways.”ShedidnotdiscountthebenefitsofresearchbutsaidthataFaustianbargainnowexistedbetweenmedicalschoolsandthepharmaceuticalindustry.AngelllefttheNEJMinJune2000.Twoyearslater,inJune2002,theneweditoroftheNEJMannouncedthatitwouldnowacceptbiasedjournalists(thosewhoacceptmoneyfromdrugcompanies)becauseitistoodifficulttofindonesthathavenoties.Anotherformereditorofthejournal,Dr.JeromeKassirer,said,onanABCNewsreportin2002,thatthereareplentyofresearcherswhodon’tworkfordrugcompanies.29InthesameABCprogram,itwasreportedthatonemeasurabletiebetweenpharmaceuticalcompaniesanddoctorsamountedtoover$2billionayearspentforover314,000partiesandeventsthatdrugcompaniessponsoredfordoctors.RichardHorton,editoroftheLancetappearedbeforeaU.K.HouseofCommonsselectcommitteeonhealthinDecember2004.Atthatmeetinghesaidthattherelationshipbetweenmedicaljournalsandthedrugindustryis"somewhere

28 Angell M. Is Academic Medicine For Sale? N Engl J Med. 2000 May 18;342(20):1516-8. 29 McKenzie J. Conflict of Interest? “Medical Journal Changes Policy of Finding Independent Doctors.” June 12, 2002. ABC News.



betweensymbioticandparasitic."Hesaysthatdrugcompaniesfrequentlytrytoexertpressureonhisjournaltoacceptapaperbyarguingthat,ifthejournaldoesso,theywillbuyreprints,whichwillearnthejournalmoremoneyandwhichthedrugcompanyusesformarketingpurposes.Whenhiseditorsaskformoredataorcritiqueapaperthedrugcompanywillthreatentotaketheirpaperelsewhere.30Onaminorscaleofabusebutsymptomaticofthepervasivenessofdrugcompanyfundingisthestoryofacatererfriendofmine.Shehadbeenhiredbydrugcompaniestocaterpartiesforhospital‐basedmedicalgroups.Moneygoesdirectlytoher,nottothehospital,sothereisnomoneytrail.Anacquaintancethatworksforseveraldoctorstoldmethatatarestaurantclosetothehospitalwheresheworksdrugcompaniespickupthetabforordersplacedbythemedicalstaff.Anotherfriendreportedthatagroupofdoctorsregularlymeetforasumptuousdinneranddruglectureonceamonthforwhichtheyarepaid$1,000.TheABCreportalsonotedthatasurveyofclinicaltrialsrevealedthatwhenadrugcompanyfundsastudy,thereisa90percentchancethatthedrugwillbeperceivedaseffectivewhereasanon‐drugcompany‐fundedstudywillshowfavorableresults50percentofthetime.Itappearsthatmoneycan’tbuyyoulovebutitcanbuyyouany"scientific"resultyouwant.Theonlysafeguardtoreportingthesestudieswasifthejournalwritersremainedunbiased.AccordingtoDr.Angellthatisnolongerthecase.By2004Dr.AngellwroteTheTruthabouttheDrugCompanies:HowTheyDeceiveUsandWhatToDoAboutIt.Herarticlecalled“TheTruthabouttheDrugCompanies”wasprintedintheNewYorkReviewofBooksintheNewYorkTimes.31Thatarticlewasascathingattackonthepharmaceuticalindustryanditsexcesses.Angellsaid,“Americansnowspendastaggering$200billionayearonprescriptiondrugs,andthatfigureisgrowingatarateofabout12percentayear.”Thatamountdoesnotevenincludecomparableamountsspentfordrugsadministeredinhospitals,nursinghomes,ordoctors'offices(i.e.,manycancerdrugs).Thetriedandtrueexcusethatdrugcompaniesgivetojustifytheirexorbitantpricesistopayforinvestmentinresearchanddevelopment(R&D).However,AngellsaystheR&Ddefensehasnothingtodowithreality.ShesaysthatR&Daccountsforarelativelysmallpartofabigdrugcompany’sbudget.Farmoreenormousaretheexpendituresonadvertisingandpromotion.Theactualcostofmakingdrugsispenniescomparedtothehundredsofdollarscharged.Eventhoughthosepenniesaddupto$802million(in2000dollars)tobringanewdrugtotheendofPhaseIIIclinicaltrials.

30 U.K. Select Committee on Health Fourth Report, section 8 “Influence of the Industry on Key Groups.” 31 Angell M. “The Truth About the Drug Companies: How They Deceive Us and What To Do About It.” The New York Review of Books. Vol. 51, No.12. July 15, 2004.



Angellmakesthecasethatthepoorandelderlyshouldhaveaccesstodrugsandarediscriminatedagainstbecauseofthehighprices.ThatiswheresheandIreallydiffer.ForallthegoodAngellisdoinginexposingthecorruptioninthedrugindustry,sheisstillfirmlyinthecampofdrug‐basedmedicine.Angelisalsonofriendofnaturalmedicine.InherSeptember17,1998issueoftheNEJMthereweresixarticles,letters,andreportsattackingnaturalmedicine.Ifeelthatinsteadofallowingmoreaccesstodrugs,thereshouldbemorefocusonteachingpeoplehowtotakebettercareoftheirhealthandleavethedrugsforemergencies.Mostofthecostlydrugssuchasstatins,arthritispills,andheartmedicationsaregivenforlifestylediseasesamenabletodiet,exercise,anddietarysupplements.AngellalsoreportsthatforallthetalkaboutR&D,therehavebeenonlyafewtrulyimportantdrugsbroughttomarketinthepastdecade.Mostdrugsarecopycatsofbest‐sellingdrugsmadebyothercompanies.Theyarenotmeasurablybetterthantheotheranddependonheavymarketingforsales.AngelquotesDr.SharonLevine,associateexecutivedirectoroftheKaiserPermanenteMedicalGroup,whosaid,“IfI'mamanufacturerandIcanchangeonemoleculeandgetanothertwentyyearsofpatentrights,andconvincephysicianstoprescribeandconsumerstodemandthenextformofPrilosec,orweeklyProzacinsteadofdailyProzac,justasmypatentexpires,thenwhywouldIbespendingmoneyonalotlesscertainendeavor,whichislookingforbrand‐newdrugs?”SincethefirsteditionofDeathbyModernMedicineanumberofarticlesandeditorialshavesurfacedabouttheconflictofinterestinmedicine.InJanuary2006,JAMAprintedaspecialcommunicationproducedbyelevenauthorsincludingMD’s,PhD’s,andlawyersacknowledgingthat“Approximately90percentofthe$21billionmarketingbudgetofthepharmaceuticalindustrycontinuestobedirectedatphysicians,despiteadramaticincreaseindirect‐to‐consumeradvertising.”32Theyfurtherconfirmedthat“Thepurposebehindsuchindustrycontactswithphysiciansisunmistakable:drugcompaniesareattemptingtopromotetheuseoftheirproducts.”Thisarticlealsoreportedonthescienceofgiftgivingfindingthatdoctorswhoreceiveevenasmall“gift”fromadrugcompanyaremuchmorelikelytoprescribethatcompany’sdrugs.

AnAugust2006editorialbyJAMAeditor‐in‐chiefDrCatherineDeAngelisoffershersolutiontotheproblemofJAMAwritersnotreportingconflictofinterest.Shefinds“Themostpotent—bothinenforcementandeducation—istheinstigationofafullinvestigationbythedeansoftheauthors’institutions.In2006,Ihaveresortedtothisapproachtwice,resultinginthoroughinvestigationsandappropriatecorrectiveactionsfortheauthorswhowerefacultymembersattheMayoClinicCollegeofMedicineandtheUniversityofNebraskaSchoolofMedicine.”33

32 Brennan A. Troyen et al. Health Industry Practices That Create Conflicts of Interest: A Policy Proposal for Academic Medical Centers. JAMA. 2006;295:429-433. 33 DeAngelis C. D., The Influence of Money on Medical Research. JAMA, Published online August 7, 2006.



WhileAngellhasdoneyeoman’sserviceinexposingthemassivecorruptioninmedicalresearch,whatshefailstodiscussindetailisjusthowthisdeplorablesituationactuallydevelopedandhowitisnowsustainedbyanever‐increasingflowofpublicmoneythankstodrug‐industry‐favoredpublicpolicyandlaw.AsIwrotein“DeathbyMedicine”,Angell,neverhavingstudiednaturalmedicinedoesnotofferanysolutionstotheoveruseofdrugs.

BlockbusterBooksWetalkaboutblockbusterdrugs,butwealsohaveblockbusterbooksthatareexposingBigPharma.AlongthesamelinesasMarciaAngell’sTheTruthabouttheDrugCompaniesisDr.JohnAbramson’sOverdosedAmerica:TheBrokenPromiseOfAmericanMedicine.InaTorontoStarbookreviewonDecember19,2004,Dr.Abramsonisdescribedasatwenty‐yearveteranoffamilypracticemedicineandafacultymemberandresearcheratHarvardMedicalSchool.Dr.AbramsonisjoiningtheranksofdoctorswhoarequestioningBigPharma.JayCohen,MarciaAngell,andJohnAbramsonareallconcernedthatthepublic’shealthisbeingcompromisedbyacontriveddependenceoncostlydrugs.

Forthemoviecrowd,in2007,MichaelMoorereleasedSicko,anexposeofthehealthinsuranceindustry.However,hedoesn’tgofarenoughwithworkablesolutions.Tohaveeveryonecoveredbyhealthinsurancethatallowspeopletoreceivefreedrugsandsurgerywithnoaccesstoalternativesisnotthesolutiontoourhealthcarecrises.LegalizedConflictofInterestTestimonygivenbeforetheU.S.HouseCommitteeontheBudgetin1999,byconsumeradvocate,RalphNader,whoisAmerica'shighestprofilecriticofthedrugindustry,aptlycoversthedepthsoftherealproblem.Manypeopledonotrealizethatgovernmentlawsrequirethatpublicly‐financedanddevelopeddrugproductsbegiventothedrugindustryfreeandclearandalongwithofficialgovernmentassistanceinmakingsurethesedrugsareacommercialsuccess.AsNaderdescribedit,thisbonanzaofpublicfundingforresearchanddevelopmentofpatentabledrugsdidnotstartuntilafterWWIIanditpickedupsteaminthemid‐1970’swhenbusinesses,partneringwithuniversities,begantolobbyforamajortransformationofU.S.patentpolicy.Whattheywantedwasexclusivelicensingtospurprivatesectorinnovationanddevelopmentofgovernment‐fundedinventions.TheBayh‐DoleActof1980wasthefirstofaseriesoflawspassedinthe1980’sleadinguptotheFederalTechnologyActof1986withitsaccompanyingExecutiveOrderof1987,whichrequiresrapidgiveawayofpatenteddrugstopharmaceuticalcompaniesandencouragesgovernmentemployeestoworkfortheprivatesectorforshortperiodsoftimetoensurecommercialsuccessofthenewdrugs.



AllfederalgovernmentagenciesincludingagenciesliketheStateDepartmentaredirectedtofacilitatethecommercializationofthenewdrugs.IntestimonyprovidedbyNader'scolleague,JamesLove,atanotherhearingregardingthepricingofdrugsdevelopedbypublicfunding,Lovepointedoutthatdrugsdevelopedbypublicfundingwerepricedhigherthanthosedevelopedwithoutpublicfunding.Oddasitseems,NIHofficialstakeanactivepartinthepricingofdrugs.ItseemsbizarrethatAmericanpoliticianshaveestablishedlawsthatallowthealreadyhighlyprofitabledrugindustrytoplunderpubliclyfinanceddrugproductsandatthesametimesuppresslow‐cost,safeandeffectivenaturalproductsthatordinarycitizensreallywant.WebelievePresidentEisenhower’swarninginhisfarewelladdressin1961thatfundingscientificresearchforthemilitary‐industrialcomplexmightleadtoanundesiredresultalsoappliesequallytothemedicalindustry.Wehavetakenthelibertytoaddemphasistohiswordstofurtherillustratethepoint.

Inthecouncilsofgovernment,wemustguardagainsttheacquisitionofunwarrantedinfluence,whethersoughtorunsought,bythemilitaryindustrial(medicalindustrial)complex.Thepotentialforthedisastrousriseofmisplacedpowerexistsandwillpersist.Wemustneverlettheweightofthiscombinationendangerourlibertiesordemocraticprocesses.Weshouldtakenothingforgranted.Onlyanalertandknowledgeablecitizenrycancompelthepropermeshingofthehugeindustrialandmilitarymachineryofdefense(medicalindustrymachinerytodeliverappropriatemedicaltreatment)withourpeacefulmethodsandgoals,sothatsecurityandlibertymayprospertogether.Akinto,andlargelyresponsibleforthesweepingchangesinourindustrialmilitary(medicalindustrial)posture,hasbeenthetechnologicalrevolutionduringrecentdecades.Inthisrevolution,researchhasbecomecentral,italsobecomesmoreformalized,complex,andcostly.Asteadilyincreasingshareisconductedfor,by,oratthedirectionof,theFederalgovernment.Today,thesolitaryinventor,tinkeringinhisshop,hasbeenovershadowedbytaskforcesofscientistsinlaboratoriesandtestingfields.Inthesamefashion,thefreeuniversity,historicallythefountainheadoffreeideasandscientificdiscovery,hasexperiencedarevolutionintheconductofresearch.Partlybecauseofthehugecostsinvolved,agovernmentcontractbecomesvirtuallyasubstituteforintellectualcuriosity.Foreveryoldblackboardtherearenowhundredsofnewelectroniccomputers.



Theprospectofdominationofthenation'sscholarsbyFederalemployment,projectallocations,andthepowerofmoneyiseverpresentˆandisgravelytoberegarded.

Yet,inholdingscientificresearchanddiscoveryinrespect,asweshould,wemustalsobealerttotheequalandoppositedangerthatpublicpolicycoulditselfbecomethecaptiveofascientifictechnologicalelite.

Withuniversitypersonnelaswellaspublicandprivatesectorpersonnelallonthereceivingendofpatenteddrugresearchmoney,thankstocurrenttechnologytransferlaws,itisnowondernobodywantstoblowthewhistleandstudythesecretsofhowtosupportandsustainrealhealth.Thelosersarethetaxpayerswhopayforthistravesty,thepatientswhomaynotbenefitandevenbeharmedbyusingpoorlyresearchedpatenteddrugs,andthoseotherswhoaredeprivedofaccesstosafeandunpatentablenaturalproductsthatactuallywork.TheflurryoftechnologytransferlawspassedinAmericainthe1980screatedatechnologyresearchfrenzyandsimilarlawswereintroducedinCanadaandpromotedbythenprimeministerBrianMulroney.BillC‐91grantednewdrugstwenty‐oneyearsofpatentprotection.TheRevolvingDoorAmongFDA,NIH,andBigPharmaTakespecialnoteoftheFederalTechnologyActof1986andtheExecutiveOrderof1987,which“encouragesgovernmentemployeestoworkfortheprivatesectorforshortperiodsoftimetoensurecommercialsuccessofthenewdrugs.”TheopendoorpolicythatexistsbetweengovernmentandBigPharmaisalaw.It’snotajustadirtylittlesecretthatmanyofusdecryasbeingunethicalandimmoralandhiddenfrompublicscrutiny.Wewon’tgointothemanyarticlesthatarereadilyavailabledocumentingthisbehavior.Itoccurredwiththeapprovalofthetoxicartificialsweeteneraspartameandithappenswithmostdrugs.Agovernmentofficialhastensapprovalofadrugandthenmovesintoapositioninthedrugcompanytodealwithalltheroughedgesinherentintheprocess.Thenthatofficialmaygobackintoahigherpositioningovernmenttodoitalloveragain.It’salaw,andit’sashrewdbusinessmovetoensureongoingprofits.HormoneReplacementTherapyDr.Angellinherbook,TheTruthAbouttheDrugCompanies:HowTheyDeceiveUsandWhatToDoAboutIt,warnsabouttheincredibledrugbiasinmedicalresearch.Itmaynotbeobviousthatifmostofthefundingformedicalresearchcomesfromdrugcompanies,thenmostoftheresearchisgoingtobeondrugs.Thatiswhyittakessolongforresearchtobedonetoshowthatadrugisdangerous.Justrememberhowlongittooktoresearchhormonereplacementtherapy(HRT)andfindoutthatitisharmingmorewomenthanithelps.Infact,HRTresearchisanexcellentexampleofthemanipulationofmodernmedicinebypharmaceuticalcompanies.



Malecliniciansandresearchershavelongbeenfascinatedwithhowwomenageandthemysteriesofmenopause.Labelingmenopauseadiseaseduetoestrogendeficiency,doctorsattemptedto“cure”theconditionbyintroducingestrogenreplacement.Asearlyas1929,estrogentakenfromtheamnioticfluidofcattlewasused.Then,Premarin,anestradiolisolatedfrompregnantmares’urine,becamethemostpopularestrogenreplacementtherapy.Tenyearslater,amorepowerfulformofestrogen,diethylstilbestrol(DES),wassynthesized.By1948DESwasheavilymarketedtopreventpregnancycomplications,suchastoxemia,lowbirthweight,andearlypregnancyloss.DoctorsreadintheirmedicaljournalsthatDESis“Recommendedforroutineprophylaxisinallpregnancies,helpingtoproduce“Biggerandstrongerbabies“with“Nogastricorothersideeffects….”AboutfifteenyearspassedbeforeresearchersperformedacontrolledtrialusingDES.Itwasfoundtobeuselessinpreventingcomplicationsduringpregnancy.Evenworse,thirtyyearsafterDESwasmarketedtounsuspectingwomen,babiesborntoDESusersdemonstratedanincreasedincidenceofcanceraffectingthereproductiveorgans.In1971,DESwasfinallypulledfromthemarket.Meanwhile,Premarinfactorieswerechurningoutverystrongdosesoftheirestrogenproduct.Theyfirstbeganmarketingthe1.25mgdosein1942andnotuntilsixyearslaterdidtheyintroducethelowerdosesat0.625mgand0.3mg.Withoutanylong‐termstudiestoprovesafetyoreveneffectivenessoftheproduct,inthe1950’sWyeth‐AyerstfundedamassivecampaigntoconvincedoctorsthatmenopausewasaconsequenceofestrogendeficiencyandthatPremarinwouldfillthegap.Sales,however,didnotescalateuntiladirectmarketingcampaignwasundertakenwithadoctorforhire.Dr.RobertA.WilsonpublishedapersuasivearticleabouttheusedofPremarincalled“NoMoreMenopause”inNewsweekmagazine,January1964.Wyeth‐AyerstjoinedthecauseandbegantomarketmenopausetowomenbypromotingWilson’sbookFeminineForever.Ina1966copyofthisbook,thereisnodisclaimeroracknowledgementofitsfundingsource.AccordingtoDr.Wilson’sson,Wyeth‐Ayerstfundedhisfather’sresearchfoundationonParkAvenueinManhattan,hisspeakingtours,andhisbook.5Bytheendofthe1960s,about12percentofallpostmenopausalwomeninAmericawereusingHRT,quicklybecomingthenumberonedispenseddrugandconstitutingamassiveexperimentonwomen.Withoutashredofsciencetoproveitslong‐termsafety,WilsonandWyeth‐Ayerstplayedtothefearsandvanityofwomensavingwomenfromthefateofbeing“condemnedtowitnessthedeathoftheirownwomanhood”.Itwasn’tuntilthelate1960’sthatanincreaseinendometrialcancer,heartdiseaseandstrokeduetoestrogentreatment,becameobvious.By1972therewasamoratoriumontheuseofestrogenformenopause.AnothertenyearspassedbeforebreastcancerwaslinkedwiththeuseofPremarin.Whenestrogenwasfirstmarketedwedidn’tknowthatcancertakesfifteentotwentyyearstodevelop.Our



presentepidemicofcancerisinpartduetounrestricteduseofcancer‐causingdrugsandchemicals.IfOneDrugisBad,CanTwoBeGood?Whenestrogenwasdeemeddangerous,theresponseofthepharmaceuticalindustrywastoadvisetheuseofprogesterone,alongwithestrogen,tocounteritsgrowth‐stimulatingeffects.Thereasoningwassound.However,insteadofusingnaturalprogesterone,whichisnotpatentable,syntheticprogesterone,calledprogestin,wereinvented,patented,andmarketedastheanswertotheestrogenproblem.Thatoccurredinmid1970butitwasn’tuntil2000thataproperstudywasdonetodetermineifPremarinusedinconjunctionwithprogestinwerehelpfulorharmful.TheWomen’sHealthInitiativeTheWomen’sHealthInitiative(WHI)studywasundertakenbyWyeth‐Ayerst,themakersofPrempro(aPremarinandprogestincombinationpill),toattempttoshowitsprotectiveeffectsagainstheartdiseasetoenhancetheirmarketappeal.In2002,withintwoyearsofbeginningthestudy,itwashaltedthreeyearsaheadofschedule.Insteadofprotectingagainstheartdisease,thestudyfoundanincreasedincidenceofheartattack,stroke,andbreastcancerinwomen.34AnotherdeathknellwassoundedwhenanalysisoftheWHIresults,publishedinMay,2004,exposedthat,insteadofpreventingdementia,asdrugcompanieshadbeenpromoting,theriskofdementiawasdoubledinwomen,65andolder,whoweretakingPrempro.OnebranchoftheWHIstudylookedatPremarinalone.ThatstudywashaltedinFebruary2004,becauseofanincreasedriskofstroke,asignificantlyincreasedriskofdeepveinthrombosis,andnoobservablebenefittocoronaryheartdisease.35TheonlybenefitofPremarinalonewasapossiblereducedriskofhipandotherfractures.Readingthestudyindetail,however,thestatistics,donotseemthatcompelling.About10,700womenwerefollowedinthePremarin‐aloneWHIstudyanditappearsthattheincreased‐benefitstatisticisbasedonthetreatmentgrouphavingatotalofsixfewerhipfractures,whichseemsanincidentalamountandIquestionwhetheritisstatisticallysignificant.WhatwastheoutcomeoftheWHIstudyandhowdidtheNIHrespond?“ThesefindingsconfirmthatPremarin‐alonetherapyshouldnotbeusedtopreventchronicdisease"isthepositionoftheNationalHeart,Lung,andBloodInstitute.36TheysupporttheFDArecommendationsthat“hormonetherapyonlybeusedtotreatmenopausalsymptomsandthatitbeusedatthesmallesteffectivedosefortheshortestpossibletime."Itisshockingtorealizethatthisstudymightneverhavehappened.Theonlyreasonthisstudywasfinallyundertakenandthetruthabout

34 Kolata G, Petersen M. “Hormone Replacement Study a Shock to the Medical System.” New York Times. July 10, 2002. 35 Rabin R. “NIH Halts Study of Estrogen Therapy” Newsday. March 3, 2004. 36 http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/



hormonereplacementtherapybecameknownwasduetovocalwomen’sgroups.Dr.AbbyLippman,ProfessorofEpidemiologyatMcGillUniversityandCo‐ChairoftheCanadianWomen’sHealthNetwork(CWHN),feltthat“Womenwereconcernedbytheincreasingmedicalizationofwomen’slivesandbyphysicians’tendencytopush‘pillsforprevention’ofeverythingfromhotflashestomemorylapses.”37Dr.LippmanstatedthatwomenacrossNorthAmerica“believedthatfederally‐fundedresearchwastheonlywaytogetresultsnottaintedbypharmaceuticalcompanyinterests,andtheyarguedthatthisunbiasedinformationwaswhatwomenneedediftheyweretomakeinformeddecisionsabouttheirhealth.”AsspokespersonforCWHN,Dr.Lippmanremarked,“WithouttheinterventionoftheU.S.NationalWomen’sHealthNetworkandothers,millionsmorewouldbegettingprescriptionsforHRTmerelyduetowhattheNetworkhascalledthe‘triumphofmarketingoverscience.’WyethandPremproLawSuitsAFebruary2008AssociatedPressstoryreportedthataLittleRock,ArkansaswomenreceivedarulinginherfavorforherlawsuitagainstWyethPharmaceuticals.38DonnaScrogginaccusedWyethofnegligencewhenshegotbreastcanceraftertakingtheirhormonereplacementtherapy.JurorssaidthatWyethinadequatelywarnedDonnaScrogginthatitsdrugsPremarinandPremprocarriedanincreasedriskofbreastcancer.JurorsrecommendedthatMs.Scrogginreceive$2.75million.Therehavebeenmanysuchlawsuits,withmixedresults.Astheseindividualbattlesarebeingfought,bothdrugscontinuetobeFDAapproved,remainonthemarket,andareprescribedannuallytohundredsofthousandsofwomen.TheMedicareDrugWarPublicCitizen,thewatchdogagencyheadedbyDr.SidneyWolfe,providesuswitharevealingreportabouttheabuseoftaxpayers’moneytopromotedruguse.39Thetitle,“TheMedicareDrugWar:AnArmyofNearly1,000LobbyistsPushesaMedicareLawthatPutsDrugCompanyandHMOProfitsAheadofPatientsandTaxpayers”saysitall.ThisreportwaspreparedinJune2004,aspartofPublicCitizen’sCongressWatchreports.UndertheguiseofhelpingMedicarepatientsreceivefreedrugs,thedrugcompaniesinsertedclausesthatpreventedthegovernmentfromtryingtoreducedrugcosts.TheMedicarelawwillendupcostingtaxpayersafortune.ThereportisfreelyavailableontheInternetandinvestigatestheissueof“revolvingdoors”.ItfollowsformermembersofCongresswhoarenowpaidlobbyistsforthedrugindustryandHMOs.40AsobservedinChapter1,this

37 http://rabble.ca/everyones_a_critic.shtml?x=14959&url= 38 Wyeth Loses Suit Involving Its Hormone Drug. The Associated Press. February 26, 2008. 39 www.globalaging.org/health/us/2004/archive04.htm 40 http://www.citizen.org/documents/MedicareDrugWarReportREVISED72104.pdf



policyofrevolvingdoorsbetweengovernmentandBigPharmaisthelawoftheland. Worstpills.orgisresearched,written,andmaintainedbyPublicCitizen'sHealthResearchGroup,adivisionofPublicCitizen.PublicCitizenisanonprofit,nonpartisanpublicinterestgroupfoundedin1971torepresentconsumerinterestsinCongress,theexecutivebranchandthecourts.TheHealthResearchGroup,headedbyconsumeradvocateDr.SidneyWolfe,worksforresearchbased,systemwidechangesinhealthcarepolicy.Aprimaryfocusisworkingtobanorrelabelunsafeorineffectivedrugsandtoencouragegreatertransparencyandaccountabilityinthedrugapprovalprocess.PublicCitizenalsoworkstoimprovethesystemformonitoringandrespondingtopostmarketingsafetyconcernsintheU.S.,improvingtheinformationavailabletoconsumersregardingdrugsanddietarysupplements,andhelpingdoctorsandpatientsmakesafeandeconomicallywisedecisionsaboutdrugtreatment.Inordertomaintainitsindependentstatus,PublicCitizendoesnotacceptfundingfromcorporations,professionalassociations,orgovernmentagencies.CongressmanBernardSanders(I‐VT),anopponentofBigPharma,featuresaprovocativearticleonhiswebsite:“NewFiguresProvePharmaceuticalIndustryContinuesToFleeceAmericans”.ItdrawsontherecentFortune500numbers,whichshowthatthetopsevenpharmaceuticalcompaniesearnedmorepureprofitthanthetopsevenautocompanies,thetopsevenoilcompanies,thetopsevenairlinecompanies,andthetopsevenmediacompanies.Merck,whichismentionedmanytimesinthesepages,garneredmoreprofitthanalloftheairlinecompaniesontheFortune500list.Italsodidbetterthantheentertainmentandconstructionindustries.Youmightaskwheretheentiredrugprofitgoes.MarciaAngellreportsthat$75millionwentintothepocketoftheformerchairmanandCEOofBristol‐MyersSquibbalongwith$76millioninstockoptions.Another$45million,and$40millioninstockoptions,goestothechairmanofWyeth.BigPharmaOntheRunAllgoodthings,andallbadthings,mustcometoanendandthedrugindustryfinallyexperiencedadownturnin2000rightalongwiththeeconomy.Dependingonemployerinsuranceandgovernment‐supportedprogramsinNorthAmerica,itbegantoexperienceadeclineinsalesasexpensivebrandnamedrugsweredroppedfrombenefitlists.Ahugepublicbacklash,especiallyfromseniorcitizensintheU.S.occurredwhentheywereforcedtopurchasetheirmedicationsfromcheaperCanadiansources.ThisresultedinablackeyefordrugcompanieswhowererevealedaspricegougersabletoselltheirdrugsmuchcheapertoCanadiansandAmericans.Dr.Angellexposesadarksecretinthepharmaceuticalindustry:thefactthatthereareveryfewnewdrugsintheR&Dpipelinetotakeoverfromthedrugsthatare



runningoutoftheirpatents.Prozac,Prilosec,andClaritinhaveallgoneoffpatentinthepastfewyears,costingdrugcompaniesbillionsofdollarsinrevenuebecausethenon‐patentedgenericformsofdrugsaremuchcheaper.Shefoundthatoftheseventy‐eightdrugsthatwereapprovedbytheFDAin2002amereseventeencontainednewactiveingredients.Ironicallyandtragically,onlysevenofthesewereseenasimprovementsonolderdrugs.Sincedrugcompaniesarebeholdentotheirinvestors,notthedrug‐takingpublic,anylossinmarketshareputsthecompaniesatriskanddropstheirstockprices.Lossofconfidenceindrugcompaniesisinevitablewhendrugsarepulledfromthemarketduetodangeroussideeffects.Numerousrecentexamplesincludehormonereplacementtherapy,causingheartdiseaseandcancer;suicidesonantidepressants,Vioxxcausingheartattacks;diabetesdrugscausingheartdisease;statindrugstolowercholesterolcausingheartdisease,impotence,andmuscledisease;andosteoporosisdrugscausingjawbonedestruction.HRTandHeartDiseaseAsdescribedearlierinChapter2,theWomen’sHealthInitiative(WHI)study,whichsetouttoprovethewondersofPrempro(syntheticestrogenandprogesterone),washaltedthreeyearsaheadofschedule.Insteadofprotectingagainstheartdisease,thestudyfoundanincreasedincidenceofheartattack,stroke,andbreastcancerinwomen.Insteadofpreventingdementia,asdrugcompanieshadbeenpromoting,theriskofdementiawasdoubledinwomen,65andolder,whoweretakingPrempro.Andbecauseoftheincreasedriskofheartdiseaseandcancer,womenwereadvisednottousesyntheticestrogentotreatosteoporosis.WhennewsthatthePremproWomen’sHealthInitiativestudywashaltedhitWallStreet,sharesofWyeth,themakersofthe$2billiondrug(in2001sales),fellby19percent.VioxxandHeartDiseaseInChapter5,DeathbyPropaganda,youcanreadmoreabouttheclinicaltrialthatbackfiredwhenMercktriedtoshowthatVioxxmightpreventintestinalpolypstotrytoextenditspatent.Insteadofbeingabletogarnermoresales,thestudyshowedanincreasedriskofheartattackandstroke.FamilieswhoselovedoneshavesufferedheartdamageduetoVioxxhavefilednumerouslawsuits.Merckwashitwitha27percentdropinstockpriceswhenitpulleditsblockbusterarthritisdrugfromthemarketworldwide.41IndustryExaggeratesAntidepressantEffectsTheNewYorkTimespublishedanarticleaboutaNEJMpaperthatreviewed74antidepressantdrugstudiesthathadbeensubmittedtotheFDA.42Abouthalfthestudies,38,werejudgedtobepositivebytheFDA;36werepublished.Thosestudieswithnegativeorquestionableresultswerenotpublished.Consequentlydoctorsand

41 “Dow Average Falls as Merck Withdraws Vioxx.” Bloomberg News. September 30, 2004. 42 Armstrong D, Winstein KJ. “Sweeping Overview Suggests Suppression of Negative Data Has Distorted View of Drugs.” New York Times, January 17, 2008; Page D1.



patientsgettheimpressionthatthesedrugsareworkingwhereastheymayonlyworkhalfthetime,atbest.Salesofantidepressantstotalabout$21billionayear.TheTimesinterviewedDr.Turner,aformerFDAemployeewhosaidthatpeoplehadtheimpressionthatantidepressantsareeffectiveallthetime.WhenTurnertoldthemtheyonlywork40%to50%ofthetimebasedonhisreviewoftheresearchattheFDAtheyrepliedthattheyhadneverseenanegativestudy.Dr.Turnersaidheknewfromhistimewiththeagencythatthereweremanynegativestudiesthathadneverbeenpublished.Thisisnotthefirsttimefraudhasbeenuncoveredinthepharmaceuticalindustry.In2004,theNewYorkstateattorneygeneralsuedGlaxoSmithKlineforallegedfraud,whensuppressedstudiesthatconcludedPaxilwasnobetterthanaplacebointreatingdepressioninchildren.Glaxodeniedthechargebuteventuallysettledoutofcourtwiththeattorneygeneral.43DoAntidepressantsEvenWork?Notaccordingtoseveralsurveyscalledmeta‐analysis.IntheBritishMedicalJournal,a2004meta‐analysisof5clinicalpublishedstudiesusingnewerantidepressantsonchildrenandadolescentsfoundthat“Theeffectsizewassmallat0.26...”Whichmeansthatonly26%ofthetrialsubjectsimproved.Youmayrecallthattheplaceboeffectcanbeabout50%,sothisanalysisshowsthatantidepressantsareworsethannothing.44Thereportfurtherstatedthat,“Asregardsunpublishedstudies,wenotefromareportfromtheUSFoodandDrugAdministrationCenterforDrugEvaluationandResearchthatonlyoneofninestudiesshowedastatisticaladvantagefordrugoverplacebo.”Authorsofa2002reportinthejournalPrevention&Treatmentcametothefollowingconclusion:“Thus,theFDAclinicaltrialsdataindicatethat18%ofthedrugresponseisduetothepharmacologicaleffectsofthemedication.”Letmerepeat,amultimillion‐dollardrugtotreatapotentiallife‐threateningconditiononlyworksabout18%.That’sincredibleinaworldwhereapassinggradeinschoolis60%andhonorsis90%.45Eventhoughthesereportswerepublishedin2002and2004,drugcompaniesstillusemassivemediamarketingtoconvinceusthatdrugsworkwonderfullywellandifwearedepressedallweneedtodoistakeanantidepressantandourworldwillbearosyplace.Howsad!ZyprexaZombiesOneantidepressantthat’smakingbigheadlinesin2008isZyprexa.DrugmanufacturerEliLillyfacesclaimsthatitturnedablindeyetoZyprexa'ssideeffects

43 http://www.oag.state.ny.us/press/2004/jun/jun2b_04.html 44 British Medical Journal, “Efficacy and safety of antidepressants for children and adolescents”, BMJ Volume 328 10 April, 2004. 45 Prevention & Treatment, Volume 5, Article 23, posted July 15, 2002.



andthatitsdrugrepspushedthedrugforunapprovedusessuchasdementia,depressionandautismwithoutadequatewarningaboutthesideeffectsofweightgainandelevatedbloodsugar.AsofJanuary2008,Lillyhaspaidmorethan$1billiontosettlemorethan25,000patientclaimsandanotherbillioninfinesisimminent.It’sprescribedtotreatthesymptomsofbipolardisorderandschizophrenia.Remember,mostdrugsdon’ttreatanillness;theynevercure,theyonlysuppresssymptomsandcreatealifelongpatientandcustomer.AtIndyStar.comanewsreportonJanuary31,2008gaveanoverviewofthe$2BillionpricetagthatEliLillyhastopaytosaveitsbestsellingdrug.46ZyprexahasoutsoldalltheotherEliLillydrugsforeightyears.It’s2007saleswereover$4.75Billion.Perhapsa$2Billionbailoutisworthittothedruggiant.IfEliLillypleadsguiltytoamisdemeanorcriminalchargeandthe$1billionfineissetthiswouldbe"thelargesteverpaidbyadrugcompanyforbreakingthefederallawsthatgovernhowdrugmakerscanpromotetheirmedicines.”InthedealworkedoutwithFederalprosecutors,EliLillywouldbeallowedtocontinuesellingZyprexatoMedicaidandMedicarepatients,whosedrugsarepaidforbythegovernment.So,thetaxpayingpublicwouldenduppayingforthedrugwiththeircashandtheirhealth.DiabetesDrugsandHeartDiseaseThediabetesdrugAvandia,accordingtoaMay,2007studyintheNewEnglandJournalofMedicine,maydramaticallyincreasetheriskofheartattacks.Withnewsofthisstudy,thecompany'sstockimmediatelydeclined,thesharepricedropped7.8percenttocloseat53.18.47Predictably,thedrugmanufacturer,GlaskoSmith‐Klinesaidit"stronglydisagrees"withthestudy'sconclusionsaboutoneofitsbiggestsellers.Avandiawasreleasedin1999tohelptreat18to20millionAmericanwithtype‐2oradult‐onsetdiabetes,aconditionthathassurgedintheU.S.mostlyasaresultoftheepidemicofobesity.TheFDAadvisedpatientstakingAvandiatospeaktotheirdoctorsinlightofthenewstudy.Unfortunately,theirdoctorswillprobablyjustswitchthemtoanotherdruginthesameclass.ArethesedoctorsevenawarethatmostdiabetesdrugsinhibittheproductofcoenzymeQ‐10asdothestatins,cholesterolloweringdrugs,andantihypertensives(Betablockers,hydrochlorothiazidediuretics)?

TheDeclineofCoenzymeQ10LetmeexplainwiththehelpofWikipediawhyalltheseclassesofdrugscauseheartdisease.CoenzymeQ10isavitamin‐likesubstancethatispresentinmosthumancells,insidemitochondria,theenergyfactoryofthecells.CoQ10isnotfoundinred

46 “Russell J. Lilly reportedly in talks with feds”. IndyStar.com. January 31, 2008. 47 http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/71648.php



bloodcellsandeyelenscellsbecausetheyhavenomitochondria.Mitochondriaareresponsiblefortheproductionofthebody’senergy.Inhumancells,foodenergyisconvertedintobodyenergyinthemitochondriawiththeaidofCoenzymeQ10.Ninety‐fivepercentofallthehumanbody’senergyrequirements(ATP)areconvertedwiththeaidofCoQ10.Therefore,thoseorganswiththehighestenergyrequirements–suchastheheart,thelungs,andtheliver–havethehighestCoQ10concentrations.Andthat’swhydrugdestructionofCoQ10leadstomuscleweaknessandwasting,whichmeansheartfailure.

Manydiabeticsaretakingallthreeclassesofdrugs–oraldiabeticdrugs,statins,andantihypertensives.Somebecausetheyneedthemandsomebecausedrugreps,unawarethattheirdrugscanbecausingotherdiseases,aretellingdoctorsthatsincediabeticscandevelophighbloodpressureandcholesterolit’sbettertoputthemondrugspreventively,withnostudiestoprovethisassertion.Theendresultwillbeahigherincidenceofheartdiseaseinpeopleontheytypeofexperimentaltripletherapy.NotinAccordwithOurBodiesShortlyafterwritingtheaboveparagraphaboutthenew‘trend’toprescribethreedifferentclassesofdrugstodiabetics,IlearnedthatadiabetestrialcalledACCORDwashaltedbecausepeopleonthistypeofintensivedrugtreatmentweredying.Thefollowingwasdesignedtotesttheeffectsofintensivebloodglucosecontroland,insomeparticipants,intensivecontrolofbloodlipidsandbloodpressure.Afterfouryears,257participantsintheintensivetreatmentgrouphaddied,comparedwith203inthestandardtreatmentgroup.ACCORDresearcherssaythehaveextensivelyanalyzedtheavailabledataandhavenotbeenabletoidentifytodateanyspecificcauseforthehigherdeathrate.Theyclaimthereisnoevidencethatanymedicationorcombinationofmedicationsisresponsibleforthehigherrisk.Theydonotthat“becauseoftherecentconcernswithrosiglitazone(Avandia),whichisoneofseveralmedicationsusedinACCORD,researchersspecificallyrevieweddatatodeterminewhethertherewasanylinkbetweenthisparticularmedicationandtheincreaseddeaths.Todate,nolinkhasbeenfound.”BettyMartini,avocaladvocateforbanningaspartameinherregularemailbriefingswondershowmanyofthestudyparticipantswereonaspartame.Ms.Martiniwarnsthataspartamecannotonlyprecipitatediabetes,butsimulatesandaggravatesdiabeticretinopathyandneuropathy,destroystheopticnerve,causesdiabeticstogointoconvulsionsandeveninteractsnegativelywithinsulin.Iwouldliketoseeaclinicaltrialthatassesspeopleondrugsandpeopleonaproperdiet,supplements,andexercise.However,insteadofjustassumingpeopleareonaproperdiet,supplementsandexercise,puttheminaspasetting,teachthemaboutgoodeatinghabits,usefood‐basedorganicsupplements,andtailoranexerciseregimeforthemtofollow.Mostdrugclinicaltrialsarefundedbydrugcompanies



andsimplycomparepeopleononedrugwithpeopleonanotherdrug.Becausetheplaceboeffectworkssowell,theyhavegivenupusingthattodeterminewhetherornotdrugsreallywork.What’sThyroidGotToDoWithIt?ThePparreceptoristhetargetsitefordiabetesdrugstofacilitatesugarentranceintocell.Ifthesecellsarenotturnedontoallowglucosetoenterthecell,drugsaregiventostimulatethesereceptors.AccordingtoDr.RobyMitchell“WhenGodwasmakingpeoplehemusthavemadesomethingelsebesidesdiabeticdrugstointeractwiththePparreceptoranditturnsoutthatthatsomethingisthyroidhormone.”Dr.Mitchellsays,“Insulinresistanceisapredictorofhypothyroidism.”ForgettingSideEffectsPerhapstheresearchershaven’treadthelistofDrugAlertsissuedbytheFDAforAvandia(Rosiglitazone).Avandiahasfour“blackbox”warningsnow.Eachtimeaserioushealthconcernaboutadrugarises,anFDAcommitteemeetsinsecrettovotewhetherornottokeepthedrugonthemarket.May21,2007:RosiglitazoneIncreasesMIandCVDeathinMeta‐AnalysisFebruary21,2007:RosiglitazoneLinkedtoFractureRiskinWomenJanuary5,2006:RosiglitazoneLinkedtoNew/WorseningMacularEdemaApril29,2002:CardiovascularRisksLinkedWithActosandAvandiaAretheACCORDresearchersawareofthelonglistofadversereactions?Whiledrugcompaniesdealinstatisticsandmanipulationofnumbers,youandIdealwithhumanbeings.Thereforea‘rare’sideeffect,whenitoccurs,is100%forthatperson.ThefollowinglistisfromMedscape.AdverseEffects:MostFrequent:BackPain,HeadacheDisorderLessFrequent:Anemia,Dizziness,Hypercholesterolemia,Hyperglycemia,Influenza,Nausea,PeripheralEdema,UpperRespiratoryInfectionRare:AbdominalPainwithCramps,AbnormalHepaticFunctionTests,Anaphylaxis,Angina,Angioedema,BodyFluidRetention,Edema,Fractures,HeartFailure,Hepatitis,HypoglycemicDisorder,MacularRetinalEdema,MyocardialInfarction,MyocardialIschemia,Pharyngitis,PleuralEffusions,PruritusofSkin,PulmonaryEdema,SkinRash,Urticaria,Vomiting,WeightGain,WorseningofChronicHeartFailure



DrugDiseaseContraindicationsMostSignificantOsteoporosis,SevereChronicHeartFailure,UncompensatedChronicHeartFailureSignificantAngina,ChronicHeartFailure,CoronaryArteryDisease,DiseaseofLiver,HypoglycemicDisorder,MyocardialInfarction,MyocardialIschemia,Osteopenia,PulmonaryEdema,Type1DiabetesMellitusPossiblySignificantDiabeticRetinopathy,Edema,Fractures,IncreasedCardiovascularEventRisk,MacularRetinalEdemaDietVersusTheKnifeA2008studyshowedthat“PhysicianCounselingMayPromoteHealthierLifestyleinDiabetics”byofferingabriefphysicianinterventiontopromotediscussionofbehavioralgoalsthatledtoincreasedphysicalactivityandweightloss.48Theoppositeviewisbeingpromotedbysurgeonswhosaythat“evidenceisaccumulatingthatthebesttreatmentforType2diabetesrelatedtoobesitymaywellbethemostdrastic:stomach‐shrinkingsurgery,perhapsaccompaniedbyintestinalrearrangements.”A2008studybyAustralianresearchers,publishedintheJournaloftheAmericanMedicalAssociationgarneredheadlinesaroundtheworldasifTheGrailhadbeenfound.Oncloserinspectionthefindingswereinasmallgroupofpatientswhoonlyhadmilddisease.And,thisisasurgicalprocedure,whichhasitsownrisksthatincludedeath.StatinDrugs:Heartdisease,Impotence,MuscleDisease,TendonDamage,ImpairedThinkingPresentlyadebateragesaboutallowingstatindrugstobesoldoverthecounter.Somedoctorsbelievethateveryonewouldbenefitfromloweredcholesterol.Musclepainandweaknessarethefirstsignsofstatintoxicity,yetmostdoctorsandmostpatientsdon’trealizethisasapotentialsideeffectandassumetheyarejusttired,justgettingolder,orjustneedapainkiller.Andsothecyclecontinuesaswefeedourselvesmoredrugsandwhenwesufferthesideeffects,wearegivenanotherdrugtotreatoursymptoms.It’sbeenknownforyearsthatstatindrugsdolowercholesterollevels,howeverthatdoesnotautomaticallytranslateintoalongerlifeorlessheartdisease.YoucanreadmoreaboutthecholesterolmythinTheMagnesiumMiracle(Dean,2007).Cholesterolisnotthecauseofheartdiseaseandchasingcholesterolwithpowerfuldrugsisaveryunhealthysolution.InJanuary2008,thisfactmadeheadlinesinForbs.comandtheNewYorkTimes.ForbsreportedthatMerckandSchering‐Plough'sexpensiveVytorin(acombination

48 Christian JG, et al. Clinic-Based Support to Help Overweight Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Increase Physical Activity and Lose Weight. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168(2):141-146.



ofZetiaandZocor)hadnobenefitonthebuildupofarteryplaqueovertheolderdrugZocor.ItfurtherreportedthatVytorinanditssisterpillZetia(whichalsofailedtoshowmedicalbenefits)generate$5billioninsalesannuallyforMerckandSchering.VytorinisacombopillofZetiaandZocor.Thesedrugsaretakenbymillionsofpeopleanditseemsthatthesemillionsofpeoplehavebeentakenin!Researchersthoughtthattheycoulddoublethecholesterolloweringeffectsbybundlingthetwodrugstogether.Butthat’snotwhathappened.Perhapsthetwodrugspresenteddoublethetoxicloadtotheliverandtothecell’scoenzymeQ10insteadofloweringcholesterol.AnotherfactthatMerckandSchering‐Ploughwillhavetoaccountforiswhyittookthemalmosttwoyearstoreleasethisstudy.WritingabouttheVytorintrialsintheNewYorkTimes,staffreporterAlexBerensonfinallyletthecatoutofthebagtothedrug‐talkingpublicwiththestatementthat“WhileZetialowerscholesterolby15percentto20percentinmostpatients,notrialhasevershownthatitcanreduceheartattacksandstrokes—oreventhatitreducesthegrowthofthefattyplaquesinarteriesthatcancauseheartproblems.ThistrialwasdesignedtoshowthatZetiacouldreducethegrowthofthoseplaques.Instead,theplaquesactuallygrewalmosttwiceasfastinpatientstakingZetiaalongwithZocorthaninthosetakingZocoralone.”Dr.StevenNissen,thechairmanofcardiologyattheClevelandClinic,saidtheresultswere"shocking"and“PatientsshouldnotbeprescribedZetiaunlessallothercholesteroldrugshavefailed.”Butwhyonearthwouldyouwanttogiveadrugtosomeonewhenitcoulddoubletheamountofplaqueinyourarteries.Inthewhoopsiedaisypracticeofmedicinethispracticeoccursbecausemostdoctorshavenootherresourcestocalluponwhentheirdrugsdon’twork.DrNissenwentontosay"Thisisasbadaresultforthedrugasanybodycouldhavefeared.Millionsofpatientsmaybetakingadrugthathasnobenefitsforthem,raisingtheirriskofheartattacksandexposingthemtopotentialsideeffects.”

MuscleMadnessStatinsdocauseawholespectrumofmuscleweaknessandpainuptoandincludingdebilitatingandlife‐threateningmuscledamage.Manypeoplewhotakestatinsdon’tknowthattheirnewachesandpainsandarthriticsymptomsareduetostatins.Alongwiththeincreaseinstatinmedication,Isawariseintheuseofthenon‐sterioidalanti‐inflammatories,likeVioxxandCelebrextotreatthepaincausedbystatins.Justlikestatins,someoftheseanti‐inflammatoriesdecreasethelevelsofcoenzymeQ10inmuscletissue.Now,anewstudyhasuncoveredanotherroutethatleadstowreckedmuscles.49Ageneknownasatrogin‐1playsakeyroleincausingstatin‐inducedmuscletoxicityandmuscleatrophy,evenatlowconcentrations.

49 Hanai Jun-ichi, et al. The muscle-specific ubiquitin ligase atrogin-1/MAFbx mediates statin-induced muscle toxicity. J Clin Invest. 2007 December 3; 117(12): 3940–3951.



Inthesestudiesandarticlesaboutstatinandmuscledamage,thereisnevermentionthattheheartisthelargestmuscleinthebodyandsuffersjustasmuchmuscledamageandatrophyasyourlegmusclesorarmmuscles.Evenworse,heartmuscledamagecanleadtoheartfailure.TheincidenceofheartfailureisskyrocketinginAmerica.Thefollowingprefaceda2004JAMAarticle:“Theepidemicofheartfailurehasyettobefullyinvestigated,anddataonincidence,survival,andsex‐specifictemporaltrendsincommunity‐basedpopulationsarelimited.”50StatinsandParkinsonsDiseaseDrXueMeiHuang,anassistantprofessorofneurologyattheUniversityofNorthCarolina'sSchoolofMedicine,ina2006studyfoundthatpatientswithlowlevelsofLDL(low‐densitylipoprotein)termedthebadcholesterol,werethreetimesmorelikelytohaveParkinson'sthanthosepatientswithhighlevels.Dr.Huangwasconcernedaboutherfindingsandwillnowconducta16,000‐patientstudytoexaminethepossibleroleofstatins,whichactivelylowerlevelsofLDLandneurologicalsymptoms.Sincethebrainhasthehighestconcentrationofcholesterolinthebody,it’snowonderthattheconstantdemandforlowerandlowercholesterolcountsisgoingtoimpingeonbrainfunction.51Previousstudieshaveshownthatstatincanresultinpolyneuropathy,whichcausesnumbness,tingling,andburningpain.52Researchersshowedthatpeopletakingstatinswere4to14timesmorelikelytodeveloppolyneuropathythanthosewhodidnottakestatins.

StatinsMakeWomenStupidUsingsomeofthestrongestlanguageI’vereadfromahospital‐basedphysicianDr.OrliEtingin,ViceChairmanofMedicineatNewYorkPresbyterianHospitals,speakingaboutLipitor,announcedthat"Thisdrugmakeswomenstupid."53IntheWallStreetJournalarticle,Etinginsaid"I'veseenthisinmaybetwodozenpatients,"butcoveredherselfbysaying"Thisisjustobservational,ofcourse.Wereallyneedmorestudies,particularlyoncognitiveeffectsandwomen.”PfizerInc.,themanufacturerofLipitorwithrevenuesof$12.6billionin2007,saysthatthereisnoassociationofmemoryproblemswiththeirdrug.Furtherinthearticle,therewasmentionthat“thebrainislargelycholesterol,muchofitinthemyelinsheathsthatinsulatenervecellsandinthesynapsesthattransmitnerveimpulses.Loweringcholesterolcouldslowtheconnectionsthatfacilitatethoughtandmemory.StatinsmayalsoleadtotheformationofabnormalproteinsseeninthebrainsofAlzheimer'spatients.

50 Roger Veronique, et al. Trends in Heart Failure Incidence and Survival in a Community-Based Population. (JAMA. 2004;292:344-350.) 51 Low LDL Cholesterol And Higher Occurrence Of Parkinson's Linked. Medical News Today. Dec 31, 2006. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/59496.php 52 Gaist D, et al. Statins and risk of polyneuropathy. Neurology 2002;58:1333-1337. 53 Can a Drug That Helps Hearts Be Harmful to the Brain? Wall Street Journal February 12, 2008; Page D1.



DoStatinsProlongLife?It’sauniversalquestionandoneaskedaboutstatinsbytheNewYorkTimesinJanuaryof2008.54Dostatinsprolonglife?Theanswerforpeoplewhodon’thaveseriousheartdiseaseisNo.Dr.MarkH.Ebell,aprofessorattheUniversityofGeorgia,deputyeditoroftheJournalAmericanFamilyPhysiciansaysforhigh‐riskpatientsthereisbenefit,“Butpatientsatlowriskbenefitverylittleifatall.Weendupovertreatingalotofpatients.”Doctorsarestilltryingtodecidewhythatisthecase.Onethingtheytendtoignoreisthepossibilitythattheaccumulatedsideeffectsareworsethanthe‘cure.’Theyaresobusytreatingthecholesterolandnotthepatientthattheylosethepatient.TheTimesreportedthata2006studyinTheArchivesofInternalMedicinewasameta‐analysisofseventrialsofstatinuseinnearly43,000patients,mostlymiddle‐agedmenwithoutheartdisease.Inthatanalysis,statinsdidnotlowermortality.ThesameresultswerefoundinamisnamedstudycalledProsper,publishedinTheLancetin2002,whichstudiedstatinuseinpeople70andolder.Athird2004reviewinTheJournaloftheAmericanMedicalAssociationlookedat13studiesofnearly20,000women,bothhealthyandwithestablishedheartdiseaseandfoundnobenefit.Eveninpeopleatriskthereisabigquestionaboutresults.AJanuary,2008JournaloftheAmericanCollegeofCardiologyreportcombineddatafromseveralstudiesofpeople65andolderwhohadapriorheartattackorestablishedheartdisease.Thismeta‐analysisshowedthat18.7percentoftheplacebousersdiedduringthestudies,comparedwith15.6percentofthestatinusers.Thenumbercrunchingonthis,smalldifferenceisgoingtobeusedbythedrugcompaniestoboastaboutthebenefitsofstatins.IfbusypeoplemissedtheLancet,TheNewYorkTimesandadozenotherpapers,BusinessWeektargetedcholesterolintheirJanuary17,2088coverstorywiththequestion“DoCholesterolDrugsDoAnyGood?”Andthefollowinganswer“Researchsuggeststhat,exceptamonghigh‐riskheartpatients,thebenefitsofstatinssuchasLipitorareoverstated.”Theothermeasureofsuccesswithadrugisifitimprovesaperson’squalityoflife.Statincriticssaythereisnoevidencethatstatinusershaveabetterqualityoflifethanotherpeople.Anddoctorscontinuetoignorethesideeffectsofstatinsandtreatthemwithotherdrugs.Musclepainistreatedwithanti‐inflammatories,impotencewithViagra,andmoodsymptomswithantidepressants. 54 Parker-Pope Tara. “Great Drug, but Does It Prolong Life?” New York Times. January 29, 2008.



OsteoporosisdrugsandJawBoneDestructionTenmillionwomenonosteoporosisdrugs,suchasFosamax,havegoodreasontobeconcernedaboutitsabilitytocausebrittlebones.Anarticleatlawyersandsettlements.comstatedthat,“MerckmayhaveunderreportedrisksrelatedtotheirdrugFosamax”.Aclass‐actionlawsuitisunderwayclaimingthatMerckhidtheriskofjawbonedeathfromthepublic.KnownasBisphosphonate‐RelatedOsteonecrosisoftheJaw(BRONJ),thisserioussideeffectdestroystheboneinthejaw,andisverydifficulttotreat.BRONJwasnoticedfirstin2003butthebisphosphonatesarestillonthemarketandofferedtomostpostmenopausalwomenearningabout$3billionannually.MountingLawsuitsDr.Angelldocumentsalistofcivilandcriminallawsuitsagainstdrugcompaniesthataremounting.55

1. IllegallyoverchargingMedicaidandMedicare2. Payingkickbackstodoctors3. Engaginginanti‐competitivepractices4. Conspiringwithdrugcompaniestokeepgenericdrugsoffthemarket5. Illegallypromotingdrugsforunapproveduses6. Engaginginmisleadingdirect‐to‐consumeradvertising7. Coveringupevidence

BigPharmaFightsBackOnewouldhopethatthedrugindustrywouldlearnfromitsmistakes.ButAngellsaysthatinsteadofworkingwithconsumergroupstocutprices,theyareputtingevenmoreeffortintomarketingtheirblockbusterdrugsandhiringmorelobbyiststoinfluencepoliticians.It’sobviousthatmoneytalksbecausethroughintenselobbyingeffortstheMedicarePrescriptionDrugBenefitActwasenactedin2003andwentintoeffect.Inthat“deal”,thegovernmentcoversthecostofdrugsforseniorsbuttheplanforbidsthegovernmenttolowerdrugprices!Anonlinenewsservicepostedacommentarycalled“BushGivesBIGHandoutToPharmaceuticalCompanies”inOctober2004.56Intheformofagovernmentinitiativethatcallsformandatorymental‐healthscreeningfortheentireU.S.population.Itseemsastrangethingforapoliticalpartythatdoesn’tbelieveinBigGovernmenttoinvadetheprivacyofitscitizens.Itbecomesmoreobviouswhenyouconsiderthattheacceptedtreatmentformentalimbalance,fromADHDinchildrentodepressioninAlzheimer'spatients,isadrug.ItmatterslittlethatapossiblecauseofADHDandAlzheimer'sisabuildupoftheheavymetal,mercury,inthebrainandanassociatedlackofnutrientstodetoxifythemetal.Thatpossibilityisstrictlyignoredbymodernmedicineandthesuppressionofsymptomsistheonlyroute.

55 Angell M. “The Truth About the Drug Companies: How They Deceive Us and What To Do About It.” The New York Review of Books. Vol. 51, No.12 · July 15, 2004. 56 “Bush Gives BIG Handout To Pharmaceutical Companies” www.NewsTarget.com October 22, 2004.



Italsoseemsastrangeproposalgiventhefactthatantidepressantshavecomeunderheavyfireduetotheincreaseinteensuicidewiththeiruse.Adultsuicideandviolentactsundertheinfluenceofantidepressantsisalsoontherise.TheProzacfamilyofdrugsseemstogiveasmallpercentageofsuicidalanddisturbedpatientsjustenoughenergytobeabletocommitsuicideorhomicide.Peoplewhobenefitfromthedrugsaythattheirmoodisalteredsothattheydon’treallycareabouttheirproblemsanymore.Theyalsomaynotcareaboutsex,interactingwithothers,orwhat’sgoingonaroundthem—includingtheirlossofhealthfreedom.Dr.DavidHealy,aProfessorintheNorthWalesDepartmentofPsychologicalMedicinehasbeenveryvocalinhisconcernaboutSSRIantidepressantsandtheirassociationwithsuicide.IntheBritishMedicalJournal,Healywarnsthateveryantidepressantlicensedsince1987isassociatedwithahigherriskofsuicidecomparedtoplacebo.57HealyraisedconcernsaboutthetremendouslevelofcontrolthatthepharmaceuticalindustryhasoveracademiaafterhisappointmenttotheUniversityofTorontowaswithdrawnbecauseofdrugcompanyconcernabouthislessthanfavorablepositiontowardtheirSSRImedications.Inordertosellmoredrugs,pharmaceuticalcompanieshavebeenpathologizinglifeforsometimenow.It’snotjustthedrugcompanies—weallparticipateindevaluingnormalemotionalreactionsandnotallowingtheirexpression.Takethecaseofthedeathofafamilymember.Insteadofsomefocusedgriefcounselingand/ortheuseofrevolutionarytechniquessuchasEMDR58andEFT,59thefamilydoctorusuallyprescribesasleepingpillandananti‐anxietydrug.Justthinkofhowmanyoflife’supsanddownsaremedicated.Kids,whocan’ttoleratebeingconfinedinaclassroomafterexploringthewholeworldviaTVortheInternet,arelabeledhyperactiveanddisruptiveandtreatedwithRitalin.Behaviorthatdoesn’tfitintoanorderlyclassroomismedicatedwithoutknowingthetruecause.Thenormalchaosproducedbyraginghormonesandpeerpressureinhighschoolisnowbeingoverlymedicated.ChildrenwhogrewuponRitalinareoftengivenProzactohelpcopewiththeirteenyears.Nothingiseversaidabouthighsugarintake,vitaminandmineraldeficiencies,hypoglycemia,andhormoneimbalance,allofwhichcanmimicanxietyanddepression.Allopathicmedicineisnotfocusedontreatingnutritionalimbalance,

57 Healy D. Did regulators fail over selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors? BMJ. 2006 Jul 8;333(7558):92-5. 58 EMDR is an approach to psychotherapy that is comprised of principles, procedures and protocols. It is not a simple technique characterized primarily by the use of eye movements, although eye movements are the most obvious modality that is used. EMDR is founded on the premise that each person has both an innate tendency to move toward health and wholeness, and the inner capacity to achieve it. EMDR is grounded in psychological science and is informed by both psychological theory and research on the brain. 59 EFT is a technique that is clinically effective (over 80%) for trauma, abuse, stress, anxiety, fears, phobias, depression, grief, addictive cravings, and children’s problems. It can be learned by anyone at www.emofree.com but may require a practitioner to work on deeper problems.



andinstead,looksattheresultingsymptomstheseimbalancescreate.Thenittriestosuppressthesesymptomswithdrugs. Themind‐bodysplithasneverbeengreaterthaninmodernmedicine.Medicineitselfissplitintosomanyspecialties,eachonetryingtomaintainitsstatusandmystique.Thisspecializationguaranteesthatthepatientissplitaswell.Nodoctorisinchargeofthewholeperson;eachspecialistabdicatesresponsibilityandblamestheproblemonanotherbodypartofthebodysystem.WhenanInternistfailsto“cure”anirritablepatientwithacomplexarrayofsymptoms,chronicfatigue,bodyrash,anditching,insteadofrecognizinga“toxicliver”,asanynaturopathicdoctororChinesemedicinepractitionerwould,thedoctorsendshisfailuretoapsychiatrist,sayingthatthepatient’ssymptomsare“allinhishead.”Notadmittingthathefailedhispatient,thedoctor“blames”thepatient.Menopausalwomenwhogothroughchange‐of‐lifehormonalshiftsaregivensynthetichormonesandantidepressantmedicationtotreatanormalevent.WomenwithpremenstrualtensionaretreatedwithSerafem,whichlookslikeanewdrugbutit’sreallyjustProzacwithanewnameandpinkpackaging.YoungwomenareprescribedSeasonale,nowcalledSeasonique,abirthcontrolpillthat“allows”youtohaveaperiodfourtimesayear.Hotontheheelsofthatbreakthroughistheevennewerpill,Lybrel,accordingtomarketers,standsfor"liberty.”Thisliberatingpillistobetakencontinuouslyandallowsnomonthlyperiod.DrugindustryPRsaysthatagrowingnumberofwomendon’twanttohavetheirperiod!Andscientistsareactuallysaying,theperioddoesn’treallymatter.Thatisuntilyourealizeyouareinfertile.Butthenyoucanpurchaseexpensivefertilityinterventionwithitshormonalsideeffects.WeagreewithmuchofAngell’scritiqueofthepharmaceuticalindustrybutwedifferinourideasofwhatchangesmusttakeplaceintheindustry.Angellwantstoseetheindustryfocusoncreatingtrulyinnovativedrugsinsteadof“me‐too”medicines.ShethinksthiscouldbeaccomplishediftheFDAonlyapproveddrugsthatshowedtheywerebetterthanolderdrugs,notjustbetterthanplaceboasisthecurrentcriteria.Angellsaysthatmovewouldcollapsetheme‐toomarketovernight.However,theanswertoourhealthcarecrisesdoesnotlieatthefeetofpharmaceuticalcompaniesbutinlifestylechangesandnaturalhealthproducts.Thereasonwhysomanypeoplearesickhastodowithoveruseofsyntheticchemicalsinourfoodandwateranddrugs.Thelivermustdetoxifyeveryforeignchemicaltakenintothebody.Anaccumulationofchemicals,greaterthantheabilityofthebodytoeliminatethem,resultsinimmunesuppression,inflammation,andanynumberofchronicsymptoms.Ifthesesymptomsaresuppressedbyusingmoredrugs,theproblemescalates.If,however,aprogramofdiet,exercise,andnaturalsupplementsisfollowed,chronicsymptomscandisappear.ThesecondreformAngellsuggestsisan“openbook”policy,notjustonfinancials,butalsoonclinicaltrials.Weknowfromwhistleblowersthatifatrialdoesnot



appearfavorabletothedruginquestion,thetrialisstoppedandnoresultsarepublished.Angellalsosaysthedependenceofthemedicalprofessiononthedrugindustrymustbebroken.BigPharmafundstoomuchmedicalresearchandevencontributesdirectlytorunningmedicaldepartmentsandfocusesmedicalcareentirelytoomuchondrugs.Angell,however,doesnotthinklegislatorsthathavegrowndependentonBigPharma’spoliticalcontributionswillwillinglygiveupthe“holygrail”.BigPharmainCanadaMedicaljournalist,HelkeFerriebecametheearsoftheconsumerataclosedmeetingofthepharmaceuticalindustryinCanada.FerriewroteabouttheCanadianForumonPharmaceuticalMarketingintheApril2004issueofVitalityMagazine.Theforumtoutedaneventwhereparticipantswould“Hearhowtheworld’sleadingpharmaceuticalcompaniesaremodernizingtheirglobalbranding,Internetmarketing,andcompetitiveintelligencetechniques,toimproveshareholdervalue.”AlltheBigPharmagiantswererepresentedatthisforum:Pfizer,AstraZeneca,Merck,Frosst,Bayer,Wyeth,alongwithleadingmedicalbiotechfirms,theCanadianMedicalAssociation,andgovernmentspeakers.Butamerethirty‐fivepeoplewereintheaudienceandthemoodwasgrim.Youcanbesuretherewasnomentionatthisforumofthearticle,“DeathbyMedicine”,orthenumerousreportsofmedicine’sdeadlyeffects;theincreasinglistofdrugrecalls;andthebacklashagainstthedrugcompaniesbymajorconsumergroupsandlabororganizations.ThisforumwasabouthowtokeepyourheadinthesandandstillmakeaprofitwithBigPharma.AspeakerfromCanada’sPatentMedicine’sPricingReviewBoardpresentedstatisticsonpatenteddrugsalesin2002.Salestotaled$638.8billionU.S.andweredividedasfollows:theU.S.at53.4%,Canadaat2.6%,andEuropeat19.1%,foratotalof75.1%ofthemajormarketsaccessing600millionpeople.ArepresentativeofPfizerwasthekeynotespeakerandheimmediatelyidentifiedtheproblemsforpharmaceuticalcompaniesas:1.Thelimitsofchemistry.2.Nothingnewonthehorizon.OnlythreenewactivesubstancesweresubmittedforpatentingasofMarch2004.

3.Governmentsfrantictoreducehealthcosts.4.Cheapergenericdrugs.5.Popularpressuretochangepatentlaws.AllthePfizerspokespersoncouldofferinthemidstofthisdepressingnewswasto“capturecustomerloyalty,enthusiasm,andcommitmentaroundtheworld”.Inordertodojustthat,eachoneofthe100,000drugrepsinNorthAmericaisdetailedtocoveraboutfivedoctors.HelkenotesthatlearninghowtodealwithdrugrepsispartoftheMcMasterMedicalSchoolcurriculum.TheyhavedevelopedtheTen



Commandmentsforhandlingdrugreps,“thefirstbeing:‘Physiciansshouldmaintaincontrol’oftheencounter.Therestfocusondemandingscientificproofforeveryclaimmade,andthelastinsiststhedoctormaynot‘committotheuseoftheproduct’,butmerelyindicatethat‘itwillbegivenfurtherconsideration’.”AccordingtoHelke,capturingloyaltyresultsinanincreaseindirtytricks.Shecitedthefollowing:1.Financingphonypatientsupportgroups(TorontoStarFeb.7,2004)2.Inventingnewdiseases(Pfizer’s“socialanxietydisorder”,supposedlytreatablebyZoloft,wasinventedbyFredNadjarianofRocheinAustraliaforwhichhefacedapublicdisgracing).SerafemissimplyProzacinanewdressandwithanewpatenttotreatPMS.

3.AttemptingtouseChildren’sAidSocietywardswithouttheirknowledgeashumanresearchsubjectsforantidepressants(HamiltonSpectatorDec.11,2002).

4.Thewidespreadsaleofdoctors’prescriptionpatternsbypharmaciestoBigPharmaincontraventionofcurrentprivacylaws(SeeoutragededitorialintheMarch2,2004,CanadianMedicalAssociationJournal)

5.Almosteverymajordrugisunderlegalchallenge,annuallycostinghundredsofmillionsofdollarsinout‐of‐courtsettlementsorfines(SeethedocumentaryTheCorporation).

TheCanadianForumonPharmaceuticalMarketingconvenedanethicspanel,whichHelkesaid,“revealedjusthowmadthemedicalprofessionhasbecome”.McGillUniversity’sethicsexpertDr.EugeneBerezaandUniversityofToronto’sgeriatricianandethicistDr.MichaelGordon,awell‐respectedclinician(whotaughtmeduringmyinternshipatMountSinai,inToronto),“werevocal,charming,eloquent,satirical,blunt,anddevastatinglytruthful”.Thesegentlemen“agreedthatcurrentwholesalebullyingofresearchers(allowedtopublishonlydrug‐supportingresults)anddoctors(bribedandcoercedintoprescribingnewdrugs)isunacceptable.”CitingtheNancyOliviericase,Dr.Gordonexclaimed,“Justhowbaddoesthishavetobecome!”TheCaseofNancyOlivieriDr.NancyOlivieri,accordingtoaGlobeandMailarticleonDecember23,1999,isperhapstheworld'sleadingresearcherinthalassemia,alife‐threateninggeneticblooddisorder.In1994she,alongwithotherresearchersatTheHospitalforSickChildreninToronto,discoveredanoralmedicationtotreatthalassemiathatwouldlessentheneedforpainfuldruginfusionofthedrug.Inordertofinanceclinicaltrials,theybeganworkingwithApotex,anewCanadiandrugcompany.ApotexanditsCEO,BarrySherman,wereeagerfortheirfirstpatenteddrugandpromiseda$20milliondonationtoUniversityofTorontoandTheHospitalforSickChildreninToronto.EveryonewantedthedrugtoworkbutDr.Olivieriuncoveredproblems.Thedrugeffectswerenotlonglasting.Therewouldbeimprovementforatimeandthenitwouldceasetowork.Sheandacolleaguetriedtoblowthewhistleontheirown



drugtellingthecompanyoftheirdoubts.ThingsgotuglyveryquicklywhenApotex'sresearchdirector,MichaelSpino,vehementlydisagreedwithDr.Olivieri’sfindings.Shewasnotallowedtonotifyherpatientsofthedrug’sineffectivenessandApotexthreatenedtosueherforviolatingasecrecyclauseofhercontract.Theyfiredheraschairofthestudy'ssteeringcommittee,andshutdownthetrialatTheHospitalforSickChildren.Thehospitalrefusedtosupportherlegaldefenseevenwhenshediscoveredthatthedrugshewasinvestigatingalsocausedtoxicliverdamage.ThestoryofNancyOlivieri’sbattlewiththepharmaceuticalindustry,SickChildren’sHospital,anddoctorswhosidedwiththedrugcompany,isapageoutofDavidandGoliath.ItgavetheCanadianhealthcareindustryablackeyethatwasexposedworldwideonCBS’s“60Minutes”.AftersignificantpressurefromtheCanadianAssociationofUniversityTeachers(CAUT)andotherorganizations,andyearsofpitchedbattle,Dr.Olivieriwasvindicatedandreachedasettlement,whichallowshertocontinueherprofessionalandacademiccareerattheHospitalforSickChildren.Inonepositivespinoff,Olivieriwasselectedtoreceivethe2001awardbytheCivilJusticeFoundationinWashington.Theirpressreleasestatedthat,"Thelegalassaultswhichyouhaveenduredinyourbattleagainstthedrugcompany,andinyourbattleagainstthemedicalestablishment,appeartohavebeenfoughtwiththetypeofuncommonbraverythatisrarelyseen.Itisforthisreasonthatourtrusteeshaveunanimouslychosentorecognizeyouforthismostprestigiousaward."Togiveyouanexampleofthelevelofconstraint,whichresearchersmustabidetoholdtheirjobsinhospitalanduniversitysettingsDr.OlivieridirectedmetotheconfidentialityclauseinhercontractwithApotex.60

“Allinformation,whetherwrittenornot,obtainedorgeneratedbytheinvestigatorsduringthetermofthisagreementandforaperiodofoneyearthereafter,shallbeandremainsecretandconfidentialandshallnotbedisclosedinanymannerwhatsoevertoanythirdparty,excepttoanappropriateregulatoryagencyforthepurposeofobtainingregulatoryapprovalformanufacture,useorsellL1[sic]unlesstheinformationhasbeenpreviouslydisclosedtothepublicwiththeconsentofApotex.TheinvestigatorsshallnotsubmitanyinformationforpublicationwithoutthepriorwrittenapprovalofApotex.”

WhenDr.MichaelGordonaskedthemeageraudiencehowbaddoesithavetobecomebeforethedrugindustrychangesitsways,hewasnotexpectingaresponse 60 Thompson J, Baird P, Downie J. “Report of the committee of Inquiry on the Case Involving Dr. Nancy Olivieri, the Hospital for Sick children, the University of Toronto, and Apotex Inc.” Canadian Association of University Teachers. October 2001.



nordidhegetone.Hewentontosaythat,unfortunately,researchdollars,becausetheycomemostlyfromBigPharma,aretaintedfromthebeginning.Helkeremarksthat,“Shareholdersneedmoreandmoresickpeople,whilescientistswanttocuresickpeople,”twodiametricallyopposedactions.Thequestionperiodaftertheethicistsspokewasdeadsilent.Helkeobservedthat: “Nobodyappearedtowonderwhyeverybodyissotickedoff,whatmight

possiblybewrongwiththeproducts,pricesor(Godforbid)drugeffectiveness,andwhatalternatemarketingstrategyshouldbeconsidered.ImagineMercedes,BMW,orVolvobeingtoldtheircarsaredangeroustodriveandthatpeoplearemadabouttheirengineerslyingandcheatingaboutthephysicsinvolvedintheirmanufacture,resultinginmanypeopledrivingbeingcrippledorkilled.Sincethosecarsaresynonymouswithexcellence,thisisunthinkable.WithBigPharma’sproductsanditsDark‐Lord‐business‐practices,thisiswhatmostpeopleassociatewiththisindustry,yetnotasinglequestionwasraised.”

BigPharmaisCorruptDrs.GordonandBereza,duringtheCanadianForumonPharmaceuticalMarketingEthicsPanel,pointedoutthatU.S.judgesrulingonvariousBigPharmacasesallagreethattheindustryisthecauseforthecorruptionofmedicalscience,education,andpractice.ThisisthesameconclusionreachedbytheOfficeofTechnologyAssessmentthatwerefertoin“DeathbyMedicine”,andexcerptedinChapter6inthesectionIsModernMedicineReallyScientific?Ferrieendsherexcellentpieceonthestateofpharmaceuticalmarketingwithabitofgallowshumor.Abookondrugrepeducationwasbeingsoldattheforumbyitsauthor,Dr.LouSawayaofOttawa.HelkeabbreviatesthefollowingjokeinSawaya’sbook,TheReaderisnotanIdiot–HeisyourDoctor.

“TheU.S.presidentandtheCEOofapharmaceuticalcompanyconsultedGod.TheU.S.presidentasked,‘Lord,whenwillourunemploymentproblembesolved?’Godreplied,‘Intheyear2020.’Thepresidentwalkedaway,cryingbitterly.ThenthepharmaceuticalCEOasked,‘Lord,whenwillthepublicimageofourindustrybecomefavorableagain?’Godthoughtforalongtime,andthenGodwalkedaway,cryingbitterly.”

Patients’LivesatRiskInOctober,theIndependentintheU.K.releasedthefollowingreport“DrugCompaniesAccusedofPuttingPatients'LivesatRisk”fromagovernmentcommitteemeeting.61AgroupofmedicalexpertsmetwithMembersofParliament,whoformed

61 Brown C. “Drug Companies Accused of Putting Patients' Lives at Risk.” Independent.co.uk News. October 15, 2004. http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/story.jsp?story=572331



aselectcommitteetoinvestigatepharmaceuticalcompanies,onOctober14andoutlinedsomeofthedangersofdrugcompanies.Alistofaccusationsbythemedicalexpertsincludedthefollowing:

1. Papersonnewdrugsareghostwrittenbydrugcompanyadvisersandendupinreputablemedicaljournals.

2. Drugcompaniesbombarddoctorswithgiftsinspiteofanethicalcodeagainstthispractice.

3. Onedoctorsaidhewasofferedabribeoftwoyears'salarynottopublishresearchonthesideeffectsofanewheartdrug,whichran"countertotheinterests"ofthecompanyproducingit.

4. Seniormedicalconsultantsreceivedfeesfromdrugcompaniesofmorethan20,000poundsforafewhours'work.

5. Expertscanearnmorethan4,000poundsanhourforextollingthevirtuesofnewdrugstootherdoctors.

6. Drugcompaniesusedeuphemismstodescribedrugsideeffects.ProfessorDavidHealy,headofpsychologicalmedicineattheUniversityofWales,saidhehadseensuicidaltendencieslabeledas"nausea",whileaggressionvergingonhomicidalbehaviorinchildrentakingprescribedmedicineswasdescribedas"hostile".

7. Dr.Healytestifiedthat,"Ihavebeenaparticipantandpartytothegenerationofviewsfavoringneweroverolderagents(drugs),unawarethatthepharmaceuticalcompanieswerekeepingkeysafetydatahidden."

8. Dr.Healysaid,"Ihavehadpaperswrittenformeandsenttome,"whichherefusedtosignandlaterappearedinmedicaljournalswithanotherdoctor’snameonthem.

9. Familydoctors'practicescanmakeprofitsofmorethan50,000poundsayearfromdrugcompaniesbyrecruitingtheirpatientsforclinicaltrials.Butthepatientsarenevertoldthatthedrugcompaniescanconcealdataaboutsideeffects.

10. ProfessorAndrewHerxheimer,theemeritusfellowoftheUKCochraneCentreatOxford,saidthedrugcompaniesusethethreatoflegalactionforbreachofcommercialconfidentialitytostrikefearintocivilservantsinaregulatoryagencywhoweresupposedtobekeepingacheckontheindustry.

TheBritishMembersofParliamentsaidtheevidencepresentedtothemhorrifiedthem.



CHAPTER3DEATHBYHEALTHCAREBUREAUCRACY

Governmentproposes,bureaucracydisposes.Andthebureaucracymustdisposeofgovernmentproposalsbydumpingthemonus.

P.J.O'Rourke

Bureaucracyisthedeathofallsoundwork.AlbertEinstein

Healthbeginsatthedinnertablebecause,likeitornot,youarewhatyoueat.Recognizingthesanctityofourfoodsupply,in1906bothCanadaandtheU.S.,asifinconcert,passedsimilarFoodandDrugsAdulterationActs.Theactsstatedthefollowing:1.Nopersonshallsellanarticleoffoodthat:a.Hasinoronitanypoisonousorharmfulsubstance;b.Isunfitforhumanconsumption;c.Consistsinwholeorinpartofanyfilthy,putrid,disgusting,rotten,decomposedordiseasedanimalorvegetablesubstance;

d.Isadulterated;ore.Wasmanufactured,prepared,preserved,packagedorstoredunderunsanitaryconditions.

2.Nopersonshalllabel,package,treat,process,selloradvertiseanyfoodinamannerthatisfalse,misleadingordeceptiveorislikelytocreateanerroneousimpressionregardingitscharacter,value,quantity,composition,meritorsafety.(Similarclausesexistforbothfoodanddrugsanddevices.)

Thisactdealswithanyconcernswemayhavewithfoodsordietarysupplements.Ifthegovernmentfollowedthisactitwouldkeepproductssafeandmakesurepeopledidnotadvertiseimproperly.However,asyouwillreadinthischapter,thegovernmentistryingtoconvincetheCanadianpeoplethatitneedsmorepowerstoregulate“dangerous”dietarysupplements.YoumayhavealreadyreadinChapter3thattheFDAisdemandingmoreregulatorycontroloverdietarysupplementsintheU.S.Readingthedetailedoriginalact,itunequivocallystatesthatfoodshallnotbeadulteratedwithsugar,salt,orotherharmfulsubstances.So,infact,theactisbeingbrokeneverydaywiththeuseofaspartame,MSG,andotherfoodadditivetoxinsinhundredsofthousandsofproductsandincludingproductscontainingexcessivesaltandsugar.



BiopharmingWealsoneedtobeawareofanewindustrycalledBiopharmingthatissplicingdrugsintocommonfoodstodelivervaccinesandmedicinestouswhileweeat.Thisistruefoodadulteration.In2006,theFDAapprovedtheuseofviralsprayonprocessedmeattopreventanaverageof500deathsannuallyduetobacteriacalledlisteria.Thetypeofvirusesusedarespecificforbacteriaandapparentlydonotinfecthumans.Thequestionhasnotbeenansweredwhethertheseviruseswillattackthebacteriainourgastrointestinaltract.Ourfoodsupplyisalreadyirrevocablycontaminatedwithgeneticallyengineeredfoods,thesideeffectsofwhichhavenotbeenfullytestedonhumans.Nowwearefacedwithdrugsintentionallycontaminatingthefoodchain.OneoftheprovisionsinboththeU.S.andCanadianFoodandDrugActisthatthepowertoenforcetheactlieswithinthestatesandprovinces,notthefederalgovernment,However,theU.S.HouseofRepresentativesinMarch2006passedHR4167,abroadfoodsafetyactthattakesfoodsurveillanceoutofthehandsofstategovernmentsandputitfirmlyunderthecontroloftheFDA.TheSanDiegoUnionTribuneonJuly10,2006reportedthatCaliforniaisresistingthisbusiness‐orientedlaw,whichthreatenstooverturnmanyoftheirlandmarkconsumerandenvironmentalsafeguards.Thefood‐and‐beverageindustrywantsnation‐wideuniformityandarguesthatthecostofcomplyingwithadifferentsetofregulationsforeverystateisultimatelypassedontotheconsumer.Thatsoundslogicaluntilyourealizethatwhenbusinessisincontroloflawstheyneverseemtofavortheconsumer.AnexampleofthefightbetweenthefederalgovernmentandCaliforniaisProposition65,aCalifornia'svoter‐approvedlawthatmandateswarninglabelsonproductsthatcontaintoxicchemicalsknowntocausecancerorbirthdefects.HR4167threatenstorollbackProposition65andupto200otherregulations.Whilethefoodindustrysaysitwantsconformitytocutcosts,beneaththesurfacestatelawsarebeingoverturnedorthreatenedsuchaslabelingmercuryintuna;apublicinitiativeinNewMexicotobanaspartame;warningsabouttheneurotoxiccarcinogenacrylamide,achemicalformedathightemperaturesinfrenchfriesandpotatochips;orthecancercausingchemicalPhlPfoundincommerciallypreparedgrilledorcharredchicken.Alsoarisinginthedebateisperhapstherealunderlyingpushforfederalcontrol–howstatelawswillaffectworldtrade.AccordingtoWTOlaws,internationalgroupscouldlegallyproteststateregulationsasunfairbarrierstotradeandtheywouldhavetobeoverturned.Perhapsknowingthis,thefederalgovernmentisseekinguniformitybeforebeingforcedtodosobytheWTO.Orismerelycomplicitinthegoalforaglobaleconomy.Insteadofcreatingnewregulationstomakedietarysupplementsintodrugsthegovernmentneedstoexpenditsenergyonmakingsureitenforcesthelawasitstands.



DrugOversightInChapter6wenotethattheU.S.OfficeofTechnologyAssessmentintheU.S.Governmentfoundthatonly10to20percentofmedicalandsurgicalprocedureshavebeenscientificallyproven.Yet,increasingly,scienceisusedtodefenddrug‐basedmedicine.Sincethe2004VioxxrecalldiscussedinChapter5,wehaveseenmoreevidencethateventhoughdrugsare“approved”theycannotalwaysbetrusted;norcantheresearchers,whoarepaidbydrugcompaniesbeentirelybelieved.ScientistsSurveyedInJuly2006,resultsofanFDAsurveywerereleasedtothepublicbytheUnionofConcernedScientists(UCS).62Thesurveywassentto6,000FDAscientists,about1,000respondedwiththefollowingreplies:*Twentypercentsaidtheyhadbeen"askedexplicitlybyFDAdecisionmakerstoprovideincomplete,inaccurateormisleadinginformationtothepublic,regulatedindustry,media,orelected/seniorgovernmentofficials."*Sixty‐onepercentsaid,"DepartmentofHealthandHumanServicesorFDApoliticalappointeeshaveinappropriatelyinjectedthemselvesintoFDAdeterminationsoractions."*Sixtypercentsaidtheywereawareofinstances"wherecommercialinterestshaveinappropriatelyinducedorattemptedtoinducethereversal,withdrawalormodificationofFDAdeterminationsoractions."*Fortypercentsaidtheywouldfearretaliationiftheypubliclyexpressed"concernsaboutpublichealth"*Lessthan50percentagreedwhenaskediftheFDA"routinelyprovidescompleteandaccurateinformationtothepublic.”

TheUCSofferedthefollowingthreestepstoaddresstheextremelyunfavorablesituationexposedbythe1,000participatingscientists.1.Accountability:FDAleadershipmustfaceconsequenceiftheysidewithcommercialorpoliticalinterestsandnotwiththeAmericanpeople.

2.Transparency:Scientificresearchandreviewsshouldbeopensoanyunduemanipulationisimmediatelyapparent.

3.Protection:Safeguardsmustbeputinplaceforallgovernmentscientistswhospeakout. 62 http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/fda-scientists-pressured.html



FDATyrannytoBecomeLawAnewchaptercalled“DeathbyFDA”isprobablyinorder.WhenyoureadthearticletitledFDATyrannytoBecomeLawpostedJuly12,2007onNewsTarget.com,you’llseewhy.It’sananalysisofbillHR2900passedbytheHouseofRepresentatives.Inaclimateofpublicconcernaboutdrugsafety,theauthorsreportthat“InsteadofplacingnewrestrictionsonBigPharmaandtheincreasinglydangerouspoweroftheFDA,thisnewlaw(acombinationofHR.2900andS.1082,whenitishammeredoutinconference)grantsmorepowertotheFDAwhiledeepeningthefinancialtiesbetweentheagencyanddrugcompanies.”Theyalsocommentthat“ThisactiondemonstratesthattheHouseofRepresentatives,muchliketheSenate,isutterlycontrolledbyBigPharmaandhasabandonedanyresponsibilitytodefendtheinterestsofthevoters.DrugcompaniesnowhavecompletecontrolovertheU.S.Congress,andthroughacampaignofintenselobbyingandfinancialinfluence,theyhavemanagedtoeasilywaterdownalawthatonceproposedtoendtheAmericanmonopolyonpharmaceuticalsandbanadvertisingonnewdrugs.ThelaweffectivelysurrendersAmericatoasystemofmedicaltyrannyunderwhichacriminallyoperatedFDAwillcontinuetopromotepharmaceuticals,censornutritionaleducationanddiscreditalternativesthatthreatendrugcompanyprofits.Nothinginthenewlawprotectsconsumers'accesstodietarysupplementsornaturalmedicine.”Guidedbydruglobbyists,naïvepoliticiansin“BoththeHouseandSenate(S.1082)havemadethefatallyflawedassumptionthatthereasonforsomanydeathsandinjuriesfromdrugswasduetotheFDA'slackofresources.Inreality,itistheINTENTIONofFDAmanagementthatistheproblem,combinedwiththesimplefactthatmultipledrugsareextremelytoxicanddon'tworkasadvertised.GivingtheFDAmorepowerandmoneywillonlycausetheagencytospeedmoredrugsontothemarketfasterwithevenlesssafetytesting‐‐whileabusingitspowerandactivelystampingoutcompetitiontodrugs.”InsteadofrectifyingtheTheBayh‐DoleActof1980,describedabove,thisbillcreates“theReagan‐UdallFoundationwithintheFDA.ThisnewentityplacestheFDAinchargeofdrugdesign,drugpatents,druglicenses,andthecreationofnewmarketingentities/companies.Sucharelationshipwithprivateindustryisanunprecedentedconflictofinterest,totallyatoddswithdrugsafety.ThecurrentcommissioneroftheFDA,AndrewvonEschenbach,M.D.islittlemorethanaBigBiotechsalesrepwithmassiveindustryconnections.”WithnoevidencethatdirecttoconsumeradvertisingofnewdrugssaveslivesbutevidencethatourhealthreportcardisfarworsesinceDirecttoConsumerAdvertising(DTCA)wasintroduced,Congressdid“notrestrict…aflagrantsafetyriskthatwillcostmanypeopletheirlives.Congressionalleaderssaidtheycouldn'tpreventthisadvertisementforfearofviolatingthefirstamendmentrightsofdrugcompanies.”Youmightaskabout“thefirstamendmentrightsofAmericancitizenstounderstandnaturalhealthoptionsandthesciencethatexplainshowtheycan



preventandtreatdisease.Thus,thefirstamendmentargumentissimplyamatterofconvenience.”HowAreDrugsApproved?Drugcompaniestestanewdrug,usuallyfirstinthelabinaPetridish;nextonanimals,thenonagroupofpeopletoseeifitisgenerallysafeandifitworksbetterthanplacebo.Manycopycatdrugsthataresimilartoonesalreadyonthemarketarenoteventestedagainstplaceboanymorebutcomparedtoanotherdruginthesameclass.So,itbecomesacompetitionbetweentwodrugsthatmayhelpasmallpercentageofpeopleastowhichoneisbetter.TheFDA’sCenterforDrugEvaluationandResearch's(CDER)maintainsthatitsjobistoensurethatdrugsare“safeandeffective”basedonacomparisonofbenefitsversusrisks.Butcanwecountonthesafetyoreffectivenessofthesedrugs?PharmacologistRaymondWoosleyMDPhD,vicepresidentofHealthSciencesattheUniversityofArizonaandin2005,atopcandidatetobecomeFDAcommissioner,interviewedforaPBSspecialonthedrugapprovalprocessnotedthat:

"Whenadruggoesonthemarket,onlyabout3,000patientshaveeverbeengiventhatdrug.Wewillneverknowallthetoxicitythatcanoccur,especiallytheonein10,000ortheonein20,000thatcanbeseriouslyharmed.Ourdetectionofthatwillonlyhappenafterthedrugisonthemarketandexposedtohugenumbersofpatients."63)

Woosleyalsocautionedthat"IthinkAmericansneedtorecognizethateverytimetheyputapillintheirmouth,especiallyanewpillthatthey'venevertakenbefore,it'sanexperiment.”Inotherwords,thatnewdrugyouaretakinghasneverbeentestedonyou—youaretheexperimentandnomatterwhattheresearchshowsitmayormaynotbegoodforyou. Drugsafetyandeffectivenessaredeterminedbyhowmuchthepotentialbenefitsofthedrugoutweighthepossiblerisks.It’sonlynaturalthatdrugcompaniesthatspendupwardsof$200milliondollarstotestadrugwillpromotethebenefitsofthedruganddownplaytherisks.It’sonlynatural,butisitethical? AnotherethicalquestionishowmuchthePrescriptionDrugUserFeeActinfluencesthedrugapprovalprocess.Underthisact,CDERcanlegallycollectfeesfromdrugmanufacturerstohelpfinancethedrugapprovalprocess.In2002,theFDAcollectedfeestotaling$143.3million,whichmadeupoverhalfofCDER'stotaloperatingbudgetforthatyear.Ineffect,FDAemployeesarebeingpaidbythedrugindustry;theFDAisworkingforanindustrythatitissupposedtobecloselymonitoring.

63 http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/prescription/etc/links.html



MeasuringHarmBecausemanydrugsgoonthemarketbeforethefullimpactoftheirsideeffectsareknown,thereisaprocesscalledpostmarketsurveillancewheredataonadversereactionsiscollectedanddecisionsreachedonwhetherornottopulladrugfromthemarket.However,adverseeventreportingisnotmandatoryandasreportedin“DeathbyMedicine”severalstudiesshowthatasfewas5‐20percentofmedicalerrors,includingdrugsideeffects,areeverreported. PaulSeligman,directoroftheOfficeofDrugSafetyintheCDER,saysthattheFDAreceives278,000reportsofadverseeventsayear,30,000ofwhichareconsideredserious.HoweveraNEJMpaperpublishedin1998studiedhospitalrecordsandidentified2.7millionadverseeventsresultingin106,000deaths,tentimesthenumberthattheFDAadmitstoreceiving.64TheNEJMpapermakesclearthattheFDAonlyreceivesabout10percentoftheactualnumberofadverseeventsthatoccur;therestarecovereduporignored.TheBlackBoxWarningIfadrugisfoundtocarryadditionalsideeffectsafteritisonthemarket,thatdoesn’tmeanitwillbeautomaticallypulledfromtheshelves.Theremedyappliedisfarlessdrastic.FirstofallthelabelischangedtoincludeablackboxwarningoraDearDoctorletteriscirculatedtowarndoctorsofthenewdangers.Thedrugcompanyhasfullaccesstothesediscussionsandwilldowhatitcantominimizetheimpactofthewarningonitssales.Ofthe3,000drugsincirculation,onlyaboutadozenhavebeentakenofftheshelvessince1997.SeveralofthosewithdrawalsarediscussedinChapter2. Doctorshaveeveryrighttoexpectthatthedrugstheyprescribearesafe;however,theyalsomakeanassumptionthattheyareeffective,eventhoughthatisnotarequirementoftheapprovalprocess.Thepublichasthesamebeliefandexpectation.TheFDAdoesnotrequiredrugmanufacturerstoprovethatcopycatdrugsaresaferormoreeffectivethanexistingdrugsthattreatthesameconditions.Neitherisitarequirementthatadrugwillhelppatientslivealongerorbetterlife.Whatislookedforinclinicaltrialsisifadrugwilllowerabloodtestlevel,suchascholesterol,orlowerbloodpressure.Itisnotnecessarytoshowthatthedrugwilllowertheincidenceofheartattack,stroke,orprematuredeathinthosetakingthedrug.However,thatiswhatisbelievedbydoctorsandthepublic–thataparticulardrugwillmakeyoulivelonger.TheDrugAcceptanceProcessIntheCanadianMedicalAssociationJournalofNovember23,2004,Dr.JoelLexchinandDr.BarbaraMintzesquestionthe“TransparencyinDrugRegulation”in

64 Lazarou J., Pomeranz B., Corey P. “Incidence of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized patients.” JAMA, 1998; 279: 1200-1205.



Canada.65ItmaycomeasasurprisetothereaderbutCanadiansarenotallowedaccesstotheinformationthatisusedbyHealthCanadatoapprovenewdrugs.TherestrictionsinCanadaaregreaterthanthoseintheU.S.Drugapprovalinformationissaidtobe“commerciallysensitive”andisthereforeconsideredconfidentialundertheAccesstoInformationAct.Thedrugmanufacturermustapproveanyinformationthatisreleasedontheirproductsbyagovernmentagencytoathirdparty. Hidingrelevantdrugdatafromindependentresearchers,however,couldbeoneofthereasonswhysomanyblockbusterdrugsarebeingpulledfromthemarkettoday.Whenaclinicaltrialthatisundertakenbydrugcompaniesshowsthatadrughasserioussideeffects,thereisnolawthatsaysthatstudyhastobepublishedormadepublicinanyway.Researchersaremadetosignconfidentialityagreementsthatprohibitthemfromexposingresearchthatmightharmthereputationofthedrugorthedrugcompany.SeethecaseofDr.NancyOliveriinChapter2.Independentresearchersanddrugcriticswhowanttoreviewanewdrugmaynothavethewholestorybutareledtobelievethattheydo.Theymayonlybegiventherose‐coloredpictureauthorizedbythedrugmanufacturer.Itisonlywhenthatdrugisofferedtothegeneralpublicanddistributedtomillionsthataclearerpictureappearsaspeoplesuccumbtothesideeffects. AccordingtoLexchinandMintzes,“Thestandardargumentforthelegalprotectionofthesedataisthattheirdisclosurewouldcompromisetheeconomicinterestsofdrugmanufacturers.”Ofcourse,ifthedrugdatawereunfavorableitwouldcertainlycompromisetheeconomicinterestsofthedrugcompany.Peoplewouldnotknowinglyuseadrugthatwasharmful,therefore,itisintheeconomicinterestsofadrugcompanytowithholdbad‐outcomestudies.Butitishardlyinthepublicinteresttotakeharmfuldrugs. Regardingthelegalprotectionofpatients,LexchinandMintzesareconcernedthatnotdisclosingallavailableinformationonadrughasseriousdisadvantagesfortheCanadianpublic,healthprofessionals,andHealthCanada.TheycommentthatacontinuedpatternofsecrecyisdetrimentaltothetransparencytowhichCanadiansareentitled.Theysay,“HealthCanadapersistsinmaintainingalevelofconfidentialitythatisinconsistentwithpublicexpectationandcontributestoapubliccynicismabouttheintegrityoftheprocess.” LexchinandMintzesgiveusexamplesofinformationthatwaswithheldonseveraldrugs.Theyexaminethreeinstanceswhereunpublisheddataaboutdrugssubmittedtodrugregulatorscontainedimportantclinicalinformationthatwaseitherunavailableormisrepresentedwithinthepublishedliterature,leadingtoseriousconsequences.KeepinmindthatLexchinandMintzesaresayingthatthe

65 Lexchin J, Mintzes B. “Transparency in drug regulation: Mirage or oasis?” CMAJ. November 23, 2004;171(11).



bureaucraticdrugregulatorsdohaveaccesstoboththepositiveandnegativedata,yetthefollowingdrugswerestillapproved.AntiinflammatoryDrugsThefirstcaseconcernedadrugcompany’scharacterizationofCelecoxib(Celebrex),ananti‐inflammatoryagent,ashavingfewergastrointestinal(GI)sideeffectsthanotherNSAIDs(non‐steroidalanti‐inflammatorydrugs).DatathatHealthCanadachosetohidebuttheauthorsfoundonanFDAwebsiteshowedthatCelebrex,infact,didnothavefewerGIsideeffects.WhydidHealthCanada,whowasinpossessionofthisdata,allowCelebrextobeapprovedwhenitwasnobetterthanolderdrugs?Independentresearcherswerenotgiventhechancetogivetheirviewsonthisdrugbecausetheyweren’tallowedaccesstoallthedataaboutthedrug.YoucanreadaboutthefurtherfailuresofCelebrexinChapter5.AntidepressantsThesecondcaserevolvesaroundtheefficacyofantidepressants.Athoroughreviewof42placebo‐controlledstudiesoffiveSSRIs(selectiveserotoninreuptakeinhibitors)waspublishedintheBritishMedicalJournalin2003.TheauthorsrequestedspecialaccesstoallthetrialsthatweresubmittedforapprovalofSSRIstotreatmajordepression.Theauthorscomparedthesestudiestotheonesthatthedrugcompanyallowedtobepublished.Theyfoundthatdrugcompanybiaswasevidentinthestudiesthatwerepublishedandthatthe“biasesresultedinamorefavorablerepresentationofthedrugs'effectivenessandsafetythanthefulltrialdataandcouldhavesignificantlyaffectedtheresultsofsystematicreviewsandmeta‐analyses.”LexchinandMintzesnotethattheonlyreasonthatthisbiaswasidentifiedwasbecausetheauthorsgainedaccesstoalloftheinformationthatwassubmittedtothegovernmentregulator. LexchinandMintzesalsonotedthatinaseparatereviewofantidepressanttrials,thoseauthorsfoundthatofsixmajorstudies,“80%oftheresponsetomedicationwasduplicatedinplacebocontrolgroups.”Thismeansthatthereisalmostnodifferencebetweentheeffectivenessofastrongantidepressantdrugandaplacebo.Psychiatrist,Dr.DavidHealywarnsthateveryantidepressantlicensedsince1987isassociatedwithahigherriskofsuicidecomparedtoplacebo.66Cardiovascularrisksofhormonereplacementtherapy(HRT)Thethirdcaseofinformationcover‐upthatLexchinandMintzesexposeconcernstheWomen’sHealthInitiativestudyin2003,whichshowed,beyondashadowofadoubt,thatHRTwasharmful.In1997areviewoftheliteratureindicatedthattherewasasignificantriskofheartdiseaseduetoHRT.However,notallstudieswereavailabletothereviewers.Theauthorssaythat,inretrospect,ifthesestudieshadbeenaccessible,they“wouldhaverevealedtheeffectofhormonereplacementtherapyoncardiovascularriskmuchearlier.”Afullsixyearsearlier. 66 Healy D. Did regulators fail over selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors? BMJ. 2006 Jul 8;333(7558):92-5.



LexchinandMintzesconcludethat,“Ineachoftheseexamplestheinformationavailableinthepublishedliteraturefailedtoreflectthefullbodyofscientificknowledgeaboutadrug'seffects.”AreNorthAmericansHappywithHealthCare?The2003JointCanada/U.S.SurveyofHealthcomparesaccesstohealthcareandpeople’ssatisfactionwiththehealthcaretheyreceive.67Thesurveyconcludedthat42percentofAmericansfoundthequalityoftheirhealthcareservicesingeneralwasexcellentcomparedwith39percentofCanadians.Whileweappreciatethepositivetonethatissetinthisconclusion,realizethatsomethingisseriouslywrongwithbothCanadianandAmericanhealthcaresystemswhen58percentofAmericansand61percentCanadiansdonotthinktheyhaveexcellentservices.Whenitcomestohealthcare,don’twewantthebest?AsnotedinChapter1,wearestragglinginlastamongtheprosperousnationsoftheworldcomingin19thinqualityofhealthcare.Diet,detox,andnutrient‐solutionstoheartdisease,arthritis,diabetes,andobesitycanhelpcurbhealthcarecostsandreducetheincidenceofchronicdisease.Manyofthesesolutionsdependontakingpersonalresponsibilityforyourhealthandonunrestrictedaccesstonaturalhealthproducts.However,accesstotheseproductsisinjeopardy.DietarySupplementHistoryInthe1970’stherebeganaslowbutsteadymovementintheworldtolimitaccesstodietarysupplementsandmovethemintoadrugcategory.Variousproductswere,seemingly,arbitrarilytakenofftheshelf.Bythelate1980’sandearly1990’s,storiesaboutthedangersofsupplementsappearedthroughoutthemedia.Anorchestratederosionofpublicconfidenceinherbsanddietarysupplementswasengineered. IntheU.S.ahugeconsumermovementarosewhendietarysupplementswereabouttoberegulatedasdrugsintheearly1990’s.LedbyCitizensforHealth,aconsumer‐basedhealthfreedomgroup,citizenhealth‐actiongroupsweremobilizedineverystateorganizingletterwriting,fax,andphonecampaignsdemandingcontinuedaccesstodietarysupplements.Thesehealthactiongroupsworkedwithlegaladvocatestohelpcreateandsupportwhateventuallybecamethe1994DietarySupplementHealthandEducationAct(DSHEA).Thislawwasatriumphforconsumersinthatitdefineddietarysupplementsasfood,providedforpropermanufacturingstandardsappropriateforsuchproducts,andgaveamplelegalleveragefortheFDAtoremoveproductsiftheagency,throughitsownresearch,foundthemharmfultothepublic.Italsoallowedmanufacturersto

67 Joint Canada/U.S. Survey of Health, June 2, 2004.



makereasonablehealthclaimsabouttheirproductsonthelabelsothatconsumerscouldmakedecisionsforthemselves.AustraliansarenowregulatedundertheTherapeuticGoodsAdministration(TGA)thenumberofallowedsupplementsisdiminishing.ThesamehashappenedinCanadawherea“thirdcategory”,whichlooksverymuchlikethedrugcategory,hasbeendevelopedtoregulatedietarysupplements.DSHEAGuttedInthefirsteditionofDeathbyModernMedicine,IwarnedthatDSHEAmustbeprotectedandexpandedtoCanada.ItseemsthattimehaspassedandDSHEAhasbeengutted.UndertheguiseofprotectingAmericansfromunsafedietarysupplements,costlyregulationsarebeingimposedonsupplementcompaniesthatwillbankrupthalftheindustry.Drugcompaniesarebusilybuyingupthesecompaniesastheyworktowardmonopolizingthesyntheticvitaminindustry.UntilthesenewregulationswereintroducedtheU.S.hadbeenoneofthefewcountriesintheworldthathadprotectedfood‐basedmedicinewithspecificlegislation.FDAAnnouncesPlantoEliminateVitaminCompaniesYoucanreadthewholestorybyByronJ.Richards,CCN,inhisJune27,2007NewsWithViews.comcolumn.Insummary,thirteenyearsafterDSHEA,theFDAdecidedtoexpandtheirregulationofsupplementcompanies’goodmanufacturingpractices.Intheir800‐pagedocumenttheFDAadmittedthefollowing.

“Wefindthatthisfinalrulewillhaveasignificanteconomicimpactonasubstantialnumberofsmallentities....Establishmentswithaboveaveragecosts,andevenestablishmentswithaveragecosts,couldbehardpressedtocontinuetooperate.Someofthesemaydecideitistoocostlyandeitherchangeproductlinesorgooutofbusiness....140verysmall[lessthan20employees]and32smalldietarysupplementmanufacturers[lessthan500employees]willbeatriskofgoingoutofbusiness....costsperestablishmentareproportionallyhigherforverysmallthanforlargeestablishments....Theregulatorycostsofthisfinalrulewillalsodiscouragenewsmallbusinessesfromenteringtheindustry.”

TheFDAisawarethatthepriceofsupplementswillincreaseandsaid“Weexpectthatthemajorityofthesecostswillbebornebyconsumersofdietarysupplements,whowilllikelyrespondtotheincreaseinpricesbyreducingconsumption.”Richardscomments,“Thus,theFDAisintentionallyseekingtoshrinkthesizeofthedietarysupplementindustryandreducetheinfluenceofsafeandeffectiveoptionstoimprovethedreadfultrendinthehealthofAmericans.Thegoalistoleavetoxicdrugsastheprimaryhealthoption.”Canada’ssupplementindustryisbeingregulatedinthesamefashionandtheyhavefoundasindependentanalysisofthisFDArulehasfound,thatthecostof



complianceisgoingtobeatleasttentimeswhattheFDAestimateswithasmanyas50%ofsmallcompaniesunabletocomply.Richardsnotes,“Inessence,theFDAisseekingtomakethedietarysupplementindustrydocumenteveryphaseofproduction,includingexpensivetestingatmultiplepointsintheproductionprocess.Massiverecordkeepingwillberequired,includingallcustomercomplaintsandreturnsforanyreason!Thisisanutterlydraconianandunnecessaryinterferenceandburdentofreecommerce.ItiscompletelyAnti‐American.”Richardsisawarethat“TheFDAisdoingthisunderthepretenseofimprovedconsumersafety.Consumersafetycouldreadilybeguaranteedbysimplyhavingallcompaniestesttheirfinalproductsforpurityandpotency.InsteadofthissimpleapproachtheFDAhasgonetotheextremeofburdeningthedietarysupplementindustrywithregulationsinexcessofthedrugindustry!Supplementsarefoods,notdrugs.Thefoodindustrycouldn’tbegintocomplywiththeseFDArules,eventhoughfoodcontaminationisfarmoredangeroustohealththandietarysupplements.”Richardswarnsthat,“TheFDAintendstophasethisruleinoverthenextthreeyears.Thismeansthatwithinfiveyearshalftheindustryandmanyofthehealthoptionsindividualsrelyonwilleitherbegoneorsignificantlymoreexpensive.”DietarySupplementsinCanadaBy1997,HealthCanadahadturnedupthepressuretoregulatedietarysupplementsasdrugs.TheyannouncedthatonJuly1,1997,ironicallyCanada’sbirthday,theywouldtakesome60,000dietarysupplementsandcallthemnewdrugs.CanadiansfoughtagainstthesemeasuresforalmosttenyearswithgrassrootshealthfreedomgroupsincludingHealthActionNetwork,68FreedomofChoiceinHealthCare,69FriendsofFreedom,70theCanadianCoalitionforHealthFreedom,(nowTheAllianceofNaturalHealthSuppliers71),CitizensforChoiceinHealthCare72. Theseconsumer‐basedgroupsraisedoveronemillionvoicestoprotestthisaction.Theycollectedover250,000signaturesonpetitions,whichweresubmittedtotheparliamentofCanadasupportingthecommonsensefactthatourdietarysupplementsarefood‐basedandarenotdrugsandthattheyarelowrisk,safe,effectivemedicinesthatshouldnotberegulatedasnewdrugs.Inspiteofthetremendouspublicoutcry,thingswerestilllookinggrimuntilMarilynNelsonofFreedomofChoiceinHealthCare,nutritionist,Dr.DavidRowland,andherbalist, 68 Health Action Network: www.hans.org 69 Freedom of Choice in Health Care: www.freedomofchoiceinhealthcare.ca 70 Friends of Freedom: www.friendsoffreedom.org 71 The Canadian Coalition for Health Freedom (now The Alliance of Natural Health Suppliers: www.allianceofnaturalhealthsuppliers.com) 72 www.naturalhealthcoalition.ca/censorship_ad.pdf



RickDeSilva,filedalawsuitagainstHealthCanada.Thelawsuitchallengedthenewguidelines,andbecausetheyhadnobasisinlaw,within48hourstheguidelinesweresuccessfullystopped. Finallyacceptingthatitwasgoingagainstthewillofthepeople,HealthCanadarespondedinNovemberof1998bycreatinganewworkinggroup,theStandingCommitteeonHealth.Thisgroup,madeupofMPsfromallparties,soughtinputfromcitizensonthematterofdietarysupplements.AlonglistofrecommendationsweretabledintheHouseofCommonsandacceptedonMarch26,1999byMinisterofHealth,theHonorableAllanRockonbehalfofParliament.Thenumberonerecommendation,inalistofaboutfifty,wastokeepdietarysupplementsunderthefoodcategory. Furtheringthatprocess,thegovernmentcreatedtheNaturalHealthProductsDirectorate(NHP).ANHPTransitionTeam(acommitteeofexpertsformedfromHealthCanada,consumersandconsumergroups)clarifiedandexpandedtherecommendations,whichtheysubmittedtothegovernmentinaMarch31,2000report.FriendsofFreedomFriendsofFreedomisaCanadian‐based,globallyrecognized,grassrootsNaturalHealthFreedomadvocacyorganizationfoundedin1995indirectresponsetowhatwasconsideredtobeBigPharma’sattempttoinfluencetheCanadiangovernmenttoturndietarysupplementsintoanewdrugcategory.FriendsofFreedomfounder,TruemanTuckfoughttokeepdietarysupplementsaccessibletothepublicbyspearheadingBillC‐420.FollowingcloselythenewNHPTransitionTeaminregularmeetingsandconsultations,hefearedthattheyweregoingtoignorethenumberoneconcernofCanadiansandgobacktoHealthCanada’soriginalgoaltodeclaredietarysupplementsasdrugs.HealthCanadaDeclaresDietarySupplementsAreDrugsJanuary2004OnOctober23,2003,Dr.JamesLunneyand123otherMembersofParliamentfrombothpartiesvotedforBillC‐420,which,asLunneysaid,“indicatesthatMembersofParliamentwantthismattertobeexaminedmorethoroughlybeforenewregulationscomeintoeffectearlyinthenewyear.”73Yet,inspiteofthemajorityofpeopleintownhallmeetingsacrossCanadasayingtheywantedsupplementstoberegulatedasfood,andinspiteofonemillionvoices,inspiteof250,000petitionsdeliveredtoParliamentinawheelbarrow,onJanuary1,2004,HealthCanadadidjusttheopposite;theybeganofficiallyregulatingdietarysupplementsasathirdcategory,butunderthedrugbureaucracy.SeveraldietarysupplementcompanieswereimmediatelyraidedspecificallyStraussHerbCompany,Truehope(manufacturerofEMPowerplus),andBioMedica.A 73 http://www.jameslunneymp.ca/news_detail.php?recordID=206



UniversityofCalgaryresearchstudyonadietarysupplementEMPowerplus,wasshutdown.Thesecompanieswereledtobelievethatthenewregulationswerelaw,buttheyarenot,theyareonlyguidelinesandhavenotbeenvotedonbyParliamentandhavenobasisinlaw.UnfortunatelymostCanadiandietarysupplementsmanufacturersalsothinktheregulationsarelawanddon’tknowtheyhavearighttoresistthem.HealthCanadacontinuallychangestheirpoliciesandregulationsmakingcompaniescomplywithbureaucraticredtape.HealthCanadaappearstobedraggingoutthecourtbattlesuntilthesupplementcompaniescan’taffordtofightanymore.SafetyofDietarySupplementsWearelivinginstrangetimeswhen784,000peopledieannuallyfrommedicalinterventions,yet,manyyearsgobyandnotonepersondiesasaresultoftakingsupplements.(See“DeathbyMedicine”AppendixB)Solidevidencesupportsthefactthatsupplementsdecreasethecostofhealthcare,andsupplementsareessentialforthepreventionandtreatmentofahostofdiseases.However,wearebeingdrawninto,andsomewouldsay,forcedinto,apharmaceutical‐basedinterpretationofsupplements.Wearealsolivingatatimewhenover60percentoftheworld’spopulationdependsonfood‐basedmedicine.Manyofyouarefamiliarwithsupplementsandtheirbenefitsbutmaynotrealizewhymodernmedicineseemstotreatthemsocontemptuously.VitaminsforDeficiencyDr.AbramHoffer,theco‐founderofOrthomolecularMedicine,withLinusPauling,andthefounderoftheInternationalSocietyforOrthomolecularMedicine,andeditoroftheJournalofOrthomolecularMedicinedescribestwoschoolsofthoughtregardingvitamins.74Thevitamins‐for‐deficiencymodelidentifiesvitaminsasthewaytopreventobviousvitamindeficiencydisease.ExamplesofvitaminsthatpreventdeficiencydiseasesincludevitaminCforscurvy(lossofteeth,jointpain,andseverebruising;thiamine(VitaminB‐1)forberiberi(heartdiseaseandnervedamage);vitaminDforrickets,andniacin(VitaminB‐3)forpellagra(gutsymptomsandnervedamage).Earlyvitaminresearchersarguedthattopreventobviousdeficiencysymptomsyouonlyneededtheabovevitaminsinsmallamounts—whichwaseventuallylooselytranslatedintotheRDA(recommendeddailyallowance).TheRDAdoesnotmeananoptimaldoseortherapeuticdose;itcondonesameageramountthatcanonlystaveoffobviousdeficiency.Thistypeofthinkingaboutvitaminusagedictatesthatsincevitaminsareonlyneededinsmallamountstopreventdeficiency,thereforelargedosesofvitaminsarecontraindicatedandmaybedangerous.Theoperativewordhereis“may”.Dr.Hofferremarksthatvitaminsarenotdangerousandthat“theevidenceforthisisnonexistent”.Dr.Hofferconfirmsthat,unfortunately,thevitamin‐as‐prevention 74 Hoffer A. “Toxic Vitamins.” Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, May 2003.



paradigmistheoneacceptedbyalmosteverynutritionist,physician,hospital,governmentagency,andfoodboardintheWesternworld.Thispolicystandsinspiteofthefactthatvitaminsandmineralsareabsolutelyrequiredasco‐factorsineverymetabolicfunctioninthebodyyettheyaredangerouslydiminishedinourmodernfoodsupply.VitaminsasTreatmentAblendingofscientificresearchandclinicalexperiencegoesbeyondthepreventionofdeficiencyandidentifiesvitaminsastherapeuticforalargenumberofconditions.OptimumdosesareusedthatvaryfromsmalltolargebutareusuallyabovetheRDA. Hofferincludesanumberofexamplesofvitaminsastreatmentrecommendingniacinfortreatinghyperlipidemia;theBvitaminsfortreatingtheheartcondition,homocysteinuria;vitaminEforheartdisease;niacinamideforarthritis;vitaminCforinfection,intestinalpolyps,andthecommoncold;andacombinationofnutrientsforschizophreniaandmanicdepression.However,becausetheparadigmofvitamins‐as‐preventionisstillenforced,anyuseofvitaminsbeyondsmalldosesisridiculed.Eventhoughthevastmajorityofdoctorsanddieticiansclaimthatwecanobtainallourvitaminneedsfromourdiet—thatisdecidedlynotthecase.Vitaminsandmineralsarenecessaryco‐factorsinthousandsofmetabolicfunctionsinthebody.Vitaminstudiesalwaysshowadeficiencyinahighproportionofthepopulation.Therefore,wepresentlyhaveasituationinoursocietywherewehaveadeficiencyofvitaminsandalsoaneedforvitaminsonatherapeuticlevel.DietarySupplementSafety AccordingtoRonLaw’schartondeathcomparisons,dietarysupplementsdeathsareanalmostnonexistent0.0001percent.Therearemoredeathsduetohoneybeestings,whicharelistedat0.0008percent,thanthereareduetodietarysupplements.Deathsduetoprescribeddrugs,at5.6percent,means26,000timesmorepeoplediefromproperlyregulated,properlyprescribed,andproperlyuseddrugsthanfromdietarysupplements.Hesaysthatintotal,dietarysupplementshaveaveragedlessthan5confirmeddeathsperyearoverthepast25yearsintheU.S.A.Mostofthosedeathsrelatetoasinglebatchoftryptophanintroducedinthelate1980’sthatwasnotduetothenutrientbuttoageneticallyengineeredsyntheticbinder.(RonLaw’ssource‐CDC/FDA)Takingthenumberofdeathsduetomodernmedicineasdocumentedin“DeathbyMedicine”,youarriveatapproximately784,000peopledyingeveryyear.



DietarySupplements 0,0001%

HoneyBeeStings 0,0008%

InsectStings(All) 0,0020%

Sportsinjuries 0,0020%

Lightning 0,0041%

AnimalBites(dogs,etc) 0,0048%

Horse/animalriding 0,0052%

PenicillinAllergy 0,0144%

Slips/FallsWhilstWalking 0,019%

ElectricalAccidents 0,038%

Freezing 0,048%

FirearmsAccidents 0,079%

Poisonings 0,17%

Asthma 0,19%

HomeFires 0,19%

Drowning 0,21%

Food 0,24%

Pedestrians‐vehicle 0,37%

RadonGas 0,62%

Murder 0,94%

Suicide 1,41%

MotorVehicleAccidents 2,20%

PreventableMedicalMisadventure 2,40%

Alcohol 4,49%

ProperlyPrescribedDrugs 5,18%

Smoking 7,19%

Cancer 22,11%

CardiovascularDisease 47

Statisticallydietarysupplementsareevensaferthanthefoodchain.Over100peopledieannuallyintheU.S.fromanallergicreactiontopeanuts.Yet,Dr.AbramHoffertoldmethatinoverfortyyearsofpracticehehasneverseenorheardofanyonedyingbecauseofingestingvitamins.



TheHighCostofComplianceWhensupplementsareregulatedasdrugs,thecostofcompliancedrivesupacompany’soverheadcosts,whicharepassedontotheconsumer.Canada’ssupplementindustryisundergoinggreatupheavalasaresultofthegovernmentregulatingsupplementsasdrugs. In1994,theCanadiangovernmentinvestigatedthecosttothedietarysupplementindustryofregulatingdietarysupplementsasdrugs.Thiswasafeasibilitystudyfortheirlong‐rangeplantoregulatedietarysupplementsasdrugsthatwasfinallyimplementedonJanuary1,2004.Bytheirownreckoning,inordertocomplywithlicensingfeesandthebureaucraticstructuresetuptheNaturalHealthProductsDirectorate,itwillcostsmalltomedium‐sizedbusinessesthatmakelessthan$1millionto$2million,$100,000thefirstyearandthen$50,000annually.Theyreportthatthedirectresultwillbethatmostcompanieswillhavetogiveupaboutonethirdoftheirproductsbecausetheywon’tbeabletoaffordtoobtainalicenseforeachproduct.Asaresult15,000to20,000productswilldisappearfromthe60,000‐productdietarysupplementindustry.Anotherdirectresult,inthegovernment’sownreportisthatabout80percentofthesmalltomediumsizebusinesswillgooutofbusinessleavingthelargersupplementmanufacturerswithlesscompetitionandmoremarketshare.StraussHerbsandtheMissingNaturalProductNumbersNaturalproductsinthethirdcategory—underthedrugbranchofHealthCanadamusthaveanNPNorfacelegalaction.AccordingtoPeterHelgason,theVPofRegulatoryAffairsforStraussHerbs,afteroneyearofworkingontheintricatepaperworkrequiredforanNPNfiling,Straussrealizeditwouldbeforcedtoreduceitsproductlinefromfifty‐eighttotwenty‐sixbecauseofthehighcostofcompliance.RealisticallyStraussnowfeelstheymightbelimitedtoabouttwentyproductsandtheyhavebeenforcedtodropthirty‐five.Helgason’sconcernisthatpeoplenolongerhaveaccesstoproductsthatdeliveredtremendoustherapeuticbenefitstothem.OnespecificexampleofthehighcostofcomplianceisthecaseofStraussHerbCompany.Theybegancomplianceproceduresin2003andaftereighteenmonths,withfourfull‐timeemployeesworkingonthenewNaturalHealthProducts(NHP)Directorateregulations,Straussspentover$300,000andhadnotreceivedoneNaturalProductNumber(NPN).ByJune2006,StraussstillhadnotbeengrantedevenoneNPNnumberforitsproducts.WhenIinterviewedPeterHelgasoninFebruary2008,StrausshadbeengrantedoneNPNnumber.Thewinningproductwascayennepepper,acenturiesoldspice.Todate,thecumulativecoststoStraussforallthisbureaucraticwranglingandoneNPN,outofabouttwentyappliedfor,standsatroughly$1million.BeyondthecomplexprotocolsthathavetobeitemizedfortheNHPDirectorate,companiesarebeingtoldtorevealproprietaryformulasontheirlabels.This,



accordingtoStrausswillbeverydetrimentaltotheirbusinessallowingcompetingcompaniestousetheirproprietaryformulas.Theonlydietarysupplementcompaniesinfavorofthesemeasuresseemtobethosethatarerichenoughtoaffordthetransitionandwanttoseethecompetitionfromsmallercompanieseliminated.Thelargercompaniesalongwiththegovernmentjustifytheiractionswiththecommentthat‘weneedbettermanufacturingpracticesinordertoensurequalityproducts.’However,existinglawsalreadycoverthoseaspectsofqualitycontrol.Itisafallacythatdietarysupplementshavetoberegulatedasdrugsareinordertoensurethattheyaresafe.GoingPublicWhat’snextforCanada’sdietarysupplementindustry?Whencompaniesgetreallybigthey“gopublic”andtheirstockistradedonthestockmarket.Whenthathappens,thecompanyusuallyjettisonsitsexpensive,highqualityingredientstocheaperonesinordertokeepstockholdershappy.Whenthathappens,thefocusisnolongeronhealthbutonprofits.Insuchaclimate,itwon’tbelongbeforetheonlydietarysupplementswecangetaresynthetic,patentedmoleculesthatourbodiesrejectasforeignsubstances.Wemustaskourselves,isthespecificintentofsuchregulationstocomplywithCodexandtheWorldTradeOrganization’sstandardizationofdietarysupplements?Monopolyofmedicineandcensorshipcomeintoplaywhensupplementsbecomedrugsandwhenwedon’thavetherighttoinformationaboutaproduct.EvenmorethreateningisgovernmentBigBrothertacticstoshutdowncompanieswhendietaryproductsareregulatedasdrugs.Itboilsdowntoapervasivemyththatinsomemagicalwaygovernmentregulationscreategoodproducts.However,regulationsdonotequalquality,accuracy,orprotectionfromfraud.Youonlyhavetolookatthemultibillion‐dollardrugindustrythatisthebestregulatedintheworldtoseethemisconception.Drugindustryadvertisingsubjectsustoadvertisementsthatarebasedonscientificfactonly6percentofthetime.Modernmedicineproceduresareonly10‐20percentscience‐based.(SeeChapter6,undertheheadingOfficeofTechnologyAssessment.)Governmentregulationdoesnotgiveuswhatweneed,whichissimplytotakeresponsibilityforourownhealth.Withregardtofraudulenthealthclaims,everyruleoflawinsocietyhascriminalcodesthatcoverfraud.Ifacompanyisopenlyadvertisingsomethingthatiscausingharmorchargingafeeandnotdeliveringwhattheyadvertise,thereislegalrecourse.Asitstands,withthecurrentCanadianregulations,asyouwillseeinthefollowingthreecases,anyonewhomakeseventhemildestclaimisguiltyuntiltheyprovethemselvesinnocent,usuallyatenormousexpense.Thisisnothowourlegalsystemissupposedtowork.TheCanadianlegalsystemstatesthatyouareinnocentuntilyoucanbeprovenguiltyinacourtoflaw.



HealthCanadaversusStraussHeartdrops®Aheartbreakingstory,literally,isthatofStraussHerbCompany’sfighttokeepprovidingtoaneedypublictheirfood‐basedmedicine,Heartdrops®thateffectivelytreatheartdisease.HealthCanadalaid219criminalagainsttheStraussHerbCompany,PeterStrauss,andJimStraussSr.,inJanuaryof2003.ThisoccurredwhenStraussbecamemuchmorevisibleinCanadaduringthefirstStrauss‐sponsoredCanadaCupofCurling.JimStraussJr.,feltthecharges“werefiledtotryandembarrassthefirmduringitsfirstnational‐profilesponsorship.”10Strausssaid,“ThefactthatHealthCanadasatonthefilefornearlytwoyearsanddidnothing,andthenlaidchargeswhentheydid,speaksvolumesaboutthemoralcompasssomeHealthCanadaemployeesfollow."Strausswasveryclearthat,“ThisactionwasinitiatedtosmearanddefameStraussHerbs,nottobenefitorprotectthehealthofCanadians.Ifitcostushalfamilliondollarstodefendourselvesfromtheseslanderouslies,howmanyscarcehealthdollarsdidHealthCanadawasteinthisutterlyfailedprosecution?"Strauss’criminallawyerShawnBuckleysaidthat“theCrownoffereda‘deal’earlyonintheproceedingsandStraussHerbCompanycouldhave…paida$500fineandmovedon."75Insteadofamere$500,thecompanyhasspentover$500,000toprovethattheyhavealegitimaterighttoofferaproductthathelpsheartdiseaseandtotellpeopleaboutit.VindicationforStraussOnSeptember20,2004,StraussHerbCompanywasclearedofallchargesinaKamloopsprovincialcourt.TheJudgenotedtheCrowndidnothaveanyevidencetobackuptheirchargesandthecasewasdismissed.JimStrausssaid,"Thegoodnewsiswearestillinbusinessandwearestillmakingandsellingtheproductshundredsofthousandsofpeoplehavecometorelyontomaintainandimprovetheirhealth.Thebadnewsisthatourgoodnamehasbeenharmedandwehavelosttheconfidenceofhundredsofthousandsofpeoplewhoareafraidtotakeaproductthatcouldhelptheirhealthbybogusclaimsoffraudleveledbyagovernmentorganizationthepublicthinksisactingintheirbestinterests.Weareconsideringourlegalremediesavailabletorecoupourlosses,"saysStrauss."Inthemeantime,itisbacktobusinessasusual." OnJune12,2003,JimStraussSr.,assertedhisrighttosueHealthCanadaformaliciousprosecution.StraussHerbswonthepreliminaryarguments.AroundDecember2007,StraussHerbswontherighttoincludeinthelawsuittheCrownProsecutor,hislawfirm,andsignificantseniorHealthCanadaemployeeswhoconsultedontheoriginalStrausscasewhokneworoughttohaveknownthattherewasnochancetheiractionwouldsucceed.HavingareasonablechancetowinacaseisarequirementunderprovinciallawinBritishColumbia.Otherwiseitisjudgedas 75 http://www.iahf.com/20040922.html



frivolousorharassment.Byallaccounts,HealthCanadasuedJimStraussSr.todefamehisnameandthenameofhiscompany.Thelatestreport,asofFebruary2008isthatthecourthasagreedthatHealthCanadashouldpayStrauss’legalcostsfortheactionagainstJimStraussSr.Strausslawyer,ShawnBuckley,isdoinganotherinterestingbitoflegalfootwork.InDecember2007,BuckleysubmittedafileonanherbalingredientofoneoftheStraussformulasforajudicialreview.ThissubmissionisachallengeofaNovember2005HealthCanadapolicystatementclaimingthatanybotanicalfromwhichadrugcouldbeextractedwouldbedeemedaprescriptiondrug.AjudgewillreadtheStraussfileandarebuttalfromHealthCanadaanddeterminewhetherthereisenoughevidenceforthismattertogototrial.Thepreliminarycostofchallengingtherighttousethisherbalingredientisalreadyatthe$250,000mark.HealthCanadaonaDestructivePathIholdaspecialplaceinmyheartforherbsandIextendthatspacetoincludetheStraussfamily.Herbsthemselvesarespecial;theyarelikelittlemedicinepeopleintheircharacteristicsandtheirreproducibleabilitiestoheal.Itistruecreativeartandsciencewhenamasterherbalistcreatesacombinationofwholeherbsthatworksynergisticallywithinthebody,inanaturalandholisticfashion.IntheStraussfamily,thatabilitytocreateeffectiveherbalformulationshasbeenpasseddownforeightgenerations.Choosingtherightplantsforaformulaandkeepingtheformulaconsistentthroughtheyearsdependsonseveralfactors.Thelookandfeeloftheplantisimportant,whereandhowitisgrown,thequalityofthesoil,theclimateconditionsforthatyear,whenitisharvested,andhowitisstoredandshipped.Butthemostimportantcriteriafordeterminingthequalityofaformulaishowittastes!AccordingtotheonlinepublicationBrainBriefings,about25percentofpeopleare“supertasters”andthisabilityispassedongenetically.Supertasterstendtoexperienceanoverallhigherleveloftastingabilitythanothers.76Theyalsohaveagreaternumberofpapillae(orbumps)onthetonguethatholdtheover10,000tastebuds.Thefourbasictastesaresweet,sour,salty,andbitter.Inourculturewehavebecomesousedtofeedingonlyoursweetandsalttastebudswedon’trealizethatthereareothertastesandgreatvariationsinthosetastes.Butsupertastersareabletodistinguishvariationsofthesefourthatallowsthemtobegreatwinetasters,chefs,andherbalists.A2002discussionpaperproducedbyTheNaturalHealthProductsDirectorateadmits,“Despitealloftherecentadvancesinanalyticaltechnology,thehumansensesarestillsuperiortochemicaltechniquesinmakingfinediscriminationsintasteandaroma.Thisisevidencedbythefactthatmachineshaveyettoreplaceprofessionalwine,coffeeandteatasters,orprofessionalnosesintheperfumeindustry.Anexperiencedpharmacognosistcanaccuratelyidentifybotanical

76 http://web.sfn.org/content/Publications/BrainBriefings/taste.html



materialandassessits"quality"baseduponorganolepticfeatures,ofteninamatterofseconds.”77TheStraussfamilypossessesthissupertastingability,whichhasbeenpasseddownthroughgenerations.Thisskillallowsthemtocompetewiththemostsophisticatedlaboratoryequipment,suchasgaschromatography,intheabilitytodistinguishherbalconstituents.Inspiteofalltherightmeasurementsanddialsandtemperaturesandingredientsyouknowhowdifferentthesamerecipecanbeinthehandsofdifferentcooks.Onecanbeadisasterandtheothercanbeadelight.It’sthesamewithherbalformulations.It’salsoanartthatcannotandshouldnotberegulatedbyHealthCanada.RCMPRaidsSupplementsfortheMentallyIllInanarticlefromtheCalgaryHerald,July16,2003,titled,“RCMPShutsDownSupplementFirm,”journalistDavidHeymanwrotethat,“AboutadozenarmedofficerssurprisedemployeesofTruehopeNutritionalSupportLtd.at10:15a.m.,Tuesday,whentheysweptinanddemandedeveryoneinthecallcentertostopworkingandbackawayfromtheircomputers.MountiesfromCalgary,Ottawa,andMontreal,thenbegandownloadinginformationfromharddrivesandriflingthroughfilingcabinets.”HealthCanadaallegedthatTruehopewassellinganutritionalsupplement,EMPowerplustothementallyillwithoutgovernmentapproval.AnthonyStephanandDavidHardyestablishedTruehopeCompanyandcreatedtheEMPowerplusproductafterAnthony’swife,Debbie,committedsuicidewhiletakingProzacforhermanicdepression.Mr.Stephanwasconcernedthattwoofhischildrenhadinheritedthesameformofillnessandwereclosetobeinginstitutionalized.HewasabletobringhischildrenbacktonormalwiththeuseofEMPowerplus.Aftertheraid,Mr.StephantoldtheCalgaryHeraldthathewas“worriedhis3,000customerswillsuddenlyhavetogowithouttheirnutritionalsupplement”,whichcontains36vitamins,minerals,andanti‐oxidants.Hesaid“eachofthosesubstancesissoldindividuallyonshelvesinNorthAmericawithoutaproblem.”Hewasalsoconcernedthat“HealthCanadawillusetheTruehopedatabaseinformationtophonealltheircustomersandtellthemnottousethenutritionalsupplement.”Mr.StephantoldmethatHealthCanadadidjustthat,theyphonedallthepeoplewhoweretakingEMPowerplus.AlmostimmediatelyTruehopewasfloodedwithhundredsofcallsfromscaredandangryclientswhosaidtheyreceived,whattheydescribedasharassingphonecallsfromHealthCanada.TheyweretoldnottotakethesupplementfromTruehopebuttogobackonmedications.Theywereinformedthatthegovernmentdidnotapproveofthesupplement,itwasdangerous,itdidn’twork,andtheywereriskingtheirlivesbytakingit. 77 http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpfb-dgpsa/nhpd-dpsn/exploration_botanical_05_e.html



IfyoutalkwithAnthonyStephanpersonally,asIhave,itdoesn’ttakelongtorecognizethatheisamanwhoisgenuinelyconcernedaboutpeopleandespeciallywantstohelpthosewhoarestrugglingwithmentalproblems.Whenhepresentshis4‐footstackofpapersshowingthedamagingsideeffectsofantidepressants,youareimpressed.Ashockingvisualaidtohelpunderstandhispositionisapiechartshowingresultsofameta‐analysisontheeffectivenessofantidepressantscomparedtothatofEMPowerplus.Thatchartshowsthatantidepressantsareonly26percenteffective,afigurethatisevenlessthanplacebo,whichcanbeashighas50percent.78Yet,theeffectivenessofEMPowerplusisashighas80percentaccordingtofivedocumentedscientificstudiespublishedinpeer‐reviewedjournals.7980TruehopehadnoideahowmanycallsorletterswerewrittentoHealthCanadaby,oronbehalfof,EMPowerplususers.However,throughtheFreedomofInformationActandapre‐trialdisclosuretheyfoundabout400lettersinHealthCanadafilesofcitizenspleadingfortheirmentalhealth.Eachpersonbecamehisorherownexperimentalstudy.Ontheproducttheyfeltnormal,offtheproductandbackonmedicationtheyfeltill.Apparentlytheletterswereignored;nobodyatHealthCanadahadanyanswersforthesepeople.InterviewedbytheCalgaryHerald,RonLaJeunesse,ExecutiveDirectoroftheCanadianMentalHealthAssociation'sAlbertadivision,saidheknowsmanypeoplewhohavebeenessentiallycuredofmentalillnessaftertakingEMPowerplus.RegardingtheseizureofproductbyHealthCanada,hesaid,"It'sgoingtoresultindozensofsuicides.Iknowoftwoalready."Hewenttosay,"Ifthere'snoopportunityforpeopletotakeit,atbestwe'regoingtoseesomementalpatientsgoingbacktohospital.Atworst,they'lldie."81TruehopeVindicatedJuly28,2006ajudgeinAlbertaruledthatTruehopewasjustifiedinignoringaHealthCanadaordertostopsellingitsnutritionalproduct.Thejudgesaidthat,“Thedefendantswereoverwhelminglycompelledtodisobey.Theevidencewasclearandpersuasive…ifitbecameunavailable,thosetakingitregressedwithinafewdaystoaggressivenessanddepression…Thesymptomsofbipolarrapidlyreturned.”Thejudgedeterminedthat“Thedefendantprovidedavitalandessentialsupportprogram…seekingtoavoidseriousincapacitationordeath(inthepatient)duetomentalillness.”

78 Jureidini JN, Doecke CJ, Mansfield PR, Haby MM, Menkes DB, Tonkin AL. “Efficacy and safety of antidepressants for children and adolescents.” BMJ. 2004 Apr 10;328(7444):879-83. 79 Kaplan BJ, Fisher JE, Crawford SG, Field CJ, Kolb B. “Improved mood and behavior during treatment with a mineral-vitamin supplement: an open-label case series of children.” J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2004 Spring;14(1):115-22. 80 Kaplan BJ, Simmons M. “Nutritional Approach to Bipolar Disorder.” Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. 2003 March;64:3. 81 Heyman D. “Truehope Backers Warn of Suicides.” Calgary Herald. July 17, 2003.



SpeakingwithTruehopelawyer,ShawnBuckley,IlearnedthatoneofthemostinfluentialpsychiatristsintheworldisnowtreatinghispatientswithEMPowerplusandsaidthatifhehadmanicdepressionhewoulduseEMPowerplusandnotdrugs.Subpoenaedandunderoath,hetestifiedtothosefactsinthe2006trialbetweenTruehopeandHealthCanada.Dr.CharlesPopper(Harvard)isperhapstheleadingworldexpertintreatingmentaldiseaseinchildrenandadolescents.WhenaskedbyanEMPowerplusresearcher,alsoaHarvardgraduate,tolookintotheincredibleresultswiththissupplement,Dr.Popperadamantlyrefused.Abottleoftheformulawasgiventohim,whichhepromptlyhid.Butwhenapsychiatristfrienddemandedadrugprescriptionforhisownsonwhowashavingaseveremanic‐depressiveepisode,Dr.PoppergavehimthebottleofEMPowerpluswhilewaitinghis‘required’weekbeforeprescribing.EverydayDr.Popperexpectedhisfriendtocallandreportthathissonwasgettingworse.Thatdidn’thappenuntiltheweekwasupandthereportwaspositive,thepsychiatrist’ssonwasdoingbetterthanhehadeverdone.Dr.Popperchalkedtheimprovementuptoplaceboeffectandthoughtnomoreaboutituntiltheformularanoutandthebehaviorreturned.BythenDr.Popperwaswillingtodrophisbiasandbeginusingtheformulaonmost,ifnotallhispatients,developinganimpressiverateofrecoveryfindingitaneffectivelongtermtreatmentwithnosideeffects.TruehopeandTheArtofWarThelegalargumentagainstHealthCanadaintheTruehopecaseisthatin120yearstherehasneverbeenonerecordeddeathbypeoplehavingaccesstonaturalhealthproducts,butatleast2deathsduetobeingdeniedaccesstonaturalproducts,i.e.,Truehope’sEMPowerplus.FeelingadeepobligationtoCanadianswhowerebetrayedbyHealthCanadawhenEMPowerpluswasbannedinCanada,TruehopeiswagingawaragainstHealthCanadatoensurethatHealthCanadawillnotrepeattheirunethicalbehaviorinthefuture.YoumaybeawareoftheNurembergTrialswherethedefenseofthesubordinatestoHitlerandHimmlerwerethattheywerejustfollowingorders.IfyoureadthethousandsofpagesofdocumentsoftheTruehopetrialyouwillseethefollowingstatementsbyHealthCanadaofficialsunderoath.ThisexcerptisfromaJanuary21,2008TruehopelettertoTheHonorableMr.TonyClement,theMinisterofHealthinreplytoaletterfromMeenaBallantyne,AssistantDeputyMinisterofhealth.Youcanreadallthecorrespondenceandfollowthesefascinatingwargamesatwww.healthcanadaexposed.com.

AgentMilesBrosseauwasquestionedunderoathbyTruehopeLawyer,ShawnBuckley:Mr.Buckley:“Soifyouweresentadocument...showingthatpeopleweredyingbecauseofwhatHealthCanadawasdoing...youwouldjustignorethatbecauseit’snotapolicyordirective?”Brosseauanswered“Yes.”AgentSandraJarvis:“Whetherornot(EMPowerplus),youknow,didamazingthingsornot,thefactofthematteris,itwasinviolationoflaw.”



ShetestifiedthatinspiteofherknowledgeofdirectharmtoCanadians,shecontinuedturningbackthelegallyimportednutritionalsupplementfromtheUSAbecausetheproductdidnothaveadrugidentificationnumber.

InternationalBureaucracyThereisagroundswellofconcerninNorthAmericaandBritainbecauseoftheeffortsofanorganizationcalledCodexAlimentariustoregulatefoodandfoodsupplementsfortheWorldTradeOrganization(WTO).CodexAlimentarius,fromtheLatin,meaningFoodLaw,isusuallyreferredtosimplyasCodex.TheUnitedNationsFoodandAgriculturalOrganization(FAO)andtheWorldHealthOrganizationjointlyestablishedCodexin1962tohelpadvisenationsonfoodstandardsforconsumerprotection.AnassociateandIattendedthe26thSessionofCodexinNovember2004.ItwasatCodexinBonnthatwemeta30‐yearemployeeofCodexwhotoldusthatin1995,theWorldTradeOrganizationtookoverCodexandimmediatelysettoworktoundermineitsoriginalintent.Itwasnolongerinthehandsofthe165membernationsoftheWHObutinthehandsoftradeorganizationsinthe148countriesoftheWTOwhoseemintentonstandardizingeverythingtodowithinternationaltradeinouremergingglobaleconomy.Accordingtocomplexworldtradeagreements,whichcorporationsandgovernmentshavecreatedwithverylittlepublicinputorsupport,thedecisionsofCodexoverridenationalandlocallaws.TherearetwomainissuesforhealthconsumersregardingCodexregulations:whethersyntheticandgeneticallyengineeredfoodwillbethestandardaboveorganicfoodandwhetherlowpotency,syntheticsupplementsbecomethestandardinthatindustry.Incountrieswheresupplementsareclassifiedasdrugs,Codex,apparentlydoesnotinterfere,whichsendsastrongmessagetomembercountriestoregulatetheirsupplementsasdrugsleavingtherestoftheworldtofendforitself.Incountrieswheresupplementsarestillclassifiedasfood,Codexisdeveloping,whatappeartobe,stringentrulestogoverntheso‐calledsafetyoftheseproductsexactlyalongthelinesusedfordrugs.So,dietarysupplementsactuallyallendupinthesamedrugcategorynomatterhowyoulookatit.It’sverymuchlikeaskingyourchildifhewantsthedruginyourrighthandorthedruginyourlefthand—thereisnochoiceatall.Foodandsupplementqualityandpurityarelegitimateavenuesforgovernmentstopursue,however,Codexissettinglimitsonthedosageofsupplementsthatanindividualconsumercanpurchasewithoutaprescription.TheyareusingthesamescaretacticsastheCanadianNaturalHealthProductsDirectoratebysayingsupplementsaredangerous.DiscreditingDietarySupplementsCodexisrunalongthelinesoftheprevailingvitamins‐for‐deficiencylobby,whichjudgesvitaminsasdangerousandonlysafeinRDAdosages.Ifthiscontinueswewillbelessabletotreatthecurrentepidemicofvitamindeficiencydiseasesandchronicillness.Youmayhavenotedinthelastyearanumberofheadlinesannouncingthat



thisorthatvitamininaparticularresearchstudyisdangerousorshortenslife.Allthesestudies,whenreviewed,haveseriousflaws,orhavemysteriouslyreachedtheoppositeconclusionoftheactualstudyresults.Weseethisasapervasivepolicytodiscreditsupplementsandscarelegislatorsandthepublicintoacceptingsupplementregulations.Pleaserememberthatnaturaldietarysupplementsarenotdangerous. ItisquiteapparenttothosewhohavebeenfollowingCodexandattendingtheirmeetingsthattheCodexagendafordietarysupplementsisthatofthepharmaceuticalcompanies.BigPharmahasenjoyedamonopolyinmedicineformanylongdecades.Thepublic,however,isbecomingawareofthedangersofmodernmedicineasdocumentedin“DeathbyMedicine”.BigPharmadoesnotwanttoloseitslucrativemonopolyandislobbyinggovernmentsandCodexforrestrictivelegislationonthesupplementindustryandsimultaneously,systematically,andsilentlybuyingupsupplementcompaniestocontrolthemarket.IseethishappeninginCanada. SinceCodexoperatesalongthelinesoftheprevailingvitamins‐for‐deficiencylobbythatjudgesvitaminsasdangerousandonlysafeinRDAdosages.Thiswillrenderusunabletotreatthecurrentepidemicofchronicvitamindeficiencydiseases.Youmayhavenotedinthelastyearanumberofheadlinesannouncingresearchthatthisorthatvitaminisdangerousorshortenslife.Allthesestudies,whenreviewed,haveseriousflaws,orhavemysteriouslyreachedtheoppositeconclusionoftheactualstudyresults.Weseethisasapervasivepolicytodiscreditsupplementsandscarelegislatorsandthepublicintoacceptingsupplementregulations.Pleaserememberthatdietarysupplementsarenotdangerous. ScottTips,legalcounselfortheNationalHealthFederationhasattendedCodexmeetingsforaboutfiveyearsandhasavoiceatCodexbecausehisgroupisarecognizedNGO.Isayvoiceinsteadofvote,because,asmentionbelow,Codexmembercountriesdonothaveavoteintheoutcomeofmeetings,theyare“guided”(controlled)bytheagendaofthestrongernations.Inthecaseoffoodanddietarysupplements,theEUalwaysseemstogettheirway.WhentheNHFdelegateisrecognizedbytheChairoftheFoodandDietarySupplementCommitteeit’stheonlytimethatthereisanycommentaboutfreedomofchoice,thehealtheffectsoftoxicfoodsandsyntheticsupplements.RegulationsLimitBusinessWhenIpracticednaturalmedicineinTorontofrom1979‐1991,IwitnessedtheriseofthetraditionalhealthmovementinCanada.Istillknowsomeoftheownersofsupplementcompanies,bigandsmall.Thesadfactisthatbeing‘regulated’bythegovernmentmeanspayingtensofthousandsofdollarsinfeesandlicensestobeabletosellyourproducts.Smallcompaniesarebeingforcedoutofbusiness—orforcedtoselltocompanieswithdeeppockets,whoareoftenfrontingforpharmaceuticalcompanies.Thelargersupplementcompanies,whetherindependentlyownedorBigPharmaholdingscanaffordtheseregistrationfees.



Theyareprobablyhappytoseetheirsmallercompetitorsdrivenoutofbusinessastheyfollowthebusinesstrendtowardmonopoly. LegislatingandLegalizingCorporateGreedItisanothersadfactthatgovernmentseemstobecontrolledby‘bigbusiness’andhasadoptedtheattitudethatcanbecalled‘legislatingandlegalizingcorporategreed.’AttheCodexmeetinginBonn,GermanythatIattendedinNovember2004,whendelegatesraisedimportantconcernstheywerealwaystold,“Anothercommitteeishandlingthatissue”.Thatanswerwasgivenwhenthechairmanwasaskedwhethergeneticallyengineeredfoodsweregoingtobeallowedininfantformula.Iwouldhavethoughtthatasimple“Ofcoursenot”wouldanswerthatquestion,whichimpliedtomethattheyareactuallyconsideringusingGMOfoodsininfantformula.AquestionbyaNon‐GovernmentalOrganization(NGO)delegateabouttheinclusionofprovitaminsandvitamin‐likesubstancesbroughtthefollowinganswerfromthechair.“Wefirstwantedtodiscussvitaminsandminerals.Inthefuture,in10‐20yearstimewewillhavetodiscussphysiologicalplantsubstances.”DoesthatmeanthatiftheCodexguidelinesforsupplementsleaveoutcertainnutrientsthatthosenutrientswillnolongerbeconsidered“regulated”anddisappearfromtheshelves.ThatveryscenarioisplayingoutintheU.K.now.TheUKBattlestheEUtoKeepSupplementsUndertheEUFoodSupplementDirective5,000productswereslatedforremovalfromUKhealthfoodstoreshelvesbyAugust2005.Australia,Denmark,Germanyhaveallrenderedtheirdietarysupplementsessentiallyimpotentbyregulatingthemasdrugsanddrasticallylimitingtheamountsthatmaybesoldwithoutaprescription.Inretrospect,itappearsthatgovernmentagenciesofmanynationshavebeenonacommontrackfordecadestohavesupplementsdesignatedasdrugs. TheEuropeanUnion’sFoodSupplementDirectiveisalikelymodelforthetypeofdietarysupplementrestrictionsthatCodexwilltrytoimplementworldwide.PassedintoEuropeanLawin2003theEUFoodSupplementDirectivewillbetransposedintothelegalsystemsofallotherEUmemberstates.In2004,theU.K.government,againstthewishesofitscitizens,agreedtoaccepttheEUFoodSupplementDirectiveaslaw.Ireland,theNetherlands,andSwedenarefacingsimilarenforcement. WorkingtodeclarethismeasureillegalistheAllianceforNaturalHealth(ANH)(www.alliance‐natural‐health.org)ledbyexecutivedirector,Dr.RobVerkerk,PhD.ANHisapan‐Europeancoalitionofsupplementmanufacturers,retailers,independenthealthpractitioners,andconsumers.OnOctober13,2004ANHfiledalawsuittoforceaEuropeanjudicialreviewoftheEUFoodSupplementDirective,whichwasslatedtobefullyoperationalintheU.K.byAugust2005.82Thecase 82http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2003/10/16/european_supplements_directive_challenged_in_london_court.htm



challengestheEUFoodSupplementsDirectivepotentialbanonthousandsoffoodsupplementproductsontheEUmarketthatcontainnutrientformsnotlistedonthe‘positivelist’oftheDirective.Theconcernisthatitemsnotonthepositivelistwereautomaticallyonanegativelistandthereforenotallowedtobesold.Inthefinalhour,beforetheAugust2005ban,onJuly12,2005theEuropeanCourtofJustice(ECJ)inLuxembourgdelivereditsjudgmentonthelawsuitbytheAllianceforNaturalHealth(ANH)andtwoUKhealthfoodassociations.IntheirrulingtheECJmadeitclearthattheonlycriterionrequiredinallowingavitaminormineraltobeaddedtothepositivelististhatitbenormallyfoundinandconsumedaspartofthediet.By2007theANHwasabletoannouncethat“NaturalSourcesofVitaminsandMineralsprotectedfrompotentialbans”inanAugust10thpressrelease.FortheprevioustwoyearsithasbeenlobbyingtheECJforconfirmationofthisprotectedstatus.InAugustitreceivedalettersignedbytwounitheadsattheEuropeanCommission,which“indicatesclearlythatallnaturalsourcesofvitaminsandminerals,whichcouldhavebeensubjecttoabanEU‐wide,willescapethedraconianEUFoodSupplementsDirective,andwillnowberegulatedasfoods”.83DrRobertVerkerk,ANHexecutiveandscientificdirector,said“WearedelightedtofinallyhavethisclarificationfromtheEuropeanCommissiononapointoflawtheANHhasbeenawareofsincetheECJruling.Thewiderimplicationsofthisfortheindustryarefarreachinganditeffectivelyopensthedoortofunctionalfoodsandsupplementscontainingnutrientsderivedfromnaturalsources.”VerkerkisnotworkingtooverturntheEU’sproposedlimitonvitaminandmineraldoses.YoucanseeDr.Verkerk’sPositionPaperonthistopicattheANHwebsite.84BeawarethatnoneoftheserulingsmayhaveanyimpactonCodex,whichiscreatinginternationalrulesandregulationsthatwillsupersedeanyrules,regulations,orlawsintheEuropeanUnion.Knowingthatthisjuggernautisnotgoingtobestopped,Ihavesoughtoutfood‐basedorganicvitamincompaniesandangstrommineralcompaniesthatselllowpotencynutrientsthatwillnotbesubjecttoCodexregulations.Suchcompaniesmustalsobeprivatelyowned.Oncecompaniesarepubliclyownedandonthestockexchangetheymustsatisfytheirstockholdersneedfordividendsnottheirconsumersdesireforhealth.HowNorthAmericaDiffersfromtheEUInNorthAmericawehavealonghistoryofusingdietanddietarysupplementsforthetreatmentofclinicaldisease.Thisimpetusmostrecently

83 http://www.alliance-natural-health.org/index.cfm?action=news&ID=288 84 http://www.alliance-natural-health.org/index.cfm



arisesfromDr.AbramHoffer’sorthomolecularmedicineusinghighpotencyBandCvitaminsforschizophrenia;Drs.WilfredandEvanShute,pioneersintheuseofVitaminEforheartdisease;andDr.LinusPauling’sworkwithVitaminC.WithregardtotheEUbanonvitamins,Germanydoesnothaveahistoryofusingvitaminsastherapyfordisease.Itusesvitaminstopreventdeficiencydiseasesandnothingmoreanditscitizensacceptwhattheirgovernmenttellsthemaboutsupplements.However,NorthAmericanswillnotwillinglyacceptinternationalstandardizationthatallowsonlyverylowpotencyvitaminsoverthecounterandhigherpotenciesavailableonlyondoctor’sprescription.



CHAPTER4DEATHBYMEDIA

Nolongerishealthapropertyofindividualbodies,butvirtualhealthbecomestheoptimummedicalconditionofdigitalizedflesh.Infinitelyprogrammable,fullypoliticized,andalwaysmutatableinitsdefinition,

thestateofsofthealthisaservicedeliveredtothevirtualbodybythemanagedhealthcarecentresofthevirtualclass.

ArthurKrokerandMichaelWeinstein,DataTrash:TheTheoryoftheVirtualClass.Facinganoverwhelmingproblemthatseemsinsurmountablecanresultinoneoftwoactions:youcantackletheproblemheadonandfindaworkablesolution,oryoucanignorethegreaterproblem,createalesserproblem,andattackthatinstead.Oursocietydoesthelatterinourcritiqueofdoctors,healthcarepolicy,andchemicalcompanies.Wecritiquebitsandpiecesoftheproblembutwenevergototherootcause.Innaturopathy,wearetaughttoseekoutthecauseandtreatthat,notjustpalliatethesymptoms.TreatingtheWholePersonPeopleareflockingto"holistic"practitionerswhotreatthemindandbodyasaunitbecausemostallopathicdoctorstreatthebodyseparatefromthemind,emotions,andfeelings.Ifthepatientcomeswithsymptomsthathaveemotionalovertones,eventhoughtheconditionstemsfromaphysicalcause,theyareoftenpackedofftoapsychiatristorgiventranquilizers.Duringmyinternshipin1979atMountSinaiHospitalinToronto,IhadanexperienceIwillneverforget.Ithappenedonmydayoffthatoneofmypatientswasgivenadiagnosisofbreastcancer.Shewasunderstandablyupsetandverysadbutinsteadofoneofthestaffsittingwithherandholdingherhandandacknowledginghersuffering,theattendingdoctorwroteanorderforapsychiatristtoseeher.WhenIcameinthenextdayandlistenedtoherstory,shesaidthatnotonlyhadshebeengiventhedeathsentenceofcancerbutalsointhesamedayshewasbeingtoldshewascrazyenoughtoneedapsychiatrist.Thiswomanstunnedmewiththefollowingobservation.Shesaidthatintheconcentrationcampsatleastsheknewwhotheenemywas.Peoplemayvisitholisticdoctorsbecauseofafearofallopathicmedicinenotbecausetheywanttotakemoreresponsibilityfortheirhealthandworkincooperationwiththeirholisticdoctor.Suchapatientmayexpecttohavetheholisticdoctor"takecare"ofhimorherinthesamewayasaconventionaldoctorbuttheonlydifferenceisthattheconventionaldoctorusesdrugsandtheholisticdoctorusesnaturalhealthproducts.



Patientshavethenaiveexpectationthattheyshouldbetakencareofinacomprehensiveway.Eventhoughmostoftheirexperiencewithdoctorshastaughtthemthatdoctorsmainlydiagnosediseaseandtreatwithdrugs,theystillexpectthatthedoctorissomehowgoingtokeepthemwell.Orthatmedicinewillcomeupwiththemagicpilltocurethemfromalifetimeoflifestyleabuse.Thiscouldbeanautomaticreflexoraneffectoftheelectronicenvironmentthatprogramsusfromwombtotomb.Peoplemustlearntotakeresponsibilityandthisdoesnotjustmeanfortheirhealthbutalsofortheirparticipationintheelectronicenvironment.Wehaveallowedelectronictechnologytohavefreereign.

“Bergsonarguedthatifsomecosmicjokesterweretospeeduptheentireuniversewecoulddetecttheeventbytheimpoverishmentofmindthatwouldensue.Ifonlyonaplanetaryscale,wearenowinapositiontoobservetheeffectsofsuchacceleratedoperationssociallyandintellectually,becausemoderncommunicationshavebecomegearedtothespeedoflight,andtransportationisnottoofarbehind.”

–MarshallMcLuhan.“TechnologyandPoliticalChange,”InternationalJournal,Vol.7,Summer,1952,p.189.

Ifstressisaprimesymptomthatbothdoctorandpatientfeelintheirrelationshipunderpresentelectronicconditions,thenthinkofthestressthatwholepopulationsexperienceonaglobalscaleundertheelectronicumbrella.Andsinceeverypersonisaspecialistintermsofhisownlifestyle,thedoctorisinthefunctionalpositionofprovidingspecialistcuresforspecialistills.So,naturallywecanimaginethefateofnationalandinternationalgoverningbodiesbeingconfusedbytheirculturalbiasesinattemptingtomanageinter‐culturalcommunicationinsideanelectronicenvironmentthathasnoprecedentinitsglobaleffects.Akindofglobalthrombosisseemstobeourcollectivefateasweponderthemassiveimplicationsofthedilemmainwhichwefindourselves.Justasanindividualinacriticalconditionhastobeplacedin“protectivecustodyandisolation”,ourcollectiveconditionmayneedasimilardrasticsolution.Efficiently,thepracticalsolutionfortheplanetwouldbeanenforcedmediafast.Turnofftheelectronicenvironment.However,suchaformofpsychicecologyformankindmaybefartoocomplexanorderatthisstageinhistory.Theonlyalternativethenmaybetodevelopanunderstandingofwhatweareexperiencingbyrecognizingsomeofthepatternsafootandathandassuggestedinthischapter.Justasaterminallyillpatientmayonlyneedtoknowhisdiagnosis,thesemodelsareofferedinthespiritofsimulatinganaccurateautopsy.GlancingatthetableofcontentsofDeathbyModernMedicine,youseethelistofsuspectsresponsibleforourhealthcarecrises.Money,MadisonAvenue,andMedia,however,arethefoundationsfromwhichmostoftheabusearises.Money,Madison



Avenue,andMediadidnotappearoutofthinair.Tofollowthosetracesletsgobacktotheoriginsoftheprintedword.TheExtensionsofHumansMarshallMcLuhandefinedmediaasthe“extensionsofman.”ForMcLuhan,theword“media”referstoanythingmadebyhumanbeings,fromshoestosatellites,whichextendourabilitytointeractwithourenvironment.Definingtheeffectsoftheseextensionsshapedhislife'swork.McLuhan,fromhisclosestudyofJamesJoyce,EzraPound,T.S.Eliot,andWyndhamLewis,sawthereactionofthesegreatartiststothenewindustriallandscape.Theseartistschallengedpeopletolookatthechangesthatweretakingplaceintheworldcausedbythesenewtechnologies.TheHistoryofMediaandTheirEffectsOntheBody“Inthebeginningwastheword.”Words,gestures,dancing,andpantomimeweretheinitialmeansofcommunicationamongindividualsandgroups.Picturesandpictograms,liketheonesfoundonancientcavewalls,weretheearliestformsofwriting.Thesepicturestoldstoriesofthehuntortheharvest;theywereintimatelyrelatedtotheongoinginteractionwiththeday‐to‐daystrugglewithnature.Stonetabletswerelaboriouslycarvedwithimagesthattoldastorythatanyonecouldread.Around500BC,theGreeksinventedthephoneticalphabet.Thisabstractformofwritingcombinedsemanticallymeaninglesslettersandmeaninglesssoundstosignifyobjects.Neitherthesoundofthewrittenwordnoritsappearancehadanyimmediatesimilaritywiththeobjectitidentified.Beingabletowritewithabstractsymbolsmeantthatabstractideascouldbewrittenaswell.Therewasnolongerthenecessitytobeconfinedwithinthepictorialcyclesofnatureasinpre‐alphabetictimes.Intermsofthebodyimageasaproductofapictographicculture,theancientChinesedevelopedtheirideaofthebodyasinterchangeablewithnaturethroughsomethingcalledthefive‐elementtheory:Wood,Fire,Earth,Metal,andWaterallflowedthroughthebodyanddetermineditslevelofhealthordisease.Thetactilefeelofpulses,theobservationofthetongue,theodorofexcretions,allgaveshapetothebody.IntheWestwiththeintroductionoftheabstractphoneticalphabet,natureandman’simagedidnotflowintooneanotherandthebodywasseentohaveboundarieslikeanenvelopeenclosingorgans.AtthetimeoftheRenaissance,andtheinventionofmachines,theviewofthebodybecametheimageofapumpingstation:thebodywasacollectionofconnectedpartsjustlikeearlyformsofindustrialmachinery.Inthe19thCenturywiththeriseoftheelectro‐mechanicalage,theimageofthebodybecameoneofabagofchemicalswithreplaceableparts‐achemicalfactoryspewinggasesandfluids.Italsowasseentobeloadedwithgermsthatwereatwarwiththebody.Atthesametime,wewenttowarwithnaturetryingtosubjugateittoourneedswiththeuseofharshpesticides



andherbicides.Itisonlynow,intheelectronicage,inthe21stCentury,alongwithrecognitionofHansSelye’sstresstheories,thatthebodycanbeseenasanorganisminterpenetratingandinteractingwiththeoutsideworldandconstantlyundertheinfluenceofenvironment.Partofthatenvironmentistheexternalelectronicenvironment,whichresonateswiththeinternalelectro‐chemicalenvironmentofthebody.TheelectricalcurrentofheartandbrainwavesaremeasuredwithEKG’sandEEG’s.Asfarastheeffectsofphoneticwritinggo,inGreekcultureandlaterduringtheRenaissance,writingandprintcreatedadetachment,asenseofthebodybeingseparatefromtheenvironment.Evennow,mostNorthAmericansdon’tbelievetheenvironmentaffectsthem.Otherwise,wewouldnotbedestroyingitatsuchanacceleratedrate.However,thenewdigitalimagethatwehaveofourbodiesascreatedbytheInternetfeelslikeaconglomerateofvarious“energies”.Thisisevidentbecauseweaccept“energetic”solutionstoourproblems,suchasacupuncture,yoga,visualization,andherbs.ThisculturecoexistswithGenerationXandtheGenRxkidswhoarelivingina“virtualreality”anddopingtheirbodieswithpharmaceuticals–theRitalindemandedbytheirteachers,aswellastradingandusingallthedrugstheycanstealfromtheirparents.Theypierceandpokeandviolatethemselvesandeachother,carvingoutanidentityintheirownflesh.TheEffectofthePrintedWordTheeffectofusingthephoneticalphabet,whichhadnopictureconnectiontothethingitself,wastocreatetheideaofanindividualbody.Beforewriting,peoplethoughtingroups‐therewasthenotionofthetribebutnottheindividual.Writingcreatedanewenvironment.Aspeoplewrite,bothindividuallyandcollectively,theygetfragmentedandfeelisolatedfromtheirtribe.Theylookatmanuscripts,nottreesornature,andtheirbrainisinsidethewrittenenvironment.Dr.LeonardSchlain,neurosurgeonandwriter,goesmuchfurtherinhisanalysisofthealphabetandwritingin“TheAlphabetVersustheGoddess”.QuotingSophocles,whosaid,"Nothingvastentersthelifeofmortalswithoutacurse”,Schlaincontendsthattheinventionofwritingwasvastanditwasalsoacurse.Itishistheorythatthealphabetwasresponsibleforthesubjugationofthefeminineforhundredsofyears.But,heclaims,therehasbeenareturnofthefemininethroughphotography,film,television,andthecomputer.Theemergenceofthesetechnologiesaccompaniedaresurgenceoffemininevalues,holisticthinking,andrespectfornature.Hesaysthattechnologyactuallyprogramsourbrains.Inthelastfiftyyearsradio,TV,andtheInternethaveoverwhelmedtheprintedwordasthemajorformsofentertainment,communication,andcommerce.Dr.Schlainsaysthatthesenewmediadon’thavethesameeffectsonthebrainandaredramaticallychangingthewayweexperienceourworld.Theshiftinmediaenvironmentscanalsohelpexplainmuchoftheincrediblechaosinoursimultaneouslyshrinkingandexpandinguniverse.



TheMediaDietI’llbetalkingaboutsugar,tobacco,andalcoholaddictionsinChapters9and10;however,wearealsoaddictedtomediathataresopervasiveit’slikesayingweareaddictedtooxygen.Timehasahabitofstandingstillwhenyouareinfrontofyourscreen—TV,Internet,Palm,iPodoriPhone.Wegrewupthinkingthatthefuturewouldmeanmoreleisuretimeandlessstress,butwhatwehaveisaworldcontrolledbymachinesthattendtodictateoureverymoment.Themachinessaythattheeconomywillslowdownifpeopleonlyworka3‐dayweek,sowehavepeopleworking6daysaweekandstillhavingtroublemakingendsmeet.Themachinessaythattheeconomyisenhancedbydivorce;twocars,twohomes,twoofeverythingmeansmoremoneyinthecoffer.So,governmentspromotedivorceinsteadofpromotingfamilyvaluesbygivingfamilieshugetaxbreaks.Veryfewpeopleareevenawarethatthemediashapeourlives.Wearelikefish,whichareunawareoftheirwateryenvironment.

NaturopathicdoctorsdecrytheabysmalWesterndietandtheepidemicsofobesity,heartdisease,diabetes,andemotionalimbalance.I’mnotconvincedthatthewholeproblemliesatthefeetofthesyntheticfoodmanufacturer.Let’slookattheother“bodies”thataresimultaneouslystimulatedinourcurrenthi‐tech,electrified,anddigitizedenvironment.

TV,radio,theInternet,cellphones,andPalmpilotsaremodernpillsforpeople.Whensomeoneisdownor“fried”,ortired,theyturnonthetelevision.Whensomeoneneedscompany,theyturnonradio.Whentheywanttogetintouchwithfriends,theypickupthephoneordashoffanemail,orhookuptoinstantmessaging.Whenaloneinacrowd,theycompulsivelyretrievemessagesontheircellphonetoappearlikethey“havealife”.Pillsandmediaaresynonymousinthesecontexts.

OurFourBodiesinthe21stCenturyI’vestudiedwithBobNeveritt,awell‐knownmediaecologist,whoisanexpertintheworkofmediaanalyst,MarshallMcLuhan.Neverittsayswenowhavefourbodiestocontendwith.85Let’slookatthefourbodiesandwhatweknowaboutthem.Weeachhave,today,aphysicalmakeupthatisone‐fourthTVbody,one‐fourthdigitalchipbody,one‐fourthastralbody,andone‐fourthchemicalbody.Sothesefourdivisionsconstantlyengageourhumanform..TheTVBodyandNintendoNeurologyIn1998ScientificAmericanreportedthatwatchingaTVorvideoscreencausesasurgeofdopamineinthebrain.86Moreover,theincreaseindopaminewasassignificantasthatseenwhensubjectswereinjectedwithamphetaminesorthe 85 http://www.garynull.com/Issues/WBAI/Letters/NeverittLetter2.aspx An example of Bob Neveritt’s four-body theory. 86 Grasby PM. "Nintendo Neurology: Video games play with your brain." Scientific American, August 1998, p 22.



stimulantRitalin.Dopaminewasevenreleasedwhenthesubjectswerejuststaringataliveblankscreendancingwithpixels.Dopamineisapowerfulbrainneurotransmitterandchemicalmessenger.Dopamineisalsoproducedafterahighproteinmeal.Thischemicalmakesyoumorealert,excited,andaggressive;itcausesheightenedstatesofstress,anxiety,andfear.Researchershavefoundthatwhendopaminelevelsareelevated,compoundedbyserotonindepletion,anxiety,fear,anddepressionarecommon.ThisreactiondoesnotseemtoagreewiththecommonnotionofcouchpotatoescreatedbyincessantTVviewing.However,couchpotatoeseatpotatochipsandothercarb‐ladenjunkfoods.And,interestinglyenough,carbselevatelevelsofthe“feel‐good”,“laid‐back”neurotransmitter,serotonin.Whenserotoniniselevated,youexperienceagreatersenseofself‐esteemandwellbeing.Youfeelrelaxedandcalm,morefocusedandabletoconcentrate,andatnightyoursleepisdeeperandmorerestful.ItistheserotoninmodelthatisfollowedinthemanufactureofProzacanditscousins.Thesedrugspreventserotoninfrombeingrapidlybrokendownsoyouhavegreaterlevelsofserotonininyourbraintomakeyoufeelgood.TroubleisthatthereisnocontrolovertheamountofserotoninthatyougetwithProzacandsomepeoplereacttotoomuchofagoodthing.Forexample,someonewhoissuicidalanddepressedoftendoesn’thavetheenergytodotheact.However,Prozaccangivepeopleenoughofaboosttofollowthroughwithcommittingtheactofsuicide.

Myquestionis:DoesoursocietyrequiremorecarbsandfeeltheyhaveadeficiencyofserotoninandProzacsimplybecausepeoplewatchtoomuchTVandInternet,whichover‐stimulatetheirdopaminereceptors?AndcouldoursteadydietofTVbecausingexcessdopaminereleasemakingpeoplefeelsaturatedwithprotein‐likechemicalsandcausingacravingforcarbohydrates?Justconsiderwhichfoodsarecouch‐potato‐fare:chips,cookies,crunchy,fried,salted,sweetenedjunkfood…anddon’tforgettake‐outpizza.It’snotasfar‐fetchedasitseems.

Let’sthinkabouttheimplications.SittinginfrontoftheTVscreen,oravideo,oranInternetscreenactuallystimulatesthereleaseofabrain‐stimulatingchemicalcalleddopamine.Sweetandstarchyfoodsalsocausestimulationofthebrain’spleasurechemicalcalledserotonin.Thetwotogethercreatethefamiliarcouchpotatosyndromebutmostofusdon’trealizethatpowerfulneurotransmittersareatthebaseofbothaddictions.ProminentresearchersattheMassachusettsInstituteofTechnology(MIT)andtheUniversityofCaliforniaatLosAngeles(UCLA)havefoundthatbrainchemistry,brainfunction,andmood,canbealtereddramaticallywithintentotwentyminutesofeatingasinglemeal.87

87 Wurtman RJ, et al. “Effects of normal meals rich in carbohydrates or proteins on plasma tryptophan and tyrosine ratios.” Am J Clin Nutr. 2003 Jan;77(1):128-32.



Thispossibleexplanationforpartofourunhealthyeatingbehavioriscompelling.Studiesshowthat,onaverage,oureyesaregluedtoaTVscreenanoutstandingsevenhoursaday.ThefastfoodindustrymarketsTVdinnersandjunkfoodrightalongwiththetechnology,andthisavalanchehasnotabated.MostsnacksadvertisedtodayonTVarethehighlyprocessedwhitesugarandwhiteflourvarietyfloodingintomeetacravinginthepublic’sappetite…causedbyTVitself?ArechildrenaddictedtothestimulatingeffectofTV?Aretheygoingthroughwithdrawalinclassrooms?Isthiswhythegovernmentishasteningto“wire”alltheschoolswithcomputers?IsTVbecomingevenmoreaddictivethansugar?Scientifically,weknowthatRitalinworksbycausingareleaseofdopamine.88ArekidssoaddictedtoTVandtheInternetthattheyhavedopaminewithdrawalintheclassroomandneedtohavea“hit”severaltimesaday?Inthepresentdigitalage,kidsgrowupwithmachineswhereastheirboomergrandparentsonlybeganwatchingTVinthelate50’sandsurfingtheInternetinthe90’s.TheOctober4,2004issueofNewYorkMagazineprintedanincrediblestoryaboutteensondrugscalled“GenerationRx”.NotonlyareteenstakingRitalinforhyperactivebehaviorlikelycausedbyacombinationofbraindamagefrommercurypreservativeinvaccines,dopaminejoltsfromtelevisionandtheInternet,andserotoninsurgesfromahighsugardiet,thesekidsaretakingtheirparents’ProzacandAtivanandsnortinganythingtheycangettheirhandson!FACT:Thenumberofminutesperweekthatparentsspendinmeaningful

conversationwiththeirchildren:38.5.Thenumberofminutesperweekthattheaveragechildwatchestelevision:1,680.

TheDigitalChipBodyTheelectrictechnologyofearlytelephone,radioandTVwasfollowedbythemorecompactelectronic,transistortechnologyofcomputerandsatellite.Withdigitalization,alltheseprevioustechnologieshavebeenminiaturized.DigitalizationgivesustheliberationandportabilityoftheWalkman,cellphone,andPalmpilot;aseamlesswebofinstantdial‐upandaccess.Weknowweareoverloadedwithinformation,butweareatthepointinourculturewherewefeedoffinformationasmuchasphysicalfood.WeturnonourcomputerandjointheWorldWideWebtobreatheinitssensoryimpressions.Gurdjieff,thefamousRussianmystic,wasaccuratewhenhesaidweingestanddigestfood,air,andsensoryimpressions.ThemajorityofoursensoryimpressionsnowcomefromtheTVandInternet.Ongoinginformationvianews,events,data,andstories,areallnecessaryasformsofcontenttofeedboththemediamachinesandus.Thethousandsofradiostations,hundredsofTVstations,andmillionsofwebsitesall

88 Volkow ND, et al. “Therapeutic Doses of Oral Methylphenidate Significantly Increase Extracellular Dopamine in the Human Brain.” The Journal of Neuroscience, 2001, 21:RC121:1-5.



requirecontent.OnthemajorTVnetworks,topnewsstoriesarecoveredtothepointofoverkillwhilewaitingforthenextnewsitemtohit.

Besidetheeffectsofthisrevolutionincommunicationeventhosewiththeinventionofwritingandprintingaretrivialevents.Radiomeantthewidestdispersalofthehumanvoiceandalsothereultimatedispersalofattention.Forlisteningisnothearinganymorethanlookingisreading.Andallthenetworksofhumancommunicationarebecomingsojammedthatveryfewmessagesarereachingtheirdestination.Mentalstarvationinthemidstofplentyisasmuchafeatureofmasscommunicationasofmassproduction.”

–MarshallMcLuhan.“TechnologyandPoliticalChange,”InternationalJournal,Vol.7,Summer,1952,p.193.

Onthephysicallevel,wearelikenumbedandmindlessfishswimminginnon‐perceivedwaterifoneconsidersthewaywearesurroundedandinterpenetratedbyelectronicwavesofeverydescription.Theimportantquestionis‐whatdoesthatdotousandourperceptionsofourbodies?Peoplearesearchingaroundforimagerytodescribethebodyinthisnewenvironment.WilltheyfallbackonEasternimagery,ortheimageryfrommachinesandgeneticengineering?Ormaybewe’llcontinuetooscillatebetweenthatoftechnologyandalternativemedicine,bothevokingdifferentbodyimages.Machinesandsatellitesprogrammedwholeenvironments.Thenwithdigitalizationandminiaturizationpeoplebegantoprogramthemselveslikemachines.Peoplearecompulsivelyexercising,medicating,dieting,piercing,andhavingsurgery,toretrievetheirlostchemicalbodies.Theyaremergingwiththetechnologythat“disappeared”them.Peoplearealsousingalternativemedicinetoprogramthemselves,aspartoftheirnewphysicalimage‐aholdoverfromtheresonanceeffectoftheelectronicage.Buttheyareusingalternativesinanallopathicway.Aswe’vesaidbefore,theyhavenoqualmsaboutmixingmodalities,noloyaltiestoanycamp,anydoctor,anychannel,oranyproduct.Butwhyarepeoplesoloyaltotheirfavoritesportsteam,oneofthemajorbenefactorsoftheTVmediumanditsinstantreplaytechnology?FACT:TheNewInternationalistinEnglandpublishedanissueonthemarketingof

ourbodies.Someyoungpeoplecommentedthattheyaresexualizedveryearlybymediacontent,andthentoldnottoactonthatinformation.

TheAstralBodyTheAstralBodyiseverywhereatonce.ItistheESPbody,theintuitiveorgan,whichisinterconnectedwitheveryoneandeverything.Wethinkthattheriseinpopularityofpsychics,mediums,andallthings“cosmic”,isduetojettravelsocloselyrubbingupagainstEasternculturesthatsteepthemselvesindailyritualwithlong‐deadancestors.Butit’salsoduetotheelectronicenvironment,whichonthetelephonemakesusdisembodiedangels.Wecantravelfasterthanthespeedoflight.Inafew



secondswecanbehalfwayaroundtheworldbyphone.So,theelectronicmediaseemtomimeourinnatespiritualcapabilitiesandaspirations–whatIamcallingourAstralBodyandtheexistenceofwhichscienceisfindingincreasingevidence.Atthepresenttimewehavethetechnologytobeabletomeasureemotionsofplantsandsingle‐celledorganisms.TheSecretLifeofPlantsshowedthatplantshavefeelings.But,wecanalsotakescrapingsfromthemucusmembraneofanyone’smouth,puttheminapetriedishhookeduptoagalvanicmonitor.Thatpersoncanthentraveladistanceofseveralhundredmiles,andanyemotionalreactionenrouteisimmediatelytransferredtothemucusmembranecellshookeduptothegalvanicmonitorinthepetriedish.Signalsmanifestindifferentplacesatthesametime.Ittakesnotimeforthesignaltotravel.Thereisnolinearprogressionandnotimeorspacedifferential.Inthe1930’s,Dr.HaroldSaxtonBurrbegan25yearsofresearchatYaleUniversity.Hefirstdistinguishedhimselfdoingconservativeresearchandthen,whenfirmlyestablished,hebeganstudyingenergyfields.Heprovedthatyoungsalamandershadanenergyfieldthesizeandshapeofanadultsalamander.Hefoundthatthisshapeexistedevenintheunfertilizedsalamanderegg!Healsofoundthataplantsprouthadthesameenergyfieldasanadultplant.HetermedthistheLifeField,orL‐Field,forshort.Furtherresearchdeterminedthatthispatternorform(calledtheAurabysome)surroundseverylivingthing.What'smore,everyillnessormishapthatwasgoingtohappeninthefutureshowedupintheenergyfieldbeforetheactualevent!Whyhaven’tweheardaboutthisonNBCnightlynews?

AllAmericanelectricaldevicesuse60Hzcurrent,whichaffectsthepinealglandrhythminratsandresultsinvarioushealthproblems.Whenraisingchickensinthis"normal‐60Hz"home‐likeenvironment,researchersdiscoveredthatithadastrongnegativeeffectonthechicks’developingnervoussystem!A50or60HzsignalisintheExtremeLowFrequencyarea(calledELF,forshort).

However,ELFsignalsbelow10Hz‐likethoseputoutbyhumansinthealphastate‐haveprovedtobebeneficial.Plantseedsexposedtothis10Hzfrequencyaveragedalmost25percentbettergrowthratesthan“normal”seeds.Theseexperimentstookplacein1971,whichwasthesameyearthatNASAdiscoveredthattheearthitselfisencasedwithinashellofAlphawaves!Aheavylayerof10Hzfrequencieswasfoundintheionosphere,completelysurroundingtheplanet.ThisisthesamefrequencyrecordedbyEEGmachineswhenmonitoringthehumanbraininthealphastate.ThecauseofthisAlphalayerhasn'tbeendeterminedasyet,butabillionhumanbrainspulsatingatanalphafrequencywherethewavelengthapproximatesthecircumferenceoftheearth,seemsalikelyexplanation.Doesthismeanthatwe'reallpartofanelectromagneticfieldorcontinuumthatcouldexplaintelepathyandotherpsychicabilities,includingdistantviewingandremotehealing,nottomentiontheGaiatheoryofearthconsciousness?



InspiteofWesternscience’straditionalresistancetoreligiousimpulses,humancultureshavealwayshadyearnings,andstilldo,forsomethingmorethanwhatispresentedtooursenses.ThesebeliefsinthesacredarepartofmydefinitionoftheAstralbody,too.

TheChemicalorNeuronBodyLet’ssaythechemicalbodyisthebodywethinkweare,the“physicalbody”thatwewash,shave,feed,entertain,andputtobedatnight.ItisthebodypicturethathasbeencreatedbyWesternscienceoverthelast150years.Itistheimagethathasbeendominantineducationalsystemsofindustrializednationsaroundtheworld.However,thatbodyhasbeenreduced,orelevated,tothelevelofneuronornervecell,becausethatisthepartofusthatisbeingrelentlesslystimulatedbyourpresentenvironment.Thisisthebodythatpharmaceuticalcompaniestrytoexploitandprogramwithdrugs.Aswemoveintothenewcentury,theTwentieth‐Centurystyleofcompartmentalizedthinkingbuiltfromthisreductionist,chemicalmodelissinkingundertheweightofthenextmillennium'swebandholographicmodels.Resonatinginterconnectivityreplaceslinearcategorizationasthemodelforourfuture.Evidencethatourtraditionalimageofourchemicalbodyhasmutatedincludestheimpulsetoturnitintoanartobjectwithtattoosandpiercings,breastimplants,cosmeticsurgery,andfetishizingfashionmodelsasrolemodels.Thereisnojudgmentcallontheseactivities;wejustobservewhat,how,andwhy.Asthetechnologyshifts,thecultureshifts,andpeoplechange.Digitalmachinesareengineeringourlife(chipbodies)andsoweexploregeneticengineering,ironically,toenhanceour“flesh”(chemical/neuron)bodies.Geneticengineeringbecomesacomfortingimageoftheoldchemicalbodythatwearetryingtorememberandkeepintouchwith.Theneedtodothisismagnifiedbythefactthatwehavenosingularbody.Geneticengineeringisthelastgaspofsciencetryingtoreprogramfleshthathaslostitswayandlostitswill.Geneticreprogrammingofdiseasesisheldupasthecure.WethinkofthisastheInformationAge,butinallspecialties,includingmedicine,eachstudynullifiesthelast.TheTVshowCrossFireistheexampleofso‐calledintellectualdebate–butthereisaconstantcancelingoutofanystabilizingpointofviewforthelistenertoholdonto.Remember,anyimagesthatyourecognizearenotyours.Theyaremadebythemachinestryingtocreatenostalgiathatleadstoavulnerabilityallowingyoutoacceptthenextbitofconsumerpropaganda.Wenolongerareplaguedonlybyaschizophrenicculture.Today,themachinesmimeschizophrenia,comeinsideus(orlayeroverthechemicalbody)anddoubletheeffect.Neverittcallsthisnewsyndrome“quadrophrenia”.Nowonderwhensomeonegoesberserkand“flamesout”,alltheneighborssaywhatafinefellowhewas.Theyaretalkingonlyabouthischemicalbody.Theydon’trecognizetheinfluenceofthethree(TV,Chip,andAstral).



Theincidenceofself‐mutilatingmentalconditionsisescalating.Bodypiercingandtheelevationoftattoosasacosmeticdeviceinmainstreamsocietyisstimulatedbysomeintuitionthatwearenotprimarilychemicalfleshbutclayandplasticinethatcanbealteredandmolded.Wearenotjustthemechanical“Borg”anymore.

FACT:LyricsfromCityofAngelsbytheGooGooDolls:“Wheneverythinglookslike

themovies,youbleedjusttoknowyou’realive.“Wethinkwehavefreedomanddemocracy,butlookingbeyondourflatscreenTVandwiredpersonalworld,wearethecontentofJimCarrey’s1998,TrumanShow.Weareconstantlyundersurveillancebycamerasonorbitingsatellitesandcitystreetcorners.ItusedtobethatGodwaswatchingorSantaClaus,thenitwasBigBrother,andnowit’sjustsomeonewhowantstosellyouapictureofyourhousetakenfromouterspace.“Freedom”and“democracy”wereculturalexpressionsfortheeraoftheprivatechemicalbody.ProgrammingofourTVandChipbodiesisadailymandateanddoesn’twaitfortheoccasionalelectoralseason.

Entertainmentisnowamilitaryoperationandweareentertainingourselvestodeath.Consequently,weshieldandnumbourselvesthroughquadrophrenia.That’ssomeonesmoking,drinkingdietsodawhiletakinganti‐agingvitamins,andregularlygoingforbodywork.AndwhenyougettiredofjugglingyourTVbody,Chipbody,andNeuronbody,youcanfocusonyourESP(Astral)body.YousignupforcourseswithCarolineMyss.Shetalksaboutourenergybeingdrainedbythinkingaboutthepastandthefutureandnotlivinginthepresent.Whataboutthefactthatmostofourbodiesaredistractedatanyonemomentbytheabovefourrealms?Whatandwhereisthe“present”then?MedicalAnthropology:FromHippocratestoHypocrisyModernmedicineisinchaos.It’sstillstuckinthechemicalbodyandinalinearworld.Howthencanwepossiblyapplyourknowledgeofthefourbodiestoourhealthcaresystem?Patientsfeeltheneedofadoctorwhowillattendtoalltheir“fourbodies”.TheydonotseethemselveschoppedupintochemicalbodyspecialistpartsbuttheyveryeasilyrelatetotheirTV,Chip,Astral,andChemicalbodies.Holisticdoctorshavebeguntosomewhatfillthisgapforpeople.Patients,however,oftencometoholisticdoctorstoavoidthemechanistic,assembly‐lineattitudeofmodernmedicine.Butthatmeanstheyarereallyrunningfromandnotconfrontingtheissuesofmodernmedicineandtheparttheyplayinallowingthatformofmedicinetoexist.Whenapersonwhoishidinginalternativemedicinehastogotoaconventionalhospital,itisnotwithoutfearandtrepidation.Doctorsaretaughttocategorizethepatient'sconditionbyfindingadiagnosis.Oncethat’sdone,heorshehasdonetheirjob.Thedoctortriestofindsomethingwrong,whereasthepatient,forthemostpart,wantssupportinstayingwell.



Whataretheimplicationsformedicineandthedoctor‐patientrelationshipusingthemodelofelectronictechnology?Today,theelectronicanddigitalenvironmentsthatputusina“globaltheatre”or“tribalworld”affectusmuchmorethanwerealize.Peopleinatribefeelthateveryoneisequalsowe,unlikeourgrandparents,donotputthedoctoronapedestal.Trainingformedicineisveryliterateandleft‐brainedanddoctorsseemtobelessinfluencedbythetribaleffectsoftheelectricenvironment.Doctorsare,infact,specialists.Aspecialistisapersonwhorigorouslydefendshisrighttobeignorantofeverythingexcepthisspecialty.Patientsarefindingthattheymayknowmorethantheirdoctor,especiallyonnutritionaltopics.Yetthedoctor,insteadofpleadingignoranceonthesubjectofnutritionandfoodsupplements,willinsistthatanythingthathasnotbeenscientificallyvalidatedistherefore,atbest,costly,andatworst,dangerous.Thedoctorbecomesafinancialadvisor.Ifadoctordidnotlearnitinmedicalschool,thenitcannotbeworthknowing.Yet,weknowthatdoctorsarewoefullyignorantofnutritionandlearnverylittleofitinmedicalschools.Doctorsinsistthatfromtheirspecialistpointofview,untilscienceprovesthatafoodsupplementisvalid,theywillcontinuetorecommendagainstit.Patientswhohavebeenusingsupplementsandhavefoundthemusefularecaughtinabind.Theevidencebeforethemistheirownpersonalexperience.Yetthedoctorwillnotbelieveorsupporttheirrealitybecauseheisusinghisspecialist,conceptualapparatus,whichisatpainstokeepupwiththenewandunclassifiedeffectsoftheelectronicenvironment.Thebreakdownhasbegunanditwillonlygetworseuntilthepatientmaynotbelieveortrusthisorherdoctoringeneral.Thebreakdownwillcontinueuntilthewholesystemblowsupandistransformedintosomethingnew,andhopefullybetter,andhopefullywithinourlifetimes.



CHAPTER5DEATHBYPROPAGANDA

“Thetwentiethcenturyhasbeencharacterizedbythreedevelopmentsofgreatpoliticalimportance:thegrowthofdemocracy,

thegrowthofcorporatepower,andthegrowthofcorporatepropaganda

asameansofprotectingcorporatepoweragainstdemocracy."‐AlexCarey(Australianacademic)

Itisnocoincidencethatwefeardisease,thefollowingsoundbiteskeeprunningthroughourbrains‐"doctorsknowbest","ifweonlyraiseafewmoremilliondollarswewillfindthecureforcancer",and"America'shealthcaresystemisthebestintheworld".Thesebeliefsarejustafewthatweharboraboutmodernmedicinebuttheyarenotfactsandtheyarenottrue.Theyarecarefullycraftedpiecesofpropagandathathavebeenartfullypeddledtothepublicoverdecadesbywell‐trainedopinionmolderswhoarepaidtopdollar.EdwardBernays,fatheroftheAmericanpublicrelationsindustrycalledit"engineeringofconsent".SigmundFreud'snephew,Bernays,wasbornwithageniusformanipulationofideasandknowledgeoftheworkingsoftheunconsciousmind.Maybeitwasinhisgenes.BroughtupinAmerica,Bernays,earlyinlife,tookoverthepublicationoftwomedicaljournals,thoughneitherhenorhisbusinesspartnerknewanythingaboutmedicine.Bernaysusedhisassociationwiththesepublicationstoparleyhimselfintobecomingapromoterofpublicevents.Intuitively,heunderstoodthatbyconvincingthirdpartiesofsocialandpoliticalprominence,peoplelikeRockefeller,Vanderbiltandotherstolendtheirname,hecouldclandestinelyexploittheirprestigetoinfluencetheopinionsofothers.Bernays,thankstohisrelationshipwithuncleSigmund,developedhisspecialmethodofmanipulatingpublicopinionontheideathatthegroupminddoesnotthinkbutinsteadithasimpulses,habits,andemotions.People’sfirstimpulse,accordingtoBernays,istofollowtheexampleofatrustedleader.Thusyouhaveoneofthemostfirmlyestablishedprinciplesofmasspsychology.Whenitcomestopropagandizingmedicalmatters,ifyouwanttoswaypublicopinion,makesuretousedoctors,scientists,governmentofficials,orsomeprivateorpublicagencyassociatedwithpublichealthtoendorseandcarryyourmessage. Bernays'bookCrystallizingPublicOpinion,becamethemaininstructionmanualforNazipropagandistJosephGoebbels'campaigntoturnGermansagainsttheJews.AnotherofBernays'books,Propaganda,recentlyre‐issued,whichsomesayisthebestofhisbooksonhowtomanipulatepublicopinion,aptlyillustratesBernays'



basiclessontostudentsofthepublicrelationsindustryhefathered.Inithetalksabouttheinvisiblegovernancebymanipulation.

"Theconsciousandintelligentmanipulationoftheorganizedhabitsandopinionsofthemassesisanimportantelementindemocraticsociety.Thosewhomanipulatethisunseenmechanismofsocietyconstituteaninvisiblegovernment,whichisthetruerulingpowerofourcountry.Wearegoverned,ourmindsmolded,ourtastesformed,ourideassuggested,largelybymenwehaveneverheardof.Thisisalogicalresultofthewayinwhichourdemocraticsocietyisorganized.Vastnumbersofhumanbeingsmustcooperateinthismanneriftheyaretolivetogetherasasmoothlyfunctioningsociety."

WhilemanyofBernays'propagandacampaignsarelegends,perhapsthemostusefulforDeathbyModernMedicineistheonehelaunchedforhisclienttheAmericanTobaccoCompany.GeorgeWashingtonHill,headofAmericanTobacco,wantedtomakeLuckyStrikesthemostsmokedcigaretteinAmericabyopeningupawholenewmarketofprospectivesmokers‐women.Atthetime,thesocialtabooaboutwomenandcigarettesboileddowntobelievingthatwomenwhosmokedwereoflowcharacter.And,ifawomandidsmoke,shedidsobehindcloseddoorsand,presumably,insecret. Thefirstsalvointhepropagandacampaignwastoselltheideathatsmokingwouldhelpwomenmaintainaslimwaistline.Theslogan"ReachforaLuckyinsteadofasweet"wascreatedfollowedbyanarrayofsupportingmessagesincludingadoctorwhomaintainedthatthemosthealthfulwaytofinishamealwaswithapieceoffruittohardenthegumsandcleantheteeth,acupofcoffeetostimulatetheflowofsalivaandthenacigarettetodisinfectthemouthandsooththenerves.89Fameddancing‐schoolfounder,ArthurMurray,wasrecruitedtoendorsetheslenderizingeffectsofsmokinginsteadofeatingbyclaimingdancers,whowantedtostayslimonthedancefloor,werenowsmokinginsteadofoverindulgingatthepunchbowlorthefoodtables.90 HotelswereurgedtoaddcigarettestotheirdessertmenusandmenuspreparedbyHouseandGardenwerecirculatedrecommendingsmokinginsteadofeatingdessertaspartofahealthfuldiet.Homemakerswereadvisedtobesuretostockuponcigaretteswhentheywenttothemarketforotherhouseholdkitchenstapleslikeflour,sugar,andsalt. NovenuewasleftuntouchedbyBernays'desiretospreadhismessage.EventhepopularZiegfieldGirlsformedtheZiegfeldContour,Curve,andCharmClubsotheycouldpledgegivingupfatteningfoodandreplacethemwithcigarettes.Forthecoupdegras,Bernaysdraftedhisuncle'spsychoanalystcolleague,Dr.A.A.Brill,toproclaim,"Itisperfectlynormalforwomentowanttosmokecigarettes.The 89 Letter from Dr. George F. Buchan, Box 85, Library of Congress. 90 Letter from Arthur Murray, June 30, 1930, Library of Congress.



emancipationofwomenhassuppressedmanyoftheirfemininedesires.Morewomennowdothesameworkasmendo.Manywomenbearnochildren;thosewhodobearhavefewerchildren.Femininetraitsaremasked.Cigarettes,whichareequatedwithmen,becometorchesoffreedom."91 Nowthatamedicaldoctorofficiallydeemedcigarettes“torchesoffreedom”,Bernayscontactedseveraldozendebutantes,convincingthemthatitwastheircivicdutytofightforequalityofthesexes.HeinvitedthemtostrolldownFifthAvenueonEasterSundaysmoking"torchesoffreedom"tocombatthe"sillynotion"thatwomencouldnotsmokeinpublic. FamedMadisonAvenuewunderkind,AlbertLasker,consideredthe"FatherofModernAdvertising",wasalsoacentralplayerinthe"ReachforaLuckyinsteadofasweet"campaign.RightafterthesuccessfulLuckyStrikecampaignwasover,Lasker,havingmadethemostmoneyinthehistoryofadvertising,decidedtoretireandgointoanewdirection.Hewantedtobecomeafundraiserformedicalresearch. In1942,Laskerandhiswife,Mary,foundedtheAlbertandMaryLaskerFoundation.In1943,alreadyassociatedwiththeAmericanCancerSociety(ACS),theLaskersliterallydoubledtheamountofmoneyraisedforcancerresearchthatyear.Fromthatpointon,theLaskersusedalltheMadisonAvenuepropagandatechniquesAlbertknewtoconditionthepublictogenerouslysupportfundingforcancerresearch.Thecampaignstrategycouldn’tbesimpler.TheirfriendandACSally,ElmerBobst,presidentoftheAmericanbranchofHoffmann‐LaRocheandlaterWarner‐Lambertdrugcompany,wouldstarteverypublicspeechwith,"Oneinfiveofushere‐everyfifthpersonintheaudience‐willdieofcancer"thenturnthefearhehadengenderedintohopebythenstating,"Wewanttocurecancerinyourlifetime."92 Withthis"fearandhope"message,theACSenlistedmillionsofunpaidvolunteerstocarrythemessagedoortodoorandremindthepublic,especiallyduringAprilwhicheventuallywasdeemed"CancerMonth"bynoneotherthanthePresidentoftheUnitedStates,thatifenoughmoneywasraised,cancercouldbebeaten.Thuswascreatedanindustryawashinmoneyforresearchandtreatmentthatmanycriticsnowcall"Cancer,Incorporated”.Someofthesesamevolunteershavebeenrenderedpennilesswhenthecostortheirowncancertreatmentbankruptedthemandtheirfamily. Oncethephilanthropiccancerfundingfromprivatesourcesmodelwascreated,Laskersethissightsonthenextgoal.Hetoldhiswifethattheplacetoobtainreal

91 Bernays EL. Biography of an Idea: Memoirs of Public Relations Counsel Edward L. Bernays. P386. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1965. 92 Moss R. The Cancer Industry, Unraveling the Politics. p404. 1990. Paragon House Publishers.



researchmoneywasfromthefederalgovernment.Ithadanendlesssupplyandheknewjusthowtogetit.TheLaskers,therefore,begantofocustheirformidabletalentsonsellingtheideaofmassivelyexpandingthescopeandsizeoftheNationalInstitutesofHealth(NIH).Theirsitesweresethigherthistime.Theydidnotwanttomerelydevelopalargercancerresearchprogrambutwantedresearchfundingforallsortsofdiseases.Theyalsowantedtoestablishthefederalgovernmentastheprinciplefunderofmedicalresearch.HealthcharitiesliketheAmericanCancerSociety,ortheArthritisFoundation,ortheAmericanDiabetesAssociationbecamethepublicrelationsarmforeachdisease.Eachcharitywouldfirstbuildonthefearofgettingtheirdreaddiseaseandconvincepeoplethatmoneywasthecure.Thepromiseofthatcurewasjustaroundthecorner,ifonlyenoughmoneycouldberaisedtoresearchtheirparticulardisease.Astheyearsrolledby,healthcharitiesfocusedonhustlingthemessagetothepublicbothnationallyandatthelocalleveltokeepeachdiseasevisiblethroughlocalfunddrives,specialeventsandthelikewhilemuchofthemoneytheyraisedwenttolobbyistsinWashingtontoraisethebigbucks.EventhoughAlbertLaskerdiedin1952,hiswifeMarywentontobecameafixtureinthecloakroomsofCongressandothersettingswherepowerfulopinionmolderscouldbefound.Thus,MaryLaskerandherassociates,byusingthesameall‐outsalespitchthatherhusbandandBernayshaddevelopedtosellLuckyStrikecigaretteselevatedtheNIHfromalowly$3millionayearoutpostin1945toafat$28billionworldheadquartersformedicalresearchby2003.Today,thereare27institutesandcentersfinancedbytaxpayerswhoallfeardiseaseandallhopeforacure,ifonlyenoughmoneycanbespent.Perhapsthebiggestideathatallthispropagandizinghasdoneistosellthepublicontheideathatmodernmedicinehassomethingtodowithhealth.Pureandsimple,modernmedicineisasystemofdiagnosingandtreatingillnesswithdrugsandignoringandorsuppressinganarrayoflow‐cost,provenmethodsofrestoringandsupportingradianthealth.WhilemillionsofAmericanshavefinallycutthroughthepropagandatorealizehowrealhealthcanbeattainedandareturningtheirbacksonmodernmedicine,publicpolicyhasyettosupportanythingtodowithrealhealth.PropagandaattheGlobalLevelThispropagandatakestheformofagroup‐processsystemof"engineeringconsent"toarriveatapre‐determinedpublicpolicydecisionWhilemedicalindustryspin‐meisterscontinuetosaturatethepagesofmagazines,newspapers,theairwavesandanyothervenuetheycanfindtopeddletheir"fearandhope"message,thereisafarmoresinistermethodof"engineeringconsent"nowbeingusedatthepolicy‐makinglevel.ThismethodisatechniquedevelopedbytheRandCorporationtomakesurethateverytimeagroupisgatheredtomakea



decisionaboutanythingtodowithpublicpolicy,themeetingwillresultinthegroup"deciding"by"consensus"apre‐determinedideathattheorganizerswant.TheDelphiTechniqueTheDelphiTechniquewascreatedtogiveaskilledfacilitatortoolsthatwouldensurecontroloftheoutcomeofagroupdecisionmanipulatingthegrouptothinkitwasparticipatinginthemakingofthatdecision.TheDelphiTechniqueonlyworksifthefacilitatorisabletodestabilizeanyonewhomightthinkindependentlyofthegroup.TomakeDelphiworkthegroupmustnotbepermittedtoalignwithanaturalleaderwhocouldchallengetheideasofthefacilitator.AnotheraspectofimplementingDelphiisforthefacilitatortoaskquestionsthatdivertthegroupawayfromcoreissuesthatmanypeoplemightbeconcernedabout.And,lastly,thegroupisdriventoachieve"consensus"ratherthanvotingontheissues.Ifastrongmemberofthegroupweretovoteagainstthefacilitatorthatpersonmayswaythegroup,therefore,thefacilitatormanipulatesthegroupintothinkingconsensusisbeingreachedwithoutavote.Ofcourse,facilitatorsalwaysmanagetomanipulatetheconsensustotheirownends.IwasunfamiliarwiththispsychologicalmanipulationmethoduntilIwentasadelegatetotheCodexAlimentariusmeetinginBonn,Germany,November2004.AccordingtoLynnStuter,itisa“consensusbuilding”techniquethatLynnsaysissurely“leadingusawayfromrepresentativegovernmenttoanillusionofcitizenparticipation.”93Shesays,“Ingroupsettings,theDelphiTechniqueisanunethicalmethodofachievingconsensusoncontroversialtopics.Itrequireswell‐trainedprofessionals,knownas"facilitators"or"changeagents,"whodeliberatelyescalatetensionamonggroupmembers,pittingonefactionagainstanothertomakeapreordainedviewpointappear"sensible,"whilemakingopposingviewsappearridiculous.”AtCodextheword“consensus”wasusedconstantlyandnovotewasevertaken.TheChairsomehowdeterminedthat,voila,wehaveachievedconsensusandmovedon.Delegateshadtobequicktopresstheirbuttonstotakeexceptiontohisruling.But,asIfoundoutlater,theChaircouldveryeasilyignorearequestforthefloor.Icouldseethatafterawhileyouwouldbecomesofrustratedthatyouthrewupyourhandsandjustgaveuptrying.TherewerestoriesofdelegatesyellingouttobeheardthatendedwiththedelegatebeingimmediatelyremovedfromtheroomandbannedfromfutureCodexmeetings.PunishmentatCodexisswift. OnefrighteningepisodeattheBonnCodexmeetingoccurredwhenanon‐governmentalorganization(NGO)delegatefromagroupsupportingbreastfeedingspoke.Herrequesttospeakwasrecognizedbythechair.Shestoodupandsaidthatherorganizationdidnotwanttoseebottleformulaadvertisedindevelopingnations.AssherecalledthedeathscausedinAfricabymothersabandoningbreastfeedingforthebottle,theChairquickly(andemotionallyinmyopinion)cut 93 Stuter L. “Using the Delphi Technique to Achieve Consensus.” The Education Reporter. No. 154. Nov. 1998.



heroffandaccusedherofbringingemotionintothemeeting.Hesaidthiswasanissueoflabelingandnotofemotion.Hehumiliatedherandherpointofviewand,ascommonwiththeDelphiTechnique,triedtomakeherappearridiculous.Mostofthepeopleintheroomwereunawareofwhathadjusthappened.However,theywereleftwiththeimpressionthatthiswomanhadsomehowoffendedtheChairandtheyshiedawayfromsupportingherorherpositiontoavoidreprimand. TherearewaystodiffusethetechniquewhenyouseeitbeingusedbyDelphi“facilitators”.LynnStutergivesthefollowingthreesteps.1.Alwaysbecharming,courteous,andpleasant.Smile.Moderateyourvoicesoasnottocomeacrossasbelligerentoraggressive.

2.Stayfocused.Ifpossible,jotdownyourthoughtsorquestions.Whenfacilitatorsareaskedquestionstheydon'twanttoanswer,theyoftendigressfromtheissuethatwasraisedandtryinsteadtoputthequestioneronthedefensive.Donotfallforthistactic.Courteouslybringthefacilitatorbacktoyouroriginalquestion.Ifherephrasesitsothatitbecomesanaccusatorystatement(apopulartactic),simplysay,"ThatisnotwhatIasked.WhatIaskedwas..."andrepeatyourquestion.

3.Bepersistent.Ifputtingyouonthedefensivedoesn'twork,facilitatorsoftenresorttolongmonologuesthatdragonforseveralminutes.Duringthattime,thegroupusuallyforgetsthequestionthatwasasked,whichistheintent.Letthefacilitatorfinish.Thenwithpolitepersistencestate:"Butyoudidn'tanswermyquestion.Myquestionwas..."andrepeatyourquestion.

Thekeyistoneverbecomeangry.Delphifacilitatorswinwhentheymakeyouangry.Ifyougetangryyoubecomethebadguyandmakesthefacilitatorthevictimandmostpeoplewillsidewiththevictiminatwo‐waybattle.Stutersaysthatfacilitatorsworktoachievegroupconsensusbytryingtomakethemajorityofthegroupmemberslikethem,andtoalienateanyonewhomightposeathreattotherealizationoftheiragenda.Peoplewithfirm,fixedbeliefs,whoarenotafraidtostandupforwhattheybelievein,areobviousthreats.Ontheotherhand,ifthefacilitatorseemstobedirectlyputtingdownaparticipantthentheparticipantbecomesavictimandthefacilitatorlosesfaceandfavorwiththecrowd.Sometimesyoucangoadafacilitatorintogettingmadatyou.Stutersays,thisiswhyinmanyforumsnow,crowdsarebrokenupintogroupsofsevenoreight,andobjectionsarewrittenonpaperandverbalquestionsarebannedtopreventthembeingdiscussedanddebated.It'saformofcrowdcontrol. Atameeting,ifyouhavetwoorthreepeoplewhoknowtheDelphiTechniquedispersedthroughthecrowd,whenthefacilitatordigressesfromaquestion,theycanstandupandpolitelysay:"Butyoudidn'tanswerthatlady/gentleman'squestion."Thefacilitatormaysuspectcertaingroupmembersareworkingtogetherbutheknowsbetterthantoalienatethecrowdbymakingaccusations.Stutersaysitsometimesonlytakesoneincidentofthistypeforthecrowdtofigureoutwhat'sgoingon.



ReadupontheDelphiTechniqueandthinkofallthetimesyouhaveseensituationscontrolledbythisprocessandrefusetobecontrolledbysuchtacticseveragain.Thefollowingreferenceisforawoman,BeverlyEakmanwhosebooksandseminarsteachyouhowtoavoidgroupmanipulation.94CreatetheDiseaseandOffertheCureCynicismwelledupinmewhenIreadthefollowingreportcalled“TheLifestyleDrugsOutlookto2008”inapublicationforinvestorscalledReutersBusinessInsight.JenniferCoe,theauthorofthereportopinedthatthefutureofthepharmaceuticalindustrydependsonitsabilityto"createnewdiseasemarkets"because"Thecomingyearswillbeargreaterwitnesstothecorporate‐sponsored,CreationofDisease."Afriendcoinedthiscorporatemotto:Curenothing,treateverything,andyouhaveacustomerforlife.”In2006,JonathanRowewroteintheChristianScienceMonitorthatadvertisingcompanies“Selltheproblem,notthesolution.”95Rowewrote,“Threedecadesago,theheadofMerckpharmaceuticalcompanydreamedofthedaywhenthedefinitionofdiseasewouldbesobroadthathiscompanycould"selltoeveryone,"likechewinggum.”Consequently,accordingtothedrugindustry’slargerplan,wehavethefollowinglistofdrugstreatingdiseasesthathavebeeninventedbythedrugindustryorcreatedbylifestyleabuse.”

Erectiledysfunctioncausedbynutrientdeficiencies,statindrugs,andantidepressantsistreatedwithViagra,isoneofthetoptensellingdrugsintheworld.

Shynessisnowcalled“socialanxietydisorder”andrequirestreatmentwithanxiolyticsthatIwastaughtinmedicalschoolshouldonlybeusedforshort‐terminterventionoftwoweeks!!Beyondthattheycanbecomeaddictive.

Post‐partumdepressionistreatedwithantidepressantsinsteadofaddressingthetruecause,whichisusuallyacombinationzincdeficiency,hypothyroidism,andsleepdeprivation.

Twitchingofthelegsisnowabonefidediseasecalled"restlesslegsyndrome”makingitworthyofadrugtreatmentwheninrealityit’sprobablyamagnesiumdeficiencyand/oravitaminEdeficiency.

JenniferCoe,intheReutersBusinessInsightsarticleleadstheinvestorthrough“thenewpremiumpharmaceuticalenvironment”ofdepression,oralcontraception,sexualdysfunction,smokingcessation,obesity,alopecia,andskinaging.Sheguides

94 “How To Counter Group Manipulation Tactics." Beverly Eakman at www.beverlyE.com 95 Rowe J. Drug ads sell a problem, not a solution. Christian Science Monitor. August 21, 2006.



theinvestorinidentifyinga“lifestyledrug”intheirportfolioandhowtooptimizetheirreturns.SickPillsforHealthyPeopleWe’veproventhatdrugsdon’tnecessarilylengthenlifeatall.Infact,theymayhastendeath,asyouwillreadinChapter6.Forexample,McGillUniversityprofessor,AbbyLippman,Co‐ChairoftheCanadianWomen’sHealthNetwork(CWHN),commentsthatbillionshavebeenspentonadvertisingHRTinNorthAmericabutthebottomlineisthat,“Pillsforhealthypeoplecanbedangerous!Andtheburgeoningadvertisementsandothermarketingactivitiesofpharmaceuticalcompaniesareserious,potentiallylethal,threatstoourwell‐being.”96ThisisnotjustDr.Lippman’sopinion.Manywomenwhoareapproachingthemagicageoffiftyhavenotedthereisanhabitualresponseofdoctorstosomeoneoverfifty;ametaphoricalpatontheheadandacommentthatweareallgettingold,thenoutcomestheprescriptionpadforHRT.TheNationalWomen’sHealthNetwork(NWHN)isnothappywithhormonemanufacturers.ThetitleofaMarch,2003,editorialavailableontheirwebsitesuggeststhatpharmaceuticalcompaniesthatmakeHRT“DeservetoGotoAdvertisingHallofFame,ResearchHallofShame.”978TheNWHNcommentsthat,"Hormonemanufacturershavebeenskillfullyandeffectivelyskirtingdrugpromotionrestrictionsfordecades,persuadingwomenandcliniciansthathormonetherapywillimprovethementalhealth,sexlives,andoverallwell‐beingofolderwomen.In2002,Women'sHealthInitiativestudyprovedthatthelong‐termrisksofthesedrugsarelifethreatening,andthattheshort‐termbenefitsarenotwhatwomenandtheirhealthcareprovidershavebeenledtobelieve."Thesecompaniesdeservetogototheadvertisinghalloffamefortheirunparalleledsuccessatconvincinggenerationaftergenerationofwomenthattheywouldanddidimprovetheirhealthandtheirlivesbytakinghormones.Andtheydeservetogototheresearchhallofshameforputtingthosesamewomen'slivesatriskwithunethicalmedicalexperimentationofanunprecedentedscale."AsmentionedinChapter2,Dr.RobertWilsonwasthefirstBigPharmaHRTpromoter.Inmybook,HormonalBalance(August2005),IfocusonWilson’sbetrayalofwomeninNorthAmericawhilehepromotedhimselfastheir“gallantknight”onaquesttoretrieve“lossofwomanhood”andtohelpwomen“remainfullyfeminine‐physicallyandemotionally‐foraslongastheylive”.Linkingahusband’sunfaithfulnesstotheravagesofhiswife’smenopausewithoutestrogen,Wilsonhadthetemeritytosay,“Intruth,anextramaritalaffairmaynot,intheliteralsenseoftheterm,involveanyinfidelityatall.Foramanmayloyallymaintainadeeploveforhiswifeandyetfeeltheneedforakindofthrillthatawifewithherauraof

96 http://rabble.ca/everyones_a_critic.shtml?x=14959&url 97 http://www.nwhn.org/action/archives_details.php?aaid=11



comfortabledomesticitycannotgive.”WilsonmisrepresentedPremarinimplyingthatitwassopowerfulitcouldchangeahousewifeintoamistresswhokeepsherman!SuchpaternalisticmisogynyisespeciallygratingwhenyourealizehowmuchmoneyWilsonandWyeth‐Ayerstweremakingfromthisunscientificrhetoric.Thead‐“men”ofMadisonAvenuetookovermedicineearlyonintheestrogendrugwars.TheNationalWomen’sHealthNetworkprovidesanoverviewofadvertisingcopythathelpedbrainwashseveralgenerationsofwomenintotakingHRT:1969:Estrogenis"notoriousforthesenseofwellbeingitimparts."‐APremarinad

intheJournaloftheAmericanMedicalAssociation.1974:"Mildtomoderatelydepressedpatientsoftenbegintoobtainbenefitwithina

fewdays[...].Anxiety[...]isalsousuallyrelievedinarelativelyshorttime.Andpsychosomaticsymptomssuchasinsomnia,cryingspells,nervousness,feelingsofweaknessandfatigue,mayalsobealleviated."‐APremarinadinamedicaljournal.

1997:"PREMARIN:Youknewitwasrightforherwhensheenteredmenopause,to

helpherfeellikeherselfagain.Now,wearediscoveringthetruepotentialofPremarinthroughouteveryphaseofhermenopause[...]andbeyond."‐APremarinadinamedicaljournal.

2000:Wyethspokeswoman,LaurenHutton,toldParademagazineestrogenis"good

foryourmoods[...].IfIhadtochoosebetweenallmycreamsandmakeupforfeelingandlookinggood,I'dtaketheestrogen."

TheHighPriceofDrugAdsMarciaAngell,inherNewYorkReviewofBooksarticle,“TheTruthAboutDrugCompanies”,mimicsthefollowingdefensivelitanycomingfromtheadagenciesofBigPharma:"Yes,prescriptiondrugsareexpensive,butthatshowshowvaluabletheyare.Besides,ourresearchanddevelopmentcostsareenormous,andweneedtocoverthemsomehow.As'research‐based'companies,weturnoutasteadystreamofinnovativemedicinesthatlengthenlife,enhanceitsquality,andavertmoreexpensivemedicalcare.YouarethebeneficiariesofthisongoingachievementoftheAmericanfreeenterprisesystem,sobegrateful,quitwhining,andpayup."98

Thestatementsthatmoderndrugs“lengthenlife,enhanceitsquality,andavertmoreexpensivemedicalcare”areblatantlyuntrue.You’llreadabouttheVioxxscandalandthepossible139,000livesthatonedrugalonehascostinChapter5. 98 Angell M. “The Truth About the Drug Companies.” New York Review of Books. July 15, 2004.



AGermanstudyconductedbyDr.ThomasKaiserattheInstituteforEvidence‐BasedMedicine,aprivateindependentresearchinstituteinColognepublishedinFebruary2004foundthatonly6percentofdrugadvertisingmaterialissupportedbyscientificevidence.99Therefore,94%ofdrugadsarepurefictionanddon’tallowapersontomakeaninformedchoiceaboutwhattheyaretaking,whatthedrugwilldo,andhowitcanharmthem. Dr.Kaiserandhiscolleagueswarnthatdrugadmisinformationputspatient’shealthatrisk.Theyfoundthefollowingmisrepresentationsintheyear’sworthofdrugadstheyreviewed.

1. Medicalguidelinesfromscientificassociationsaremisquotedorchanged2. Drugsideeffectsareminimized3. Groupsofpatientarewronglydefined4. Studyresultsaresuppressed5. Treatmenteffectsareexaggerated6. Risksaremanipulated7. Effectsofdrugsweredrawnfromanimalstudiesnothumanstudies

ChildrenSufferAnewstudyoncolddrugsshowsthattheyaresending7,000U.S.childrentoERs.100AReutersarticleonthisstudy,producedbytheCDCsaidthat,“Evidencesuggestsparentswanttogivethesedrugs,includingcoughsuppressants,antihistaminesanddecongestants,totheirchildren,eventhoughtheyhaveneverbeenshowntobenefityoungchildren.”Itappearsthattheparentsarebeingblamedfortheoveruseofmedicine,butaredoctorsgivingparentsotheroptionssuchashomeopathicoscillococcinum,echinecea,vitaminC,oradvicetostopsugarandsodastohelpboosttheirchild’simmunesystem?Andwhatabouttheinfluenceofnon‐stopadvertisingfordrugsonthemediathatsendstheobviousmessagethatinordertotreatdiseaseyouneedadrug.

DrugGiftCards–forDogsThereisnoendtothecreativewaysdrugcompaniesfindtoselldirectlytocustomersintheU.S.,evenfurryones!Duringthe1994Christmasseason,HerbO’NeillgotacheerfulChristmascardfromthePfizerdrugcompanywitha$10holidayrebateforaproductcalledRimadyl. TheideawastoencourageHerbtogiveRimadylatrybycallinguphisdoctortogetaprescription.However,HerbwasaWeimaraner(breedofdog)andcouldn’tusethephone.Hisowner,Oklahomatalkshowhost,MickeyO’Neill,curiousastojustwhatkindofproductthiswas,searchedtheinternetandfoundthatRimadylisa 99 How accurate are advertisements? Arznei Telegramm Feb 13 (2004;35:21-3; www.di-em.de/data/at_2004_35_21.pdf 100 http://www.cdc.gov/Features/PediatricColdMeds/



VioxxtypeNSAIDCox‐2inhibitordrug‐onlyfordogs,totreatpainsymptomsfromarthritisorsurgery.AndsimilartoVioxx,Rimadylhasbigproblems.TheFDACenterforVeterinaryMedicinereportsthatinthefirstsixyearsthedrugwasavailable,2,182dogsdiedfromusingitandthatanunusuallyhighnumberofsideeffectshavebeenreported. AdvertisingPaysOffThatadvertisingcontributestoincreasedspendingondrugsisanotabigsecret.ANovember2004,GlobeandMailarticleaddressesthisproblem.101Thearticle,called“IncreasedSpendingonDrugsisLinkedtoMoreAdvertising”,focusesonareportissuedbytheNationalInstituteforHealthCareManagement,anonprofitresearchfoundationthatwasestablishedbytheBlueCrossBlueShieldhealthinsuranceplans.Thereportfollowedthesalesoffiftydrugsthatareheavilyadvertiseddirectlytoconsumers(DTCA).Anincreaseinsalesofthosefiftydrugsmadeupabouthalfofthe$20.8billionincreaseindrugspendingbythepublicthatyear.Theremainderofthespendingincreasecamefromtheother9,850prescriptionmedicinesthatcompaniesdidnotadvertiseoradvertisedverylittle.TheNewYorkTimesreportedthattheFDAwas“reviewingwhetheritshouldchangerulesitenactedin1997thatmadeiteasierforpharmaceuticalcompaniestoadvertisetheirproductsontelevision.”102Weknowthatdidn’thappen,becauseitseemsthateverysecondadonTVispushingsomemiracledrugthatwillsaveyourlife,untilyougettothespeed‐talkingpartattheendthatlistsaboutadozenadversereactions—uptoandincludingsuddendeath.Unfortunately,mostpeopledon’tlistentothe“fineprint”butjustseethemselvesinthead’sutopianimageonthescreen. Accordingtothereport,Vioxxwasthemost‐heavilyadvertisedprescriptiondrugeversoldandaccountedformoresalesthananyothersingledruginthehistoryofpharmacy.Merckspentastaggering$160.8milliontopromoteVioxxtoconsumers.TheTimesfoundthatVioxxadscostmorethanPepsiCospenttoadvertisePepsi,orBudweiserspenttoadvertiseitsbeer.Inmountingthismarketingcampaign,Vioxxquadrupleditssalesto$1.5billionthatyearfromabout$330millionin1999.TheTimesinterviewedDr.EricTopol,aVioxxcriticwhoassertedthatwheneveraproblemwithVioxxarose,thedrugcompanywouldgoonamarketingbingetocounteranynegativepressaboutitsproduct.Thisisproofpositivethat,inspiteofadrughavingdeadlyeffects,advertisingcanmakepeoplethinktheopposite. OtherdrugsthathavehighsalesnumbersandalargeadvertisingbudgetincludeCelebrex,anotherarthritisdrug,whichwastheseventhmostwidelypromoteddrugtoconsumersandwasthefourth‐largestcontributortodrugsalesgrowthin2000.Otherheavilyadvertiseddrugsthatyoumayrecognizebecauseallyourfriendsare

101 Cassles A, Wright J. “Universal flu shots: the $125-million question.” Globe and Mail. November 29, 2004. 102 Petersen M. “Increased Spending on Drugs is Linked to More Advertising.” New York Times, November 21, 2001.



takingthem,include:“thecholesterol‐loweringdrugs,Lipitor,Zocor,andPravachol;aswellasPaxilandProzac,fordepression;Claritin,Allegra,andZyrtecforallergies;andPrilosecforulcers.”In2000thetotalDTCAwas$2.5billion,a35percentincreasefrom$1.8billionin1999.103

DirecttoConsumerAdvertising(DTCA)Question:Whyaredrugcompanies“advertising”prescriptiondrugs?Answer:Soyoucantellyourdoctorwhatyouneed.Reply:Toobadthedoctorwastedallthatmoneyonmedicalschool!Directtoconsumerdrugadvertisinghascreatedasubconsciousandpervasivebrainwashingofthepopulationthatsays‘drugsaretheanswertoallourhealthproblems.’ThedrugcompanyspeakersattheCanadianForumonPharmaceuticalMarketingwerenothappythat“CanadianactivistsareastonishinglysuccessfulinblockingDTCA.”TheywarnedthateventhoughCanadahadtheultimate“industry‐friendly”HealthMinister,atthetime,theMinistertoldBigPharmathattherewasnoreasontointroduceDTCAbecausetherewas“justnoevidencetoshowthatthisenormousincreaseindrugconsumptionintheU.S.hadimprovedhealthoverall.”Helkesaidshewasgrinningfromeartoearbuttheroomwasdeadsilent.It’sobviousthatBigPharmaisnotinterestedinimprovinghealth—theirmandateistoselldrugs.CorporationsOntheAnalyst’sCouchTheCanadiandocumentaryTheCorporationisanoutstandingpieceofjournalismthathaswon26InternationalAwardsand10AudienceChoiceAwardsincludingthe2004SundanceFilmFestival.Oneoftheshockingaspectsofthefilmisthatcorporationsfoughtandwonstatusaslegal“persons”manydecadesago,whichremovedanyrestraintsintheiroperations.Thefilmanalyzedcorporationsfromtheirstatusasalegal"person"asking"Whatkindofpersonisit?"Usingthefollowingchecklist,basedondiagnosticcriteriaoftheWorldHealthOrganizationandDSMIV,thestandardtoolofpsychiatristsandpsychologists,thecorporationmeetsthefollowingdiagnosticcriteriaofapsychopath.1041.Callousunconcernforthefeelingsofothers2.Incapacitytomaintainenduringrelationships3.Recklessdisregardforthesafetyofothers4.Deceitfulness:repeatedlyingandconningothersforprofit5.Incapacitytoexperienceguilt6.Failuretoconformtosocialnormswithrespecttolawfulbehaviors

103 Petersen M. “Increased Spending on Drugs is Linked to More Advertising.” New York Times, November 21, 2001. 104 www.thecorporation.com



BreakingtheDTCABaninCanadaDrugcompanies,tryingtobreaktheDTCAconsumerbaninCanada,havechallengedthebancitingtheCanadianCharterofRightssayingthattheir“rights”arebeingabused.AmediareleaseofFeb25,2008bytwogroups,WomenandHealthProtectionandtheCanadianWomen'sHealthNetworkannouncedthefollowingpubliceventtodrawattentiontothisaction.Dr.JohnAbramson,HarvardMedicalSchoolclinicalinstructorandauthorofOverdosedAmerica:TheBrokenPromiseofAmericanMedicineisanexpertwitnessforupholdingtheban.HerepresentsabroadcoalitionofunionsandcitizengroupsinCanadathatwasgrantedintervenerstatusinthecourtchallenge.Abramson’spresentation"Drugads:Iscorporatefreespeechmoreimportantthanyourhealth?"willbepartofapubliceventattheUniversityofTorontoonTuesday,March4,2008."ThisCharterchallengemarksacriticallyimportantcrossroadfortheCanadianpeople‐‐whethergreaterprioritywillbegiventomaximizingcorporatefreespeechoroptimizingCanadians'healthandcontainingtheirhealthcarecosts,"saysDr.Abramson."Thedrugindustrynowproducesmostofthemedicalsciencethatinformsdoctors'decisions.Theirfundamentalresponsibilityisnottothepublic'shealth,buttotheirshareholder'swealth.""TherearelessonstobelearnedfromtheUnitedStateswhereDTCA'sfundamentalpurposeisalreadybeingrealized:toincreaserevenuesfromdrugsalesoftenatconsiderablerisktoconsumerhealthandwellbeing,"saysDr.Abramson.VirtualDrugAdsHasthetippingpointfinallybeenreachedinthehistoryofDTCA’sintheU.S.?ItseemsthatthehumanstrawthatmightbreakthebackofDTCA’sisDr.RobertJarvik,whoinventedtheartificialhearthasbecomeLipitor’s(statindrug)posterboyforPfizerandsomepeoplearetakingoffense.105InoneadJarvikissupposedlyrowingaone‐manracingshellswiftlyacrossamountainlakeandthevoiceoveradvises"Whendietandexercisearen'tenough,addingLipitorsignificantlylowerscholesterol."AccordingtoanarticleintheNewYorkTimes,peopleareoffendedbecauseastuntdoubleisrowingtheboatandJarvikisnotacardiologistandalthoughhe’sadoctorhe’spresentlynotlicensedtopracticemedicine.

ThereisaflockofHollywoodstarspushingdrugs,whentheironlyassociationwithmedicineisasapatient.Doesn’tJarvikhavetheFirstAmendmentrighttopushdrugslikeanyotherAmericancitizen?TheJarvikad“hashelpedrekindleasmolderingdebateoverwhetheritisappropriatetoaimadsforprescriptiondrugsdirectlyatconsumers."Apparently,“theHouseCommitteeonEnergyand

105 Saul, Stephanie. Congress Probes Doctor's Role in Drug Ad. The New York Times. February 7, 2008.



CommerceislookingintowhenandwhyDr.JarvikbegantakingLipitorandwhethertheadvertisementsgivethepublicafalseimpression,accordingtoJohnD.Dingell,theMichiganDemocratwhoisthecommittee'schairman.”

Ofcoursetheyhaveitallwrong,focusingonJarvikastheproblemwhenthewholenotionofDTCAisanoffenseandconstitutesseriousmanipulationandbrainwashingandishighlyunethical.TheTimeswrote“Pfizerspent$258millionfromJanuary2006toSeptember2007advertisingLipitor,accordingtoTNSMediaIntelligence.MuchofthatwentfortheJarvikcampaign.”ThisamountispeanutscomparedtoLipitorsalesof$12.7billionin2007.

Thelatestwordisthatsenatehearingswereconvenedtolookinto“celebrityads”.TocontainthepublicoutcryaboutDr.Jarvikandhisinabilitytopaddleacanoe,hisadshavebeenpulledfromcirculationandDTCAcontinuesunabated.

TheFluVaccineBusinessInCanada,vaccineadsareexemptfromCanadianDTCArules.Inthe2005editionofDeathbyMedicine,HelkeFerriepredictedthetrendwouldbeformorevaccinestobegiventomorepeople,moreoften.Shewasright;wearecurrentlyseeingtheavidpromotionofvaccinestopreventflu,cervicalcancer,avianflu,HIV,andmanyotherdiseases.Fluvaccinesareanannualaffairandbeingrecommendedforeveryoneovertheageofsixmonths.Thisisinspiteofthefactthatscientificstudiesshowthatfluvaccinesrarelyworkandstillcontainthemercurypreservativethimerosal,whichisslowlybeingremovedfromchildren’svaccines. AdamningvaccinequotewasreprintedinCommonGround,theJanuary2005edition.It’sfromDr.J.AnthonyMorris,formerchiefvaccinecontrolofficerandresearchvirologistwiththeU.S.FoodandDrugAdministration.Hestatedthat“Thereisnoevidenceanyinfluenzavaccineiseffective...Theproducersofthesevaccinesknowtheyareuselessbutgoonsellingthemanyway.”Dr.Morrisisalsoquotedassaying“Thereisagreatdealofevidencetoprovethatimmunizationofchildrendoesmoreharmthangood.” ANovember2004GlobeandMailEditorialtitled“Universalflushots:the$125‐millionquestion”,dissectedthefearoffluandthejabthatcures.106Drug‐policyresearcherAlanCassels,oftheUniversityofVictoria,andpharmacology,therapeutics,andmedicineprofessorattheUniversityofBritishColumbia,JimWrightsharetheirconcernsaboutCanada’smovetowarduniversalfluvaccination.Sinceitwouldcost$125milliontovaccinateallCanadians,CasselsandWrightsaythatwestilldon’tknow“Whatisanaverageperson'sriskofcatchingtheflu?Andwhatistheabilityoftheflushottoactuallypreventit?”Thisisspiteofthefactthatscience‐basedmedicineavidlypromotesvaccination.

106 Cassles A, Wright J. “Universal flu shots: the $125-million question.” Globe and Mail. November 29, 2004.



Theauthorscitea2004CanadianMedicalAssociationJournalthatcrunchedthenumbersofmorethaneighteenflu‐vaccinetrialsandfoundthattheactualannualrateofinfluenzaisonlybetween1.3percentand20percentofallthepeoplethatgetsick.Therestofthecoughsandcoldsthateverybodythinksarethefluarenotduetothefluvirusatallandnothelpedbyflushots. Thesuccessoftheflushottopreventsomeonegettingthefluisadisappointingaswell.It’szeropercentinabadyearand18percentinagoodyear.Notgreatoddsfortakingsomethingthatcanpotentiallydamageyourhealth.Theonlyreasonitworkssomeofthetimeisifscientistsinthespringpredictwhatthedominantfluviruswillbeforthefallseason.Thewholeinfluenzavaccineprogramisagiantlotterywithveryfewwinners–beyondthedrugcompanies.TheinternationallyrecognizedCochraneCollaboration(www.cochrane.org)performsmeta‐analysisonvarioushealthconditionsandpublishestheirfindingsforthepublic.Theorganizationacceptsnomoneyfromthepharmaceuticalindustry.CasselsandWrightreportonarecentCochranereviewof25randomizedtrialsstudyingtheeffectivenessofinfluenzavaccination.Cochraneconcludedthattheevidencedoesnotsupportuniversalimmunizationofhealthyadults.Infact,theflushotonlyreducestheincidenceofclinicalinfluenzaanaverageof6percent.Oftenwhenflushotsarepromotedpeoplearegivingthedirectorindirectmessagethatitcouldsavetheirlives.However,theCochranereportcouldnotfindenoughdeathsinthedatatomakeanyconclusionsastowhetheritreallywasalifesaver.

Eveninspiteofallthesestatisticsthemediafrenzy,probablywhippedupbythePRpeopleofBigPharma,haspeoplethinkingthattheymusthavethatflushot.ItevenhastheCanadiangovernmentbelievingthatitisinthebestinterestofthecountrytopayfortheuniversaljab.TheCostofPushingPillsMarc‐AndreGagnonandJoelLexchin,authorsofanenormouslydetailedpaperaboutthePRexpensesofthedrugindustryagreewithDr.MarciaAngellthatabout$57billionisspendannuallyonPRtoensurecustomerloyalty.107Thepapercitesanaccountingstudybasedontheannualreportsoftenofthelargestglobalpharmaceuticalfirms,findingthatbetween1996and2005,thesefirmsgloballyspentatotalof$739billionon“marketingandadministration.”Incomparison,thesesamefirmsspent$699billioninmanufacturingcosts,$288billioninR&D,andhadanetinvestmentinpropertyandequipmentof$43billion,whilereceiving$558billioninprofits.TheauthorsreferenceDr.MarciaAngell,whowroteTheTruthabouttheDrugCompanies:HowTheyDeceiveUsandWhatToDoAboutItfoundthatNovartisannualreportsdistinguish“marketing”from“administration.”Sheextrapolated 107 Gagnon MA, Lexchin J (2008) The Cost of Pushing Pills: A New Estimate of Pharmaceutical Promotion Expenditures in the United States. PLoS Med 5(1).



thosefiguredtotheentireindustryandcalculatedafigureof$54billionspentonpharmaceuticalpromotionintheUSin2001.Asaproportionofsales,sheestimates33%isspentonmarketing.Contrarytowhatthedrugindustrytellsthepublic,theauthorssay“itappearsthatpharmaceuticalcompaniesspendalmosttwiceasmuchonpromotionastheydoonR&D.”…itconfirmsthepublicimageofamarketing‐drivenindustryandprovidesanimportantargumenttopetitioninfavoroftransformingtheworkingsoftheindustryinthedirectionofmoreresearchandlesspromotion.GhostWritingandGhostManagementAccordingtoSergioSismondo,drugcompanieshavebeenpayingghostwriterstoproducepapersfordecadesbutnowit’sturningintoGhostManagement.108Thismeansthatdrugcompaniesorchestrate,control,andshapetheresearch,analysis,writingandpublicationofmedicalpapersbutallweseeisascientist’snameatthetop.Weassumethatthescientistandhisteamofdedicatedresearchershaveproducedthisresearchandpaperfromscratch.Notso.Medicaleducationandcommunicationcompanies(MECCs)arehiredbydrugcompaniestohelpproduceandplacecompany‐fundedarticlesinmedicaljournals.TheMECClooksatadrugpaperasaproductthathastobeplacedinthebestlightpossibleandmarketedtomedicaljournals.Thearticlesaremanagedandthemessageisshaped.Dr.Sismondoisconcernedthatghostmanagedstudies"affectmedicalopinion,practiceandultimately,patients."Hefurthersays,"Isuspectthatmostresearchers‐‐eventhoseparticipatinginthesystem‐‐don'thaveagoodsenseoftheextenttowhichthishappens."PayingforOpinionsDr.JamesCarterisahighlycredentialedandwell‐principleddoctorwhoiscourageousenoughtospeakoutagainstmodernmedicine.Dr.CarterisamedicaldoctorwhocompletedhisPh.D.innutritionatColumbiaUniversitySchoolofPublicHealthandAdministrativeMedicine.HeisaprofessoratTulaneUniversitywhowarnedinRacketeeringinMedicine:TheSuppressionofAlternativesthatoneoftheenemiesofalternativemedicineistheso‐calledAmericanCouncilonScienceandHealth(ACSH).109 Accordingtowww.mindfully.org,"ACSHisheavilyfinancedbycorporationswithspecificanddirectinterestinACSH'schosenbattles.Sinceitwascreatedin1978,ithascometotheenthusiasticdefenseofvirtuallyeverychemicaloradditivebackedbyamajorcorporateinterest.”Ifaconsumergroup,orevenascientificstudy,triestowarnconsumersaboutthedangersofchemicals,plastics,foodirradiation,food

108 http://www.mindfully.org/Pesticide/ACSH-Koop.htm 109 http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-10/asop-apf100604.php



additives,drugs,orenvironmentalpollution,industrycanalwayscountonDr.ElizabethWhelan,theheadofACSH,tosaythereisnoproofofharm.Onthemindfully.orgwebsite,thefollowingoldGermanproverb,"Whoeatsmybreaddancestomytune,”describesexactlywhatistranspiringatACSH:everymemberofindustrythattheysupportpaysfortheirsupper. Inthefollowinglistof“FactVersusFears”fromACSHandcommentedonatmindfully.org,wefindlistsoftheACSH’smisinformation.ItissourceslikeACSHthathaveconfusedthepublicfordecadesinheraldinga“BraveNewWorld”formof“new‐speak”,wheregoodistransformedintobadandbadintogood.Justthinkbacktotimeswhenyouhaveheardthatthefollowinglistofdrugsandchemicalsmaybeharmfultoyourhealth.Then,ACSHdenouncesthestudyorreportandyouareleftreelinginconfusionaboutwhattobelieve.It’snotlongbeforeyoudon’tbelieveortrustanythingyouread,whichisexactlywhatthistypeofmisinformationistryingtodo.ACSHhadplentyofPRfundingtoofferitspaidexpertsonnationalmediadebunkingthelatest“healthfad”.It’sdeathbypropagandaatitsfinestbecauseitpacifiespeopleintobelievingthatdrugsandchemicalsarenotdangerous.Orevenworse,ithaspeoplethrowinguptheirhandsandnotbelievinganythingtheyhearorreadaboutthedangersofchemicalsandthereforenottakingprecautionstoprotecttheirhealth.

1. EndocrineDisruptors:In1999ACSHscientistsfoundnoconvincingevidencethatcertainsyntheticchemicalsintheenvironmentendangerhumanhealthbydisruptingthehumanendocrinesystem.

2. rBGHMilk(recombinantBovineGrowthHormone‐geneticallyengineered).A1998,areportonrBGHmilkstatedthatitcouldleadtoelevatedlevelsofahormonecalledIGF‐1andincreasedriskofprostatecancer.ACSHcalledthisreportanunwarranteddistortionofscienceDr.ShivChopraatHealthCanadafoundrBGHmilktoodangeroustoallowontheCanadianmarket.

3. FoodIrradiation:Anarticle,“IrradiationbestwaytoendE.colithreat,”byScrippsHowardNewsServiceinSeptember,1997,quotesACSH’sElizabethWhelanassaying,"TheunpopularityofirradiationtodateintheUnitedStatesisnotbasedinscience,butisduetoanti‐technologyadvocateswhocirculateunfoundedclaimsthatitposesahealthhazard."Shemakesnomentionofthefactthatscientistshavecomeoutagainstirradiation,buthavebeensilencedbythepopularmedia.

4. Cholesterol:ACSHissuedareportin1991statingthatthereisnoprovenlinkbetweenheartdiseaseandadiethighinfatandcholesterol.

5. Saccharin:Accordingtoa1985articleintheWashingtonPostbyHowardKurtz,ACSHreceivedfundingfromCoca‐Cola,Pepsi,NutraSweet,andtheNationalSoftDrinkAssociation,andattackedreportsthatsacchariniscarcinogenic.

6. Formaldehyde:ThesamearticleintheWashingtonPostnotedthatACSHfiledafriend‐of‐the‐courtbriefin1982inalawsuitbroughtbytheFormaldehydeInstitute.Thesuitsuccessfullyoverturnedafederalbanoninsulationmadewithformaldehyde.Georgia‐PacificCo.,aleadingproducerofthechemical



andmemberoftheFormaldehydeInstitute,paiditsWashington,DC,lawfirmtowritethebrief.ACSHsubmittedthebriefunderitsownname.

7. GlobalWarming:Initspositionpaperonglobalwarming,ACSHstatesthatimplementationoffossil‐fuelrestrictionscould"weakentheglobaleconomicsystem,[and]increasetheincidenceofpoverty‐relatedillnessworldwide…."Thisisacaseofselectivereasoning‐choosingthefactsthatfitanddiscardingtherest.Mainstreamscientistsrecognizethataprimaryeffectofglobalwarmingcouldbeanincreaseinpoverty‐relatedillnessessuchasmalaria,cholera,anddenguefeverdiseasesdependentuponwarm,wetclimates.

8. LoveCanal:Aboutthismonumentaldisaster,Dr.ElizabethWhelanasks,"WasthereeveranyrealhealthproblematLoveCanal?Yes,therewas,inthesensethattherewasanenormousamountofmedia‐inducedstressplacedonresidentswhowereterrifiedthattheyandtheirchildrenwouldbecomeill."

ConsumerReportsreleaseda1992memothatDr.ElizabethWhelanwrotewhenACSHlostitsfundingfromShellOil:"WhenoneofthelargestinternationalpetrochemicalcompanieswillnotsupportACSH,thegreatdefenderofpetrochemicalcompanies,onewonderswhowill."ACSHreceives76percentofitsfundingfromcorporationsandcorporatefunders,and17percentofitsfundingfromprivatefoundations,accordingtoCongressionalQuarterly'sPublicInterestProfiles. However,thatsetbackdidnotdeterACSH,in1999itgotabigboostwhenitjoinedforceswithDr.EverettKoop'sInternethealthcaresite,www.drkoop.com.Thepressreleasereadsasfollows:

"TheAmericanCouncilonScienceandHealth(ACSH),anonprofit,consumeradvocacyorganization,iscreatinganexclusivehealthwireservicefordrkoop.comconsumers.GuidedbyACSHexpertsandwrittenbyexperiencedwireservicejournalists,thedailyACSHnewswirewillhelppeoplebetterunderstandthehealthstoriestheyseeonthenewsbyaddingtheoftenmissingscientificperspective.Thispartnershipwithdrkoop.comgivesconsumers,whoareconstantlybombardedwithconflictingandoftenalarminghealthnews,anunbiased,scientificanalysisofthelatesttrendsinhealthandmedicine,aswellasclarificationsofhealthmisinformationfoundinthemainstreampress."

ExpertWitnessesforHireApressreleasebytheAmericanSocietyofPlasticSurgeons(ASPS)onOctober12,2004,reviewedapaneldiscussiontitled,“Americanspayforunethicalmedicalexpertwitnesses.”110ThepanelwaspartoftheAmericanSocietyofPlasticSurgeons’annualscientificmeeting.Expertsdiscussedtheverycontroversialroleofaphysicianexpertwitnessandhowtheycancontributetoincreasingmalpracticecosts.Althoughtheydidnotcomerightoutandsaythatinsurancecompaniesare 110 Associated Press. “Scientist to raise Vioxx death toll: Report.” Jan. 3 2005.



payingtopdollarforexpertwitnesses,theydidsaythat,“Untruthfultestimony…canpunishgooddoctorsandpushthemedicalcommunity'soverallmedicalliabilityinsurancepremiumsup,whichforcesmanyphysicianstomodifytheirpracticeandpasscostsontotheirpatients”. Becauseofsoaringmalpracticecostsandthelucrativebusinessofbeinganexpertmedicalwitness,ASPShas“createdadocumentthatcallsforanexpertwitnesstoaffirm,amongotherthings,thatthewitnesshasrelevantexpertisetotheprocedureinquestionandwillprovidetruthfulandimpartialtestimonybasedonthestandardofcareinthecommunity.”ASPSwantsitsmemberstosignthisdocumentbeforetestifyingandpresentittotheattorneyrepresentingthepartyforwhomtheyintendtotestify.Ifanexpertwitnesssignstheaffirmation,itcanenhancetheirtestimony.Conversely,notsigningthedocumentcanleadtocross‐examinationabouttheirresistancetodoso. Thepaneldefinedtheproblemsencounteredwithexpertwitnessesinthefollowingstatements.

1. Somemedicalexpertwitnessesarepurposefullydeceitful.2. Manysimplydonothavethein‐depthandwideknowledgebaseto

appropriatelycommentontheprocedureinthesuit.3. Plasticsurgeonsshouldnottestifythatafellowsurgeon'sconductwas

outsideacceptablestandardssimplybecausetheplasticsurgeonexperiencedaresultthetestifyingphysicianhadneverexperienced.

4. ASPS’smembersservingasanexpertwitnessshoulddemonstrateacausalrelationshipbetweenanallegedsubstandardoutcomeandtheconductofthedefendingphysician.

5. Membersshouldnottestifythataless‐than‐desirableoutcomeismalpractice,wheninfacttheoutcomeisidentifiedasacceptableinclinicalliterature.

"Untruthfulanduninformedtestimonyhurtseveryone….Ultimately,itlimitsAmericans'accesstoqualityhealthcare.It'sano‐winsituationforeveryone,"saidPhillipHaeck,MD,formerchairoftheASPSJudicialCommitteeandpanelmoderator. ThispressreleasewasissuedbytheASPSbecauseofthemanylawsuitsbypatientswhodon’treceivetheoutcometheydesire.Lawyersthenhavetohireaplasticsurgeontoprovethatthefirstdoctordidabadjob.HoweverinOklahoma,peopletakeresponsibilityforchoosingtheirdoctorandtakingresponsibilityforthatchoice.Iftheyaredissatisfiedtheygotocivilcourt.Theydon’tseemtohaveamalpracticeprobleminOklahoma.Oneofthemanyconditionsthatinsurancecompaniesrefusetoacknowledgeisillnessduetochemicalexposure.WhenIwasinpractice,Irememberonecasewhereapatient,whohadbeenpermanentlydisabledbyexposuretoachemicalat



herworkplace,wassenttoanallergydoctorpaidforbytheinsurancecompanyforanexamination.Thatdoctordemandedthatshebere‐exposedtothechemicalto“prove”shehadatruereaction.Thepatientwasfrantic,Iwasshocked,yettheinsurancecompanydemandedthetest.Irefusedtoallowhertoundergoasecondexposurethatcouldkillher.Uponfurtherinvestigation,wefoundthatthisprominentallergydoctordidnot“believe”thatchemicalexposurecouldcauseillhealthandhadareputationfornotgrantingadversechemical‐reactioninsuranceclaims.PushingaBlockbusterDrugVioxxIntheAssociatedPressofJanuary3,2005,FDAscientistDr.DavidGrahamstatedthatthenumberofAmericanswhodiedorwereseriouslyinjuredbyVioxxis139,000,nottheoriginalFDAestimateof28,000111orthemorewidelyreported55,000.GrahamisfightingtopublishhisdetailedreportinTheLancet.HesaystheFDAhassmearedhiminthepressandthreatenedtofirehimifhepublisheshisreport.InNovember2004,Dr.GrahamtoldtheSenateFinanceCommitteelookingintodrugsafetythattheFDAis"virtuallydefenseless"againstanotherVioxx.112GrahamsaidthattheFDAhadignoredwarningsthatVioxxwaskillingpeoplebycausingheartattacksandstrokes.InaninterviewwithForbes.comGrahamsaid,"Icouldhavegivenaverymealy‐mouthedstatementbutthenIwouldhavebeenpartoftheproblem." Dr.Grahamhasbeeninstrumentalintherecalloftendrugsinhistwenty‐yeartenurebutsaysthathasn’twonhimanypraisefromhisbossesattheFDA.Onesuchdrugwasthemedia‐promotedpopularweightlossdrugfen‐phen.Evenso,thedrugwasnottakenoffthemarketsoonenough.AuthorAliciaMundysaysinherexhaustivelydocumentedbookDispensingWiththeTruththatWyeth‐Ayerstknewfen‐phen(alethalcombinationofPondiminandRedux)wasdangerousbutkeptthemonthemarketanyway.ShemakesthealarmingdeclarationthatthankstocorporategreedandFDAinadequacies;nearlyathirdofthemillionsoffen‐phenpillpopperswillultimatelysuffersomedegreeofheartandlungdamagefromthesedrugs!113WedohaveDr.GrahamtothankfornotallowingtheVioxxscandaltobepushedunderthecarpet,howeveritshouldhavebeenstoppedyearsearlier–beforeitwasapproved.Now,it’sbecomethe2‐tonelephantsittingonthelivingroomrug,whichisthepictureofthesystemicfailureoftheFDAandHealthCanadaindrugsafety. Dr.EricTopolwroteintheNEJMthatfromthetimethattheFDAapprovedVioxxonMay21,1999,untilSeptember2004,Merckhadsoldthisdrugtomorethan80millionpatientsatapricetagof$2.5billion.Itwaspulledfromthemarket

111 Herper M. “Face of the Year: David Graham.” Forbes.com December 13, 2004. 112 Mundy A. Dispensing With the Truth: The Victims, the Drug Companies, and the Dramatic Story Behind the Battle over Fen-Phen. St. Martin’s Press. NY. 2001. 113 Sismondo S. Ghost management: How much of the medical literature is shaped behind the scenes by the pharmaceutical industry" PLoS Med 4(9): e286. 2007.



September30,2004,becauseofanincreasedriskofheartattackandstrokeinregularusers.Vioxxbecamethelargestrecallinhistory.114Merck,whowantedtoextendthepatentonVioxx,tocoverthepreventionandtreatmentofintestinalpolyps,enrolled8,076patientsinaclinicaltrialthatfinallypubliclyexposedtheseriousheartproblemsassociatedwithVioxxthatmanyresearchershadbeenconcernedaboutforyears. BecauseofthespotlightonVioxx,evidenceisbuildingthatMerck,theFDA,andHealthCanadadidnotdotheirjobswhenitcametopolicingthisdrug.Forexample,Vioxxstudiesthatomittedcardiovasculardatawerenotpublisheduntileighteenmonthsafterthedrugwasapproved.Mercksaidtheyassumedthedrugwouldnotaffecttheheart.Thatveryvitalpartoftheanatomywasleftoutofthestudydesign!Afulltwoyearsafterapproval,theFDAconvenedacommitteetolookintothecardiovascularrisksassociationwithVioxxthatwerebeingreportedaroundtheworld.Dr.TopolandhiscolleaguesrevieweddatapresentedatthatmeetingandconcludedthattherewereobviouslyanexcessivenumberofheartattacksinpatientstakingVioxxanddemandedaclinicaltrialtoassessthisrisk. Thattrialneveroccurred.Andinspiteofevidencetothecontrary,themakersofVioxxwentonarelentlessdamage‐controlcampaign.ItbeganwithapressreleaseonMay22,2001,entitled"MerckReconfirmsFavorableCardiovascularSafetyofVioxx".Merckemployeesandhiredconsultantsauthorednumerouspapersinpeer‐reviewedmedicalliterature.Merck’smedicaleducationteamwentontourholdinginnumerablesymposiumsatnationalmeetingstoassuagethefearsofdoctorsaboutVioxx. Dr.TopolstatesinhisarticlethatfromthetimethefirstVioxxstudieswerepublished,scientistswereconcernedaboutthedrug’seffectsontheheart.Eventuallyabout1.4millionpatientsweretrackedandtheevidenceofheartdamagewasalwayspresent.However,thestandardresponsefromMerckwastodiscreditthestudiesanddeclaretheonlyresearchthattheywouldrecognizewouldbearandomized,controlledtrial.Dr.Topolaskstheobviousquestion,“IfMerckwouldnotinitiateanappropriatetrialandtheFDAdidnotaskthemtodoso,howwouldthetrutheverbeknown?” NoneoftheseconcernshamperedMerckfromspendingmorethan$160millionperyearindirect‐to‐consumeradvertising(DTCA)topromoteVioxx.AsdiscussedinChapter5,DTCAplaysahugeroleincreatingbillion‐dollarblockbusterdrugs.DTCAisregulatedbytheFDA,whichatnotimesteppedintolimitthesalesofVioxx—amountingto10millionprescriptionspermonthintheU.S.,despiteescalatingconcernsaboutthedrug.TheFDAcovereditselfbytellingMerckto

114 Topol, E. “Failing the Public Health-Rofecoxib, Merck, and the FDA.” New England Journal of Medicine. 2004 Oct 21; 351(17):1707-1709.



amendtheirpackageinsertforVioxxtoincludeprecautionsaboutcardiovasculardisease.Dr.Topolisconcernedthat,“Giventhefindinginthecolon‐polyptrialinlow‐riskpatientswithoutknowncardiovasculardisease—anexcessof16myocardialinfarctionsorstrokesper1000patients—theremaybetensofthousandsofpatientswhohavehadmajoradverseeventsattributabletorofecoxib(Vioxx).”TopoldemandsafullCongressionalreviewandisshockedthatMerckandtheFDAdidnottakeappropriateactionregardingVioxx,orrecognizetheywereaccountableforthepublichealth. Topolalsomadeforthefollowinginsightfulstatement:“Furthermore,thetradeoffhereinvolvedadrugforsymptomsofarthritis,forwhichmanyalternativemedicationsareavailable,inthecontextofserious,life‐threateningcardiovascularcomplications.”Conditionssuchasarthritisaregreatlyimpactedbylifestylechoicesandareamenabletolifestyleinterventionandnaturaltherapiesthathavenosideeffects. ImmediatelyaftertheVioxxrecall,TheIndependentintheU.K.reportedthattheEuropeanMedicinesEvaluationAgencyorderedasafetyreviewoffourpowerfulpainkillingdrugsamidfearsthattheyalsocouldincreasetherisksofheartattacksandstrokeslikeVioxx.115Accordingtothatarticle,theeditoroftheprestigiousmedicaljournal,theLancet,describedVioxx’ssituationasa“publichealthemergency.”Hesaiditraised“grievousquestionsabouttheadequacyofourdrugregulatorysystem.”NewEnglandJournalofMedicineCulpableTheNewEnglandJournalofMedicine,foundedin1812,isalsobeingheldaccountablefortheVioxxdisaster.Inanarticletitled“BitterPill:NEJMWaited5YearstoReportMissingDatafrompublishedVioxxStudy”theWallStreetJournalinMay2006exposedtheNEJMtochargesofunethicalpracticeandcorruption.TheNEJMfailedtoreportthatVioxxcouldcausefatalheartattackinaslittleasthreemonths,notthe18monthsthatwasfinallyadmittedtoin2004promptingrecall.116InaNovember2005depositionduringafederallitigationcaseaboutVioxx,Dr.GregoryCurfman,theexecutiveeditoroftheNEJMadmittedthatthepeerreviewersandjournaleditorsknewthattherewasanincreasedheartattackratewithVioxxbuttheyacceptedMerck’stheoryastowhythishappenedwithnoharddatatobackitup.TheWSJquotesCurfman’stestimony"Yeah,wesignedoffonthisandIhavemanytimeshadsecondthoughtsabouthavingdonethat."Curfmanalso

115 Laurance J, Foley S. “Safety review ordered into popular painkillers.” The Independent. Friday, 22nd October 2004. 116 Armstrong, D. “Bitter Pill: NEJM Waited 5 Years to Report Missing Data from published Vioxx Study” WSJ. Tuesday, pg. A1, May 16 2006.



disclosedthattheNEJMgarneredaround$750,000byselling929,400reprintsoftheoriginalVioxxarticlethatMerckboughttodistributewidelytodoctors.FDADoesNotReviewDrugAdsDr.SidneyWolfe,spokespersonforPublicCitizenHealthResearchGroupinWashington,D.C.,warnsthatstudieshaveshownthatpeoplemistakenlybelievethatthe“FDAreviewsalladsbeforetheyarereleasedandallowsonlythesafestandmosteffectivedrugstobepromoteddirectlytothepublic.”dbmNothingcouldbefurtherfromthetruth.TheFDAonlyreviewsstudiespresentedtothembydrugcompaniesthathavenothingtodowiththeeffectivenessofthedrug—justthatitisnottoxicanditperformsbetterthanplaceboinitsaction.Asmentionedearlier,often,newdrugsarenotevencomparedtoplacebobuttoanolderdrug,whichmeansthereisnorealassessmentoftheeffectivenessofadrug.CelebrexOnTrialItwasnotdifficulttopredictthatdrugssimilartoVioxxwouldcomeunderthesameattackasVioxx.Wedidn’thavetowaitlong.InDecember2004,onlythreemonthsafterVioxxwaspulled,Forbes.compostedthefollowingstory,“Pfizer,AstraZenecaPummelDrugStocks.”117Reportingasonlyafinancialpublicationcould,Forbeswithuncharacteristichumorannounceda“painfulselloff”inthedrugsectorafterPfizerannouncedthatduringthesametypeofcoloncancerstudythatfelledVioxx,Celebrexwasfoundtohaveanincreasedriskofheartattack.SharesofPfizerfell14percent. ThestudywasbeingconductedbytheNationalCancerInstituteandshowedthatpatientstaking400milligramto800milligramdosesofCelebrexdailyhada2.5timesgreaterriskofexperiencingmajorheartproblems.Forbesreportedthatin2003,Celebrexsold$2.6billionintheU.S.whereasVioxxonlysoldabout$1.8billion.TheNewEnglandJournalofMedicine,aftertheVioxxrecallwroteeditorialsinitsOctober6,2004issuethatwarneddoctorsaboutprescribingallthreeofthemajorcox‐2inhibitordrugs‐Vioxx,Celebrex,andBextra,toanyonesuspectedofhavingheartdisease. AnybeliefbyBigPharmathatheartdiseasewasjustaVioxxproblemandnotaglobalissuewiththecox‐2inhibitorswasdashedwiththeCelebrexstudy.UnliketheMerckdecisionwithVioxx,however,PfizertoldthepressthatithasnointentionofremovingCelebrexfromthemarket.NaproxenAssociatedwithHeartDiseaseThreestrikesandyou’reout,shouldhavebeentheheadlineforaDecember20,2004newsstoryonCBSthatreportedNaproxen,oneoftheoldernon‐steroidalanti‐inflammatorydrugs,alsocausesheartdisease.InastudytodetermineifCelebrexorNaproxencouldpreventAlzheimer's,Naproxenwasfoundtoincreasetheriskofheartattackandstrokeby50percent.Naproxen(Aleve),hasbeenonthe 117 “Pfizer, AstraZeneca Pummel Drug Stocks.” Forbes.com. December 17, 2004.



marketforoverthirtyyearsandprobablycausingheartproblemsallthattime.Perhapstheseanti‐inflammatorydrugscauseheartdiseasebecausetheyalllowerthelevelsofmagnesiuminthebodyandmagnesiumdeficiencycanleadtoheartdisease.ReadTheMagnesiumMiracleandtakemagnesiumtocounterthesideeffectsofdrugs,totreatmuscleandjointpain,andtopreventheartdisease.ProzacSuicidesWhistleblowingandleakingofdocumentsarebecomingtrendyinthemountingbacklashagainstmodernmedicine.Thecaseofthe“missing”documentsina1994Prozacliabilitylawsuitcameoutintotheopenrecentlywhentheymysteriouslyappearedonsomeone’sdeskattheBritishMedicalJournal.118 Dammingreviewsandmemosthathadgone“missing”indicatethatEliLillyofficials,asearlyasthe1980s,werefullycognizantthatProzachadsuicidalsideeffectsandthecompanyrespondedbyanattemptedcoverup.Duringthe1994lawsuitaMr.Wesbecker,whohadalong‐standinghistoryofdepression,wasgivenProzacandonemonthlatershothimselfbutnotbeforekillingeightpeopleandwoundinganothertwelve.InEliLillymemosthistypeofbehavioriscalled“activation”aeuphemismforagitation,panicattacks,mania,insomnia,andaggressiveness.OnProzac38percentofpeoplereportsymptomsof“activation”comparedto19percentofthosetakingaplacebo.DrJosephGlenmullen,aHarvardpsychiatristandauthorofTheAntidepressantSolution,commentsthatitisnotsurprisingthatProzaccausesbehavioraldisturbancesbecauseitissimilartococaineinitseffectsonserotonin. TheFDAclinicalreviewerwhoapprovedProzac,Dr.RichardKapitsayshewasnotgiventheactivationstatisticswhenaskedtomakehisfinaldecision.However,the“missing”documentsarenowtobereviewedbytheFDA.CongressmanMauriceHinchey(D‐NewYork),whowasgiventhedocumentssaid,"ThisisanalarmingstudythatshouldhavebeensharedwiththepublicandtheFDAfromtheget‐go,not16yearslater.”Headdedthat,"ThiscasedemonstratestheneedforCongresstomandatethecompletedisclosureofallclinicalstudiesforFDA‐approveddrugssothatpatientsandtheirdoctors,notthedrugcompanies,decidewhetherthebenefitsoftakingacertainmedicineoutweightherisks." ItappearsthattheFDAisalsoculpable.Dr.DavidGraham,whowarnedusaboutVioxxandtenotherunsafedrugsdiscoveredin1990thatLillyfailedtoproperlyassessProzacforviolenceandhadexcluded76of97casesofreportedsuicide.InaSeptember11,1990memo,DrGrahamconcludedthat,"becauseofapparentlarge‐scaleunderreporting,[Lilly's]analysiscannotbeconsideredasprovingthatfluoxetine(Prozac)andviolentbehaviorareunrelated." 118 Lenzer J. FDA to review "missing" drug company documents. BMJ 2005;330:7.



DeathbySerotoninDrugsCasesofsuicideandmasshomicidebychildren,teens,andadultsonProzacpresentlydominatemediastories.Ormaybeyoudidn’tknowthatpeopleonProzacorsimilardrugscommittedmostofthesehorrificacts.Beyondthatshockingpictureliesanothersmolderingproblem–heartdisease.AnnBlakeTracyPhD,theExecutiveDirectoroftheInternationalCoalitionForDrugAwarenesshasbeenstudyingtheeffectsofserotonindrugsfortenyearsandshedoesn’tlikewhatshesees.InnumerouspublicationsandmediaappearancesDr.Tracysaysthatsincethe1950’swehaveknownthatserotoninisastressneuro‐hormone.119Itissodisruptivethatitcancausedocilelabanimalslikerabbitstobecomeaggressive.Thisbehaviorisknownas"serotoninirritationsyndrome."Itisespeciallyseriousinpeoplewhoareunabletobreakdownserotoninandthereforelevelskeepincreasingturningintoapoisonofsorts.Peopleonserotonindrugs,whichincludesalltheSSRIssuchasProzac,Zoloft,Paxil,Effexorandalsotheweightlossdrug,fen‐phenaresusceptibletothissyndrome.Poisoningbyserotonininducesinsomnia,sleepapnea,terrifyingnightmares,migraines,hotflashes,irritability,painsaroundtheheart,difficultyinbreathing,aworseningofbronchialcomplaints,irrationaltension,andanxiety. Whilestudyingfen‐phen,theMayoClinicfoundthatincreasedserotonin,whichincreasedtheriskofbloodclotting,wasalsocreatingabuildupofagummyglossysubstancedirectlyonheartvalves.Theydeterminedthatexcessserotoninthatcirculatesinthebloodcancausevalveinjury.Dr.Tracysaysthesestudiesweredonearound1997butnobodyheadedthewarning.ShepraisesDr.CandacePertfortryingtogetthemessageout.Dr.Pert,formerheadofthebrainchemistrydepartmentattheNationalInstituteofHealthwrotethebookMoleculesofEmotion.Sheknowsenoughaboutbrainchemistrytogiveatersewarningaboutserotonindrugs.Dr.TracycitesDr.Pert’swarninginTimemagazineOctober20,2000whenshesaid,"Prozacandotherantidepressantserotonin‐receptor‐activecompoundsmayalsocausecardiovascularproblemsinsomesusceptiblepeopleafterlong‐termuse,whichhasbecomecommonpracticedespitethelackofsafetystudies."Dr.Pertisappalledatthelackofawarenessinthemedicalprofessionthat"thesemoleculesofemotionregulateeveryaspectofourphysiology."WithAlliesLikeThis,WhoNeedsEnemas?TheU.S.consumergroup,PrescriptionAccessLitigation(PAL)coinedthisphrasefortheir2007BitterPillAwardtoGlaxoSmithKlineforthedietpillthatcausesanalleakage!Alliisthenameoftheoverthecounterdietpill,Xenicalistheprescriptionversion.Theyworkbyinhibitingpancreaticlipase,anenzymethatbreaksdowntriglyceridesintheintestine.Whenyouinhibitacompleteenzymesystemyoureallyshouldknowwhatyouaredoing.Butapparentlyresearcherswithtunnelvisionjust 119 www.drugawareness.org http://www.rense.com/general/pro.htm



wantedtoreducetheamountoffatthatyouabsorb.Ifit’snotabsorbedintothebody,wheredoesitgo?Outinthestoolcausingalotofaccidentsonthewayaswellasflatulence,frequentbowelmovements,andurgency.TheadvicefromthemakerofAlli,“Untilyouhaveasenseofanytreatmenteffects,it'sprobablyasmartideatoweardarkpants,andbringachangeofclotheswithyoutowork."Evenbetter,theysuggestyoufollowalow‐fat,lowcaloriediet.Whybotherwiththedrugatallifyouhavetochangeyourdietanyway!Allialsodestroysyourabilitytoabsorbfat‐solublevitaminsA,D,E,K,whichyouneedfortensofhundredsofphysiologicalprocessesinthebody.That’snottheworseofit.ApparentlytheFDAignoredXenical’scancerriskwhenapprovingitoriginally.PublicCitizen'sHealthResearchGrouphasbeenlobbyingagainstXenicalforover10yearsbecauseitcancausepre‐cancerouslesionsinthecolon.120April2006,PublicCitizen,concernedaboutthereleaseofXenicalasanoverthecounterdrug,petitionedtheFDAtobanthedrug.ItcitedunpublishedstudiesonOrlistat,showing:1211.Orlistatincreasestheprecursormarkerstocoloncancerby60percentinrats.2.WheneatingahighfatdietandtakingOrlistat,thecancerriskincreased2.4fold.3.FatsolublevitaminEdepletion,duetoOrlistat'sfatblockingaction,raisestheriskofcoloncancerevenfurther.

4.RecordedadversereactionstoOrlistatinclude:39casesofincreasedabnormalbloodthinning;severalcasesofbleedingepisodes;10hospitalizations,fourwithlifethreateningreactions,andonedeath.

5.DangerousthinningofthebloodcanoccurinpeopletakingdrugslikeWarfarin(ananti‐coagulant),orwhosufferfromvitaminKdeficiency.

6.TheFDAfound37casesofgallstonesinpatientsofallages,between1999and2006,priortoreleasingAlliforover‐the‐countersale.

PublicCitizen'sHealthResearchGroupconcludedthatAlli"hasmarginalweightlossbenefits,commonandbothersomeG‐Itractreactions,significantdecreaseinabsorptionoffatsolublevitamins,andproblematicuseinthemillionsofpeopleusingWarfarinorCyclosporine."TheFDAdeniedPublicCitizen'spetitionontheverysamedaytheyapprovedAlliasanOTC.DeathofPurpleNow,I’mverypartialtopurpleandImustadmitthatafewyearsagowhenIstartedseeingallthoseadsforthepurplepill,Itookoffense.Howoutrageousthatthismegabuckspharmaceuticalcompanycouldhijackahugepartofthecolorspectrumandmakeitsynonymouswithaheartburndrug!NowAstraZenecaisburpingpurple

120 “AFL-CIO Joins Lawsuit Against Nexium Manufacturer” KTVU.com. November 10, 2004. 121 http://www.citizen.org/pressroom/release.cfm?ID=2174



bileasthe“AFL‐CIOJoinsLawsuitAgainstNexiumManufacturer”,accordingtoKTVU.cominLosAngeles.Idon’tknowhowJimmyHoffa’sdescendentsgotinvolvedwiththepurplepillbuttheyareriledupenoughtogotocourt.122Theirunlikelypartnersareseniorcitizens’groupsthatareaccusingAstraZenecaofwagingamassiveandmisleadingcampaignforthepurplepill.ThislawsuitismakingheadlinesbecauseitisthefirsttimethatthenationalAFL‐CIO,whichrepresents13.5millionAmericanworkers,hasgonetocourtagainstapharmaceuticalcompany.However,it’snotjustbecausetheunionwantsseniorstogetabreakindrugprices.It’sreallybecausehealthcarecoststoemployeesareskyrocketingasemployerstrytoshiftresponsibilityforhealthinsurancetoworkers. GerryShea,directorofAFL‐CIOgovernmentrelations,saidthatrisingdrugpricesmakeoverallhealthcarecostssoarandtheworkersuffersandgetsmad.Sheasaidthereisa“hueandcry”amongmemberstodosomething,forcingtheAFL‐CIOtoadoptlobbyingtactics,andmore."Wespendanenormousamountoftimeonthisissue,"Sheasaid."This(lawsuit)isanattempttokindofgetanewweaponinourarsenal." Here’sthereasonthelawsuitwasinitiated.AstraZenecahadonehighlysuccessfulheartburndrugcalledPrilosec,earningabout$6billionannually,butitspatentwasrunningout(in2001)anditneededareplacementblockbusterthatwouldbeatoutcheapgenericdrugs.AsPeterJenningsnotedonhisABCspecial"BitterMedicine:Pills,Profit,andthePublicHealth,”“IfI'mamanufacturerandIcanchangeonemoleculeandgetanothertwentyyearsofpatentrights,andconvincephysicianstoprescribeandconsumerstodemandthenextformofPrilosec,orweeklyProzacinsteadofdailyProzac,justasmypatentexpires,thenwhywouldIbespendingmoneyonalotlesscertainendeavor,whichislookingforbrand‐newdrugs?”123 That’sjustwhatAstraZenecadid.Accordingtothelawsuit,thepharmaceuticalgiantviolatedCalifornia'slawsagainstunfaircompetitionandfalseadvertisingbymakingmisleadingcomparisonsbetweenNexiumandtheolderheartburndrug,Prilosec,inordertoconvincedoctorsandpatientsthatitwasworthusingthefarmoreexpensivemedication.Insteadofcomparingequivalentamountsofthetwodrugs,adsshowedresultscomparing20milligramsofPrilosectodoubletheamountofNexiumat40milligrams.Ifsomeonetookequaldoses,therewouldbelittleornodifferenceineffectivenessaccordingtothelawsuit.ThedirectorofPrescriptionAccessLitigation,AlexSugerman‐Brozan,says,"Themaininnovationwasthattheyputyellowstripesontheirpurplepill,andchargedconsumersgrosslyinflatedprices”.Nexiumnowsellsfor$4.09perpillwhilePriloseccosts46cents.An

122 http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/07/09/doctors- outraged-fda-ignored-cancer-risk-when-approving-alli.aspx 123 Jennings Peter. “Bitter Medicine: Pills, Profit, and the Public Health.” ABC. May 29, 2002.



AstraZenecaspokespersonclaimsthat"therearecleardifferenceswithNexium”,whichtheywillhavetoproveincourtbecausepeoplearen’t“buyingit”anymore. Somethingthatthesedrugsshareincommonistheriskofpneumoniainpeoplewhotakethemonaregularbasis.WebMDMedicalNewspostedanarticleonthisadversereaction.124Thearticlestatedthatastartlingnumberofpeople,oneoutofevery100,whotakeantacidsforoneyearwillsufferpneumonia.ThisinformationcomesfromareportpublishedinJAMA,October27,2004. Dr.RobertLaheijtoldWebMD,"Thesedrugsarenotassafeaseverybodythinks...especiallyinmorefragilepatientswhocanhaveseriousproblems.Ifitisnotnecessaryforyoutousethem,don't.”Andthiswasastudytobereckonedwith.Researcherscollateddatafrom500,000patientsbeforecomingtotheirconclusionthatpeopletakingantacidsforheartburnandindigestionwerefourtimesmorelikelytohavepneumoniathanthosewhodidnot.ThedrugsthatcauseproblemsincludePrilosec,Nexium,Prevacid,Protonix,andAciphex.Anotherfamilyofantacidswasalsoimplicatedinthisstudy,includingTagamet,Pepcid,Axid,Zantac,andRotane.Itmaynotbeobviousatfirstwhyantacidscausepneumonia,butthewaytheyworktosuppressstomachacidtakesawaytheverythingdesignedtokillbacteriaandvirusesthatweingest.Theironyisthatmostpeoplearetakingantacidstotreatsymptomsofahorriblediet.Ifyoueatsugarandcarbsallday,youwillhaveyeastovergrowthinyourintestines,whichsetsupaviciouscycleoffermentation.Everyoneknowsthatgasrises,sothegasproducedbyfermentingyeast(justthinkofhowwineandbeeraremadewithsugar,fruit,andyeast)risesintotheesophagusandproducessymptomsofheartburn.Insteadofeducatingpatientsabouttheirdiet,adoctor,educatedbydrugreps,whipsouthisprescriptionpadandwithaflourishdestroysyourabilitytodigestyourfoodbyeliminatingyourgastricacid.In2008,insteadofbanningadangerousdrug,theFDAhasapprovedtheacidrefluxdrugNexiumforshort‐termuseinchildrenages1to11.SaveyourselfalotoftroubleanddownloadmyeBookFutureHealthNowEncyclopediafornaturalwaystoeliminateheartburn,GERD,gastritis,andhiatalhernia.PropagandaAboutNutraceuticalsAskthenextfivepeopleyouspeakwithwhattheyhaveheardinthemediainthelastyearaboutnutraceuticals(vitamins,minerals,andherbs).Theanswersyouwillinvariablygetechothesamethemes:

1. VitaminEisbadforpeoplethatsmoke.2. Calciumisgoodforyourbones.

124 Denoon, Daniel. “Stomach Acid Drugs May Raise Pneumonia Risk.” WebMDMedical News, Tuesday, October 26, 2004.



3. Herbskillpeople.Ephedracausedamajorfootballplayertohaveaheartattackanddie.

4. Echinaceaissupposedtobegoodtopreventcoldsbutitdoesn’twork.5. St.John’swortdoesn’tworktotreatdepression.

Asidefrom“calciumbeinggoodforyourbones”(yet,itisonlyoneofadozennutrientsthatshouldbeusedforosteoporosis),alltheotherstatementshaveappearedinthemediainthepastyearandarefalse.Thegeneralpublicpicksuptheirnutrientknowledgefromsoundbitesthatappeartobedesignedtobashthesupplementindustry.Wesay,“appear”becausethereisnowayofknowingthemedia’sintentunlesssomewhistleblowercomesforwardwithcorporatememos.However,wedoknowthatpharmaceuticalcompaniespaywriterstocreatestoriesfavorabletodrugsandunfavorabletovitaminsandmarketthemtomediaoutlets.Itisalsonosecretthat“ifitbleeds,itleads”.Asthecontentofmediacontinuestobesensationalistic,itsuitstheinterestsofpharmaceuticalcompanieswhoseethemascompetitiontofosterpressreleasesandarticlesthatbashsupplements.However,asthepharmaceuticalcompaniesgainmorecontrolofthesupplementmarketyouwillnoticemoreadsfortheirlow‐potency,synthetic,bright‐colored,indigestiblevitamins.MedicineandNutraceuticalsWhenmedicineandthemediabelittlefood‐basedmedicine,itis,infact,thecontinuationofadecades‐longfearcampaign.Inmedicalschool,doctorsaretaughtthattakingvitaminsisunnecessary,awasteofmoney,producesexpensiveurine,andisapracticefollowedbyhealthnutsandquacks.Foroverfortyyears,modernmedicinehasclaimedthatthereisnoprooftosupporttheuseoffood‐basedmedicine,whilecreatingamedicalizedhealthcaresystemthatdependsonsynthetic,patentabledrugs,surgery,andradiationtoattempt,ratherunsuccessfully,totreatdisease. Thereasonwhyourcultureseemstoshunhealthypracticesisfodderforasociologicalstudy.However,itmighthelptoknowthatintheearly1900’stherewasabattlebeingwagedbetweentheVictoriannostalgiafornatureandtheblatantmodernistembraceoftechnology(includingdrugs).OntheVictorianside,wasthebest‐sellingnovel,play,andmovie,Pollyanna(1913),anexampleoftheAmericantraditionoflaytherapeutics—selfhelpandhealingpractices.Tothisday,callingsomeonea“Pollyanna”forthinkingthattheycanimprovetheirownhealthor,similarly,flingingthetitle“healthnut”atsomeonewhowantstoeatwell,servestoquashourownhealthorhealinginstincts.With60percentofthepopulationoverweightandthemajoritysufferingoneormorechronicailments,itseemsthattoofewofustrustedourinstinctsandbecame“healthnuts”andareasaresultsufferingtheconsequences.TheHomocysteineStoryAgoodexampleofhowmedicineignoresthesciencethatitpurportstobebaseduponisthehomocysteinestory.Homocysteinemiaisaconditionmanifestedbyan



increaseintheaminoacidhomocysteine,whichbuildsupinthebloodandcausesheartdisease.WhenDr.KilmerMcCullydiscoveredelevatedhomocysteineinheartpatients,healsofoundanassociationwithvitaminB12,vitaminB6,andfolicaciddeficiency.Heprovedthattakingthesenutrientscouldreducehomocysteinelevelsandreverseheartdisease.Ithastakenthemedicalcommunityoverthirtyyearstobegintoaccepthisresearch.Andit’sgoingtotakeanotherdecadeforittobecomeacommonlyusedtestforheartdisease. TheAmericanHeartAssociation(AHA)advisesthathomocysteineisnotamajorriskfactorforcardiovasculardisease.And,intheirownwords,“Wedon’trecommendwidespreaduseoffolicacidandBvitaminsupplementstoreducetheriskofheartdiseaseandstroke.Weadviseahealthy,balanceddietthatincludesatleastfiveservingsoffruitsandvegetablesaday.”Insteadofrecognizinghomocysteineasariskfactorandadvisingsimplevitaminsupplementation,theAHAisco‐sponsoringanexpensivecholesterol‐loweringadcampaignbyemployinganactress,ValerieHarper(“Rhoda”).Pfizer,themanufacturerofthecholesterol‐loweringdrugLipitor,istheothersponsoroftheprogram. Ifheartdiseaseis,inpart,asimplevitamindeficiency,itcanbetreatedforafewpennies,comparedtoanestimated$500‐a‐monthdrugbill.BecausetheAHArefusestorecognizehomocysteine,itisnotwidelycoveredbyinsurancecompanies.Mostpeopledon’tknowtoaskforahomocysteinetest,anddoctorstendnottoorderatestifapatienthastopayforitoutofpocket.




CHAPTER6DEATHBYMODERNDRUGSANDPROCEDURES

Doctorsaremenwhoprescribemedicinesofwhichtheyknowlittle,tocurediseasesofwhichtheyknowless,

inhumanbeingsofwhomtheyknownothing.–Voltaire(Frenchwriter1694‐1778)

Dothisexperiment.Askthenextfivepeopleyoumeetiftheyorafamilymemberorfriendhaveeverexperiencedamedicalmistake.Chancesarefouroutoffivepeoplewillbeabletotellyouahair‐raisingstory.IjustdidtheexperimentwithJames,theownerofanearbycafé.Hissonisnow7yearsoldbutatage15monthshehadsuchsevereeczemahewascryingnon‐stopandbecomingverydehydratedwithhiseyesrollingbackinhishead.IntheERthedoctororderedX‐rays,IV,antibiotics,andanantihistamine.JamesandhiswifewheeledtheirsontotheradiologydepartmentwhereuponthetechnicianquestionedtheX‐rayorder.HeaskedJamesifherealizedtheorderwasforafullsetof14X‐rays.WhenJamesconfrontedthedoctor,hewastoldthatmaybeX‐raysweren’treallyneededafterall.Ittooktheparentsalongtimetorealizethatthedoctorwaslookingforsignsofchildabuse,suchasbrokenbones,andpossiblyinflictingdamagetothischildwithpunishingamountsofradiation. OnthewardJamesandhiswifekeptanecessary24‐hourvigil,notbecauseoftheirson’sillnesssomuchastoprotecthimfrommedicalerrors.Oneofthemany“accidents”thattheystoppedoccurredonthesecondday:anursecamewithasyringethatshewasgoingtoshootintotheIVthatlookedliketentimestheusualamountofantihistamine.Whenquestionedsheseemedannoyedbutdidgoandcheckthedosage.Shecamebackalongwhilelaterwiththenormaldoseandwithoutanexplanationoranapology.ReportingDrugErrorsandMedicalMistakesAlertforparentalabuse,modernmedicinehasnowaytomeasuretheabusetheyinflictonpeopleeveryday.Everysecondofeverydayamedicalmistakeismade.Somearecaughtbeforetheycauseharm,manyaren’t.Only5‐20percentofmedicalmistakesareeverreported.dbmWhenFriendsofFreedomlobbiedOttawainNovember,2004,oneoftheproposalsmadetothemembersofparliamentwasamandatorysystemofdeath‐reportingthatwoulditemizethedrugsandproceduresprescribedinthefinalmonthsofaperson’slifeandthusbeabletocapturestatisticsonadversedrugeffects. OnDecember15,2004,FederalHealthMinisterUjjalDosanjhannouncedthathewantedamandatorydrug‐monitoringsystem.125Suchasystemwouldrequireall 125 Abraham C. “Drug-monitoring advocates gain heavyweight ally”. The Globe and Mail. December 16, 2004.



healthprofessionalstoreportseriousadversedrugreactions.TheGlobeandMailreportedthatMr.Dosanjh“wantsthepublictofeelconfidentthatdrugsonthemarketaresafe.”Mr.DosanjhtoldtheGlobeandMail"Ithinkit'simportantthatwemandatethissothatwehavemoresignificantdataonanongoingbasisonalldrugsthatenterthemarkettoassesswhetherornotthedrugsarehavingadverseeffects."Manypeopleareshockedtolearnthatreportingofsideeffectsbydoctorsandpharmacistsisnowdoneonlyonavoluntarybasis.Withavoluntarysystem,HealthCanadaestimatesonly10percentofincidentsareeverreportedmakingitalmostimpossibletoidentifydeadlytrends. Surprisingly,doctorsandpharmacistsareresistanttotheideaofmandatoryreporting.AveryinterestingcommentcamefromJackUetrecht,aprofessorofpharmacyandmedicineattheUniversityofTorontoandCanadaResearchChairinAdverseDrugReactions.HetoldtheGlobeandMailthatforcingdoctorstofilereports"won'timprovesafetyatall."hesaid"Therewouldbeamillionofthesereports‐‐wherewouldyoufindthetimetogothroughallofthese?" Andisn’tthatjustthepointDr.Uetrecht.Wewant,notjustyou,butallpharmacists,alldoctors,theFDA,HealthCanada,allpoliticians,andthepublictorealizethatYES,therearemillionsofadversedrugreactions.Weneedthattobeheadlinenews,everydayweneedtohaveanadversedrugreactioncountonthefrontpageofeverynewspaper.Thenweneedtoimplementthenaturalmedicinesolutionsthatdon’tcarrysideeffects.Wealsowantpatientsandtheirfamiliestoreportadversedrugreactionstohavecompleteopennessofthisnewsystem.Wealsowanttocomparetheadversedrugreactionswiththenegligibledeathsduetodietarysupplements.Asof2008,thereisnosystemofmandatorydrugsideeffectreportinginCanadaortheU.S.However,inabizarretwist,theFDAhasaddedtotheDSHEAlegislationand“…undertheguiseofafinalrulefordietarysupplementgoodmanufacturingpractices(CGMPs)”hasimplementedanAdverseEventReportinglegislation(AER)whichinsistedthatdietarysupplementcompanieskeepextensiverecordsonanytypeofconsumercomplaint.126CurbingInfectionsSimpleenforcementofhandwashingamonghospitalstaffcancuttheinfectionrate.Butwhataboutcellphones.Howoftenaredoctorscleaningtheircellphonesofmicrobesthatarepassinginvisiblegermsthroughouthospitals?AContinuingMedicalEducationonlineseminarforpreventingcatheter‐relatedbloodstreaminfections(CR‐BSIs)seemedaworthytopic.WhenIreadfurtherIlearnedthatdoctorsandhospitalsarenotdoingthisasanecessarypublicservice,thepromotionreadthat“CR‐BSIisoneofthree‘preventableconditions’targetedforpaymentcutbacksbytheCentersforMedicare&MedicaidServices(CMS).The 126 Richards, BJ. FDA Announces Plan to Eliminate Vitamin Companies. June 27, 2007. NewsWithViews.com



othertwoaremediastinitisandcatheter‐relatedurinarytractinfections.EffectiveOctober2008,thecostsformanyCR‐BSIs–whichrunanaverage$45,000perinfection—willbekickedbacktohospitals.”

Yes,witheconomicsastheincentive,wemightjustgetsomeresults.Thepromotioncontinues,“WithprivateinsurersexpectedtofollowtheCMSaction,hospitalsandhealthcaresystemshaveneverhadagreaterincentivetopreventCR‐BSIs.”Andfinallytheybringinthesufferingpatient,“ButCR‐BSIsdon'tjustaffectthebottom‐line,theycausetheflatline.Some28,000patientsdieannuallyoftheseinfections,whichemergingresearchandcutting‐edgepracticesuggestarelargelypreventable.We'renottalkingaboutarareevent.TheCentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionestimatesthataquarterofamillionpatientsannuallyacquireabloodstreaminfectionrelatedtoacentralvenouscatheter.Roughlyathirdofthosearealreadyinseriousconditioninanintensivecareunit.Thetimehascome;thebuckisstopping.Forprovenstrategiestosavemoneyandlivesbypreventingtheseinfectionsjoinusforatimelyaudioconference.”

DiseaseCareorWellnessCareThereisanotherimportantquestionthatbegsananswer.Ismodernmedicinethebestapproachtowellness?Theunexaminedassumptionhasbeenyes,butthetruthis“notcompletely”.Afterall,doctorsaretrainedtodiagnosediseaseandtreatsymptomswithdrugs,andtoshunanythingoutsidethisstandardpracticeofmedicine.Insomeinstancesofemergencymedicineandspecificconditionssuchastrauma,fast‐growingtumors,acuteheartattacks,medicineisabletointerveneinthediseaseprocess,mendingbrokenbones,surgicallyremovingtumors,reattachingseveredlimbs,stabilizingpeoplewithheartattacks.However,thegovernmentOfficeofTechnologyAssessmentclearlystated,20yearsago,thatonly10‐20percentofmedicalandsurgicalprocedureshavebeenscientificallyproven,whichmeansthat80percentarenot.127 Inourconsciousorunconsciousneedashumanbeingstobe“takencareof”,wehavesubmittedourselvestomodernmedicine.Indoingsowemustalsoacceptthedarksideofmedicine.It’sadefinitetrade‐offandmayexplainwhyweseemtobesoquicktoignorethemountingevidencethatmedicineisthenumberonekillerinAmerica.Anagingpopulationwantsnothingmorethantoknowhowtocreatealongerandhealthierlifespanandturnstomedicinefortheanswers.However,medicine,purportedtobaseitselfonscience,hasneverstudied80percentofitscommonprocedures,hasnotenteredthefieldofanti‐agingorwellness,andiscompletelyillequippedtoevengiveanopinion.

127 Office of Technology Assessment, U.S. Congress, “Assessing Efficacy and Safety of Medical Technology” Washington D.C.: OTA 1978.



Medicine,however,isbecomingquiteadeptatcausingiatrogenicinjury.Everyyear,overthepasttwentyyears,twoorthreestudieshavesurfacedshowingagrowingnumberofpeopleinjuredbyprescriptiondrugs,includingtreatmentwithtoxicdrugsusedfornon‐life‐threateningconditions,suchassynthetichormonereplacementtherapy.Asthesestudiesslowlydriftedintotheperipheryofourconsciousness,asasocietywestillheldontothenotionthatmedicinewasworkinginourbestinterest.Noonetookthetimeortroubletocompileallthestatistics.Nooneidentifiedthevariousareasofmedicine,eachofwhichcausesiatrogenesis.Whenweaddedupallthedifferentinjuriesanddeaths,thefinalnumberwasstartling. Inarecentcompilationofdeathsduetoproperlyprescribeddrugs,drugerrors,surgicalmistakes,medicalproceduremistakes,bedsores,malnutritioninnursinghomes,andhospital‐basedinfections,wefoundthatiatrogenicmedicineistheleadingcauseofdeathinAmerica.The2001heartdiseaseannualdeathrateis699,697;theannualcancerdeathrate,553,251.Buttheannualiatrogenicrateis783,936.128 That’sjustthedeaths.Thenumberofpeopleinjuredannuallybyprescriptiondrugsis2.2million;thenumberofunnecessaryantibioticsprescribedannuallyforviralinfectionsis20million;thenumberofunnecessarymedicalandsurgicalproceduresperformedannuallyis7.5million;thenumberofpeopleexposedtounnecessaryhospitalizationannuallyis8.9million;andwereallyhavenowayofknowinghowmanyprematuredeathscanbeattributedtooveruseofX‐rays. MoststudiesthatopenthePandora’sboxofthenumberofmedicalmistakesthatactuallygetreportedfindthatonly5%or1in20errorsarerecordedinblackandwhite.Wealsoknowthatabout20%ofmistakescanendupindeath,sothe3/4milliondeathsmaybejustthetipoftheiceberg.Averycozyalliancehasdevelopedbetweendoctors,pharmaceuticalcompanies,andthesyntheticfoodindustry.DeathbyMedicine“DeathbyMedicine,”3writteninNovember2003,inspiredmanypeopletotakeactionaboutthecurrentcrisisinmodernmedicine.“DeathbyMedicine”reportedthatalmost784,000Americans(andstatistically,78,400Canadians)arekilledannuallyduetomedicalintervention.Thetermfordeathcausedbymedicineis“iatrogenesis.”Itisamorecommoncauseofdeaththanheartdiseaseorcancer,yetithasnoofficialdesignationindeathtables.Therefore,eitherbydesignorthroughignorance,iatrogenicdeathsarenotofficiallycountedassuchbutarevariouslylistedasheartdeathsorcancer.Inoveradozenmedicalpeer‐reviewjournalsandgovernmenthealthpublications,“DeathbyMedicine”reporteddeathsduetoprescribedmedicationsgiveninhospitals,surgicalerrors,unnecessaryhospitalization,outpatientmishaps,bedsores,and 128 Dean C, Null G. “Death by Medicine.” Nutrition Institute of America, November 2003.



malnutrition.Upuntilthattime,noonehadeversearchedthescientificliteratureforvariouscausesofdeathandsimplyaddedthemup.Thefollowingchartistakenfrom“DeathbyMedicine”JournalofOrthomolecularMedicine,andreproducedinfullinAppendixB.(Thereferencenumbershavebeenreplacedby“dbm.”)ANNUALPHYSICALANDECONOMICCOSTOFMEDICALINTERVENTIONCondition Deaths Cost AuthorHospitalADR 106,000 $12billion LazaroudbmSuhdbmMedicalerror 98,000 $2billion IOMdbm Bedsores 115,000 $55billion XakellisdbmBarczakdbmInfection 88,000 $5billion WeinsteindbmMMWRdbm Malnutrition 108,800 ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ NursesCoalitiondbmOutpatientADR 199,000 $77billion StarfielddbmWeingartdbmUnnecessaryProcedures 37,136 $122billion HCUPdbmSurgery‐Related 32,000 $9billion AHRQdbm TOTAL 783,936 $282billion2008UPDATEDSTATISTICSCondition Deaths Cost AuthorHospitalADR 106,000 $12billion LazaroudbmSuhdbmMedicalerror 195,000 $2.85billion HealthGrades* Bedsores 115,000 $55billion XakellisdbmBarczakdbmInfection 99,000 $5billion CDC**Malnutrition 108,800 ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ NursesCoalitiondbmOutpatientADR 199,000 $77billion StarfielddbmWeingartdbmUnnecessaryProcedures 37,136 $122billion HCUPdbmSurgery‐Related 32,000 $9billion AHRQdbmLivesLost 101,000 CommonwealthFund***TOTAL 895,936 $282.85billion*Healthgrades.Anaverageof195,000peopleintheUSAdiedduetopotentiallypreventable,in‐hospitalmedicalerrorsineachoftheyears2000,2001and2002,



accordingtoastudyof37millionpatientrecords.Source:PatientSafetyinAmericanHospitals,Healthgrades.2004.129**CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention.In2007oneofevery22patientsgetsaninfectionwhilehospitalized—1.7millioncasesayear—andthat99,000willdie,oftenfromwhatbeganasaroutineprocedure.130***“MeasuringtheHealthofNations”estimatesthattheU.S.couldsave101,000livesannuallysimplywithtimelyandeffectivehealthcare.”131MedicationErrors–2006Ina2006follow‐uptotheir1999report,theInstituteofMedicineconcludedthat“MedicationErrorsInjure1.5MillionPeopleandCostBillionsofDollarsAnnually.”132Thestudyfocusedonmedicationerrorsthatharmedatleast1.5millionpeopleeveryyear.In‐hospitaleventstotaled400,000;long‐termcaresettingstabulated800,000medicationerrors,andtherewereroughly530,000eventsamongMedicarerecipientsinoutpatientclinics.AccordingtotheIOMwebsite,thereportgaveconservativeestimatesorerrors.In2000alone,theextramedicalcostsincurredbypreventabledrugrelatedinjuriesapproximated$887millionwithouttakingintoaccountlostwagesandproductivityorothercosts.Thesefiguresarenotenteredintothe2008updatebecausetheydonotgiveafatalityrate.MedicationMistakes–2008A2008drugerrorupdatereportedintheBostonGlobefoundthatoneintenpatientsincommunityhospitalsinMassachusettssuffersamedicationmistake133Twononprofitgroupsfundedthefirstlarge‐scalestudyofpreventableprescriptiondrugerrors.Theauthorofthereport,Dr.DavidBatesofBrighamandWomen'sHospitalinBoston,saidthathisstudyshowedtwicethefrequencyofdrugerrorofotherreportsthatareusuallyhospital‐based.Thehospitalswillgounnamedaspartoftheiragreementtoparticipateinthis$5milliondollarstudy.Therecommendationarisingfromthereportisfordrugstobecontrolledbyacomputerizedprescriptionorderingsystem.Wheresuchsystemsareinoperation,prescriptionerrorsarecutinhalf.SevenJumboJetsandOneHollywoodStarTheannual784,000iatrogenicdeathsequal7jumbojets(carrying300passengers)crashingeverydayforoneyear,butyouwillneverseethatheadline.ButyoudohearwhenaHollywoodstarlikeAnnaNicoleSmithoverdoses.Increasinglythese 129http://www.healthgrades.com/aboutus/index.cfm?fuseaction=mod&modtype=content&modact=Media_PressRelease_Detail&&press_id=134) 130 Sack K. Swabs in Hand, Hospital Cuts Deadly Infections. NY Times, July 27, 2007. 131http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=640980) 132 Medication Errors Injure 1.5 Million People and Cost Billions of Dollars Annually. The National Academy of Science (2006). 133 Wen, Patricia. “1 in 10 patients gets drug error-Study examines six community hospitals in Mass.” Boston Globe. February 14, 2008.



deathsarerelatedtoprescriptiondrugs.ThelatestprescriptiondrugdeathisthatofBrokebackMountainstar,HeathLedger.LarryKingjustreadthestatementbyLedger’sfamily,saying“Whilenomedicationsweretakeninexcess,welearnedtodaythecombinationofdoctor‐prescribeddrugsprovedlethalforourboy.Heath’saccidentaldeathservesasacautiontothehiddendangersofcombiningprescriptionmedication,evenatlowdosages.”DrugIatrogenesisDrugsaresynonymouswithmodernmedicine.Drugsandmedicineareinterchangeablewordsinthedictionaryandinmostpeople’sminds.It’shardtobelievethatdrug‐basedmedicineisonlyabout100yearsoldbecauseithassuchapervasiveholdonoursociety.Withthediscoveryofthe“GermTheory”,medicalscientistsconvincedthepublicthatinfectiousorganismswerethecauseofillness.Findingthe“cure”fortheseinfectionsprovedmuchharderthananyoneimagined.Fromthebeginning,chemicaldrugspromisedmuchmorethantheydelivered.Butfarbeyondnotworking,thedrugsalsocausedincalculablesideeffects.Thedrugsthemselves,evenwhenproperlyprescribed,havesideeffectsthatcanbefatal.Fullyhalfthedrugsprescribedareeventuallypulledfromthemarketplaceduetoundeniablesideeffects.Bythen,thedrugcompanieshaveusuallymadeseveralbilliondollarsofprofitandarebusilymarketingthenextcatastrophicblockbuster.Youwillreadin“DeathbyMedicine”AppendixBabouttheoveruseofantibioticsinbothhumansandanimals.Manypeopleareawareofthisabusebutdidyouknowthatplantscanpickupantibioticsingroundwaterandmanurefromantibiotic‐fedanimals?Yes,scientistsattheUniversityofMinnesotareportedthat“Routinefeedingofantibioticstolivestockmaybecontaminatingtheenvironment.”134Thethreecropsstudied‐corn,lettuce,andpotatoesweregrownonsoiltreatedwithliquidhogmanurecontainingSulfamethazine,acommonlyusedveterinaryantibiotic.Concentrationsofantibioticswerefoundintheplantleavesofallthreecrops.Antibioticswerealsofoundinthepotatoes,whichmeansthatrootcropssuchascarrotsandradishescanalsobecontaminated.Theimplicationofantibioticsinplantsisofconcernforchildrenwithallergiesandtotheorganicfarmingindustrythatmaybeusingantibiotic‐contaminatedmanure.Around1975syntheticestrogenwasshowntobecarcinogenic.Insteadofremovingitfromthemarket,thedrugcompaniessaidthatmorestudiesneededtobedone.Theyalsoarguedthatestrogenshouldbeusedtogetherwithsyntheticprogesteronetonullifyestrogencancer‐causingeffects.Themedicalestablishmentandthepublicacceptedthistheoryuntil2002whena16,000‐womanstudywashaltedthreeyearsearlybecausethegroupofwomentakinghormoneshadmoredeathsthanthegroup

134 Dollivera H, et al. Sulfamethazine Uptake by Plants from Manure-Amended Soil. J Environ Qual 36:1224-1230 (2007).



takingplacebos.Ifonedrughassuchharmfuleffects,howcantwodrugsbeanybetter? AsnotedinChapter5,Vioxx,the“miracle”arthritistreatment,waspulledfromthemarketbecauseofahighrateofheartdiseaseandstrokeinusers.Dr.EricTopolwroteabouttheimplicationsoftheVioxxrecallintheNewEnglandJournalofMedicineinOctober2004.PlacingtheblamesquarelywiththedrugcompanyandtheFDA,hisarticlewastitled“FailingthePublicHealth—Rofecoxib,Merck,andtheFDA.”135TopFourKillingDrugsWithintheflawedreportingsystemofmodernmedicine,fourclassesofdrugsaccountforover60percentofadversedrugreactions.Theyareantibiotics(17%),cardiovasculardrugs(17%),chemotherapy(15%),andanalgesicsandanti‐inflammatoryagents(15%).dbmHowever,thereisnoaccountingofthemorbidityandmortalityduetosynthetichormonereplacementtherapyandthebirthcontrolpilltakenbymillionsofwomen.HowDoWeKnowDrugsAreSafe?Oneaspectofscientificmedicinethatthepublictakesforgrantedisthetestingofnewdrugs.Unlikethepeoplethattakedrugswhoareillandneedmedication,drugs,ingeneral,aretestedonhealthyyoungmaleswhoarenotonothermedicationsthatcaninterferewithfindings.Butwhentheyaredeclared“safe”andenterthedrugprescriptionbooks,theyarenaturallygoingtobeusedbyolderpeopleonavarietyofothermedicationsandwhoalsohavealotofotherhealthproblems. Whenadrugisreleasedtothegeneralmarket,anewPhaseofdrugtestingcalledPost‐Approvalcomesintoplay,whichisthedocumentationofsideeffectsinusers.Inoneverytellingreport,theGeneralAccountingOffice(anagencyoftheU.S.Government)found:

“Ofthe198drugsapprovedbytheFDAbetween1976and1985...102(or51.5%)hadseriouspost‐approvalrisks...theseriouspost‐approvalrisks(included)heartfailure,myocardialinfarction,anaphylaxis,respiratorydepressionandarrest,seizures,kidneyandliverfailure,severeblooddisorders,birthdefectsandfetaltoxicity,andblindness."dbm

Thereseemstobenoimprovementinthesestatisticsasmoreandmoredrugsarepulledfromthemarketorhavelabelwarningsplacedonthem.TheFDAisbeingheldaccountableforthedeclineindrugsafety.A2007,300‐pagereportburiesthefactthattheFDAisunabletoprotecttheAmericanpeople.

135 Topol E. “Failing the Public Health-Rofecoxib, Merck, and the FDA.” NEJM. No. 17. Vol 351:1707-1709. October 21, 2004.



DrugPushersNBC’s“Dateline”inaJuly11,2003investigativereportwonderedifdoctorsaremoonlightingasdrugreps.Afterayear‐longinvestigation,theyreportedthatbecausedoctorscanlegallyprescribeanydrugtoanypatientforanycondition,drugcompaniesheavilypromote"off‐label"andfrequentlyinappropriateandnon‐testedusesofthesemedicationsinspiteofthefactthatthesedrugsareonlyapprovedforspecificindicationsforwhichtheyhavebeentested.dbmAMASellsDoctorsNamesManycompaniesmakeapointoftellingnewcustomersthattheywillneverselltheirnamesandprivateinformationtoathirdparty.ApparentlytheAMAnevermadethatpromiseto900,000physicians,mostofwhomarenotevenmembers.Atthe2007annualmeetingoftheAmericanMedicalAssociationthetopicofdiscussionwasnothealthcareoriatrogenicdiseasebuttheshockingnewsthattheAMAhadsolditsdatabasetodrugmarketingfirmsforacool$50million.136OnlineJournalbrokethestoryandquotedDr.JohnSantaaninternistatthePortlandVeteransAffairsMedicalCenterworkingwiththePrescriptionProject,acoalitiontocurbdrugcompanies'accesstodoctorprescribinginformation.Santasaid,"Doctorsarenotawarethatcompaniesareouttherethatknoweveryprescriptionadoctorprescribes."EvenmoreOrwellianistherumorthatmedicallicensingbodieswiththesestatisticshaveaccuseddoctorswhodon’tprescribemanydrugsofnotupholdingthe‘standardpracticeofmedicine’.ThegroupstronglyprotestingthedatasalesistheAmericanMedicalStudentAssociationwhoarestudentswhostillhaven’thadtheidealismknockedoutofthemandthinktheAMAshouldbe"ensuringthatdoctorsaremakingprescribingchoicesbasedonscience,notmarketing"andthatdoctorsfortheirpartshould"combatthepresenceofthepharmaceuticalindustrythatworkshardtoinsertitselfintoimportantmedicaldecisions."TheAMA,everonthesideofcommerce,arguesthatdrugrepsperformavaluableservicebyhelpingtoget"publichealthandeducationtotherightdoctorswhennewproductsordeviceshavecomeonthemarket."Onlinejournalnotesthatironically“that'swhattheMerckadontheAMAwebsitesaystoo.”GimmeanRx!ANewYorkTimesarticlecalled“CheerleadersPepUpDrugSales”turnedthespotlightonjusthowscientificandeducationaldrugrepsvisitscanbe.137JournalistStephanieSaulobservesthat,“Anyonewhohasseentheparadeofsalesrepresentativesthroughadoctor'swaitingroomhasprobablynoticedthattheyare

136 Rosenberg M. “AMA sics drug salesmen on doctors, charge groups at annual meeting.” Online Journal. Jul 3, 2007. 137 Saul Stephanie. Gimme an Rx! Cheerleaders Pep Up Drug Sales. New York Times. November 28, 2005.



frequentlyfemaleandinvariablygoodlooking.Lessrecognizedisthefactthatagoodmanyarerecruitedfromthecheerleadingranks.”Pharmaceuticalcompaniestrytodenythatsexappealhasanybearingonhiring."Obviously,peoplehiredfortheworkhavetobeextroverts,agoodconversationalist,apleasantpersontotalkto;butthathasnothingtodowithlooks,it'sthepersonality,"saidLambertoAndreotti,thepresidentofworldwidepharmaceuticalsforBristol‐MyersSquibbintheTimesarticle.

Ms.SaulinterviewedDr.Carli,attheUniversityofMichigan,whoisconvincedthatseductionappearstobeadeliberateindustrystrategy.It’snosecretthatdrugsalesrepsinfluenceprescribinghabits,soit’sano‐holds‐barredbattlefor‘scripts.’

Aspateofwhistleblowingformersalesrepsprovidesomeofthefuelforthefireagainstdrugreps.Amalerep,JamieReidy,saysthatwomenstillhaveadefiniteadvantagewithmaledoctors.ReidywasfiredbyEliLillyin2005afterwritingabookridiculingtheindustry,HardSell:TheEvolutionofaViagraSalesman.

TheTimesreportedonesalescallthatReidywitnessedwiththe“'all‐timemostattractive,coolestwomaninthehistoryofdrugrepdom.’Atfirst,hesaid,thedoctor‘gavetenreasonsnottouseoneofourdrugs.’But,Mr.Reidyadded:‘Shegavealittlehairtossandatugonhissleeveandsaid,'Comeon,doctor,Ineedthescrips.'Hesaid,'O.K.,howdoIdosethatthing?'Icouldneverreachoutandtouchafemalephysicianthatway.’”

Anotherdrugrepproducedamovieabouthertenyearlongdrug‐pushingjobwithacompaniondocumentarytobackherup.Theupshotofthiseffortwastoexposehowdrugsalesmenaretrainedtomanipulatedoctors.Repsactlikeprescribingdrugsissomesortofcontestandtelladoctorifheprescribesthedrugtothenext10patientsthatcomeintohisofficehegetsaprizeofsomesort.

Myfavoriteex‐drugrepisKyleDrew,radioshowhostofSuperHealthonSuperTalkWKY‐930AM,OklahomaCity.Kyle,andhiscohostsMickeyO’NeillandElissaMeiningerrecentlyinterviewedfamousex‐drugrepKathleenSlattery‐Moshkauabouther2005moviecalledSideEffectsandherdocumentarypeRxPrescribingEvidenceBasedTherapiesandeducationalwebsite.SideEffectsstarsGrey’sAnatomystarKatherineHeiglandislooselybasedonSlattery‐Moshkau’sexperiencesinthefield.OntheshowKyleandKatherinedidatrueconfessionsonallthetricksthattheyweretaughttokeepthosescripsrollingin.AconversationwithKyleremindsusjusthowlittledoctorsknowaboutthedrugstheyareprescribingandthetalltalesdrugsalesmenaretaughttomakethesale.

Slattery‐Moshkau’speRxProjectencompassingthedocumentaryandinteractivewebsiteisaneducationalprogramfundedbytheAttorneyGeneralConsumerandPrescriberEducationGrantProgram.TheprogramprovidesCMEcreditsfornursesanddoctorstoimproveawarenessofdrugdevelopmentandpharmaceuticalmarketingpracticesandtopositivelyimpactprescribingbehaviors.Ironicallythe



programisfundedwithatinyportionofthe$430millionfinethatPfizerwasforcedtopayfortheillegalpromotionofthedrugNeurontinforofflabeluses.That'sright.ThereisagoodarticleintheNewYorkTimesaboutaphysicianwhobecameadrugrepforWyeth,themakerofapopularantidepressant.Hetalksabouthowhefinallybecameembarrassedandrathersickatwhathewasdoingonbehalfofthepharmaceuticalcompany,Dr.DrugRepBlowingthewhistleonhimself,Dr.DanielCarlatwroteanextensivearticleintheNewYorkTimesdetailinghislifeasadrugpusherforWyethPharmaceuticals.138ThejobCarlatfoundimpossibletorefusewastogivetalkstootherdoctorsaboutantidepressantEffexorXR.Carlatwrote,“Itwouldbeprettyeasy.Wyethwouldprovideasetofslidesandevenpayformetoattendaspeaker’strainingsession…Iwouldbepaid$500forone‐hour‘LunchandLearn’talksatlocaldoctors’offices,or$750ifIhadtodriveanhour.IwouldbeflowntoNewYorkfora‘faculty‐developmentprogram,’whereIwouldbepamperedinaMidtownhotelfortwonightsandwouldbepaidanadditional“honorarium.”TherestisdownhillasDr.Carlathastoovercomehisembarrassmentaboutgoingtodoctor’sofficesforwhatthereceptionistreferstoasthe“druglunch,”whichisorganizedbythedrugrep,usually“anattractive,vivaciouswomanwithplattersofgourmetsandwichesintow.”Carlatwouldwaitnervouslyas“Hungrydoctorsandtheirstaffofnursesandreceptionistswouldfilterintothelunchroom,gratefulforfreefood.”Carlatstatesthatsalesrepsbegansendinghiminformationonthedoctorshewouldbeaddressingtellinghimtotailorhistalktowardalowprescriberorahighprescriber.Carlatsays:

“Ifoundmyselfastonishedatthelevelofdetailthatdrugcompanieswereabletoacquireaboutdoctors’prescribinghabits.Iaskedmyrepsaboutit;theytoldmethattheyreceivedprintoutstrackinglocaldoctors’prescriptionseveryweek.Theprocessiscalled“prescriptiondata‐mining,”inwhichspecializedpharmacy‐informationcompanies(likeIMSHealthandVerispan)buyprescriptiondatafromlocalpharmacies,repackageit,thensellittopharmaceuticalcompanies.Thisinformationisthenpassedontothedrugreps,whouseittotailortheirdrug‐detailingstrategies.

Dr.CarlatkeptonsellinghimselfandthedrugEffexortootherdoctors,inspiteofthebarely10%effectivenessrateoverotherantidepressants.Healsotriedtodownplaythesideeffects.ButwhenapsychiatristfinallychallengedhimatalunchmeetingaboutseeinghypertensioninhisEffexorpatientsandtheeffectivenessrate 138 Carlat D. Dr. Drug Rep. New York Times. November 25, 2007. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/magazine/25memoir-t.html?_r=1&oref=slogin



ofthedrugturnedouttobe5%andprobablylower,Dr.Carlatbegantohavesecondthoughtsandexpressedthematthenextlunchmeeting.Afewdayslater,Carlat“wasvisitedbythesamedistrictmanagerwhofirstofferedmethespeakingjob.Pleasantasalways,hesaid:‘Myrepstoldmethatyouweren’tasenthusiasticaboutourproductatyourlasttalk.ItoldthemthatevenDr.Carlatcan’thitahomeruneverytime.Haveyoubeensick?’Carlatconfessesthat,“Atthatmoment,Idecidedmycareerasanindustry‐sponsoredspeakerwasover.Themanager’smessagecouldn’tbeclearer:Iwasbeingpaidtoenthusiasticallyendorsetheirdrug.OnceIstoppeddoingthat,Iwasoflittlevaluetothem,nomatterhowmuch“medicaleducation”Iprovided.”BMStopay$515MillionforDoctorKickbackSchemeBristol‐MyersSquibbCompanywaschargedwithpayingillegalremunerationtophysiciansandotherhealthcareproviderstoencouragethemtopromoteBMSdrugs.139AccordingtotheBostonGlobearticlethepaymentstooktheformofconsultingfeesandotherprograms,includingtraveltoluxuriousresorts.Thecompanyhasagreedtopaymorethan$515millioninfinesagainsttheirdrugmarketingandpricingpractices.AcceptingthefinesmeansthatBMSwillavoidcriminalchargesandallowingBMSthecheerystatementtothepublic."Bristol‐MyersSquibbispleasedtohaveresolvedthesemattersfromthepastandisproudofitscommitmenttoconductbusinesswiththehigheststandardsofintegrityinitsmissiontoextendandenhancehumanlife.”FirstDoNoHarmLet’shearwhatNorthAmerica’smostpowerfulandinfluentialdoctorofOrthomolecularMedicinehastosayaboutover‐the‐counterdrugs.InDr.Hoffer’sarticle“Over‐the‐counterDrugs”,publishedintheJournalofOrthomolecularMedicine140hebeginswiththewell‐knownphrase,Primumnonnocere(Firstdonoharm).TheHippocraticOathextolsdoctorsto“Aboveall,donoharm”.DoctorsmustrecitetheHippocraticOathuponreceivingtheirmedicaldegree.IskippedoutonmygraduationbutwhenIpickedupmypieceofpaper,Irepeated,“Aboveall,donoharm”,andmeanteverysyllable. HowmodernmedicinehascometobethenumberonekillerinNorthAmericaisasincredibleasitishorrifying.Doctorscertainlydon’tthinkofthemselvesaskillersbutaslongastheypromotetoxicdrugsanddon’tlearnnon‐toxicoptions,theyarepullingthetriggeronhelplesspatients.Youwillreadaboutthestagesofdenialin

139 Saltzman, Jonathan. “Bristol-Myers Squibb to pay $515 Million for Doctor Kickback Scheme.” Boston Globe. September 28, 2007. 140 Hoffer A. “Over-the-counter Drugs.” The Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine. May 2003.



Chapter11,butoneofthewaysthattheHippocraticOath“aboveall,donoharm”hasbeensubvertedisbybeingtranslatedinto“relativerisk”.RelativeRiskWeseerelativeriskbeingusedwhenindustryandgovernmenttriestojustifytheuseoftoxicpesticidesandfoodadditives.Relativeriskisalsousedbythepharmaceuticalindustryasarationaleforusingtoxicmedications.Drugcompanystatisticiansplayingwithnumbersassuagethepublic’sfearsbysayingtherelativeriskoftakingaparticulardrugisacertainnumbercancerdeaths.Thentheysay,ontheotherhand,therelativeriskofdyingfromthediseaseforwhichthedrugisintendedishigh.Inotherwords,peoplearetoldthatiftheydon’ttakethedrug,theyputthemselvesatriskforgettingthedisease.Mostofthesenumbersarejustfab‐rications,becausewehavenoideahowtheindividualwillreacttoanydrug;willitbeabeneficialreactionorafatalreaction. Justifyingdeathstokeepaproductonthemarkethasethicalimplicationsthathaveneverbeenaddressedinmedicine.Asanaturopathicdoctor,Iknowtherearenumeroustreatmentmodalitiesthatcanbeusedinsteadofdrugs,butwhendoctorsonlyknowdrugmedicine,theydonotthinkofnon‐toxicoptions.“Whenallyouhaveisahammer,everythinglookslikeanail”isanaptdescriptionofmodernmedicine’suseofdrugsandsurgeryforeverymedicalcondition.Thestatisticiansdonotcalculatetherelativeriskofusingdrugsinsteadofnaturaltherapies.

OverdoseInhisarticle,Dr.Hofferquotesthe15thCenturydoctor,Paracelsus,whosaid,“Soladosisfacitvenenum”–Toomuchofanythingwillhurtyou.HowmuchistoomuchisthetopicofJayCohen’sbookOverdose:TheCaseAgainsttheDrugCompanies.141Dr.Cohenfoundthatdrugcompaniespurposelyusehighdosesofdrugsintheirclinicaltrialstoforcethebestresultspossible.Butinusinghighdosestheysettoohighalevelforsensitivepeopleandthosealreadyburdenedbyseveralprescriptionmedications.Cohenhasseenpeopledoquitewellon1/4and1/2dosesofvariousmedicationswithoutthehorrendoussideeffects.Itwouldbebest,however,tousenaturalmedicineoptionsandchoicesfirst.PrescribedDrugsKillMorePeoplethanStreetDrugsDr.ChristopherKent,alawyerandchiropractorwrotethat,“Recreationaldrugs,includingcocaineandheroin,areresponsibleforanestimated10,000‐20,000Americandeathsperyear.Whilethisrepresentsaseriouspublichealthproblem,itisa"smokescreen"forAmerica'srealdrugproblem.America's"warondrugs"isdirectedatthewrongenemy.Itisobviousthatinterdiction,stiffmandatorysentences,andmorevigorousenforcementofdruglawshavefailed.Thereasonissimple.Causeandeffecthavebeenreversed.”142 141 Cohen J. Overdose: The Case Against the Drug Companies. Tarcher/Putnum, New York. 2001. 142http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/publications_show.htm?doc_id=640980



Kenturgesustounderstandthat“Thedesiretosolveproblemsbytakingdrugsisaproductofourculture.Whenachildistaughtbylovingparentsthattheappropriateresponsetopainordiscomfortistakingapill,itisobviousthatsuchachild,whenfacedwiththechallengesofadolescence,willseekcomfortbytakingdrugs.”

OvertheCounterDrugsDr.Hofferreportsonthesideeffectsoffiveover‐the‐counteranalgesics,antihistamines,andanti‐inflammatorydrugsthatarefreelyavailabletoconsumers.Theyaresaidtobesaferthanprescriptiondrugs,buttheyallhaveahostofsideeffectsthatcanbesevere.You’llfindthiseye‐openinglistinAppendixC.Inhispaper,Dr.Hoffermakesthefollowingobservation:“AsurveyintheUnitedStatesshowedthatinoneyear,106,000patientsdiedfromtheproperuseofmedicationinhospital.Overthepastthreedecades,therehavebeennodeathsfromtheproperuseofvitamins.”QuantifyingDrugSideEffectsDr.Hoffer,inhispaper,talksaboutthedifficultyofquantifyingadversedrugreactions.Hesaysthatnauseacausedbyadrugisusuallymuchmoreseverethannauseacausedbyaplacebo,andtheplaceboreactionusuallyonlylastsashorttime.Heurgesustorememberthat,“If10%oftheplacebogroupand12%ofthedruggroupcomplainofnausea,itdoesnotmeanthatthedrugisverylittleworsethanplacebo.Itmaywellbethatthedrug‐inducednauseaismuchmoresevereanddebilitating.Theintensityofallthesideeffectsshouldbebutisnotrecorded.”DrugsPolluteOurWaterSupplyOneastoundingfactaboutouroveruseofmedicationsisthateverybodyofwatertestedcontainsmeasurabledrugresidues.Weareinundatedwithdrugs.Itbeginswiththetonsofantibioticsusedinanimalfarming,whichrunoffintothewatertableandsurroundingbodiesofwaterandareconferringantibioticresistancetogermsinsewagewhicharealsofoundinourwatersupply.Followingthatabusearethetonsofdrugsanddrugmetabolitesthatareflusheddownourtoiletsmakingtheirwayaroundtheworldandendingupinourdrinkingwater.Wehavenoideawhatthelong‐termconsequencesofingestingamixtureofdrugsanddrug‐breakdownproductswilldotoourhealth.It’sanotherlevelofiatrogenicdiseasethatweareunabletocompletelymeasure.dbmSurgicalStatisticsSurgerycarriesariskofmortalitythatwasdocumentedinaJournaloftheAmericanMedicalAssociationstudyinlate2003.TheU.S.AgencyforHealthcareResearchandQuality(AHRQ)analyzed20percentofU.S.hospitalsandadmittedtherewere32,000mostlysurgery‐relateddeathscosting$9billionandaccountingfor2.4millionextradaysinthehospitalin2000.143TheAHRQdirectorsaid,“Thisstudygivesusthefirstdirectevidencethatmedicalinjuriesposearealthreattothe 143 http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/1/15/recreational-drugs-far-less-likely-to-kill-you-than-prescribed-drugs.aspx



Americanpublicandincreasethecostsofhealthcare.”144Thestudy’sauthorssaidthat,“Thefindingsgreatlyunderestimatetheproblem,sincemanyothercomplicationshappenthatarenotlistedinhospitaladministrativedata.”Theyalsofeltthat,"Themessagehereisthatmedicalinjuriescanhaveadevastatingimpactonthehealthcaresystem.Weneedmoreresearchtoidentifywhytheseinjuriesoccurandfindwaystopreventthemfromhappening."Oneoftheauthors,Dr.Zhan,saidthatimprovedmedicalpractices,includinganemphasisonbetterhandwashing,mighthelpreducethemorbidityandmortalityrates.Manyofusareindenialaboutthetruerisksinvolved.Weseemtoholdacollectiveimpressionthatsincemedicalandsurgicalproceduresaresocommonplace,theyarebothnecessaryandsafe.Unfortunately,partakinginallopathicmedicineitselfisoneofthehighestcausesofdeathaswellasthemostexpensivewaytodie.Shouldn’tthedailydeathrateofiatrogenesisinhospitals,outofhospitals,innursinghomes,andpsychiatricresidencesbereportedlikethepollencountorthesmogindex?Let’sstophidingthetruthfromourselves.It’sonlywhenwefocusontheproblemandasktherightquestionsthatwecanhopetofindsolutions.Perhapsthewords“healthcare”giveustheillusionthatmedicineisabouthealth.Modernmedicineisnotapurveyorofhealthcarebutofdisease‐care.IsModernMedicineReallyScientific?In1978,theU.S.OfficeofTechnologyAssessment(OTA)reportedthat,“Only10%‐20%ofallprocedurescurrentlyusedinmedicalpracticehavebeenshowntobeefficaciousbycontrolledtrial."145In1995,theOTAcomparedmedicaltechnologyineightcountries(Australia,Canada,France,Germany,Netherlands,Sweden,UnitedKingdom,andtheUnitedStates)andagainnotedthatfewmedicalproceduresintheU.S.hadbeensubjectedtoclinicaltrial.Thesamestudyalsoreportedthatinfantmortalitywashighandlifeexpectancywaslow,comparedtootherdevelopedcountries.146Althoughalmosttenyearsold,muchofwhatwassaidinthisreportholdstruetoday.Thereportlaystheblameforthehighcostofmedicineatthedoorofthemedicalfree‐enterprisesystemandthefactthatthereisnonationalhealthcarepolicy.Itdescribesthefailureofgovernmentattemptstocontrolhealthcarecosts 144 Zhan C, Miller M. Excess Length of Stay, Charges, and Mortality Attributable to Medical Injuries During Hospitalization. JAMA. 2003;290:1868-1874. 145 Injuries in Hospitals Pose a Significant Threat to Patients and a Substantial Increase in Health Care Costs. Press Release, October 7, 2003. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/news/press/pr2003/injurypr.htm. Referenced from the original Death by Medicine. 146 Tunis SR, Gelband H, Health Care Technology and Its Assessment in Eight Countries. Health Care Technology in the United States. Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) 1995.



duetomarketincentiveandprofitmotiveinthefinancingandorganizationofhealthcare,includingprivateinsurance,hospitalsystems,physicianservices,anddrugandmedicaldeviceindustries.Butwesaythisisn’tentirelytrue,aproperlyrunfreeenterprisesystemmighthaveachancebutwhatishamperingfreeenterpriseseemstobeapervasiveProject2000‐typepolicy,describedinChapter1,thatisonly15percentproven,is94percentinaccurateinitsadvertisingthatseemsintentonkeepingpeoplesickanddivertingthemfromsafe,traditionalhealthcarechoicesthatcanhelpsavelivesandsavemoney.XRaysWhenX‐rayswerefirstdiscovered,nooneknewthelong‐termeffectsofthisformofradiation.OneofmymedicalheroesisMarieCuriewhodiscoveredionizingradiationalongwithherhusband.She,andmanyofhercolleagues,diedearly,painful,andtragicdeathscausedbyradiation.Yet,weseemtohavelearnednolessonsfromtheirsuffering.Thepracticeofusingionizingradiationfordiagnosticsandforcancertreatmentcontinuesandescalates.Inthe1950’s,monthlyfluoroscopicexamsatthedoctor’sofficewereroutine.Youcouldevenwalkintomostshoestoresandgoggleatthebonesofyourfeet,anamusingnovelty.Westilldon’tknowtheultimateoutcomeofourexposuretoX‐rays.Becausewecan’tseeanimmediateeffect,weassumeafewX‐rayshereandthereareharmless.Irememberonepatientwhosefamilyaskedmetobepresentatherbaby’sdeliveryasanextrasafetynet.WewereallverygladthatitworkedoutandthatIwasavailableontheduedate.Afterasuccessfuldelivery,mypatientwaslyinginrecoverywithherbaby,andamachinewasrolleduptothebednexttohertotakeanX‐rayofitsoccupant.Iraisedtheroofwhennoneofthesurroundingpatientswereofferedshielding.Whenshieldingwasrefusedpointblank,Idemandedthatmypatientandherbabybewheeledoutoftheroom.Thestaff,whoareexposedtoX‐rayscontinuously,lookedatmewithacombinationofpuzzlementanddisdainthatIupsettheirdaybypointingoutthattheycouldbeharmingtheirpatients.Forbusynursesitwouldtaketoomuchtimetoprotecteveryonefromradiation,sotheymadeadecisiontoforgosafetyforthesakeofexpediency.Afewdecadesago,itwascommonpracticefordoctorstoX‐raypregnantwomentomeasurethesizeofthepelvis,andlaterinpregnancywhentheysuspectedtwins.Finally,statisticson700,000childrenbornbetween1947and1964inthirty‐sevenmajormaternityhospitalswereanalyzed.ThechildrenofmotherswhohadreceivedpelvicX‐raysduringpregnancywerecomparedwiththechildrenofmotherswhohadnotbeenX‐rayed.Theoutcomewasshocking.Cancermortalitywas40%higheramongthechildrenwithX‐rayedmothers.147 147 Tunis SR, Gelband H, Health Care Technology and Its Assessment in Eight Countries. Health Care Technology in the United States. Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) 1995.



ACloserLookattheCosttoHealthInmodernmedicine,coronaryangiographycombinesaninvasivesurgicalprocedureofsnakingatubethroughabloodvesselinthegroinuptotheheart.Togetanyusefulinformationduringtheangiographyprocedure,X‐raysaretakenalmostcontinuouslywithminimumdosagerangesbetween460‐1,580mrem.TheminimumradiationfromaroutinechestX‐rayis2mrem.X‐rayradiationiscumulativeinthebodyanditiswellknownthationizingradiationinanyform,includingthatusedinX‐rayprocedures,causesgenemutation.Wecanonlyobtainguesstimatesastoitsimpactonhealth.Expertsmanagetoobscuretherealeffectsinstatisticaljargonsuchas,“Theriskforlifetimefatalcancerduetoradiationexposureisestimatedtobe4inonemillionper1,000mrem.”148Fourinonemilliondoesn’tsoundtoobadbutit’sameaninglessstatement.Dr.JohnGofman,whohasbeenstudyingtheeffectsofradiationonhumanhealthfor45years,ispreparedtotellusexactlywhatdiagnosticX‐raysaredoingtoourhealth.Dr.GofmanhasaPh.Dinnuclearandphysicalchemistryandisalsoamedicaldoctor.HeworkedontheManhattannuclearproject;discovereduranium‐233;wasthefirstpersontoisolateplutonium;andsince1960,he’sbeenstudyingtheeffectsofradiationonhumanhealth.It’sanunderstatementtosaythathe’sanexpertinhisfield.Withfivescientifically‐documentedbookstotalingover2800pages,Dr.Gofmanprovidessolidevidenceforhisassertionthatmedicaltechnology,specificallyX‐rays,angiography,CTscans,mammography,andfluoroscopy,areacontributingfactorto75%ofnewcancers.Inhisreport,Dr.Gofmanpredictsthat100millionprematuredeathsoverthenextdecadewillbetheresultofionizingradiation.149150WakingUptoRealityMainstreammedicinemayfinallyberealizingthatX‐raysarenotsobenign.Onerecentstudyshowsthatthepatientwhoundergoesafull‐bodyCT(computerizedtomography)scanisexposedtoaradiationlevelequivalenttothatfromtheatomicbombsdroppedonHiroshimaandNagasaki.151Icouldn’tbelievethatstudyeither,soIemailedtheauthorofapaperpublishedin2004inthejournal,Radiology.Dr.Brennerquicklyconfirmedthat,“ThecomparisoniswithA‐bombsurvivorswhowereaconsiderabledistancefromtheepicenters(about2.5km),whodidindeedgetwholebodydosesthataresimilartotheorgandosesfromasingleCTscan.”Thosesurvivorsarepartofanongoingstudyonfull‐bodyradiationanditssideeffects.Thosesurvivorsaredevelopingcanceratthesameratethatpeoplewhoget

148 MacMahon B. Prenatal X-ray Exposure and Childhood Cancer, Journal of the National Cancer Institute 28 (1962): 1173. 149 The Health Physics Society http://hps.org/publicinformation/ate/q1084.html 150 Gofman JW. Radiation from Medical Procedures in the Pathogenesis of Cancer and Ischemic Heart Disease: Dose-Response Studies with Physicians per 100,000 Population 1999. CNR Books. 151 Gofman J W. Preventing Breast Cancer: The Story of a Major, Proven, Preventable Cause of This Disease. 1996. CNR Books; 2nd edition.



CTscansdevelopcancer.Justlikeyourmotherusedtosay,“Justbecauseeveryoneisdoingitdoesn’tmakeitright!”Whatwefindinthepracticeofradiologyisthatradiologistsalmostneverdescribedthepotentialsideeffectofradiationorgotinformedconsentfromtheirpatients.Whenyoudodelveintothedetailsyoufindthatonein400peoplewhoundergoesafull‐bodyCTwilldevelopafatalcancer.Annualscreeningforlungcancerinheavysmokerscanincreasethechancesofcancerfromfourtosixteentimes.YoumaynotbeawarethattheU.K.RoyalSocietyhasactuallysetan“acceptablerisk”limitofallowingonein1,000cancers–partofthebenefitsoutweighingtherisktheorythatradiologistsadoptfortheirdangerouswork.But,patientsaresupposedtobeinformedofthatonein1,000chancesoftheirsupposedlybeneficialdiagnosticX‐raycausingcancerinthelongterm.RadiologistsDon’tEvenKnowtheDangerInonestudyreportedinthejournalRadiology,7percent(fiveof76)ofpatientsreportedthattheyweretoldaboutrisksandbenefitsoftheirCTscan,while22percent(10of45)ofemergencyroomphysiciansreportedthattheyhadprovidedsuchinformation.152Whenfurtherinterviewed,47percent(18of38)ofradiologistsbelievedthattherewasincreasedcancerrisk,whereasonly9percent(fourof45)ofemergencyroomphysiciansand3percent(twoof76)ofpatientsbelievedthattherewasincreasedrisk.AllpatientsandmostemergencyroomphysiciansandradiologistswereunabletoaccuratelyestimatethedoseforoneCTscancomparedwiththatforonechestradiograph.Children’sXraysInapapertitled,“Thecrookedshallbemadestraight:dose‐responserelationshipsforcarcinogenesis,”Dr.EJHallremarksthatthedosesduetoCTscansandtomogramsaremuchhigherthanA‐bombsurvivorsandneedtobemonitoredmuchmoreclosely.153Hallwrotethat,“Anabdominalcomputedtomographicscanina1‐year‐oldchildcanbeestimatedtoresultinalifetimecancerriskofabout1:1000.Inthecontextofradiotherapy,somenormaltissuesreceive70Gy,whilealargervolumereceivesalowerdose,butstillfarhigherthantherangeforwhichdataareavailablefromtheA‐bombsurvivors.”Hallwasalsoconcernedthat,“Newtechnologiessuchasintensity‐modulatedradiationtherapycouldresultinadoublingofradiation‐inducedsecondcancerssincethetechniqueinvolvesalargertotal‐bodydoseduetoleakageradiationandthedosedistributionobtainedinvolvesalargervolumeofnormaltissueexposedtolowerradiationdoses.”

152 Brenner DJ, Elliston CD. “Estimated radiation risks potentially associated with full-body CT screening.” Radiology. 2004 Sep;232(3):735-8. 153 Lee CI, Haims AH, Monico EP, Brink JA, Forman HP. “Diagnostic CT scans: assessment of patient, physician, and radiologist awareness of radiation dose and possible risks.” Radiology. 2004 May:231(2):393-8. Epub 2004 Mar 18.



Inapapertitled,“Radiationriskspotentiallyassociatedwithlow‐doseCTscreeningofadultsmokersforlungcancer”154,Dr.BrennerurgesdoctorstobeverycarefulaboutusingX‐raysthatmaycausemoreharmthangood.IsregularX‐rayscreeninggoingtobuytimeforsomeonebydiagnosingcancerintheoperablestagesorisitgoingtocausecanceritself.Wewon’thavetimetogointothecontroversyabouttheusefulnessofX‐rays.Sufficetosaythatthepopulationthinkstheyaremuchmoreeffectivethantheyreallyare.Taketheexampleofmedicalthermographyversusmammography.InmybookHormoneBalance,Icomparethetwodiagnostictests.Butfirst,I’dliketoofferyouaquotefromSusunWeed’sbook,BreastCancer?BreastHealth!,whereshequotessomeveryknowledgeablepeopleonthetopicofmammograms:155

“TheusualdoseofradiationduringamammographicX‐rayisfrom0.25to1radwiththeverybestequipment;that's1‐4radsperscreeningmammogram(twoviewseachoftwobreasts).And,accordingtoSamuelEpstein,M.D.,oftheUniversityofChicago'sSchoolofPublicHealth,thedosecanbetentimesmorethanthat.SisterRosalieBertell‐oneoftheworld'smostrespectedauthoritiesonthedangersofradiation‐saysoneradincreasesbreastcancerriskonepercentandistheequivalentofoneyear'snaturalaging.Ifawomanhasyearlymammogramsfromage55toage75,shewillreceiveaminimumof20radsofradiation.Forcomparison,womenwhosurvivedtheatomicbombblastsinHiroshimaorNagasakiabsorbed35rads.Thoughonelargedoseofradiationcanbemoreharmfulthanmanysmalldoses,itisimportanttorememberthatdamagefromradiationiscumulative.Manywomenborninthe1930sand'40s‐whoarenowconsideringthebenefitsofpostmenopausalmammographicscreening‐havealreadyabsorbedquiteabitofradioactivityintotheirbreasttissuesfromfalloutfromtheatomicbombtestsofthe1950s.TheAmericanCancerSocietyclaimsthattheradiationdangerfromascreeningmammogramisnomorethanthatcausedbynaturalradiationintheenvironment.Notso.TheamountofradiationfromevenonebreastX‐rayis11.9timestheyearlydoseabsorbedbytheentirebody,accordingtoDianaHunt,formersaleswomanforanX‐raymanufacturingcompany,aUCLAMedicalCentergraduate,andseniorstaffX‐raytechnologistfor20years.”

Thealternativetomammogramsisthermography.ItalkaboutthermographyinmybookHormoneBalance.Let’sfirstgooverhowthermographyworks.Whencancer

154 Hall EJ. Henry S. Kaplan Distinguished Scientist Award 2003. “The crooked shall be made straight: dose-response relationships for carcinogenesis.” Int J Radiat Biol. 2004 May:80(5):327-37. 155 Brenner DJ. “Radiation risks potentially associated with low-dose CT screening of adult smokers for lung cancer.” Radiology. 2004 May:231(2):440-5.



cellsbegindividingrapidly,theirmetabolicrateincreasesandthereforethetemperatureofthosecellsandthesurroundingareaincreaseseversoslightly.Thermographymeasuresthesetemperaturechangestoaremarkable1/10,000thofadegreeandhasthepotentialtodetectabnormalcellsinbreasttissueandtumorsthesizeofagrainofrice.Aproperlydonethermogramcanfindabnormalcancergrowthfivetosevenyearsbeforeanyothermethod.Inordertofeelacancerouslumpithastobe1/2inchinsize;tobeseenbyamammogramitmustbeatleast1/8inch.Withathermogram,youavoidthe42poundspersquareinchweightonsensitivebreaststhathasbeenknowntodamagebreasttissueandspreadcancercellsduetothepressure.Youalsoavoidtheriskofradiationfrommammograms.ThetypeofthermographythatgivesthebestresultsiscalledDigitalInfraredImaging(DII).Itrequirestwopictures,onebeforeandoneafteracoldchallengewhereyouputyourhandsinfreezingwaterforoneminute.Acomputerreadsthedifferenceinthetwoimagesanddeterminesifthereisanareaofincreasedbloodcirculationandheat,whichisasignofabnormalgrowth.156MercuryinMedicineThedangerofmercuryisthetopicofanotherbookcalledMercuryMadness(Dean,2008)publishedasaneBook.Mercuryissecondonlytoplutoniumintoxicity.Whenitfirstbegantobeused,centuriesago,nobodyreallyknewitsdangers.Mercuryointmentwasatreatmentfortheskinlesionsofleprosy,beginninginthe1300’s.WhensyphilisappearedinEurope,around1495,thosesameointmentswereusedforitsskinmanifestations.Itssideeffectsslowlybecameknownandwerelistedopenlycenturieslaterinoldmedicaltexts,butmercuryanditssideeffectsweretoleratedbecausetheeffectsofuntreatedsyphiliswerefelttobemuchmoredangerousthanthesideeffectsofthe“cure.”Syphiliswasresponsibleforkeepingmercuryostensiblyviablefor400yearsandthenitsusewastransferredtodentalfillings.MercuryinVaccinesDrugcompanies,growncomplacentbymercury’slong‐standinguseinamalgams,insistedonusingmercuryasapreservativeinvaccinesin1930.Becauseitstoxicitywasneverbroughttolightandbecauseitwasknowntobeanantibacterialagent,itwasusedinvaccineswithoutasinglescientificstudytoproveitssafety.Ironically,theFDAinapressreleaseofJanuary17,2008“stronglyrecommendsthatover‐the‐counter(OTC)coughandcoldproductsshouldnotbeusedforinfantsandchildrenunder2yearsofagebecauseseriousandpotentiallylife‐threateningsideeffectscouldoccur.”Whydon’ttheyapplythissamecautiontotheinjectionofmercuryintothesesamechildren?It’snotjustmercuryinvaccines,theyalsocontainaluminum,formaldehydeanddozensofsyntheticandanimalingredientsthatyoumaywanttoknowaboutbefore 156 Weed S. Breast Cancer: Breast Health, The Wise Woman Way. Ash Tree Publishing. New York. 1996.



injectingthemintoyourchildoryourself.Thefollowingwebsitehasacurrentlistofingredientsinvaccines,withmercurydescribedasthimerosal.www.informedchoice.info/cocktail.htmlMercuryinDentistryAroundthe1830s,dentistrywasanunregulatedservice.Freemarketmedicalmen,barbers,andblacksmithselbowedeachotherforpatients.Theyfoundthatmercuryamalgamsfittedmuchmoreeasilythanhotlead,andweremuchcheaperthangold.Sincemercuryfillings,technically,wereoutsidethebody,mostlaydentistswerenotconcernedaboutpotentialtoxicity.Medical‐dentistswhowereconcernedtriedtowarnthepublicbuttheinitialrushforcheapfillingsdrownedthemout.Thelaydentistsandthepro‐amalgamdentistsbecamesopowerfultheyeventuallyformedtheirowndentalassociationin1859,theAmericanDentalAssociation(ADA).TheADAcontinuedtopromoteandsupporttheuseofmercuryamalgamsasasafedentalproduct.ThatisuntilJuly1,2007whentheADA,concernedthattheFDAwasfinallygoingtoregulatemercury,sentoutthefollowingnoticetoitsmembership.

ParagraphfromADAUpdate,July1,2007“TheFDAhasbeencontemplatingregulatoryactionforseveralyearstoreclassifydentalamalgamaseitheraclass2or3material.(Componentsofencapsulatedamalgamcurrentlyareclassifiedseparately.)TheADAhassupportedclassifyingdentalamalgamasaClass2deviceinthepast.WeexpecttheFDAwillissueanadvancednoticeofproposedrulemaking(ANPR)thissummer,seekinginputfrominterestedparties.AnANPRisthebeginningoftheregulatoryprocess.AfterconsiderationofinputgeneratedbytheANPR,theFDAwilllikelyissueanoticeofproposedrulemaking,settingforthaspecificproposalforpubliccomment.Onlyafterthatwouldanewregulationbeissued.Atthispoint,wedon’tknowthedirectiontheFDAwilltake.TheagencycouldsimplyreclassifyamalgamasaClass2material,addingspecialcontrolstoitsuse,suchasamandatorybrochureorevenlimitedwarnings,orclassifyitasaClass3material,whichcouldresultinaban.Wedon’texpectthelatter.We’recloselymonitoringthesedevelopmentsandofcoursewillofferappropriateadvocacycommentsanddevelopstrategiesforaddressingtheANPR.We’llalsokeepyouupdatedasthisprocessplaysout.”

DentistsarenowonnoticefromtheADAthatthemercuryclimateischangingandmanyaremakingthetransitiontosafermaterialsastheyrunoutoftheirmercurysupplies.AroundthesametimeastheADAannouncementasurveyofdentistsshowedthat52%arenowmercuryfree.157Theshiftmayalsohavetodowiththefactthatmercuryamalgammanufacturersaretryingtoavoidlawsuitsbylabelingtheirproductswiththefollowingwarning.Mercuryisaneurotoxin,acarcinogen,ateratogen,amutagen,anephrotoxin,andislifethreatening.Thisputstheburdensolelyondentistswhouseaproductdisplayingthiswarninglabel. 157 www.medthermonline.com is a safe thermography resource.



FDAStillinDenialOnlytimewilltellwhethertheFDAwillregulatemercuryandwhethertheADAwillbanit.Thebottomlineisthatfortwentyyears,theFDAhasrefusedtoissueanenvironmentalimpactstudyonthesafety,orlackofsafetyofmercurythatisrequiredbylaw.In1998,theypromisedinwritingthey'ddoso.Theydidn't.WhilewaitingfortheMercuryMadnessbooktobereleasedyoucanreadmoreaboutthisissueinMercuryMadness:FDAStillinDenialinaNewsWithViews.comarticlebymyfrequentcowriter,ElissaMeininger.158MeiningerwritesthattheFDAissimplynotgoingtofollowthelaw.LegaleagleCharlieBrownhasprovidedapapertrailwithsomecolorfullanguageaboutthebehavioroftheFDA.Fedup,becauseoftheirlawlessactivities(runningaPotemkinVillage‐shufflingpaperstopretendtoberegulating),BrownfiledalawsuitonDecember28,2007againstsixindividualswhohavewittinglyparticipatedinthischarade.TheindividualsincludetheheadoftheFDAandfiveotherhigh‐rankingofficials.

158 http://newswithviews.com/Meininger/elissa3.htm



CHAPTER7DEATHBYMODERNSCIENCE

Insummoningeventhewisestofphysicianstoouraid,itisprobablethatheisrelyinguponascientific'truth',

theerrorofwhichwillbecomeobviousinjustafewyears'time.MarcelProust

Medicalscientistsarenicepeople,butyoushouldnotletthemtreatyou.

AugustBier(Germansurgeon1861‐1949)

Proustwasrightscienceisfallible.Almosteveryresearchpaperyoureadcallsformoreresearchthatinvestigatorsclaimisvital.Butisitvitaltotheresearchortothepublic,oritisvitaltocontinuegettinggrantsforresearcherstokeeptheirjobs?Inordertokeepthegrantingprocessgoing,researcherscannevercometoaconclusiononanythingtheystudy.Continuingtheresearchbecomesfarmoreimportantthananyusefulconclusion.SciencehedgedonDDT,ontobacco,onthethousandsofchemicalsthatcausecancer‐alwayscallingformore“research”andnevercomingtoaconclusiontohelpwarnandprotectthepublic.Meanwhile,thepopulationwaitsandsickensanddies.Evenaspeoplesuffer,wearestilltoldthatwedon’tevenknowifexerciseisnecessaryoreatinghealthyfoodisbeneficial,whencommonsensetellsthetruth.Scientificresearchusuallytestsonethingatatime.Mostofthetestingisononedrugtoseehowitperformsagainstaplacebo.Whenthismethodofscientificresearchisappliedtonutrients,youdon’tgetthefullpictureofhowanutrientdoesitsjob.Itneverworksalone.Infact,nothinginthebodyworkssolo.Vitaminsandmineralsarecalledco‐factors,andworkalongsidethousandsofenzymes.Nutrientsalsoworktogether.VitaminCandVitaminEworktogethertoreducelipidsandpreventbloodclottinginsubjectswithdiabetes,cerebralarteriosclerosis,oraheartdisorder.WhyMostPublishedResearchFindingsareFalseJohnIoannidiswrotethistitleandanaccompanyingarticleaboutthefalsefindingsinthemajorityofpublishedresearchclaims.Hemakestheincrediblestatementthat.“Itcanbeproventhatmostclaimedresearchfindingsarefalse.”Hereisthesummaryofhispaper,whichyoucanreadonPLoS,apeer‐reviewedopen‐accessjournalpublishedbythePublicLibraryofScience.1

SummaryThereisincreasingconcernthatmostcurrentpublishedresearchfindingsarefalse.Theprobabilitythataresearchclaimistruemaydependonstudypowerandbias,thenumberofotherstudiesonthesamequestion,and,



importantly,theratiooftruetonorelationshipsamongtherelationshipsprobedineachscientificfield.Inthisframework,aresearchfindingislesslikelytobetruewhenthestudiesconductedinafieldaresmaller;wheneffectsizesaresmaller;whenthereisagreaternumberandlesserpreselectionoftestedrelationships;wherethereisgreaterflexibilityindesigns,definitions,outcomes,andanalyticalmodes;whenthereisgreaterfinancialandotherinterestandprejudice;andwhenmoreteamsareinvolvedinascientificfieldinchaseofstatisticalsignificance.Simulationsshowthatformoststudydesignsandsettings,itismorelikelyforaresearchclaimtobefalsethantrue.Moreover,formanycurrentscientificfields,claimedresearchfindingsmayoftenbesimplyaccuratemeasuresoftheprevailingbias.Inthisessay,Idiscusstheimplicationsoftheseproblemsfortheconductandinterpretationofresearch.

MedicalEthicsandConflictofInterestinScientificMedicineDr.MarciaAngellaskswhetheracademicmedicineisforsaleinher2004book,TheTruthabouttheDrugCompanies:HowTheyDeceiveUsandWhatToDoAboutIt.JonathanQuick,DirectorofEssentialDrugsandMedicinesPolicyfortheWorldHealthOrganization,wroteinarecentWHOBulletin:"Ifclinicaltrialsbecomeacommercialventureinwhichself‐interestoverrulespublicinterestanddesireoverrulesscience,thenthesocialcontractwhichallowsresearchonhumansubjectsinreturnformedicaladvancesisbroken."159MostPrescriptionMedicinesDon’tWorkAseniorexecutivewithGlaxoSmithKline(GSK)intheU.K.stunnedthemedicalworldonDecember8,2003whenhepubliclystatedthatmostprescriptionmedicinesdonotworkonmostpeoplewhotakethem.160Thoseofuswhohavestudieddrugsideeffectsfordecadesknowthattheycanoftenbeineffectiveaswellasdangerous.ButforDr.AllenRoses,worldwidevice‐presidentofgeneticsatGlaxoSmithKline(GSK),toadmitthatlessthanhalfofthepatientstakingblockbusterdrugsactuallybenefitfromthemsounded,atfirst,likemutiny. TheU.K.hasthesameproblemwithitshealthcaresystemasNorthAmerica.OnlydaysbeforeDr.RosesspokeatascientificmeetinginLondon,theNationalHealthServicereportedthatthetotalcostofdrugshadsoaredby50percentinthepreviousthreeyears,from£2.3bnayeartoanannualcosttothetaxpayerof£7.2bn.AnotherannouncementbyGSKthepreviousweekpromotedalineupof20ormorenewdrugsunderdevelopmentthatcouldeachearnthecompanyupto$1Billion(£600m)ayear.PharmacogenomicsDr.RosesisanacademicgeneticistoriginallyfromDukeUniversityinNorthCarolina.Inhistalkhecitedfiguresonhowwelldifferentclassesofdrugsworkin 159 World Health Organization, Press Release Bulletin #9, December 17, 2001. 160 Connor S. “Glaxo chief: ‘Our drugs do not work on most patients.’” The Independent. December 8, 2003.



realpatients.Andheprobablyknewjustwhathewasdoing—heraldingthe“bravenewworld”ofgeneticengineeringandgenomics.Whenyouwanttopromoteanewtherapy,youhavetoprovethatthepreviousoneisnotdoingthejoborthatthenewmodalityatleastimprovesonexistingtechnology.RoseswasdoingjustthatwhenhetalkedaboutdrugsforAlzheimer'sdiseaseworkinginlessthanonethirdofpatients,andcancerchemotherapybeingeffectiveinlessthanoneinfour.Drugsformigraines,osteoporosis,andarthritisdosomewhatbetterandworkinabouthalfthepatients.Hisfinalanalysiswasthatmorethan90percentofdrugsworkinonly30to50percentofpeople. Thereasonthatdrugsworkeffectively,onaverage,inlessthanonehalfofpatients,accordingtoDr.Roses,isbecausetheirgeneticmakeupinterfereswiththemedicineinsomeunknownway.Somepeoplethoughtitwasagaffebutothersadmittedthat,"Rosesisasmartguyandwhatheissayingwillsurprisethepublicbutnothiscolleagues.Heisapioneerofanewculturewithinthedrugsbusinessbasedonusinggenestotestforwhocanbenefitfromaparticulardrug." Rosesisonamissiontopromotehisfieldof"pharmacogenomics",whichapplieshumangeneticstodrugdevelopment–identifying"responders",peoplewhobenefitfromthedrug‐withasimpleandcheapgenetictestthatcanbeusedtoeliminatethosenon‐responderswhomightbenefitfromanotherdrug.Itmaybethetrendinmedicinebutitdoesflyinthefaceofindustrymarketingdrugstothemasses,notaselectfew.

DrugTreatment Drugefficacy% Alzheimer's 30 Analgesics(Cox‐2) 80 Asthma 60 CardiacArrhythmias 60 Depression(SSRI) 62 Diabetes 57 HepatitisC(HCV) 47 Incontinence 40 Migraine(acute) 52 Migraine(prophylaxis) 50 Oncology 25 Rheumatoidarthritis 50 Schizophrenia 60DivertingScienceFromNutritionThelateDr.DavidHorrobin,apsychopharmacologistandapioneerinthefieldofessentialfattyacids,askedthequintessentialquestioninhisarticle,“Whydowenotmakemoremedicaluseofnutritionalknowledge?Howaninadvertentalliancebetweenreductionistscientists,holisticdietitiansanddrugorientedregulatorsandgovernmentshasblockedprogress.”Hewasprobablyfrustratedwithbeing



misquotedsooftenovertheyears,thushemadehispointperfectlyclearintheunwieldytitleofhispaper.161Dr.Horrobinwasabrilliantresearcherwhoquestionedwhethertherewas“SomethingRottenattheCoreofScience?”ina2001issueofTrendsinPharmacologicalSciences.162CommentingonananalysisofthemedicaljournalpeerreviewsystemandaU.S.SupremeCourtdecisionwhichquestionedtheauthorityofpeerreview,Dr.Horrobinconcludedthat,“Farfromfilteringoutjunkscience,peerreviewmaybeblockingtheflowofinnovationandcorruptingpublicsupportofscience.Horrobinandahandfulofscientistshavecomplainedaboutthepeerreviewprocessfordecades,tonoavail.Acrackinthearmorbeganinearnestwhentworesearchers,RothwellandMartyn,laboriouslyevaluatedreviewsofpaperssubmittedtotwoneurosciencejournals.Theyperformedastatisticalanalysisonthecorrelationsamongreviewers'recommendations.Theyconcludedthatnoneofthereviewersseemedtoagreeonanything!Horrobinlamentedthat,“Thecoresystembywhichthescientificcommunityallotsprestige(intermsoforalpresentationsatmajormeetingsandpublicationinmajorjournals)andfundingisanon‐validatedcharadewhoseprocessesgenerateresultslittlebetterthandoeschance.Giventhefactthatmostreviewersarelikelytobemainstreamandbroadlysupportiveoftheexistingorganizationofthescientificenterprise,itwouldnotbesurprisingifthelikelihoodofsupportfortrulyinnovativeresearchwasconsiderablylessthanthatprovidedbychance.”Horrobinnotedthatscientistsoftenbecomeangrybecausethepublicrejectstheresultsofthescientificprocess.However,theRothwellandMartynreportindicatesthatthepublicmaybeontherighttrackandiswaitingforsciencetodomorethanjuststateitssuperioritybutactuallyputitselftoobjectiveevaluation.Dr.Horrobinfoundthatinthemidstoftherejectionofsciencebythepublicthereisalsothefactthatpharmaceuticalresearchisfailing.AsstatedbyAngellpreviously,theannualnumberofnewchemicalentitiessubmittedforapprovalissteadilydeclining.Horrobinconcludedthatdrugcompaniesaremergingbecauseoffailure;itisnotameasureofsuccess.Inhisfieldofpsychopharmacology,Dr.Horrobinsaidhewasabletofindnoimprovementinthetreatmentofdepressionandschizophreniainthepastfortyyears.“Isitreallyasuccessthat27ofevery100patientstakingtheselective5‐HTreuptakeinhibitorsstoptreatmentwithinsixweekscomparedwiththe30ofevery100whotakea1950’stricyclicantidepressantcompound?” 161 Horrobin DF. “Why do we not make more medical use of nutritional knowledge? How an inadvertent alliance between reductionist scientists, holistic dietitians and drug-oriented regulators and governments has blocked progress.” Br J Nutr. 2003 Jul:90(1):233-8. 162 Horrobin, DF. “Something Rotten at the Core of Science?” Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, Vol. 22, No. 2, February 2001.



TheFutureofMedicineIsitGeneticEngineering?Whatisthefutureofhumangeneticengineering?ThisisthequestionaskedbyDr.WilliamLeiss,pastPresidentoftheRoyalSocietyofCanadaandawidelysoughtafteradvisoronthesocialandethicalimplicationsof“riskcontroversiesandpublicpolicy.”Inaninterviewavailableonline,Leiss9attemptstowarngovernmentandthepublicaboutgallopingtechnology.Dr.Leisssaysthereisanunresolvedtensionbetweentwocompetingaspectsofthescientificrevolutioninthemodernworld.Thereisabattlebetweeninventivescience‐thecreationofproducts,andtransformativescience,whichresultsinculturalchange.Inventivesciencegoesfromtriumphtotriumphvirtuallyuncontestedandisbolsteredbyunlimitedfunding.EventhoughFrancisBaconinthe1600’schampionedinventionsasawayofimprovingthehumanrace,itwasnotuntiltheendofthe1800’sthatBacon’sdreamwasrealized.Thefirstinventionswereinthefieldofchemistry.Transformativesciencewaschampionedinthe1700’sasawayofnotjustunderstandingandovercomingnaturebutasanimportantnewwayoforganizingthebasisofsocialinstitutions,promotinguniversaleducationandrenderingsocialpoliciesandinstitutesmorehumaneandjust. Dr.Leissremindsusofthemanyriskswehaveovercomethroughadvancementininventionandtransformativescience.Wherewouldwebeifitwerenotforthemanyproductsthathaveadvancedtheworldthroughchildbirthmorality,infantandchildhoodmortality,infectiousdiseases,malnutrition,personalsecurity,accidents,birthcontrol,treatmentofmentaldisordersreflectedinanincreaseinaveragelifespan?Baconwouldbehappythatwehaveachievedresultsfarbeyondwhathehadexpected,however,Leissisafraidwedon’tknowwhentoputthebrakesontechnology.Healsoaskswhyhaveweacceptedwithoutchallengemostnewinventionsthathavedarkenedourdoor? Whenitcomestogeneticengineering,affectingourveryDNA,proponentsenvisionprogrammingperfectioninhumans,doublingthehumanlifespan,anddevelopingentirelynewlifeformsoncescientistshavemasteredthenecessarygenomethatwillsustainhumanlife. Leissthinksthatbythelate19thcentury,theproductsofsciencebegantobemoreimportantthanimprovementofsocietythroughtransformativescience.HeremindsusthatWorldWarIIbroughtusextremelyclosetonuclearwarandchangedtheworldimmeasurably.ButLeissfeelsthefinalfrontierisbiotechnologythatiscapableof“modifying”genesattheembryostage.ForneurodegenerativediseaseslikeHuntington’sChorea,thistreatmentcouldbeamiracle.Butwhatistostopscientistsfromenhancingnormalperformanceandcreatingsupergeniuses,superathletes,superentertainers,orsuperpoliticians.Manyquestionsareyettobeasked.Howwillthesechangesaffectthegenepool?Whataboutthenotionofextendinghumanlife?Leiss,withtonguefirmlyin‐cheek,speculatesabouta200‐yearlifespanandspendingthelast100yearsoflifeoncruiseships!



Dr.Epstein,aprofessorofenvironmentalandoccupationalmedicineatTheSchoolofPublicHealth,UniversityofChicago,spokeatTheLighthouseinNewYorkonNovember11,2001.Hesaidthatthiscenturyhasseentheemergenceofnewtechnologies:petrochemicalsdevelopedaround1940withnewmethodsoffractionaldistillationcreating1billionpoundsin1940,50billionby1950andnowanannualproductionof900billionpounds;asecondconcernisnucleartechnologyandfuel;athirdisgeneticengineering,anemergingtechnologywiththepotentialforirreversiblehealtheffects.Epsteinsays,thesetechnologiesoutstripanysocialmechanismthatwouldtrytocontrolthem.Therefore,wehaveacomplexsetoffactors,whichadduptoseeingtheactualabolitionanddesecrationofdemocraticstructurebycorporateinfluencesonnationalandgovernmentlevels.Mostjournalistsinaknee‐jerkreactioncheeronthetechnologies,saysDr.Epstein,andfurthermore,theyneverseeacarcinogentheydon’tlike.IsThereRoomintheGenePoolforPhamacogeneticists?LessthansixmonthsafterDr.Rosesmadehisstartlingannouncementthat90percentofdrugsonlyworkon30‐50percentofthepopulation,GlaxoSmithKlineKline(GSK)sponsoredaspecialeditionofthewell‐knownscientificjournal,Nature.Itwascalled“Nature:InsightonHumanGenomicsandMedicine”andGSKdefinedtheparametersofthejournalasfollows:

1. Pharmacogenetics‐exploringthegeneticbasisfordrugresponsetofindtherightmedicinefortherightpatient

2. DiseaseGenetics–studyingpatientpopulationswithcommondisease:asthma,depression,COPD,osteoarthritis,earlyonsetheartdisease,migraine–inordertoidentifydiseasesusceptibilitygenes

3. Genomics/Proteomics‐understandingthefunctionsofgenes,proteins,andtheircomplexinteractionstodiscoverandvalidatenewdrugtargetsandbiomarkers

4. Bioinformatics‐combiningbiology,genetics,statistics,andcomputersciencetobetterunderstandbiologicaltargetandpathwayinformation.

TheGSKcall‐to‐actionphraseis,“PrimingthePharmaceuticalPipelineinthePost‐GenomicEra.”GSKtriedtodistanceitselffromthegenehooplaofthepastdecadebystatingthat,“Genomichype,withitsimmediate,inflatedgoals,hasgivenwaytotheintelligentuseofgenetics,genomics,proteomics,andbioinformaticsindrugdiscoveryanddevelopment.”It’sstatedgoalistodetermineanindividual’sgeneticsusceptibilitytoaparticularmedication.Apictureofanadorable5year‐oldnamedZackframedtheclosingmessageoftheGSKintroduction.Thecaptionread,“Wehavethousandsofreasonstousegeneticsinthediscoveryofnewdrugs.Zackjusthappenstobeoneofthem.AtGlaxoSmithKline,wemakediscoveriesinmedicineeveryday.Yet,weneverforgettherealinspirationbehindallourhardwork.Domore.Feelbetter.Livelonger.Wehavethousandsofreasonstousegeneticsinthediscoveryofnewdrugs.”



ItseemsthatBigPharmaiswillingtogiveuptheone‐size‐fits‐allstrategythathasmadeitbillionsofdollars,infavorofmanipulatingdrugsandgenes.Ratherthanimprovingindividualbiochemistrywiththeuseofnutritionalproducts,itwillkeepitsdrugmonopolybytryingtomakethedrugfityouandnotyoutofitthedrug.SuppressionofAlternativeMedicalModalitiesWhilewehavetalkedabouttherushtoimplementnewtechnology,thathastehasneverbeenobservedwhenbigbusinessorBigPharmadidnotcontrolthemodality.Brilliantmedicalmodalities,inventedbyluminarieslikeGastonNaessens,RoyalRife,andStanislawBurzynski,havebeenactivelypreventedfromreachingthepublic.ThesuppressionofaboutadozenalternativeandtraditionalmedicalmodalitiesiscoveredinDanielHaley’sThePoliticsofHealing.HowardStrauss’bookHealingtheHopelessdescribestheeffective,yetsuppressed,workofhisgrandfather,Dr.MaxGersonandhisGersonTherapy.TheScientificMethodItisagonizinglycleartopeopleworkingwithnutritionalmedicinethatitisalmostimpossibletodesigntheproper“scientific”experimentsthatcan“prove”thatdiet,vitamins,minerals,andaccessorynutrientscanhaveapositiveeffectonhealthanddisease.Thereasonbeingthatadoubleblindscientificexperimentisolatesonedrug,orinthiscase,nutrient,andgivesittohalftheparticipantsandgivesaplacebototheotherhalfinordertodetermineifthereisadifference.Whendealingwithchronicconditions,theisolationofonenutrienttodetermineitseffectsseemsanimpossibletask.Commonsenseshouldtellyouthatthevariablesofdietandlifestyleandnutrientscouldnotbeisolatedandstudiedindependentlywhenitistheinteractionofallthesevariablesthatcreateslifeitself.VitamintherapyhasbeenactivelydiscouragedbecauseitcompeteswithBigPharma’sagendaofadrugmonopoly.Medicine,unlikeotherprofessions,hasnotalloweditsso‐calledscientificmethodologytoundergothepurgeofintellectualandintuitivebrainstorming.Perhapswearespendingallourtimetryingtofitroundpegsintosquareholes.Thenewconditionsthatareaffectingpeopleneedmoreimaginativethinkingthanweareallowing.Inpart,thisisbecausethespecialistsarebusilytryingtoprotecttheirownturf.WhenresearchingmineralsIhavetointerviewphysicists,biochemists,geologists,andcliniciansseparatelybecausetherearenoforumswheretheyshareinformation.GermVersusHostPasteurandBechampwererivals.Pasteurpromotedhisgermtheorythatgermsattackusandwefallill.Bechampbelievedthatour“terrain”orinnerenvironmentdetermineswhetherorwewillsuccumbtoaninfection.Doesanorganismattackandconqueranyandallindividualsitcomesincontactwithordoesanindividual’slackofresistanceorinherentconditionallowanorganismtotakehold?Commonsensetellsusthat’sit’sabitofboth,notoneortheother.Butit’sobviousthatPasteurwonthebattleandweareleftwiththebeliefthatwepoorunsuspecting



individualsstandingaroundmindingourownbusinessareattackedbymercilessgermsandthereisnotonethingwecandoaboutit.Thegermtheory,toacertainextent,relievesusofresponsibilityforourpartinillnessandhasfocusedmedicineforacenturyonfindingdrugstokilltheoffendinggerms.DeathbyGEFoodsWe’vetouchedupontheoveruseofantibioticsandhormonesinanimalsandthedeficiencyofmineralsinthesoil.Butwehavenotaddressedtheworldwideproblemofgeneticallyengineeredfoods.ThereisgrowingevidencethatGEfoodshavelowernutritionalvalue;canbehighlyallergenic;peoplecandevelopantibioticresistancefromGEcrops;pollutetheenvironment;transferGEgenestowildorcultivatedplants;createnewvirusesandtoxins;threatencropdiversity.TheriseinallergiesoverthepastdecadeparallelstheintroductionofGEfoodsintoourdiet. EnvironmentalistssaywecanprotectourselvesfromGEfoodsbysupportingorganicfarmingandhelpingtoensurethatorganicstandardsremainstrict.However,thatdoesn’tpreventtheaccidentalordeliberatecontaminationofourfoodsupplywithGEfoods.Andwemustbepreparedtodefineorganicstandards,whichareconstantlybeingthreatened.BigAgrawouldliketoloosenthestandardsonorganicssothatitcanusesewagesludge,GEseeds,andirradiationandstilldeclareitsproductsorganic. InSeptember2006GreenpeaceannouncedthatanunapprovedGEricebeingtestedbytheBayerCorporationintheU.S.wasfoundinthemarketplaceinChinaandGermany.Therice,geneticallyengineeredtowithstandheavyapplicationofglufosinateapowerfulherbicide,hadapparentlycontaminatedU.S.longgrainricewithnowayofknowingtheextentofadulteration.WhileGreenpeaceistestingricearoundtheworldforthemutantform,theanswerfromtheUSDAistofasttracktheexperimentalriceandallowitonthemarketinspiteofprotestsaboutnotenoughsafetytesting,potentialallergiesandotherhealthrisks.TheUSDAistryingtoheadoffalegalnightmareforBayersinceitsGEricecouldalreadybeinU.S.foodproductsandaninternationaltradecatastrophe.JapanisbanningallU.S.riceimportsandEuropeisrejectingallimportsthattestpositiveforcontamination.KeepuptodateontheGEfoodsbattleathttp://www.i‐sis.org.uk/index.php,thehomesiteofscientist‐activistDr.Mae‐WanHo.DeathbyNanotechnologyDidyouknowthattinymanmadeparticles,onebillionthofameterinsize,smallerthanacellbutlargerthananatomareinvadingourworld?Nanotechnologyisanewsciencethatclaimsthesetinyparticleshavemanyadvantagesandhasunleashedthemintothemarketplace.Theymakeproductslikecosmetics,shampoos,andsunscreenssmoother.Theyallowgearsandmovingpartsinmachinerymoremobility.Theyarebeingtestedingenetherapydeliverysystemsandcancerdiagnostictests.Theirapplicationsareunlimitedandtheiruseiswidespreadbut



theyhaven’tbeentestedfortheirhealtheffects.Nanoparticlesaresosmallthattheyareabsorbedthroughtheskinandcanendupanywhereinthebody.Labtestingdoesshowthattheycancauseinflammation,braincelldamage,andcanbecarcinogenic.163

163 http://www.organicconsumers.org/2006/article_2152.cfm



CHAPTER8DEATHBYCANCERINC.

Moneyoftencoststoomuch.RalphWaldoEmerson

Millionsofdoctorshavestudieddisease.Fewhavestudiedhealth.

‐Anonymous

WhyFixaSystemThat’sEarningBillionsDrugcompaniesandmodernmedicinedonotseetheneedtochangewhattheyaredoing.Afteralltheyaremakingbillionsofdollars,sotheirstrategistswonderwhytheyshouldchangeawinninggame.Doctorsareearningasizeableincome,andAmericanmedicalconventionsattract20,000‐30,000participantswherenewerandmoreexpensivedrugsandsurgicaltechniquesaretouted.Modernmedicineisverypleasedwiththemonopolyithascreated.However,forthemajorityofNorthAmericans,modernmedicineisalosinggame.Thisisnowheremoreevidentthaninthebusinessofcancer.CancerInc.Ifsomethingisnotworkinginabusinessdowekeepdoingwhatdoesn’twork?Absolutelynot!Thatwouldbestupidifnotinsane.Thereforewhydowekeepusingthesamemethodsofattackoncancerwhenfortyyearsofthesameapproachhasbeendisastrous?Thatis,ifonequestionswhetherourendpointistosavemorelives!Youmaythinkthatthereisnootherwaytotreatcancerthanbysurgery,chemotherapy,andradiationbecauseyourinformationaboutthisdiseasecomesfrommodernmedicinealone.Mediacoverageofcancerreinforcesthemodernmedicinewaytotreatthisdevastatingdiseaseeveryday.Unfortunately,wedon’thearaboutthemajoradvancesthathavebeenmadeusingnaturalmedicine.Infact,asmuchasthereisawaroncancer,thereseemstobeawaragainstpeoplefindingoutthattherearealternativetreatmentstocancerandthereareevenmorewaysweshouldbemobilizingoursocietytopreventthediseaseinthefirstplace.Thewaroncancerexemplifiestherigidityofmodernmedicineandtheextenttowhichthemedicalestablishmentandthepharmaceuticalcompanieswillgotomaintainamonopolyonmedicine,evenifitiskillingus.LosingtheWaronCancerThefollowingoverviewofthefailingwaroncancerwillmakemanyfeeluncomfortable.Almostallofushavebeentouchedbycancerandpraythatwedotherightthingforourlovedoneswhentheydevelopthisdisease.Thisoverview



maymakeusmadbecausewehaven’tdoneenoughtoensurethatourlovedoneshavegottenthepropercare.Butthissectiononcancerandtheentirechapterandbookshouldmakeusquestionwhyweareallowingmodernmedicinetocontinuetooperateasamonopolyandnotamorelevelplayingfieldwithothertherapies. Medicalcancerwriter,Dr.RalphW.Moss,Ph.D.,inhisWeeklyCancerDecisionsnewsletteraboutthe40thannualmeetingoftheAmericanSocietyforClinicalOncology(ASCO)in2004statesthathefound,inspiteofthefactthatonedoctorpresentedareportshowingthat91percentofcancerpatientsseeksomeformofalternativemedicine(whatwecallnaturalmedicine),therewerealmostnopresentationsoncancerandnaturalmedicineattheconference.164It’sasifitdoesn’tevenexist. Weallknowthatcancerisabigbusiness;youmaynotknowthatmodernmedicalconventionsthemselvesarealsobigbusiness.Itisnotunusualtoseeten,twenty,oreventhirtythousandparticipantsinconventioncentersthesizeofsmalltowns.AtthisparticularASCOconvention,Dr.Mossreportsthattherewere25,000participants,mostlymedicaloncologists.Togivesomeperspective,atraditionalmedicalconferenceofnaturopathicdoctors,alternativemedicinepractitioners,herbalists,oracupuncturists,atmostmighthave1,000attendees.AsDr.Mossnotes,thousandsofcancerdoctors“…cametolectureandbelecturedtoaboutthelatestadvancesincancertreatment.Inadditiontothegargantuanplenarysessions,therewerehundredsofsmallersessions,approximately1,500posterandoralpresentations,and8,500otherresearchsummariesgivenasabstracts.”ChemotherapyCocktailsThefocusoftheresearchpresentedwasonhowtomixdifferentchemotherapeuticdrugswithwhatiscalled“targeteddrugtherapies”.Therewerenonewbreakthroughs;nobodytalkedaboutthefailuretowinthewaroncancer.Theyjustcontinuedtheillusionthattheyareheroesfightingthewaroncancerandhelpingpeople.FortuneMagazine’sExpose'onCancerCliftonLeaf,ExecutiveEditorofFortunemagazineandhimselfasurvivorofadolescentHodgkin'sdisease,alsoreportedonthisparticularconvention,hisownpersonalexperience,andhisresearchintothewaroncancer.Hisarticle,“LosingtheWaronCancer,”inFortune,March,2004,isnothingshortofdevastatingbutnettedbarelyablipontheradarscreenofthemajormedia.165 Mr.Leafsaidthatweheareverydayaboutnewcancerdrugbreakthroughsthat

164 Moss RW. WeeklyCancerDecisions.com Newsletter #137. June 13, 2004. 165 Leaf C. “Losing the War on Cancer.” Fortune, March, 2004.



claimthecureisinsight."Butit'snot,"hesays."Hopeandoptimism,soessentialtothisfight,havemaskedsomeveryrealsystemicproblemsthathavemadethiscomplex,elusive,relentlessfoeevenhardertodefeat…wearefarfromwinningthewar.Sofaraway,infact,thatitlookslikelosing." Herearesomeshockingfacts(presentedinpointform)aboutourlosingbattlethatMr.Leafexpandedoninhiswidelyreadmainstreamjournal.WhiletheyareU.S.statistics,wecanapplythemequallytoCanadianssufferingwiththisdiseaseandtothewaroncancerinCanada:

1. Eachandevery14months,moreAmericanswilldiefromcancerthanhavediedfromeverywarthattheU.S.hasfought…combined.

2. CancerisabouttoreplaceheartdiseaseasthenumberoneU.S.killer.Itisalreadythebiggestkillerinmanyagegroups.(OurDeathbyMedicinestatisticsshowthatthenumberonekillerismedicalerrors.SeeAppendixB.)

3. Evenadjustingforage,thepercentageofAmericansdyingfromcancerisaboutthesameasitwasin1971(whenNixondeclaredthewaroncancer)orevenbackin1950!

4. Themuch‐toutedimprovementinsurvivalfromcancerislargelyamyth."Survivalgainsforthemorecommonformsofcanceraremeasuredinadditionalmonthsoflife,"saysLeaf,"notyears."Yettheheadlinestrytomakeitseemlikemuchmore.

5. Mostoftheimprovementinlongevityofcancerpatientscanbeattributedtolifestylechanges(thepromotionofwhichhasnotbeenaconspicuouspriorityfortheNationalCancerInstitute)andespeciallytoearlydetection.

6. Afewdramaticbreakthroughs(suchasinHodgkin'sdisease)occurredintheearlydaysofthewaroncancer.Therehasbeenlittlesubstantialprogressinrecentdecades…despitenearlyubiquitousclaimstothecontrary.

7. AccordingtoonebiostatisticianatM.D.AndersonCancerCenter,long‐termsurvivalfromcommoncancers(suchasprostate,breast,colorectalandlung)"hasbarelybudgedsincethe1970’s."

8. AccordingtoAndyGrove,thechairmanofIntelandamajorcancerfinancer,"It'slikeaGreektragedy.Everybodyplayshisindividualparttoperfection,everybodydoeswhat'srightbyhisownlife,andthetotaljustdoesn'twork."

9. Thecancereffortis"utterlyfragmented‐somuchsothatit'snearlyimpossibletotrackdownwherethemoneytopayforallthisresearchiscomingfrom."

10. LeafestimatesthatU.S.$14.4billionisspenteachyearoncancerresearchalone."Whenyouadditallup,Americanshavespent…closeto$200billion,ininflation‐adjusteddollars,since1971."Itiscertainlyjustifiabletoaskforanaccounting.

11. Researchhasbecomeincreasinglyirrelevanttothereal‐lifeproblemsfacedbycancerpatients."Thenarrowertheresearchniche,"saysLeaf,"thegreatertherewardstheresearcherislikelytoattain."



TheBasicFlawofCancerResearchLeafwarnsthatcancerresearchisfundamentallyflawedinitsorientation.Hesaysthisisbecausecancerscientistshaveappliedthesametacticstheyhaveinallotherdiseasesandself‐confidentlycreated"animalmodels"andartificialcelllinesthatsupposedlymimicanequivalenthumandisease,suchasbreast,colonorlungcancer.Thesescientiststhentriumphantly"cure"cancerintheselaboratorymodelsoverandoveragainwiththeirchemotherapydrugs.Butcelllinesandtumorsgrowinginmicearedrasticallydifferentfromspontaneoushumantumors,thekindthatafflictusandourmothersandfathers.Whenyoubeginwithaflawedmodel,youendupwithflawedresults.Peoplethattrytokeepupwithcancerresearchhavebecomeaccustomedtoanendlessseriesofso‐calledbreakthroughsinmicethatneverseemtoworkinclinicaltrialsinactualhumanpatients.Butbythattimethereisnoheadlinetellingpeopleaboutyetanotherfailure,wejustkeepseeingthefalse‐hopeheadlines.VariousresearchersinMr.Leaf’sarticlemadethefollowingstatements:"Afundamentalproblem,whichremainstobesolvedinthewholecancerresearcheffort,intermsoftherapies,isthatthepre‐clinicalmodelsofhumancancer,inlargepart,stink."‐Dr.RobertWeinberg,MassachusettsInstituteofTechnology(MIT).“Cancerresearcherssay,'I'vegotamodelforlungcancer!'“Well,"saysProf.BruceChabnerofHarvardUniversity,"Itain'tamodelforlungcancer,becauselungcancerinhumanshasahundredmutations.Itlookslikethemostcomplicatedthingyou'veeverseengenetically.""Hundredsofmillionsofdollarsarebeingwastedeveryyearbydrugcompaniesusingthesemodels,"saysWeinberg.“Butwiththehugeprofitstobemadefromtumor‐shrinkingdrugs…whatincentivedotheyhavetostop?”"Itisexcitingtoseeatumorshrinkinmouseormanandknowthatadrugisdoingthat,”saysLeaf."Itisameasurablegoal."But,headds,"Tumorregressionbyitselfisactuallyalousypredictorfortheprogressionofdisease."Thesadtruthisthat"regressionisnotlikelytoimproveaperson'schancesofsurvival."166TurningaBlindEyetoMetastasesBycontrast,whatreallymatters,saysLeaf,isstoppingmetastases(secondarygrowths),whichkillthegreatmajorityofcancerpatients."Soyou'dthinkthatcancerresearcherswouldhavebeenbearingdownonthisinsidiousphenomenonforyears,"hesays.Inreality,quitetheoppositeistrue.Fortunemagazine'sexaminationofNCIgrants,goingbackto1972,revealedthatlessthan0.5percentofstudyproposalsfocusedprimarilyonmetastases.Ofnearly8,900grantproposalsawardedlastyear,92percentdidn'tevenmentionthewordmetastasis. 166 http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/c/cancer/basics.htm



AccordingtoDr.JoshFidlerofM.D.Anderson,thestudyofmetastasesisavoidedbycancerresearchersbecauseitisatoughandsofarunfruitfulfield,andnotlikelytoyieldquickandeasyresults.Instead,researchersfocusontechniquesandavenuesthattheyknowwillproducemeasurableresultsinthelaboratory.Theattitude,Fidlersays,is,"Here'sanantibodyIwilluse,andhere'sblah‐blah‐blah‐blah,andthenIgetthemoney.”167ThecurrentcropofnewcancerdrugsisalsoroundlycriticizedinMr.Leaf’sarticle.AEuropeanstudyshowedthatoftwelvenewanticancerdrugsapprovedinEuropebetween1995and2000,nonewereanybetterintermsofimprovingsurvival,qualityoflife,orsafetythanthosetheyreplaced.Theonlyadvantageofproducingthesenewdrugswasforthedrugcompaniesbecausetheyweremanytimesmoreexpensivethantheolderdrugs.Leafsaysthatonedrugwas350timesmorecostly.Howonearthdothesedrugsbecomeapprovediftheydon’tdoanythingandcostsomuch?Forexample,Avastin,Leaflearned,"managedtoextendthelivesofsome400patientswithterminalcolorectalcancerby4.7months."AboutErbitux,ataweeklycostof$2,400,Leafsaid,"Althoughitdidindeedshrinktumors,ithasnotbeenshowntoprolongpatients'livesatall.”168Itbecomesaterriblegallowsjoke:thetumorshrunkbutthepatientdied.Yettheshrinkingtumorisallthatthedrugcompaniesseemtocareaboutsotheycanpromotetheircancerdrugsonthatbasis.IsAnybodyListening?WhathappenedtoLeaf’simportantdocumentationofthedemiseofcancerresearch?Notmuchatall.Youwouldexpectittomaketheheadlinesandforhimtodotheroundoftalkshows.Butnosuchthinghappened.Dr.Mossnoted,“ThetotalnumberofcitationsatGoogleNewsforthisarticlewasaboutthree(outof4,500newssources).Bycomparison,atthetimeofitsannouncement,Erbituxwasgeneratingover1,000articlesperdayinthesamesearchengine.”169TheBigBusinessofthecancerindustryitselfissurvivingbecauseofthesupportofBigMedia.Drugcompaniesandtheiradvertisingagenciesprovidethemediacontent,advertisingcopy,andfundingforthethousandsofmediaoutletsthatbrainwashuswithdirect‐to‐consumeradvertising.EnoughtoMakeYouWeepDr.MossendshisreportwithacommentonthelackofattentionpaidtoMr.Leaf’sFortunemagazinearticle.Hesays,“Itisenoughtomaketheangelsweep.”Mossknowsthatalongwiththewaroncancerthereisalsoawarbetweenmodernmedicineandanythingthatlookslikeacompetitivechallengeagainstit,ratherthananopportunitytohelpsociety.Mossembracesnaturalmedicine’soptionsandchoicesofferingsolutionstotheopenminded.Inhisbook,CancerTherapyand

167 http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/c/cancer/basics.htm 168 Leaf C. “Losing the War on Cancer.” Fortune, March, 2004. 169 www.toxicteeth.org/Mercury%20survey.pdf



AntioxidantsAgainstCancer,Mossreviewsoverahundrednaturaltreatments,manyofwhichcouldbeusefullypursuedbythosetryingtotreatorpreventcancer.ChemotherapyDoesNotCureDr.RalphRoss’bookreviewofOvertreated:WhyTooMuchMedicineIsMakingUsSickerandPoorerbyShannonBrownleepicksupwheretheFortunemagazinearticleends.170Brownlee“becameinterestedinthelargelyhiddenandunexploredissueofovertreatmentwhen,in1999,asastaffmedicalwriteratUSNews&WorldReport,shebeganresearchinghighdosechemotherapyandbonemarrowtransplantation‐adrastictreatmentforbreastcancerthatwasthencausingimmenseexcitementinthemediaandmedicalprofession.Morethan40,000womenunderwentthisprocedure,andmorethan9,000diedasadirectresultofit,beforeproperlydesignedclinicaltrialsshowedunequivocallythathighdosechemotherapyandbonemarrowtransplantationwasnobetterthanstandardtreatment.”MossquotesBrownleesaying:

“AsIdugmoredeeplyintothehistoryofhighdosechemotherapy,Ilearnedthatmedicinewasoftendrivenmorebymoneythanbyscience,andthatmanyofthe"cures"thatweinthepresswroteaboutovertheyearsdidn'tpanoutwhen‐andif‐theywereactuallyputtoatest.Ialsobegantowonderabouttheconnectionsbetweenthelackofgoodsciencebehindalotofmedicineandourhealthcaresystem.WhywasAmericanhealthcaresomuchmoreexpensivepercapitathanhealthcareinotherindustrializedcountries,andgettingpricierbytheyear?Andwhywereourhealthstatisticssomuchworse?"

U.S.CancerCostsTheNationalInstitutesofHealthpublished“TheNationalEconomicBurdenofCancer”in1990.Atthattime,thedirectcostofcancer,derivedfromthefiguresforcareofpatientswas$35.3billion.Thisdidnotincludelostproductivityfromabsencefromwork,orlostproductivityduetoprematuredeath.Theamountpaidforallhealthcarecostsin1990was$585billion.171TheNationalCancerInstitute(2003)publishedanupdateoncancercostsattheirwebsite,ironicallycallingit“CancerProgressReport2003”.172Butwearen’tmakingprogressagainstcancer.Althoughthereportclaimstobea2003update,itsfiguresonlygoupto1995‐“themostrecentyearforwhichthereisinformation”.In1995,cancertreatmentaccountedforabout$41billion,almost5percentoftotalU.S.spendingformedicaltreatment.From1985to1995,theoverallcostsoftreating 170 Moss RW. WeeklyCancerDecisions.com Newsletter #137. June 13, 2004. 171 Brown, M.L. “The National Economic Burden of Cancer: An Update.” Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 1990;82:1881-1814. Office of the Actuary, Health Care Financing Administration. 172 Brown ML, Lipscomb J, Snyder C. “The burden of illness of cancer: economic cost and quality of life.” Annual Review of Public Health. 2001;22:91-113. .



cancermorethandoubled.Cancerspendingincludesanadditional$5billionto$10billionin2000spentoncancerscreening. Basedon1990data,thetotaleconomicburdenofcancerin1996wasanestimated$143.5billion,whichincludeddirectandindirectmedicalcosts,andcostsoflostproductivity.Theauthorsofthereportacknowledgedthat,“Treatmentofbreast,lungandprostatecancers,accountformorethanhalfofthedirectmedicalcosts.”Almostadecadelater,wewonderwhatthetotalcostofcanceristoday.CancerCostsinCanada:Fromthewebsitewrongdiagnosis.comcomesanin‐depthoverviewofthecostofcancer,givingussomemind‐numbingstatisticsabouthowmuchwearespendingwithverylittlevisiblereturn.3Thefollowingarestatisticswiththeirsourceinbrackets:

1. $14.2billionwasspentoncancerinCanada1998(SurveillanceandRiskAssessmentDivision,CCDP,HealthCanada)(NotetheU.S.spendsalmostasmuchonresearchalone‐$14.4billion,asCanadaspendsonallcancercare.)

a. $2.5billionwenttowarddirectcostsforcancerinCanada1998(SurveillanceandRiskAssessmentDivision,CCDP,HealthCanada)

b. $1.8billioninhospitalcareforcancerinCanada1998(SurveillanceandRiskAssessmentDivision,CCDP,HealthCanada)

c. $210millionspentontreatmentdrugsforcancerinCanada1998(SurveillanceandRiskAssessmentDivision,CCDP,HealthCanada)

d. $80millionspentonresearchforcancerinCanada1998(SurveillanceandRiskAssessmentDivision,CCDP,HealthCanada)

e. $11.8billioninindirectspendingforcancerinCanada1998(SurveillanceandRiskAssessmentDivision,CCDP,HealthCanada)

f. $962millioninlong‐termdisabilitycostsforcancerinCanada1998(SurveillanceandRiskAssessmentDivision,CCDP,HealthCanada)

g. $174millioninshort‐termdisabilitycostsforcancerinCanada1998(SurveillanceandRiskAssessmentDivision,CCDP,HealthCanada)

2.The3rdgreatesthealthexpenseinCanadaiscancer(CanadianCancer

Statistics,NationalCancerInstituteofCanada,2004)TheCancerBusinessinCanadaHelkeFerrie,inherVitalitymagazinearticle“NewPerspectivesintheWaronCancer,”shedslightonthebusinessofcancer.HelkereportsontwoCanadiancancerconferencesheldin1999.Conferencespeakersandparticipantscamefromfifty‐fivecountriesaroundtheworldwithauniversaldeclarationthatTamoxifen,genetherapy,andmammogramsweredangerousillusions.“EverydayCarcinogens:StoppingCancerBeforeitStarts”washeldinHamiltoninMarch1999,andthefive‐day“SecondWorldConferenceonBreastCancer”occurredinJulyinOttawa.In1999cancerwasclaimingthelivesof



oneinfour,andoneintwopeoplewoulddevelopitintheirlifetime.Thosecancersthatcontinuetoskyrocketarehormonedependentcancersofthebreast,prostate,andtesticles,andvariouscancersinchildren.CancerPreventionisCrucialExpertsatthesetwoconferencesmadeitclearthatthecausesofcancerareknownandbecausetheyareknown,cancercanbeprevented.InCanada,ofthe$100‐millionbudgetoftheCanadianCancersociety,notasinglegrantapplicationin1998dealtwithprevention.Lessthan3percentoftheannualU.S.NationalCancerInstitutes’budgetisspentonprevention,whichusuallyamountstoantismokingprograms.Importantasthoseprogramsare,itisthecancersunrelatedtosmoking,drinking,lackofexercise,etc.,thathaveincreasedthemost..ItwasattheHealthCanada‐sponsoredconferenceinHamiltonthatDr.SamuelEpsteinmadethefollowingboldandtruthfulstatementinhiskeynotespeech:"Preventiveoncologyisanoxymoron.Wehavesomuchinformationoncancerprevention,whichwearenotusing.Iwouldn'tgiveadamnifwedidn'tdoanymoreresearchforthenext50years."Dr.Epstein,professorofenvironmentalandoccupationalmedicineatTheSchoolofPublicHealth,UniversityofChicago,wasinstrumentalinthebanonDDTandisalife‐longpromoterofcancerprevention.AttheHamiltonconference,Dr.Epsteinlambastedthecancersocietiesblamingthemforthecancerepidemicbysayingthat,"Theworldwidecancerepidemicisprimarilytheresponsibilityofthecancerestablishment,comprisedoftheAmericanandCanadianCancerSocietiesandtheNationalInstitutesofHealthofbothcountries.Ontheirboardssitpeoplewhoaredirectlyconnectedtotheveryindustriesthatareknowntoproducecarcinogens.”173CausingCancerandSellingtheCureHelkeFerriewritesthatdrugcompaniesprofitfromcausingcancerandfromtreatingit.Ferriewrotethat,“Zeneca’sannualrevenuesfromthecancerdrugTamoxifenareat$470‐million;thesamecompanyalsomakesover$300‐millionannuallyonthecarcinogenicherbicide,Acetochlor,andotherchlorineproducts.” CurrenttherapywasputinitsplaceasDr.EpsteindescribedthebreastcancerpreventiondrugTamoxifenasa"arip‐roaringlivercarcinogen."Dr.RosalieBertell,aGreyNun,whoisaninternationallyrespectedradiationexpert,showedevidencethatmammographyisonlyabletodiagnosecancersevenyearsafteritbegins.Evenworse,theionizingradiationiscumulative,whichtranslatesintomammographycausingmorecancerthanitdetects.Evenwhentherearesafealternatives,suchasthermography,themammogramindustrystillholdssway.(SeetheResourcessectionforinformationonthermography.) 173 “Everyday Carcinogens: Stopping Cancer Before It Starts.” March 26-27, 1999. McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.



TheGeneticDistractionTryingtoblamecancerongenesisanotherstorycreatedbydrugcompaniestodirectfundingtoresearchinthatarea.Thetheorythatcancerisgeneticisamarketingmyththatwasroundlyrejectedbyexpertsatthetwo1999Canadianconferences.Theworldwideepidemicofcancerhashappenedinthelasttwogenerations,farfasterthancouldbeexpectedbyevolutionarymutation.FerriequotesabluntstatementmadebyDr.SusanLoveinthedocumentaryfilmExposure:"Wehaveperfectlygoodgenes,andthensomethingcomesalongtoscrewthemup."Weallknowthat"something"isthechemicalsoupweliveinpresentedtousbythechemicalindustry,agriculture,andthemilitary.OtherpowerfulwomenspokeupattheHamiltonconference.NancyEvans,awell‐knowndocumentaryfilmmakerwarned,"Wehavebecomethebodiesofevidence."CornellUniversityecologistandauthorofLivingDownstream,andHavingFaith:AnEcologist’sJourneytoMotherhood,SandraSteingraber,toldtheaudience,"Acancercellismade,notborn."Steingrabernotedinhersecondbookthat“Afterthetunasandwichesandcow’smilkareallconsumed,therestillremainsonemorechanceforthecontaminantstheycarrytomagnify,andthattakesplaceinsidethebreastsofnursingmothers,wherethecaloriesgleanedfromfoodaretransferredintohumanmilk.Whenitcomestopersistentorganicpollutants,breastmilkisthemostcontaminatedofallhumanfoods.”Herbook,HavingFaithmakesadoptingThePrecautionaryPrinciplemandatory.ThePrecautionaryPrincipleDr.DevraLeeDavis,internationallyrenownedtoxicologistandepidemiologistoftheWorldResourcesInstituteinWashington,D.C.,spokeabouttheneedtoadopttheprecautionaryprinciple.Ifinstituted,thiswouldrequireindustrytoprovethatanewsubstancecausesnoharm.Itisanincrediblytimelyandvalididea.However,industrywillfightagainstanytamperingwithitsrighttosellchemicals.Atpresent,citizensinNorthAmericahavetoproveasubstanceisdangerousbeforeitcanbebannedorrestricted.Dr.Steingraber,whoisalsoaU.S.presidentialadvisoroncancerprevention,saysthepreventionofcancerhas"becomeahumanrightsissue"whichcanonlybetackledwith"old‐fashionedpoliticalorganization".Thatiswhyshe,alongwithmanyother"scientists,arenowgoingdirectlytothepublic"inordertoexpose"thedeceptionattheheartofthechemicalindustry,namelythatthesepesticidesarenecessary".AmericanCancerSocietyPreventsFewCancersDr.SamuelEpsteincallstheAmericanCancerSociety“TheWorld’sWealthiest‘Non‐profit’Institution”intheInternationalJournalofHealthSciences.174Withintegrity

174 Epstein SS. "American Cancer Society: The World's Wealthiest 'Non-profit' Institution," International Journal of Health Services, Vol. 29, No. 3, 1999.



andcourage,Dr.Epsteinhasbeenfightingadecades‐longpassionatebattlewiththevestedinterestsofthecancermonopoly.Asdomanyofusinthefieldofnaturalmedicine,Dr.SamuelEpsteinarguesthattheAmericanCancerSociety(ACS)wouldfulfillitsoriginalmandatetohelppeoplebychannelingitsvastresourcestowardcancerpreventionratherthantreatment.HesaysthattheACShastoomanyinfluentialmemberswhobenefitfinanciallyfromtreatingcancerthattheywouldneversanctionitsprevention.Thegovernment‐runNationalCancerInstitute(NCI)isanotherorganizationthatDr.Epsteinbelievesisnotinterestedincancerpreventionandhehasbeenrailingagainstitspoliciesformanyyears.However,Dr.Epstein’smessageislargelyignoredbythemainstreampress…justanothercaseofpublicincredulity,denial,andmediaboycott.SupportingDr.EpsteinonhisanalysisoftheACS,Dr.JohnDiamondandDr.LeeCowdenwriteinAnAlternativeMedicineDefinitiveGuidetoCancerthattheACShasaverynastytrackrecordofopposinglegislationthatcanhelppreventcancer‐alltheirsupportgoestowardchemotherapyandsurgicaltreatments.Forexample,theyrefusedtojoinacoalition(consistingofMarchofDimes,AmericanHeartAssociation,andtheAmericanLungAssociation)tosupporttheCleanAirActthatwouldreduceairbornecarcinogens.NeitherwouldtheACSbacktheToxicSubstancesControlAct,andneveroncehavetheyenteredthefightforcleanwaterlegislation.MoredamningisthefactthattheACSopposedtheFDA'sbanonsaccharin.PerhapsitwasbecauseoneyearearlierthesocietyhadtakengrantmoneyfromCocaCola,auserofsaccharin.Theyalsofailtosupport,oroutrightopposed,occupationalsafetystandards;effortstoreduceradiationexposure;andotherformsofenvironmentallyorientedcancerprevention.Thedoctorscommentthat,“Lookingattheevidence,wewonderifACSactuallybenefitsfromthepromotionofcancer."AccordingtoBurtonGoldberg,thepublisherofAnAlternativeMedicineDefinitiveGuidetoCancer,"thefieldofU.S.cancercareisorganizedaroundamedicalmonopolythatensuresacontinuousflowofmoneytothepharmaceuticalcompanies,medicaltechnologyfirms,researchinstitutes,andgovernmentagenciessuchastheFDAandtheNationalCancerInstitute,andtheAmericanCancerSociety(ACS).”175TheSecretHistoryoftheWaronCancerThisisthetitleofDr.DevraDavis’newbookthatraisessomeextremelyimportantquestionsaboutwhydrugcompaniesmanufactureandsellbothdrugsandtoxicchemicals.Davisshows,decadebydecade,howthecancercampaignhastargetedthediseaseandbrutallyignoredthethingsthatcauseit—tobacco,alcohol,theworkplace,andotherenvironmentalhazards.Overlookedandsuppressedwasany

175 Diamond John W, MD, Cowden W. Lee, MD, with Burton Goldberg. An Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide to Cancer. Future Medicine Publishing, Inc., Tiburon, California, 1997.



considerationofhowtheworldinwhichweliveandworkaffectswhetherwegetcancer.Davissaysthattheresultisappalling:over10millionpreventablecancerdeathsoverthepastthirtyyears.Sheisconvincedthatthishasbeennoaccident.Itgoesintotheeugenicsissueandhowthechemicalindustryhasbeeninvolvedfordecades,howevidenceisdoctored,howtestimonyismanipulatedandisanimportantbooktoread.Shealsohitshardonhowthewholecancerindustryisfocusedondiagnosingandtreating(atlavishprices)ratherthanpreventingandcuringcancer.Sincethe1930swe’veknownhowtopreventandcurecancerandallthatinvaluableinformationisbeingcoveredup.OneofDavis’storiesisherexperienceasanexpertwitnessonthestandforamonthtestifyingagainstaproductcontainingabout10carcinogens.Thefinalquestionshewasaskedwas"whichoftheseingredientscausedtheperson'scancer"?Sinceshecouldonlyclaimcumulativeorsynergisticeffect,thecasewasdismissed.Likesomanylegalargumentsaboutdamagecausedbydrugs,thecourtrequiresspecificinformationthatisnotpossibletogiveandthedrugcompaniesexploitthatloophole,overandoverandoveragain.TheSoundofStocksCrashingAsIreportinmybook,HormoneBalance,“BadnewsspreadsfasteronWallStreetthanitdoesindoctor’soffices.WhilemanydoctorsremainedequivocalabouttheresultsoftheWHIstudy,itonlytookafewhoursforthestockmarkettoreact.SharesofWyeth,themakersofthe$2billiondollardrug(in2001sales)usedinthestudy,fellby19percent.Inactualsalesfigures,forthedrugsthemselves,salesofPremprofellfrom$888millionin2001to$292millionin2003.Inthesametwo‐yearperiodPremarinsalesfellfrom$1.2billionto$984million….ItmustberememberedthatittakesfifteentotwentyyearsforcancertodevelopandtheWHItrialonlybeganin1991anditreallyshouldrununtil2011.WealsoknowthatwomenhavebeentakingPremarinsincethe1950’s,parallelingtheincreasedincidenceofbreastcancer.”176It’sintheCongressionalRecordItwouldnotbefittingtowriteachapteraboutthesorrystateofcancerresearchandtreatmentwithoutfurthermentionofPoliticsinHealing:TheSuppressionandManipulationofAmericanMedicine.FormerNewYorkAssemblyman,DanielHaley,wrotethisbookbecausehewassodisturbedbythelong‐standingsuppressionofnon‐toxicwaystocurepeopleofillness,particularlycancer.Thisbooktellsthestoryoftenofthemorehigh‐profilenon‐toxictreatmentsthathavebeensystematicallycondemnedratherthanheraldedandtreatedwiththerespecttheydeserve.177 TwoofthesetreatmentsweresubjectsofCongressionalinvestigationsinthe1950'sand1960'sbeforePresidentNixondeclaredhisWaronCancerin1971.Thefirst

176 Dean C. Hormone Balance. Adams Publishing. New York. 2005. 177 http://www.politicsinhealing.com/



treatmentistheHoxseyFormula,afamily‐ownedherbalcancercureownedbynaturopath,HarryHoxsey.TheHoxseyFormulawasthesubjectofpitchedbattlesbetweenDr.HoxseyandMorrisFishbein,thecontroversialeditoroftheAMA'sJournaloftheAmericanMedicalAssociation,andothersinthemedicalestablishmentforover25years.Decadesoffront‐pageheadlinesandlawsuitsprompteda1953U.S.Senateinvestigationofthesituation.TheofficialreportenteredintotheCongressionalRecordonAugust3,1953,statedthatthepersecutionofHoxseywasaweird"conglomerationofcorruptmotives,intrigue,selfishness,jealousy,obstruction,andconspiracy”.Itspecificallynamedasco‐conspirators,theU.S.SurgeonGeneral,theCounciloftheNationalCancerInstitute,theAmericanCancerSociety,andtheAMA.Unfortunately,thisfindingchangednothing.Persecutedunremittingly,HoxseywasforcedtomovehisclinictoMexico. Tenyearslater,awell‐knownandhighlyregardedresearchscientist,Dr.AndrewIvy,endedupatargetofsimilarpersecution.Ironically,itwasHarryHoxsey’snemesis,MorrisFishbein,whohadnominatedIvytoserveasaconsultantonmedicalethicsattheNurembergTrials,anditwasIvy'sCodeofMedicalEthics,whichwasadoptedatNuremburg.From1947to1951,IvyservedasExecutiveDirectoroftheNationalAdvisoryCancerCouncil,whichadvisedtheU.S.PublicHealthServiceonwheretospendmoneyoncancerresearch.IvywasalsoadirectoroftheAmericanCancerSocietywhereherepeatedlyurgedthecreationofaseriesoftreatmentcenterswherenon‐toxictherapiescouldbetriedonterminalcancerpatients.However,IvycrossedthelinewhenhebegantoutingthevirtuesofKrebiozen,apromisingnon‐toxiccancerdrug. Dr.Ivy,likeDr.Hoxsey,wasviciouslyattackedandtheuproarwassoloud,SenatorPaulDouglaspersonallyinvestigated,documentedandenteredintotheCongressionalRecordonDecember6,1963,manypagesofevidencetoshowwhathadhappened.Sen.DouglasfoundthattheAMA,theNationalCancerInstitute,theFDAandothersattheDepartmentofHealthandHumanServiceshadusedsecretevaluationcommitteesanderroneousscientificdocumentation,aswellasinnuendoesandthreatsofcriminalchargestounfairlydestroythereputationofDr.Ivy,aswellastodiscreditKrebiozen,adrugthatultimatelywaspreventedfrombeingmarketed. InPoliticsinHealing,DanHaleyalsotellsthestoriesoftheattacksonDr.WilliamF.Koch,RoyalRifeandtheRifetechnologies,DMSO,thestoryofColostrum,GastonNaessens,Dr.StanislawBurzynskiandhisneoplastintherapy.It’swellworthreadingtounderstandthehistoryofcancertherapysuppression,aswellaslearnabouttherapiesthatarestillusedtotreatcancer.



CHAPTER9DEATHBYMODERNCHEMICALS

"WhenU.S.industrialismturnedtoagricultureafterWorldWarII,forexample,itwentatitwithallthatithadjustlearnedonthebattlefield,usingtractorsmodeledonwartimetankstocutupvastfields,cropdustersmodeledonwartimeplanestospraypoisons,andpesticidesandherbicidesdevelopedfromwartimechemicalweaponsanddefoliantstodestroyunwantedspecies.Itwasawarontheland,sweepingandsophisticatedasmodernmechanizationcanbe,capableofdepletingtopsoilattherateof3billiontonsayearandwaterattherateof10billiongallonsayear.Itcouldbenootherway:Ifanationlikethisbeatsitsswordsintoplowshares,theywillstillbeviolentanddeadlytools."–KirkpatrickSale,TheNation,June5,1995

TakingIntoAccounttheEnvironment

“Overthepastonehundredyears,wehavehadatremendousloveaffairwithchemicalsandelectronicsandastrangemarriagewithscientificmethodology.Itissafetosaythatimportantadvancesinchemicals,pharmaceuticals,andscienceingeneralcameoutoftheWorldWarIIeffortandspaceresearch.Theunseenpotentialriskstothepublicwerepresumablyoutweighedbythecrisisofthetime.”TheMagnesiumMiracle(Dean,2007)

AftertheSecondWorldWarthechemicalindustryspawnedinGermanyexplodedintoNorthAmerica.ChemicalcompaniesandtheirsubsidiariesproducedmaterialgoodsthatwerethenmarketedtothepublicthroughslickMadisonAvenueadvertising.JustasfarmersweretoldtheyneededthenewcropdustersloadedwithDDTto‘protect’theircrops,weweremadetofeelthatweneededthenewplasticgoods.KeepingupwiththeJonesesbecameanobsession. Televisionbecamethebestadvertisinggimmickofthecentury.NotjustthecommercialsbutalsotheverycontentoftheprogramminghadeveryoneclamoringforthewayoflifethatTVpromoted.Weareveryengagedinthisseaofgoodsandservices,electronicsoftwareandhardware,yetnoonevotedfortheiruseandveryfewofusareawareoftheireffects.Noweverymagazineyoupickup,everychannelyouwatchonTVhasaspecialpresentationondestructionofourenvironment. InTheMagnesiumMiracle,Ialsoreportedonthe74thCongress,2ndSession.Document264beganwiththefollowingquestion:

"Doyouknowthatmostofustodayaresufferingfromcertaindangerousdietdeficiencieswhichcannotberemedieduntildepletedsoilsfromwhichourfoodcomesarebroughtintopropermineralbalance?”Thereportcontinued,“Thealarmingfactisthatfoods(fruits,vegetablesandgrains)nowbeingraisedon



millionsofacresoflandthatnolongercontainenoughofcertainmineralsarestarvingus‐nomatterhowmuchofthemweeat.”

Ialsocommentedthat“Todayfarmlandsareevenmoremineral‐deficientandfertilizersstilldon’tfullyreplacethoseminerals.Magnesiumisoneofthemostdepletedminerals,yetoneofthemostimportant.Weimaginethatmedicinehasadvancedtothestageofmiraclecures,yetit’snottechnologythatwe’relackingbutbasicnutrientsthatpowerourbodiesandgiveusourhealth.”2004StatisticsonCropNutritionIntheJournaloftheAmericanCollegeofNutritionDecember2004,astudybasedondatafromtheU.S.DAbyDrs.MelvinEppandHughRiordanattheUniversityofTexas,Austin,waspublishedonthenutritionalstatusof43gardencrops.Thesenutrientsincludedprotein,calcium,phosphorus,iron,riboflavinandascorbicacid.Thedeclines,rangedfrom6percentforproteinto38percentforriboflavin,andaccordingtotheauthorsraisesignificantquestionsabouthowmodernagriculturepracticesareaffectingfoodcrops.Theywereevenmoreconcernedaboutthosenutrientstheycouldn’tstudybecausetherewasnodatafrom1950onmagnesium,zinc,vitaminB‐6,vitaminE,dietaryfiber,orphytochemicals.Davissaid,"Ihopeourpaperwillencourageadditionalstudiesinwhicholdandnewcropvarietiesarestudiedside‐by‐sideandmeasuredbymodernmethods."ChemicalsTakeOverLetmegiveanoverviewofthetoxiceffectsofchemicalsonourenvironmentandsomeunderstandingofwhyweinNorthAmericaarelosingthemostvaluablepossessionwehave‐OurHealth. Thesheerweightofpesticides,herbicides,andfungicidesusedinindustryhaspollutedoursoilandwatertable.Theairemissionsandeffluentsfromcommercehavecontaminatedourairandwater.Allofwhichhavepoisonedthefoodchain;plants,fish,andanimals.Certainspecieslifecyclesandsexualreproductionisimpairedandtheyarebecomingendangered.Arehumansnext? Plantsgrownondevitalized,overworkedsoil,whichhasbeenpoisonedbyacidrainandthecontaminatedwatertable,arenutrientpoor.Syntheticfoodsubstitutesandprocessed,refinedfoodthataredevoidofnaturalvitaminsandmineralshavesyntheticvitaminsaddedtothem.Thebodydoesnotrecognizesyntheticsources;theymayevenbetreatedlikeforeignbodiesandtheimmunesystemhastoproduceantibodiestotrytogetridofthem.Butindoingso,wemaybecomeallergicandhypersensitive. Ourbodywasnotmadetoprocesssynthetic,fiber‐poorfoods.It’snowonderthatconstipation,intestinaltoxemia,anddigestivedisordersaremajorhealthcomplaints.Thesaleoflaxativesandantacidsareinthebillionsofdollars.



Thereareover2,000medicinaldrugsincurrentuse.Withthediscoveryofantibioticsandthehopethattheycouldcureallourinfectiousdiseases,thereisoveruseofthispowerfulmedicine.Whenantibioticskillbacteria,theycannotdiscriminate;theykillbothgoodandbad.TheyeastorganismcalledCandidaalbicansfillsinthevacancycreatedbyantibiotics,whichkilloffgoodbacteriainthegastrointestinaltract. Thebirthcontrolpillandsugarproductsbothfeedtheyeastinthegut.SyntheticfoodandyeastovergrowthcreateanintestinalimbalanceinthepH,mucusproduction,andmicroorganismcontentleadingtodiarrheaandconstipation. Theseimbalancesleadstofurtherirritationandinflammationoftheintestinesthatactuallycausesmicropuncturesintheliningoftheintestinesandallowstheabsorptionofincompletelydigestedfoodintothebloodstream.Thisfoodislookeduponasaforeignbodyandcreatesfoodsensitivitiesorfoodallergiesasantibodiesareformedtotrytoridthebodyoftheseforeignsubstances.Inhaledallergiesarealsocreatedbythemucousmembranesofthenasalpassagesbeingirritated,allowinginhaledallergensdirectcontactwiththebloodstreamandcausingantibodyformationandsymptomsofhayfever.Yeast’s180breakdownproductsarealsoabsorbedthroughaleakygutcausingbody‐widesymptomsmimickingsinusitis,laryngitis,cystitisandvaginitis.Adoctorwilloftenprescribemoreantibioticsforthesesymptoms,whichperpetuatestheproblemanddoesnotcurethecause. Normallyourbodiesareprotectedagainstparasites.However,whenthepHoftheintestinesisabnormal,usuallycausedbyanovergrowthofyeast,parasitesmayfindahospitableenvironmentandmaketheirhomeinyourgut.HormoneimbalancecanbeadirectresultoftheoverproductionofCandidaorganisms.ResearchshowsthatCandidaantibodiescross‐reactwithovarytissue,thyroidtissue,andadrenaltissue.ThismeansthatCandidaantibodiescanattachtothesetissuesandjamtheirreceptorsitesleadingtohormoneimbalance.Theby‐productsofyeastcanhaveaneurotoxiceffectandcausesymptomsofbrainfog,fatigue,poorconcentration,andirritability.ResearchersinChronicFatigueSyndromehavedocumentedthenegativeeffectofthevirusoncognitivefunction,sleep,andmood. Depressioncanbeadirectresultofacontinuouscyclingoftheabovescenario.Peoplewhohaveanaccumulationofchemicals,drugs,syntheticfood,andinfections,feelterrible.However,forthemostpart,therearenostandardlaboratorytestsavailabletoconfirmcauseandeffect.People,however,knowtheyareunwell,andwhentheyhearthat“everythinginyourbloodtestsisnormal,”itdrivesthemalittlecrazy.



Fibrositisorfibromyalgiaisthelatestlabelforpeopleatthetailendoftheaboveaccumulationofacidity,toxicity,antibiotics,drugs,andchemicals.Medically,itmeansthefibroustissuesofthebodyareinflamed(‐itis)orthatthefibroustissueandthemusclesareachy(‐algia).Thislabeldoesnotgivetheindividualtheaforementionedcausesanddoesnotofferacurativetreatment. Insummary,chemicalsusedinprocessedfoods,takenasmedicine,andconsumedfromourincreasinglypollutedwatersupplycreateintestinaldysfunction,imbalance,andovergrowthofCandida.Candidaovergrowsandoverworkstheimmunesystem,allowingviralandparasiticorganismstoinfectthebody.Candidacausesallergies,andits180differentwasteproductscausesymptomsfromheadtotoe.Theydisruptneurotransmitterscausingdepression;jamhormonereceptorscausinghormoneimbalance;buildupinjoints,muscles,andnerves,leadingtomistakendiagnosesofarthritis,fibrositis,andevenMS(multiplesclerosis).It’sadownwardspiralthatmanypeopledon’tevenknowishappeninguntilit’stoolate.MultipleChemicalSensitivityDisordersOurtoxicenvironmentcausesadramaticnewconditioninmedicinecalledMultipleChemicalSensitivityDisorders(MCSD).MCSDpatientscanbesosensitivetoenvironmentalchemicalsthattheyareunabletoreadanewspaperbecausetheycan’ttoleratethesmellofink;can’tusetelephonesbecausetheyreacttoplastic;andcan’twearsyntheticclothingthatzapsthemoftheirenergy.Ihadonepatientwhowouldcollapseeverytimesheputonapairofnylons. Onehospital‐basedprogramforMCSD,runbyDr.EberhardSchwarzinGermanysincetheearly1980s,offersanorganicdiet,foodrotation,herbalandvitamin/mineralsupplements,hydrotherapy,andchemicaldetoxificationsaunatherapy.In1996Dr.SchwarzpublishedapaperonMCSD.Heidentified466patientssufferingneurologicaldisordersfromprobableenvironmentalexposures.Possiblechemicalcontaminantswerecategorizedfor320people.Contaminantsincludedindoorwoodpreservatives(mainlypentachlorophenoland/orlindane)(65percent),organicsolvents(25percent),formaldehyde(15percent),dentalmaterials(15percent),pyrethroides(13percent),andotherbiocides(19percent).178Thisstudyjustifiedtheroleplayedbychemicalsinaperson’shomeandworkenvironment.In1999theGermangovernmentcommissionedtheUniversityofLuebeckmedicalschooltostudyDr.Schwarz’sfacility.Aftercarefulexaminationofthefacility,theysupporteditsvalue.Thereportshowedthatpatientswhohadbeendisabledforyearswerereturningtoworkandleadingproductivelives.TheuniversityrecommendedthatthegovernmentexpandDr.Schwarz’sunitto180bedsandopen

178 Lohmann K, Prohl A, Schwarz E. Multiple chemical sensitivity disorder in patients with neurotoxic illnesses. Gesundheitswesen. 1996 Jun;58(6):322-31.



fourmoreenvironmentalillnessunits.IntheUnitedStatestherearenohospitalsthattreatMCSDandnoofficialrecognitionofMCSDasadisease.ThePervasivenessofDDTLet’slookatoneofthefirstchemicalstoberecognizedastoxicandbannedfromuseinNorthAmerica.Dr.SamuelEpsteintoldmethata1969reviewofseventeenindustry‐sponsoredstudiesonthecarcinogenicityofDDTconcludedthatfourteenofthesestudies“weresoinherentlydefectiveastoprecludeanydeterminationofcarcinogenicity.”AccordingtoDr.SamuelEpstein,themakersofDDTliedbynotreportingadversereactionsandliedagainwhentheyexplainedthattheydidnotreportdiseasedliversinlaboratoryanimalsexposedtoDDTbecausetheywerenotcancersbutjust“tumors.” DDTisacolorless,odorlesschemicalcompounddiscoveredin1939byPaulMullerofGeigyPharmaceuticalinSwitzerlandtobeapowerfulinsecticide.Itwascalledthe“miracle”pesticideandusedeffectivelyduringWorldWarIItokillmalaria‐bearingmosquitoesthatweresickeningtroopsinthePacific.ItwasregardedsohighlythatDr.MullerwasawardedtheNobelPrizeinmedicineandphysiologyin1948forhisdiscovery.Unfortunately,DDTwasmisusedonthefarmandinthehometo“protect”alltypesofcrops,livestock,pets,andpeoplefromannoyingbutnon‐lethalinsects. Itwasn’tlongbeforeDDT’snegativeaspectsbegantoappear.DDTindiscriminatelykilled“good”insectsaswellas“bad”,muchlikeantibioticsinthehumanbody,andquicklycreatedDDT‐resistantbugsmakingitnecessarytousemoreandmoreDDT.DecadesofstallingandavoidanceofDDT’stoxicnaturefollowed.LargelyduetoRachelCarson’sSilentSpringandthetestimonyofexpertwitnesseslikeOccupationalMedicinespecialistDr.SamuelEpstein,thegovernmenthadtomakeadecisionaboutDDT.TheU.S.U.S.federalgovernmentfinallybanneditin1973. In2006adecisionwasreachedbytheWHOtolifta30‐yearworldwidebanandallowtheuseofindoorsprayingofDDTtoeradicatemalaria.WHOsays,ifusedproperly,therearenohealthrisksanditisoneofthefeweffectivewaystoeliminatethemosquitoescarryingmalaria.HopefullyWHOwillhelpeducatepeopleonitssafeuse.ReproductiveHealthHazardsHelkeFerriewroteanarticlecalled“ReproductiveHealthHazards”inVitalitymagazineinDecember1999reportingon“TheReproductiveHealthHazards”conferenceheldinTorontoinOctober1999.Innouncertaintermsshestated:

“Thechemicalsweunwittinglyuseinourhomes,andfromwhichwearerarelyprotectedatourworkplaceshavethepotentialtoinitiatetheextinctionofhumanity.Theyaffectovariesandspermproductionandinterferewiththedevelopmentofourchildren.Thischemicalsoupweliveinsupportstheworld'seconomy.Weliveinawarzonewithchemical




manufacturerscreatingevermoreofthesesubstanceswhilestrivingtokeepfullknowledgeoftheireffectsfromthepublic.Currently,eachoneofuscarriesmorethan500chemicalsinourfatcells.NoneofthesechemicalsexistedbeforeWorldWarI,norweretheytestedforsafety.Afetusisnomatchforaneconomicsystemthatfocusesonprofitanddeliberatelyignoresecologicalsafety.Fetusesdonothaveashareholder’svote.”

Theconferencewassponsoredbyseveralworkersgroups:WorkersHealthandSafetyCenter,OccupationalHealthAffairsforOntarioWorkers,theAssociationofOccupational&EnvironmentalClinics,theCanadianAutoWorkers,theCanadianLaborCongress,theOntarioFederationofLabor,andtheUnitedSteelworkersofAmerica.ThespeakersfromCanadaandtheU.S.wereoccupationalhealthexperts,toxicologistsandepidemiologists,scientistsfromtheWorldHealthOrganizationandvariousuniversities,legaladvisorstoprovincialandnationalgovernments,andpoliticalanalysts.Theyfocusedonoccupationalreproductivehazards,therighttoknow,andtherighttoprotection.ChemicalCastrationPCBs(polychlorinatedbiphenyls)areaclassofchemicalsusedinindustryfrom1929to1976.Theyarealsopowerfulendocrinedisruptors.Thesechemicalsareafewoftheover60,000thathavebeendevelopedsinceWorldWarIIandareincommonusage.Thousandsmorehavebeenrelegatedtothedustbin(andconsequentlyintothewatersupply).Beingendocrinedisruptorstheymayberesponsiblefortheepidemicofinfertilityandhormonalcancers.Theyandotherchemicalscanalsodamageourimmunesystems,helpingtocreateautoimmunedisease.Studiesalsoshowthattheymayshort‐circuitthebrain,triggeringattentiondeficitdisorder,autism,andAlzheimer's.179NotEnoughtoMatter“Tootinytobetoxic”isthereasoningusedbythechemicalindustrytopacifythepublicintobelievingthattheirchemicalsareharmless.However,thetoxicityofheavymetalsandmanychemicalsismeasuredatthenanogramandpicogramlevel.Ananogram,whichisonebillionth(1/1,000,000,000),andapicogram,whichisonetrillionth(1/1,000,000,000,000),canbetoxic.Allthosezerosarenotmeanttoconfuseyoubuttoshowhowpowerfulchemicalscanbeatsuchminisculedoses.Ithelpedmetounderstandhowananogramoffeminizingchemicalsintheenvironmentcouldseriouslydisruptthehumanbody.Dr.TheoColborn,seniorscientistoftheWorldWildlifeFund,inherbook,OurStolenFuture(1997),invitesustothinkofonepartpertrillionasequalingonedropofginin660traintankcarsoftonicwater!180

179 www.ourstolenfuture.org 180 Colborn T, Dumanoski D, Peterson J. Our Stolen Future: Are We Threatening Our Fertility, Intelligence, and Survival? - A Scientific Detective Story. Plume Books, New York. 1997.



CHAPTER10

DEATHBYSUGAR

DonotbeangrywithmeifItellyouthetruth.Socrates

AdmonishedforSpeakingtheTruthaboutSugarPeopleareastoundedwhentheylearnthatmymedicallicensingboardacceptedacomplaintagainstmefromasugarlobbygroup.EvenmoreastoundingwastheletterofadmonishmentthatIreceivedforsimplywarningpeopleaboutthedangersofsugar.Thereismoretothestorybutmyadventureservestoshowthelengthstowhichthesugarindustrywillgotoretaintheirmonopolycontroloverourtastebudsandpurses. Doctorsliveinfearofhavingacomplaintlodgedagainstthem.MycasewasdulywrittenupontheOntariodoctors’quarterlybulletinservingasawarningtootherswhomight“getoutofline”.Patientshavethefeelingthatdoctorswilltellthemifsugaroranyothersubstanceisdangerous.However,ifitcancostyouyourmedicallicense,mostdoctorsareunwillingtopaytheprice.Thus,therearefewhealthprofessionalswhowilltellthepeoplethetruthaboutthisdangeroussubstance. Dr.AbramHoffer,co‐founderoforthomolecularmedicinewithDr.LinusPaulingisstillpracticingmedicineinhiseighties.Dr.Hofferisconvincedthat"Sugarisanaddictionfarstrongerthanwhatweseewithheroin.Itisthebasicaddictivesubstancefromwhichallotheraddictionsflow.Refinedsugarandallrefinedfoodssuchaspolishedrice,whiteflour,andthelike,arenothinglessthanlegalizedpoisons.”181A2007studycalledIntenseSweetnessSurpassesCocaineRewardshowedthatratsmuchpreferredsugartococainewhengiventhechoice.182 Tothisday,thesugarindustrywillonlyadmitthatsugarcausesdentalcavities.Otherwise,theytellthe“halftruth,halflie”thatsugarisnecessaryforenergyanditisthemajorfuelofthebody.However,thespecificfuelthatthebodyusesisglucose.Andglucoseshouldbederivedfromvegetables,fruits,andgrains,notfromtenteaspoonsofsucrosesugarfoundinacanofsodaortwenty‐seventeaspoonsinamilkshake.Ourbloodstreamonlyhasroomfortwoorthreeteaspoonsofsugaratanyonetime.Whenyoufloodthebloodstreamwithmorethanthatamount,theshocksendsoutalarmmessagesthroughoutthebody.Floodingourbodywithsugar

181 Ferrie H. “Sugar: The Universal Epidemiological Poison”. Vitality. Nov. 1999. 182 Lenoir M, Serre F, Cantin L, Ahmed SH (2007) Intense Sweetness Surpasses Cocaine Reward. PLoS ONE 2(8): e698. Aug 1, 2007.



severaltimesadayforseveralyearsisoneofthemajorreasonsforourepidemicofobesity,diabetes,andheartdisease.

Thehighintakeofsugarbychildrenisoneofthereasonswhythereisanepidemicofobesityandadultonsetdiabetesinthepreteenpopulation.A2006reviewofthirtystudiesonsodaconsumptionfinallyprovedwhatmostsensiblepeoplesuspected.Drinkingonecanofsugar‐lacedsodaaddsfifteenpoundsofweightperyeartotheunsuspectingdrinker.Evenso,thedebatewillneverendastheindustrycriesfoulandinsiststhattheobesityproblemisduetolackofphysicalexercise.TheWorldHealthOrganizationSpeaksOutAgainstSugarOnApril23,2003,theUNFoodandAgricultureOrganization(FAO)andtheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)presentedanindependentexpertreporttitled,“Diet,Nutrition,andthePreventionofChronicDiseases”.TheReportexaminescardiovasculardiseases,severalformsofcancer,diabetes,obesity,osteoporosis,anddentaldiseaseastheresultofpoorlifestyleanddiet.TheauthorsoftheReportacknowledgethatchronicdiseasepresentsatremendousburdentosociety.Statisticsfrom2001revealthatchronicdiseasecontributedapproximately59percentofthe56.5milliontotalreporteddeathsintheworldand46percentoftheglobalburdenofdisease.Theexpertswhowrotethereportfeelthatadietlowinsugars,salt,andsaturatedfats,andhighinvegetablesandfruits,togetherwithregularphysicalactivity,canhaveamajorimpactoncombatingthishightollofdeathanddisease.Thereportfocusedspecialattentiononaddedsugarsanddeterminedthatahealthydietshouldcontainnomorethan10percent.ThisisadramaticchangefrompreviousWHOpolicy.Dr.GroHarlemBrundtland,director‐generalofWHO,saidthat,“Wehaveknownforalongtimethatfoodshighinsaturatedfats,sugars,andsalt,areunhealthy;thatweare,globally,increasingourintakeofenergy‐dense,nutritionallypoorfoodasourlivesbecomeincreasinglysedentary,andthatthesefactors–togetherwithtobaccouse–aretheleadingcausesofthegreatsurgewehaveseenintheincidenceofchronicdiseases.Whatisnewisthatwearelayingdownthefoundationforaglobalpolicyresponse.”Nootheragencyhassetsuchalowlimitfortheintakeofsugar.IntheUnitedStates,inspiteofthefactthat60percentofthepopulationisoverweight,theDietaryGuidelinesforAmericansonlyadvisethatsugarshouldbeusedinmoderation.Evenworse,theInstituteofMedicine,partoftheU.S.NationalAcademyofSciences,indulgesAmericanswithawhopping25percentoftheircaloriesfromaddedsugar.Themajorobjectiontoanyrecommendationsforreducingsugarcomesmainlyfromthesugarindustry.Becausethe2003loweredtheallowabledailyintakeofsugarto10percentthesugarindustryfoughttohaveitraised.Theindustrydeniesthatsugaristhecauseofanyformofchronicdiseaseandsaysthatthesolutiontoobesityis—moreexercise.TheU.S.NationalSoftDrinkAssociationdemandedthat



the10percentlimitonsugarshouldnotbeincludedintheWHOplan.Theypubliclyclaimthatthescientificliteraturedoesnotshowanassociationbetweensugarintakeandobesity.InablatantattempttoderailimplementationoftheDietandNutritionReport,thesugarindustrylobbiedtheU.S.governmenttowithholdits$400millionfundingfromtheUNandWHOifitgoesaheadwithitsrecommendations.TheMiamiHeraldreportedthattheSugarAssociation,inalettertoDr.Brundtland,threatenedthat”WewillexerciseeveryavenueavailabletoexposethedubiousnatureoftheDiet,NutritionandthePreventionofChronicDiseasesReport.”AspokeswomanfortheSugarAssociationsaystheWHOrecommendationisunscientificandisfarbelowtheInstituteofMedicinerecommendationthatupto25percentofcaloriescansafelycomefromaddedsugars.183Itappearsthesugarindustrywonthatskirmish.ThefollowingupdateontheWHOreportandthesugarindustry’sattackwaswrittenbytwostrongproponentsofgoodnutrition‐KellyD.Brownell,professorofpsychologyatYale,authorofFoodFight:TheInsideStoryoftheFoodIndustry,America'sObesityCrisis,andWhatWeCanDoAboutItandMarionNestle,professorofpublichealthatNewYorkUniversity,authorofFoodPolitics:HowtheFoodIndustryInfluencesNutritionandHealth.

“TheUnitedStatesDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicesshouldhaveapplauded,butinsteaditproduceda28‐page,line‐by‐linecritiquecenteredon,ofallthings,whatitcalledthereport'slackoftransparencyinthescientificandpeer‐reviewprocess.Althoughthedepartmentframedthecritiqueasaprincipleddefenseofscientificintegrity,muchevidencearguesforanotherinterpretation‐‐blatantpanderingtoAmericanfoodcompaniesthatproducemuchoftheworld'shigh‐calorie,high‐profitsodas andsnacks,especiallythemakersofsugars,themainingredientsinmanyoftheseproducts.”184

DiabeticAssociationsandSugarHankyPankyBothCanadianandAmericanDiabetesAssociationsreceivecorporatefundingfromfoodanddrugcompanies.Couldthisbeaconflictofinterest?WhenyoustudytheAssociations’literature,theybothinsistthatthereisnoknowncauseofdiabetes—buttheyimplicategenetics.Tosaydiabetesisgeneticisanevasionofthetruth.Theincredibleriseintheincidenceofdiabetesinthelasttwogenerationsdoesnotindicateasuddenchangeingenesbutpointstoanenvironmentalcause.Whatisinnewintheenvironmentthatwasn’tthere100yearsago?Sugar!Wehaveanannualintakeof150poundscomparedwith10pounds100yearsago. DiabeticAssociationsalsoclaimthatdiabetesisincurablebuttreatablewithdrugsthatstimulateinsulinproduction.However,themostcommontypeofdiabetes‐ 183 Dorschner, J. Big Sugar Sour on Health Report. The Miami Herald April 23, 2003. 184 Brownell K, Nestle M. The Sweet And Lowdown On Sugar. New York Times. January 23, 2004.



adultonset‐isnotcausedbyadeficiencyofinsulin‐justtheopposite.Briefly,let’slookatthewaysugaraffectsthebody. Eatingasugarymealordrinkingasodawith10teaspoonsofsugarstimulatesanexcessivepancreaticinsulinresponseinordertonormalizebloodsugarlevels.Toomuchinsulinmakesbloodsugarplummetasitdrivessugarintothecells.Inreactiontothedropinbloodsugar,adrenalinefromtheadrenalglandsisstimulatedtoraisebloodsugarbacktonormal.Constanthighintakeofsimpledietarysugarkeepsthisrollercoastergoingandeventuallyoverworksor"burnsout"normalpancreasandadrenalfunction,leadingtoinsulinresistance. Insulin’sjobistoopenthechannelsincellmembranestoaninfluxofbloodsugar.Highamountsofinsulincanbestimulatedbyanexcessiveamountofsugar,suchastenteaspoonsinacanofsoda.Toomanyinsulinmoleculescanleadtoatrafficjamatthecell’sreceptorsites.Afteryearsofhighinsulinbombardment,thecellreceptorsget‘fatigued’andshutdown.Withblockedreceptorsites,sugarcannotgetintothecellswhereitisneededtocreateenergyanditbecomeselevatedintheblood.Elevatedsugarinthebloodisdiagnosedasadultonsetdiabetes,whichdamagestheeyes,kidneysandheart.Excesssugarisstoredasfat,especiallyaroundyourbelly. Theonlywaytokeepinsulinfromsurgingandstoringcaloriesasfatisbyeatingadietthatdoesnottriggerinsulinwitheverymeal.Itisnotjustexcessfatinthedietthatmakesfatbutanysugar,fruit,orcarbohydrate.Whereas,amealcontainingprotein,fat,andcarbohydrateskeepsinsulinlevelslow.InsulinResistanceIt’sacceptedthattheolderyouget,themorelikelyyouaretodevelopdiabetes.TheCanadianDiabetesAssociationliststhesimplefactofbeingoverage40asariskfactor!Diabetesoccursbecauseinsulinbecomeseitheroverworkedoroverusedandisnolongereffectiveinpushingbloodsugarintothecells.Thenameforthisinabilitytotransportsugarintothecellsiscalledinsulinresistance.Theresultishighbloodlevelsofsugarandinsulin,bothofwhichcausecellulardamagethroughoutthebody.Chronicallyelevatedinsulinhelpscreateobesityand,evenworse,keepsyoufromlosingweight.HypoglycemiaEatingahighlyrefineddietofwhiteflourandwhitesugarproducts‐bread,donuts,bagels,cakes,andcookies,rapidlyelevatesbloodsugarbecausethesenon‐foodsarequicklyabsorbedassimplesugarsintothebloodstream.Whenourbloodsugarreachesacertainmaximum,insulinisstimulatedtoenterthebloodstreamandtaketheexcessglucose(above2teaspoons)intothecellsofthebodyforfuelorfatproduction.Theamountofinsulinthatisreleasedisdependentupontherateofincreaseofthebloodsugar.Whenagreatamountofinsulinisreleased,becausethereisalargeamountofsugarpresent,thenthebloodsugarwillfalldramatically



causinglowbloodsugarwhenthatexcesssugargoesintothecells.Lowbloodsugariscalledhypoglycemia.Ifbloodsugarfallsrapidly,thistriggersareleaseofadrenalineasasafetymechanismtomakesurethebloodsugardoesnotfalltoofastortoolow(belowthe2teaspoonslimit).Ifthelevelofbloodsugardropsbelowacertainamountinthebrain,youcanfeeldizzy,nauseous,faint,andravenous.Topreventthebloodsugarfromfallingintothisdangerzone,adrenalinestimulatesthesugarstoresinthelivercalledglycogentoreleasesugartodealwiththesuddenabsenceofsugarintheblood,butadrenalinealsoproducesa“flightorflight”reaction.Whenadrenalinefloodsyourbodyyoucanfeelasenseofanxietyorimpendingdoomfornoapparentreason.Thiscanmakeyouthinkyouarehavingananxietyattackorpanicattackbecauseyoudon’tequateyoursymptomswithlowbloodsugar. Atthispoint,ifyoueatadonutordrinkcoffeeyourbloodsugarisimmediatelyrevivedandyoumayfeelbetter,butwithintwentytothirtyminutesthecycleofrapidelevationofbloodsugarandthenrapiddeclinecanrepeatitself.Youfindyourselfgoingthroughlifeasifonarollercoaster;wecallitthe“crashandburnsyndrome.”Ifyougototheemergencyroomwithsymptomsofanxietyyouwillprobablynotbeaskedifyouhavebeeneatingsugaranddrinkingcoffee.YourheartwillbecheckedandthenyouwillbetoldtotakeAtivanorsomeotheranti‐anxietydrug.SugarandCancerSugarmaybeoneofourfavoritevicesbutthedarksidetosugaristhatitisquitecapableofsettingupanenvironmentforcancergrowth.Aconsistentfindinginepidemiologicalstudiesisthatpeoplewhoconsumethemostcalorieshavesignificantlyhigherratesofcancer.Thereareseveralreasonswhyovereatingcausescancer,butoneoverlookedreasonisthatmoregenemutationsoccurinresponsetohighercaloricintake.Ahostofvitaminsandmineralsarerequiredtodigestfoodandthemorefoodweeat,themorenutrientsweneed.Theimmunesystemalsoneedsnutrientstodotheworkofcancercellsurveillanceanddestruction.Ifweoverutilizenutrientstodigestexcessquantitiesoffood,theyjustaren’tavailabletohelpkeepuscancerfree. We’veknownsince1931thatcancercellscravesugar;excesssugarfeedsrapidlydividingcancercells.OttoWarburg,Ph.D.,aprolificresearcherinGermany,wasgivenaNobelPrizeinMedicineforhisdiscoverythatcancercellsdependmainlyonglucosefortheirfoodsupply.Cancercellsdevourglucosewithouttheaidofoxygenandconsequentlyproducealargeamountoflacticacid.ThebuildupinlacticacidcreatesamoreacidicpHinandaroundcanceroustissues.AnacidpHinthebodycontributestotheoverallphysicalfatigueexperiencedbycancerpatients.185

185 http://cat007.com/cansug.htm



Numerousstudiesinpeer‐reviewedjournalsshowthatsugarincreasesprostate,colon,andbiliarytractcancer.186,187,188,189,190MoreThanEmptyCaloriesBecauserefineddietarysugarsaredevoidofvitaminsandminerals,theymustdrawuponthebodytissuemicronutrientstoresinordertobemetabolizedinourbodies.Whenournutrientstorehousesaredepleted,fattyacidsandcholesterolarenotproperlydigestedormetabolized.Improperdigestionoffatsleadstohigherbloodlevelsoftriglyceridesandcholesterol,andpromotesobesity. Dietarysugarsalsofeedharmfulintestinalyeasts,fungi,toxicorganisms,aswellascancercells.VitaminCandothernaturalantioxidantsprotectagainstthedamageduetosugar.But,here’stherub,sugarandvitaminCutilizethesametransportsystemandexcesssugarcanuseuptheavailabletransportmoleculesandstopvitaminCfromgettingtowhereitisneeded. InherVitalityMagazinearticleonSugar,HelkeFerriewrotethat,“Medicalresearchersfoundthattherefiningprocessofsugarremoves93%ofchromium,89%manganese,98%cobalt,83%copper,98%zinc,and98%magnesium‐allessentialtolife.”Eachvitaminandmineraldeficiencyisresponsibleforahostofdiseasesymptoms,includingheartdisease,depression,andarthritis.NancyAppleton’sWarAgainstSugarMs.Appletonhasbeenbattlingsugarforalongtime.HerfirsteditionofLickTheSugarHabitwaspublishedin1988.Sheisconstantlyupdatingherreasonswhysugarisbadforyou.Onherwebsitenancyappleton.com,sheitemizesthereasonswhyweshouldavoidsugargivingscientificjournalarticlereferencestoproveherpoint.Currentlyherlistisat146andgrowingeveryyear.146ReasonsWhySugarIsRuiningYourHealth1.Sugarcansuppresstheimmunesystem.2.Sugarupsetsthemineralrelationshipsinthebody.3.Sugarcancausehyperactivity,anxiety,difficultyconcentrating,andcrankinessinchildren.4.Sugarcanproduceasignificantriseintriglycerides.5.Sugarcontributestothereductionindefenseagainstbacterialinfection

186 Franceschi S et al. “Dietary glycemic load and colorectal cancer risk. Ann Oncol. 2001 Feb;12:173-8. 187 "Sugar and Prostate Cancer." Health Express, October 1982, p. 41. 188 Bostick RM, Potter JD, Kushi LH, et al. "Sugar, Meat, and Fat Intake, and Non-dietary Risk Factors for Colon Cancer Incidence in Iowa Women." Cancer Causes and Controls 5, 1994, pp. 38-52. 189 Moerman C, et al. "Dietary Sugar Intake in the Etiology of Biliary Tract Cancer." lnternational Journal of Epidemiology 22, No.2, 1993, pp.207-214. 190 Cornee, J. et al. "A Case-control Study of Gastric Cancer and Nutritional Factors in Marseille, France.” European Journal of Epidemiology 11, 1995: 55-65.



(infectiousdiseases).6.Sugarcausesalossoftissueelasticityandfunction,themoresugaryoueatthemoreelasticityandfunctionyouloose.

7.Sugarreduceshigh‐densitylipoproteins.8.Sugarleadstochromiumdeficiency.9.Sugarleadstocancerofthebreast,ovaries,prostrate,andrectum.10.Sugarcanincreasefastinglevelsofglucose.11.Sugarcausescopperdeficiency.12.Sugarinterfereswithabsorptionofcalciumandmagnesium.13.Sugarcanweakeneyesight.14.Sugarraisesthelevelofneurotransmitters:dopamine,serotonin,andnorepinephrine.15.Sugarcancausehypoglycemia.16.Sugarcanproduceanacidicdigestivetract.17.Sugarcancausearapidriseofadrenalinelevelsinchildren.18.Sugarmalabsorptionisfrequentinpatientswithfunctionalboweldisease.19.Sugarcancauseprematureaging.20.Sugarcanleadtoalcoholism.21.Sugarcancausetoothdecay.22.Sugarcontributestoobesity.23.HighintakeofsugarincreasestheriskofCrohn'sdisease,andulcerativecolitis.24.Sugarcancausechangesfrequentlyfoundinpersonswithgastricorduodenalulcers.25.Sugarcancausearthritis.26.Sugarcancauseasthma.27.SugargreatlyassiststheuncontrolledgrowthofCandidaAlbicans(yeastinfections).28.Sugarcancausegallstones.29.Sugarcancauseheartdisease.30.Sugarcancauseappendicitis.31.Sugarcancausemultiplesclerosis.32.Sugarcancausehemorrhoids.33.Sugarcancausevaricoseveins.34.Sugarcanelevateglucoseandinsulinresponsesinoralcontraceptiveusers.35.Sugarcanleadtoperiodontaldisease.36.Sugarcancontributetoosteoporosis.37.Sugarcontributestosalivaacidity.38.Sugarcancauseadecreaseininsulinsensitivity.39.SugarcanlowertheamountofVitaminEintheblood.40.Sugarcandecreasegrowthhormone.41.Sugarcanincreasecholesterol.42.Sugarcanincreasethesystolicbloodpressure.43.Sugarcancausedrowsinessanddecreasedactivityinchildren.44.Highsugarintakeincreasesadvancedglycationendproducts(AGEs)(Sugar

boundnon‐enzymaticallytoprotein).45.Sugarcaninterferewiththeabsorptionofprotein.



46.Sugarcausesfoodallergies.47.Sugarcancontributetodiabetes.48.Sugarcancausetoxemiaduringpregnancy.49.Sugarcancontributetoeczemainchildren.50.Sugarcancausecardiovasculardisease.51.SugarcanimpairthestructureofDNA.52.Sugarcanchangethestructureofprotein.53.Sugarcanmakeourskinagebychangingthestructureofcollagen.54.Sugarcancausecataracts.55.Sugarcancauseemphysema.56.Sugarcancauseatherosclerosis.57.Sugarcanpromoteanelevationoflow‐densitylipoproteins(LDL).58.Highsugarintakecanimpairthephysiologicalhomeostasisofmanysystemsinthebody.59.Sugarlowerstheenzymes’abilitytofunction.60.SugarintakeishigherinpeoplewithParkinson’sdisease.61.Sugarcancauseapermanentalteringofthewaytheproteinsactinthebody.62.Sugarcanincreasethesizeoftheliverbymakingthelivercellsdivide.63.Sugarcanincreasetheamountofliverfat.64.Sugarcanincreasekidneysizeandproducepathologicalchangesinthekidney.65.Sugarcandamagethepancreas.66.Sugarcanincreasethebody'sfluidretention.67.Sugarisenemy#1ofthebowelmovement.68.Sugarcancausemyopia(nearsightedness).69.Sugarcancompromisetheliningofthecapillaries.70.Sugarcanmakethetendonsmorebrittle.71.Sugarcancauseheadaches,includingmigraine.72.Sugarplaysaroleinpancreaticcancerinwomen.73.Sugarcanadverselyaffectschoolchildren'sgradesandcauselearningdisorders.74.Sugarcancauseanincreaseindelta,alpha,andthetabrainwaves.75.Sugarcancausedepression.76.Sugarincreasestheriskofgastriccancer.77.Sugarcancausedyspepsia(indigestion).78.Sugarcanincreaseyourriskofgettinggout.79.Sugarcanincreasethelevelsofglucoseinanoralglucosetolerancetestoverthe

ingestionofcomplexcarbohydrates.80.Sugarcanincreasetheinsulinresponsesinhumansconsuminghigh‐sugardiets

comparedtolowsugardiets.81.Highrefinedsugardietreduceslearningcapacity.82.Sugarcancauselesseffectivefunctioningoftwobloodproteins,albuminand

lipoproteins,whichmayreducethebody’sabilitytohandlefatandcholesterol.83.SugarcancontributetoAlzheimer’sdisease.84.Sugarcancauseplateletadhesiveness.85.Sugarcancausehormonalimbalance:somehormonesbecomeunderactiveand

othersbecomeoveractive.86.Sugarcanleadtotheformationofkidneystones.



87.Sugarcanleadtothehypothalamustobecomehighlysensitivetoalargevarietyofstimuli.

88.Sugarcanleadtodizziness.89.Dietshighinsugarcancausefreeradicalsandoxidativestress.90.Highsucrosedietsofsubjectswithperipheralvasculardiseasesignificantly

increaseplateletadhesion.91.Highsugardietcanleadtobiliarytractcancer.92.Sugarfeedscancer.93.Highsugarconsumptionofpregnantadolescentsisassociatedwithatwo‐fold

increasedriskfordeliveringasmall‐for‐gestational‐age(SGA)infant.94.Highsugarconsumptioncanleadtosubstantialdecreaseingestationduration

amongadolescents.95.Sugarslowsfood'straveltimethroughthegastrointestinaltract.96.Sugarincreasestheconcentrationofbileacidsinstoolsandbacterialenzymesin

thecolon.Thiscanmodifybiletoproducecancer‐causingcompoundsandcoloncancer.

97.Sugarincreasesestradiol(themostpotentformofnaturallyoccurringestrogen)inmen.98.Sugarcombinesanddestroysphosphatase,anenzyme,whichmakestheprocess

ofdigestionmoredifficult.99.Sugarcanbeariskfactorofgallbladdercancer.100.Sugarisanaddictivesubstance.101.Sugarcanbeintoxicating,similartoalcohol.102.SugarcanexacerbatePMS.103.Sugargiventoprematurebabiescanaffecttheamountofcarbondioxidetheyproduce.104.Decreaseinsugarintakecanincreaseemotionalstability. 105.Thebodychangessugarinto2to5timesmorefatinthebloodstreamthanit

doesstarch.106.Therapidabsorptionofsugarpromotesexcessivefoodintakeinobesesubjects.107.Sugarcanworsenthesymptomsofchildrenwithattentiondeficithyperactivity

disorder(ADHD).108.Sugaradverselyaffectsurinaryelectrolytecomposition.109.Sugarcanslowdowntheabilityoftheadrenalglandstofunction.110.Sugarhasthepotentialofinducingabnormalmetabolicprocessesinanormal

healthyindividualandtopromotechronicdegenerativediseases.111.IV’s(intravenousfeedings)ofsugarwatercancutoffoxygentothebrain.

112.Highsucroseintakecouldbeanimportantriskfactorinlungcancer.113.Sugarincreasestheriskofpolio.114.Highsugarintakecancauseepilepticseizures.115.Sugarcauseshighbloodpressureinobesepeople.116.InIntensiveCareUnits,limitingsugarsaveslives.117.Sugarmayinducecelldeath.118.Sugarcanincreasetheamountoffoodthatyoueat.119.Injuvenilerehabilitationcamps,whenchildrenwereputonalowsugardiet,



therewasa44%dropinantisocialbehaviour.120.Sugarcancausegastriccancer.121.Sugardehydratesnewborns.122.Sugarincreasestheestradiolinyoungmen.123.Sugarcancauselowbirthweightbabies.124.Peoplewithhighsugardietshavelowerantioxidantnutrients.125.Sugarcanraisehomocysteinelevelsinthebloodstream.126.Sweetfooditemsincreasetheriskofbreastcancer.127.Sugarisariskfactorincancerofthesmallintestine.128.Sugarmaycausereproductiveproblems.129.Sugarinducessaltandwaterretention.130.Sugarmaycontributetomildmemoryloss.131.Assugarincreasesinthedietof10year‐olds,thereisalineardecreaseinthe

intakeofmanyessentialnutrients.132.Sugarcanincreasethetotalamountoffoodconsumed.133.Exposinganewborntosugarresultsinaheightenedpreferenceforsucrose

relativetowaterat6monthsand2yearsofage.134.Sugarcausesconstipation.135.Sugarcausesvaricoseveins.136.Sugarcancausebraindecayinpre‐diabeticanddiabeticwomen.137.Sugarcanincreasetheriskofstomachcancer.138.Sugarcancausemetabolicsyndrome.139.Sugaringestionbypregnantwomenincreasesneuraltubedefectsinembryos.140.Sugarcanbeafactorinasthma.141.Thehigherthesugarconsumptionthemorechancesofgettingirritablebowel

syndrome.142.Sugarcouldaffectcentralrewardsystems.143.Sugarcancausecanceroftherectum.144.Sugarcancauseendometrialcancer.145.Sugarcancauserenal(kidney)cellcarcinoma.146.Sugarcancauselivertumors.(SeescientificreferencesforeachofthesereasonstoavoidsugarinAppendixD.)HelkeFerrie’s“SimplifiedSpiralofSicknessfromSugar”liststhefollowingconditionsthataretriggeredbyorworsenedbyhighsugarconsumptions.Ferriealsocontendsthatamoderatetohighintakeofrefinedsugarworsensmostmedicalconditions.

1. Cardiacarrhythmia(electricalsystemmalfunctions)2. PMS(progesteronelevelsdisturbed)3. Fatigue(becausenothingworks)4. Insomnia(melatoninproductiondisturbed)5. Panicattacks(productionofstresshormonesoutofcontrol)6. Hypertension(reducedcholesterolabsorption,calciumactivitydisturbed)7. The"alphabetsoup"ofautoimmunediseases,e.g.:MS,MG,etc.(frequently

duetoCandidawhichcanbecomeneuro‐toxic;itissynergisticwithheavy



metals:lead,insomewatersupply,andmercuryinyourdentalfillings)(Seekospublishing.comforHelkeFerrie’sarticles)

SugarversusAspartameChildren’sMovementforCreativeEducation(CMCE)providesteachingmodulesforinnercityschoolsinNewYork.I’montheboardofCMCEandinoneBrooklynschoolgradesixclassIspoonedout10teaspoonsofsugartoshowtheamountinacanofsodaandthe27teaspoonsinamilkshake.Thesekidsimmediatelygotthemessagebutjustasquicklysaidtheywouldswitchtodietsoda.Itoldthem,andI’mtellingyou,tonotbefooledintoswitchingfromsugartosugar‐freesubstitutes;they’reevenunhealthierthansugar!Unfortunately,mostpeople,whentheylearnofthedangerofeatingtoomuchsugar,assumeit’shealthiertouseartificialsweetenersinstead.Doctors,diabetesspecialists,andobstetriciansalsobelievethatthe‘diet’labelonaspartameproductsmeanshealthierwithoutanystudiestoprovethatisthecase.TheDangersofAspartameThefollowingisabriefoutlineofaspartameproducedbyDr.BettyMartini,theworld’sforemostaspartamecriticthatyoucancopyandhandouttounsuspectingconsumers.ASPARTAME–INBRIEF

• Aspartamewasoriginallydevelopedasadrugtotreatpepticulcer.AtonetimeaspartamewaslistedwiththepentagoninaninventoryofprospectivebiochemicalwarfareweaponssubmittedtoCongress.Readthe17‐pagetimelineofaspartameinTheEcologist:http://www.mpwhi.com/ecologist_september_2005.pdf

• Aspartameinmolecularchemistryiscomposedofonemoleculeofasparticacid,onemoleculeofmethanol(freemethylalcohol),andonemoleculeofphenylalanine.Considerthatthismeans33%freemethylalcohol,aseveremetabolismpoison.

• Manufacturersstatethequantitiesasbeing:40%asparticacid;50%phenylalanineand10%methanol.Thismeasurementisbyweight,notchemicalcomposition.

• Aspartamemetabolitesare:Formaldehyde‐aclassAcarcinogen;diketopiperazine(DKP)abraintumoragent,andformicacid(antstingpoison);

• In1965JamesSchlatter,whileworkingforG.D.SearleCompany,accidentallydiscoveredaspartame’sintensesweetness.

• In1974theFDAapproveditasanartificialsweetenerbutaskedSearletoholdoffsellingituntilfurthertestsandinquiriescouldbemadewithregardstoitssafety.

• FurtherinvestigationrevealedthattherewasaproblemwiththesafetydataonaspartameandtheFDAwithdrewitsapproval.



• In1975theFDAinitiatedaninvestigationintoSearle’slaboratorypracticesanddiscoveredfraudinscientificexperimentsaswellasmanipulateddatagivingmisleadingfavorableresultstofalsifythesafetyofaspartame.

• Amongthemanipulateddata,theyfoundthatanimalsusedintheaspartameexperimentshadbeenreportedalivewhentheywere,infact,dead.

• Aspartame‐inducedtumorsinlaboratoryanimalswereremovedsurgicallyandtheanimalwasreportedtobe‘normal’.

• Theresultsofthisinvestigationareincludedinwhatiscalled“TheBresslerReport”JeromeBresslersaidthestudiesweresoflawedthatpartsweredeletedbytheFDAincludingtwomicestudies.Theyfilteredoutneoplasms.

• In1980Dr.JohnOlneysubmittedscientificdatatoanFDAPublicBoardofInquiryshowingthatasparticacid,oneofthethreeingredientsinaspartame,causedholesinthebrainsofmice.Thisexplainshowaspartamecandestroybrainsoftheunborn.

• In1980thePublicBoardofInquiryunanimouslyvotedagainstaspartameapproval.

• In1981FDACommissioner,Dr.JereGoyan,wasaskedtoresignbyamemberoftheReagantransitionteam,beforehecouldsigntheBoardofInquiryReportthatrevokedthepetitionforapprovalintolaw.NewFDACommissioner,ArthurHullHaysover‐ruledtheBoardofInquiry,evenagainsttheadviceofFDAscientificpersonnelandadvisers.HewenttoworkforthePRAgencyofthemanufacturerBursonMarstellarat$1,000adayonaten‐yearcontractandhasrefusedtospeaktothepress.

• In1983FDAapprovedaspartameuseinsodas.• TheAmericanSoftDrinkAssociation–(nowAmericanBeverageAssociation)

‐wasagainsttheuseofaspartameincarbonatedbeveragesevokingtheFoodandDrugadulterationlaw.ThisprotestwasincludedinthecongressionalrecordinMay1985.Theydidnotconsideraspartametobesafeforhumanconsumption.Yetitwasaddedtosodaanyway.

ASPARTAME–THEHEALTHISSUES

• FDAcompiledalistof92symptomsattributedtoaspartameconsumptionfrom4typesofseizurestocomaanddeath.

• Asparticacid(40%ofaspartame)isanon‐essentialaminoacidthatisusedbythebodytoinitiateapoptosis–celldeath‐inagingcells.Theexcessfromaspartamecausesapoptosisinhealthycellsthusdestroyinghealthytissueespeciallyinthebrain(JohnOlney’sreportnoteditcausesholesinthebrainsoflaboratorymice)

• Phenylalanine(50%ofaspartame)isanessentialaminoacidfoundnaturallyinproteinbutwhenisolatedbecomesneurotoxic,lowerstheseizurethreshold,anddepletesserotonintriggeringpsychiatricandbehaviouralproblemsandinteractingwithdrugs.

• Diketopiperazineisatumoragent.TheRamazziniStudiesprovedaspartametobeamultipotentialcarcinogenconfirmingFDA’soriginalfindings.

• Methanol(10%ofaspartame)isaseveremetabolicpoisonclassifiedasanarcoticthatconvertstoformaldehydeandformicacid.Itembalmsliving



tissueanddamagesDNA:http://www.mpwhi.com/formaldehyde_from_aspartame.pdf

• Methanoloccursnaturallyinallplants,fruitsandvegetables,but‐innature‐itistiedtothefibrepectinandisaccompaniedbyitsantidote,ethanol,ingreaterquantitiesthatpreventsthemethanolfrombeingmetabolizedanditpassessafelythroughthebody’ssystemwithoutcausinganyharm.

• Methanolevenconvertstoformaldehydeintheretinaoftheeyeanddestroystheopticnerveandcancauseblindness.

• Methanolisalwaysmetabolisedtoformaldehyde,whichisaknowncarcinogen.

• Aspartamedamagesthemitochondriaorlifeofthecellandhypothalamustriggeringmalesexualdysfunctionandruiningfemaleresponse.Itdestroysfamilies.Mitochondriadamageisoneofthereasonsfordruginteraction..

• Aspartameisateratogencausingbirthdefectsandmentalretardation.It’salsoanabortifacient.

• Aspartameislinkedtosuddendeath,MS,Lupusandmanyneurodegenerativediseases.Medicaltexts:AspartameDisease:AnIgnoredEpidemic,H.J.Roberts,M.D.,Excitotoxins:TheTasteThatKills,neurosurgeonRussellBlaylock,M.D.

CONCLUSION• Evidencefromthebeginningshowedittobeachemicalpoison.Inrealityit’s

anexcitoneurotoxiccarcinogenicdrug.ReactionsaccordingtoDr.RussellBlaylockarenotallergicbuttoxiclikearsenicandcyanide.

* 92%ofIndependentscientificpeerreviewedstudiesshowtheproblemsaspartamecauses.

* 13studiesinthelast24monthsshowaspartametoxicity.* It’sparticularlydangerousfordiabeticssinceitcanprecipitatethedisease,

simulatesandaggravates* Diabeticretinopathyandneuropathy,destroystheopticnerve,and

interactionswithinsulin.Therearetensofthousandsofcasehistoriesandanecdotalaccountsfromvictimsofaspartamepoisoningwhohavecomeforwardtotelltheirstories.

• Therearespecialinstitutions,suchastheEssenceRecoveryCenter,thattreatvictimsofaspartameaddiction.

• AttorneysaretakingbraintumorcasesforlitigationinNewYorkandNewJersey.

• Wouldallthisbenecessaryifaspartameweretrulysafe?BettyMartini,D.Hum,Founder,MissionPossibleInternational,9270RiverClubParkway,Duluth,Georgia30097770‐242‐2599www.mpwhi.com,www.dorway.comandwww.wnho.netAspartameToxicityCenter,www.holisticmed.com/aspartame



AvoidAspartameaGenuineFoodAdulterantAspartamehasthreecomponents:phenylalanine,asparticacid,andmethanol(woodalcohol).Thosewhopromoteandsellthisomnipresentartificialsweetenerstatethatthetwoaminoacids,phenylalanineandasparticacid,areaharmlessandnaturalpartofourdietcontainedinproteinfoods.Thisisoneofthemanyhalf‐truthsaboutaspartame. Itistruethatphenylalanineandasparticacidarenaturallyoccurringaminoacids(thebuildingblocksofprotein)buttheyarealwaysincombinationwithotheraminoacidsthatneutralizetheirbrainstimulatoryeffectswhentheyoccurboundinprotein.Ourbodiesandbrainsarenotequippedtohandlethehighconcentrationsfoundinadietsodaandother‘diet’products.Inthatformtheseaminoacidsareconcentratedenoughtodisruptnervecellcommunicationandcancausecelldeath.Theneurotoxiceffectsoftheseisolatedaminoacidscanbelinkedtomigraines,mentalconfusion,balanceproblems,andseizures.Readneurosurgeon,RussellBlaylock’sbookExcitotoxins:TheTasteThatKills,whichdescribesthedangerouseffectsofaspartameandMSGonsensitivebraincells.MethanolinAspartameCausesBlindnessThethirdcomponentofaspartameismethanol,whichisalsonaturallypresentinfruitsandvegetablesbutthesefoodsalsocontainnaturalethanol,whichneutralizesthemethanol.TheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA)definessafeconsumptionofmethanolasnomorethan7.8mgperdayofthisdangeroussubstance.Yet,aone‐literbeverage,sweetenedwithaspartame,containsabout56milligramsofwoodalcohol,orseventimestheEPAsafetylimit.AspartameCausesFoodCravingsTheabsoluteironyofaspartamebeinganingredientindietproductsisthatitcausesweightgain.Itworksthatwaybecausephenylalanineandasparticacidbothstimulatethereleaseofinsulin.Rapid,strongspikesininsulinremoveallglucosefromthebloodstreamandstoreitasfatleavingonefeelingravenous.Additionally,phenylalaninehasbeendemonstratedtoinhibitsynthesisoftheneurotransmitterserotonin,whichsignalsthatthestomachisfull.191Thiscancauseyoutoeatmorethanyounormallywouldand,ultimately,gainweight.Inarecentstudy,acontrolgroupswitchingtoanaspartame‐freedietresultedinanaverageweightlossof19pounds.192

AspartameandObesityCirculation,theOnlineJournaloftheAmericanHeartAssociation,inJuly22,2007releasedareportabouttheeffectsofdrinkingoneregularcolaoronedietcolaaday.193

191 Roberts J D. Aspartame Disease: An Ignored Epidemic. Sunshine Sentinel Press. 192 Barone, P. “The Sweet Saboteur: Aspartame.” Washington Running Report. March/April, 2004. 193 http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.689935v1



Inthisstudy,6,039middle‐agedparticipantswhoenteredthestudywithnosignsof“metabolicsyndrome”[excesswaistcircumference(obesity),hypertensionandglucoseintolerance(pre‐diabetes)]whodailydrankonesoftdrink(12oz.regularordiet),afterfouryears,hada50%higherprevalenceofmetabolicsyndromethanthosewhodidnotdrinkanysoda.Theresearcherswerestruckbythefactthatdietsodacausedthesameincidenceofmetabolicsyndromeasthesugaredvariety(10tspper12ozcan).Theyconcludedthatartificiallysweeteneddietsodascouldbeharmful.Theysaidthe“associationwasevidentevenwhentheresearchersaccountedforotherfactors,suchaslevelsofsaturatedfat,calorieintake,smokingandphysicalactivity.”I’msureanumberofpeoplewereshakenbythisstudybecausezero‐caloriedrinksaremarketedtohelppeopleloseweightandavoidrelatedhealthproblems.Unfortunatelytheyremaincluelessaboutwhythisishappening.TheNewYorkTimes,February5,2008,reportedonthecorrelationbetweendrinkingdietsodaandmetabolicsyndromeandprintedthefollowingquote."’Thisisinteresting,’saidLynM.Steffen,anassociateprofessorofepidemiologyattheUniversityofMinnesotaandaco‐authorofthepaper,whichwaspostedonlineinthejournalCirculationonJan.22.‘Whyisithappening?Isitsomekindofchemicalinthedietsoda,orsomethingaboutthebehaviorofdietsodadrinkers?’”

Yes,Dr.Steffen,aspartameISsomekindofchemical!

AspartameandCancerTheoriginalresearchonaspartameproducedbraintumorsinthestudyanimals.Thatresearchhasbeenignoredforthirtyyears.194In2005,Dr.MorandoSoffrittioftheRamazziniCancerResearchInstitutefoundthataspartamecausescancer,specificallylymphoma,leukemiaandbreastcancer.195Thisvaststudydemonstratedthataspartamecausedasignificantincreaseinlymphomasandleukemias,malignanttumorsofthekidneysinfemalerats,andmalignanttumorsofperipheralandcranialnervesinmalerats.ThesetumorsoccurredatdosesthatwerewellbelowtheacceptabledailyintakerecommendedbytheregulatoryauthoritiesintheEUandUS.Ratherthanaweek‐longormonth‐longaspartame‐feedingstudy,theRamazziniprojectadministereddifferentlevelsofaspartameoveranseven‐yearperiodto1,800rats.

194http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2006/03/21/aspartame_causes_cancer_original_studies_showed_problem.htm 195 Soffritti M. et al. "Aspartame induces lymphomas and leukaemias in rats.” Eur. J. Oncol. 10 (2005), nbr. 2, pp. 107-116.



Inpreviousresearch,TheTrochoStudyshowedthatformaldehydefromthefreemethylalcoholinaspartameembalmslivingtissueanddamagesDNA.WhenyoudamageDNAyoucandestroyhumanity.196BettyMartiniDHum

Forthebesteducationonaspartame,gotowww.mpwhi.comandfollowtheworkofBettyMartini,founderofMissionPossible,aworldwideanti‐aspartameactivistgroup.Thisverypowerfulwomanhashelpedmanythousandsofpeopleregaintheirhealthbywarningthemaboutthedangersofaspartame.Onthiswebsiteyouwillfindthepapertrailthatledtotheapprovalofaspartamedespiteepilepticseizuresandbraintumorsappearingintestanimals.Youwillalsolearnabouttheninety‐twoaspartamesideeffectsthathavebeenreportedtotheFDAandignored.SweetMisery:APoisonedWorldThisisa2004documentary,SweetMisery:APoisonedWorldbyCoriBrackett,whobeginsthefilmwithherownmiraculousrecoveryfrommultiplesclerosisonceshethrewawayaspartame‐sweetenedproducts.Ms.Brackettinterviewsseveralvictimsofaspartamepoisoning,excitotoxinexpert,Dr.RussellBlaylock,aspartameactivistDr.BettyMartini,andArthurEvangelista,aformerFoodandDrugAdministrationinvestigator,whoconfirmsthedirtytricksplayedbyindustryandgovernmenttoforceapprovalofaspartameinfoodsaroundtheworld.AvoidSyntheticSweetenersEveryfewyearsanotherartificialsweetenerappearsonthemarketamidhooplaandhype.Theadvertisingthrustistoinformconsumersthatthisnewproductisperfectlysafeandamiracleoftechnology.Themiracleishowtheygetpastgovernmentsafetystandardsandhowtheydupethepublic.Sweetenersaremadeartificiallysothattheycanbepatented‐justlikedrugs.Andjustlikedrugs,theyallhavesideeffects.So,don’tcontinuetopullthewooloveryourowneyes.IfyouneedaddedsweetnesssimplyusenaturalSteviaorhoney.SaccharinSaccharinisapetroleum‐derivedsweetenerdiscoveredin1879andwasusedextensivelyduringthesugarshortagesduringWorldWarsIandII.Saccharinmightbelessdangerousthanaspartame,butitisstillasyntheticsubstancethatthebodyhastodetoxify.AcesulfameKInhisbook,SafeFood,andalsoonthewebsiteoftheCenterforScienceinthePublicInterestwww.cspi.com,MichaelJacobsonPhDoutlinesthedangersofAcesulfameK.ItismarketedasSunette,orSweetOne,andwasapprovedbytheFDAin1988asasugarsubstituteinpowderorpills,inchewinggum,drymixesforbeverages,instant

196 Trocho C, et al. Formaldehyde Derived from Dietary Aspartame binds to tissue Components in Vivo. Life Sciences, Vol. 63, no. 5, pp. 337-349, 1998. http://www.mpwhi.com/formaldehyde_from_aspartame.pdf



coffeeandtea,gelatindesserts,puddings,andnondairycreamers.TheFDAhasnotapproveditforuseinsoftdrinksandbakedgoods.CSPIsaysthatabreakdownproductofAcesulfameK“hasbeenshowntoaffectthethyroidinrats,rabbits,anddogs.Administrationof1%and5%acetoacetamideinthedietforthreemonthscausedbenignthyroidtumorsinrats.Therapidappearanceoftumorsraisesseriousquestionsaboutthechemical’scarcinogenicpotency."Splenda(sucralose)EqualisanaspartamesweetenermadebytheMerisantCompany.SplendaisEqual’smajorcompetitorandisbeinghauledintocourtbythemakersofEqualforfalseadvertisinginaversionofSugarWars.Spendaclaimsthatits"madefromsugar,soittasteslikesugar”butMerisantsaysEqualisdeceivingpeopleintobelievingtheyareeatingnaturalsugarbutwithoutthecalories.Inacatfightthatwillprobablyexposebothproductsforwhattheyreallyare,ABCNewsonDecember1,2004saidthatthelawsuitagainstEqualsaysthatitis“madefromdextrose,maltodextrinand4‐chloro‐4‐deoxy‐alpha,D‐Galactopyranosyl‐1,6‐dichloro‐1,6‐dideoxy‐beta,D‐fructofuranoside."Dr.JosephMercola,whopostednewsaboutthelawsuitonhisextensivehealthwebsite,www.mercola.comofferedthefollowingincisivecomment.“Talkabouttheproverbial"potcallingthekettleblack!"…it'snowonderwhyMerisantisgoingafterMcNeil:SplendasaleshavesoaredwaypastEqualsinceitwasintroducedintheUnitedStatessomefouryearsago.Idofinditquiteoddthatthemanufacturerofanartificialsweetenerwhoseprimarytoxicingredientisaspartame(a.k.a.Equal)issuinganothermanufacturerofanequallyartificialsweetenerwiththeequallytoxicsucralose(a.k.a.Splenda).AsfarasI'mconcerned,theyareequallydangerous,equallymisleadingandequallydetrimentaltoyourhealth.”Splendaisachlorinatedsugarmolecule,whichgivesourbodyadoseofchlorinethatcandisruptvitalchloridemetabolismthroughout.Dr.MercolaliststhefollowingproblemsthatareassociatedwithSplendainanimalresearch.

• Shrunkenthymusglands(upto40percentshrinkage)• Enlargedliverandkidneys• Atrophyoflymphfolliclesinthespleenandthymus• Reducedgrowthrate• Decreasedredbloodcellcount• Extensionofthepregnancyperiod• Abortedpregnancy• Diarrhea

Wedon’tknowthelong‐termeffectsonhumansbecausethestudieshavenotbeendone.Thepeoplewhohavebeenusingthisproductforyearsaretheexperiment.



CHAPTER11DEATHBYADDICTION

ItalkedaboutsugarinChapter9andquotedDr.AbramHofferaffirmingthat:

"Sugarisanaddictionfarstrongerthanwhatweseewithheroin.Itisthebasicaddictivesubstancefromwhichallotheraddictionsflow.Refinedsugarandallrefinedfoodssuchaspolishedrice,whiteflourandthelike,arenothinglessthanlegalizedpoisons.”

Whatyoumaynotknowisthatsugarisusedinthecuringprocessoftobacco.Butmostpeopleknowthatwhenanyonegivesupsmokingoralcohol,thefirstthingtheyturntoissweets.Thestoryofaddictionisalsowrappedupinthestoryofcorporationsthatselltheproductsofaddiction.Theymaysayapersonhasachoicewhethertoconsumetheproductornot.However,theythrowalltheweightoftheirPRandadvertisingeffortstowardconvincingapersontobuytheirproduct.It’sonlywhenweareabletohavealevelplayingfieldandpeopleareallowedtheinformationtomakeaninformedchoicethatwehavetruefreedomtochoose.It’snotjustamatterofcuttingbackontheamountofadvertisingoftobaccoandalcoholthat’simportantbutcounteringthecoolimagethatispresentedtoyoungpeoplewithrealfactsaboutthesesubstances.TheHistoryofTobaccoThefirstcasesoflungcancerassociatedwithtobaccowerereportedin1912.Decadebydecadetheincidenceoflungcancerrose.In1957SurgeonGeneralLeroyE.Burneyissuedthe"JointReportofStudyGrouponSmokingandHealth,"statingthat,"Prolongedcigarettesmokingwasacausativefactorintheetiologyoflungcancer.”ThiswasthefirsttimethePublicHealthServicehadtakenapositiononthesubject.Thisreport,however,didnothingtobringtoanendadvertisingthatpromotedsmokingashealthy,ortogetwarninglabelsoncigarettepackages.Amazinglyenough,theAmericanMedicalAssociationsupportedthetobaccoindustry'sobjectiontolabelingcigarettesasahealthhazardbasedonpossiblefinanciallossestothetobaccoindustry,government(fromlosttaxes),tobaccosellers,andgrowers.MedicaljournalsevenpromotedLuckyStrikecigaretteadswiththeannoyingjingle“ReachforaLuckyinsteadofasweet”.(YoucanreadmoreabouttheactualLuckyStrikecigarettecampaigninChapter5.)Denialcamefromtheveryorganizationsworntoprotectthepublic…orisitjustprotectingdoctors?In1964theSurgeonGeneral’sreportonsmokingconfirmedtothenationthatsmokingcauseslungcancerandtherewasalotofmediaattentiongiventothisannouncement.AlmosthalfofAmericanmalesweresmokingatthattime;thenewscaused20%tostopsmoking,buttheyresumedsmokingalmostasquicklybecausethereportwascounteredwithahugeadvertisingblitzofdenial.Inthatsameyear,theAMAaccepteda$10milliongrantfortobaccoresearchfromsixcigarette



companiesandsimultaneouslydecidednottoissuetheirreportontherelationshipofsmokingtocancer.Finally,in1969,fiveyearsaftertheSurgeonGeneral’sreport,CongressenactedthePublicHealthCigaretteSmokingActandcigarettepackageswerestampedwiththefollowingwarning:"TheSurgeonGeneralHasDeterminedThatCigaretteSmokingisDangeroustoYourHealth."ScientificProofofHarmBy1970,therewereover7,000scientificreportsconfirmingthehealthhazardsoftobaccobutthisinformationwasnotgettingouttothepublic.Anoccasionalarticle,radioprogram,ortelevisionshowwouldactlikea“publicserviceannouncement”,buttherewasnoPRfirmhiredtopromotethesefindings.Therewasfarmoretobaccoadvertisingandanabundanceofpro‐tobaccoarticlesfundedbytheeightbilliondollartobaccoindustry.Mostpeoplewereconfusedabouttheissueanddidn’tknowwhotobelieve‐theyjustthrewuptheirhandsandkeptsmoking.Andthat’swheretheirdenialcamein.

BlametheVictimTocountertheSurgeonGeneral’s1964declarationthatsmokingcauseslungcancer,WorldTobaccomagazinepublished"InternationalPerspectiveonSmokingandHealth"intheMarch1964issue.Itendedwithareviewofthe25yearsofresearchconductedbyWestGermany’sDr.H.Aschenbenner,SecretaryGeneraloftheInternationalAssociationofScientificTobaccoResearch,whosaidhisworks"haveproventhattobaccoantagonismoftenspringsfromamorbid(andoftenunconscious)pyrophobia(fearoffire)‐aphenomenonwhosemanymanifestationsincludesuppressedfearofthe'bigfire'oratombomb."Thatsuchaludicroustheory‐thatpeoplewhoareagainstsmokingareafraidoffire‐waseverpublishedshowstheextenttowhichthetobaccoindustrywouldgotomuddythewatersaroundtobacco.Withtobaccowehavecometotheplaceofunderstandingthatwedon’tneedtoknowpreciselyhowmanycigarettesittakestogetcancer,buttoknowthatitisagenuineriskformostpeople.Butacombinationofslickadvertisingandcover‐upbytobaccocompanieskeptpeoplefromknowingtheaddictivenatureofnicotineandthepotentialcancerrisk.Tobaccocompaniescountedontheaddictivebehaviorofpeopletoselltheirproductandtosellittoyoungerandyoungerpeople;totargetwomen;andtomakesmokingseemhipandcool.TheresultinJAMA’s“ActualCausesofDeath”inAmericaduetotobaccoisalmosthalfamillionpeopleannually(435,000).InCanadathatfigurewouldbeabout43,500liveslost.4000WaystoKillFormorethanyoueverwantedtoknowabouttobacco,clickonhttp://globalink.org/tobacco/trg/Chapter19/table_of_contents.htmlTheTobaccoReferenceGuidebyDavidMoyer,MD.Chapter19,TobaccoIngredients,Additives,andRadioactivityismyfavorite.Below,youwillfindinterestingexcerptsfromthatchapter.



1.Thereare4000differentchemicalsincigarettesmoke,including43thatmeetthestringentcriteriaforlistingasknowncarcinogens.‐HealthBenefitsofSmokingCessation,1990SurgeonGeneralReport2.Amongchemicalsonthetop‐secretlistofabout700additivestocigarettesreportedtotheUSgovernmentare13notallowedinfood(USFDA)and5designatedashazardous(USEPA).Mostoftheadditiveshavenotbeenscientificallyinvestigated.NationalPublicRadioreport,April19943.Twoofthe700additivesincigarettesaresclareol,whichcausesseizuresinlaboratoryrats,andethylfuroate,whichwasinvestigatedinthe1930'sasapossiblechemicalwarfareagent.AmericanMedicalNews,May2,19944.Atwopackadaysmokertakes400puffsadayandinhales1000milligrams(onegram)oftar.Thisis150,000puffsandaquartofthickbrowngooeycarcinogenictarinhaledintothelungseachyear.AmericanCancerSociety,19885.Saccharinhasreceivedmuchattentionas[a]carcinogen,butthecarcinogenicpotencyofbenzopyreneintobaccosmokeis50,000timesgreaterthanthatofsaccharin.NorthCarolinaMedicalJournal,January1995,p.56.Eachtinofsnuffdeliversasmuchnicotineas30to40cigarettes.Thereisalethaldoseofnicotineineachcanofspittobacco,aswellaslead(nervepoison),embalmingfluid(formaldehyde),andradioactiveparticles.QuittingSpit,NationalCancerInstitute,1991,p.57.Ammonia,an"impactbooster"additivetocigarettes,changestheacidityoftobaccoandproducesfreenicotinesothatnearlytwicetheusualamountgetsintoasmoker'sbloodstream.NewYorkTimes,June22,1994,pp.A1andC208.Taristhestickybrownsubstancecondensingoutoftobaccosmoke,andiscomposedofmanychemicals.TobaccoControlFactSheet3,InternationalUnionAgainstCancer,19969."Tar"incigarettesconsistsprimarilyofpolycyclicaromatichydrocarbonssuchasbenzopyrene,anexceedinglypotentcarcinogen.PharmacologicalBasicsofTherapeutics,GoodmanandGilman,1990edition,p.54511.Dr.JohnSlade,associateprofessorofmedicineattheUniversityofMedicineandDentistry,NewJersey,advocatesregulationofcigarettestoreducetheamountofsoot,atermheprefersto"tar."Onealternativewouldbetoimposehighertaxesonmoretoxichigh‐sootcigarettes,ortosetlimitsonsootlevels.USNewsandWorldReport,December30,1996,pp.666712.Toxiccomponentsofcigarettesmokeincludecarbonmonoxide(usedforsuicidesingarageswiththecarenginerunning),nicotine(activeingredientinbug



spraysandpesticides),acetone(nailpolishremover),naphthalene(activeingredientinmothballs),ammonia(toiletbowlcleaner),hydrazine(rocketfuel),methane(swampgas),acetylene(blowtorches),polonium‐210(radioactiveparticles),andhydrogencyanide(activeingredientinSanQuentingaschamber).Theleadingsourceofleadexposureinbuildingswithsmokersisenvironmentaltobaccosmoke.StantonGlantzlecture,SanFrancisco,February24,199413.Tobaccosmokecontains13billionparticlespercubiccentimeter,andis10,000timesmoreconcentratedthantheaerosolresultingfromautomobilepollutionatrushhouronafreeway.TheHealthConsequencesofSmoking:CancerandChronicLungDiseaseintheWorkplace,1985SurgeonGeneralreport

14.Smokingproducesanestimated2.25millionmetrictonsofgaseousandinhalableparticulatemattereachyear.From66to90%ofcigarettesmokeproducedissidestreamsmoke.1985SurgeonGeneralreport15.Indoortobaccoburningproducesanestimated13,000metrictonsofrespirablesuspendedparticleseachyear.1985SurgeonGeneralreport16.Thegovernmentdoesnotrequirethetobaccoindustrytolistthechemicalsitaddstocigarettes.Infact,itisafelonyforanygovernmentofficialtomentionanyofthehundredsofchemicalsonthelistkeptingreatsecrecybythegovernment.ASHReview,MarchApril1994,p.717.Cigarettefilterslaudedforreducinginhaledtarmaythemselvesbedangerous.Thefibersinthefiltersmaybeinhaledandlodgeinthelungsofsmokers.AssociatedPress,January14,199518.Componentsofcigarettesmokeincludebenzopyrene,hydrogencyanide,dimethylnitrosamines,andtheradioactiveelementpolonium‐210.Thepolonium‐210intobaccosmokemaybethemajorsourceofexposuretoradioactivityforthemajorityofAmericans.AmericanJournalofPublicHealth,February1989,p.209AddictedtoAlcoholWeoftenreadstoriesthatEuropeancountriesviewwineasapleasantwaytoendameal,whereasinNorthAmerica,gettingdrunkseemstobethewayto“enjoy”alcohol.However,thereistroubleinparadiseaccordingtoClaudeRivièreoftheNationalAssociationforthePreventionofAlcoholism(NAPA)writingfortheGlobemagazineintheU.K.,theculturalmythofalcoholinFranceisunraveling.197Rivièreagreesthatalcohol,andespeciallywine,symbolizestheFrenchwayoflife,butsaysthatanydiscussionaboutitsharmfuleffectshaslongbeenataboosubject.Almost11litersofpurealcoholisdrunkperpersonperyearinFrance,makingitthe 197 Rivière C. “Alcohol – The Situation in France.” The Globe Magazine. Issue 2. 2000. http://www.ias.org.uk/publications/theglobe/00issue2/globe0002_p8.html.



secondhighestconsumerintheworld.So,infact,alcoholintakeinFranceisnotjustapleasantpastime,it’saseriousproblem.AccordingtoPravda,in2001,Russiansdrank14litersofpurealcoholannually,only3morethantheFrench.198Francereportsthat,justasinNorthAmerica,thereis:1.Anincreaseinalcoholconsumptioninyoungpeople(65percentof12‐18year

oldsconsumealcohol);2.Anincreaseinconsumptionofstrongalcoholicdrinksandintheincidentsof

drunkenness;3.Higherconsumptioninruralareas;4.Moreincidentsatcafesandnightclubs,whicharealcohol‐related.Withapopulationof61million,accordingtoTheGlobe,thereareanestimated5millionpeoplewhohavemedical,psychological,andsocialdifficultieslinkedtotheirconsumptionofalcohol.Medicalreportsindicatethat29.5percentofmenand11percentofwomenareexcessivedrinkers(morethan28glassesperweekforaman,morethan14forawoman).InAmerica,themortalityrateduetoalcoholintheJAMAreporton“ActualCausesofDeath”is85,000.However,themortalityrateattributedtoalcoholconsumptioninFrancerepresentsaminimumof40,000–50,000deathsperyear,beingbetween7and10percentofthetotaldeathrate.So,it’snotamatterofhavingamore“enlightened”approachtoalcohol.Instead,ithaseverythingtodowiththeamountofalcoholthatisdrunkinaculture.Themorepeopledrink,themoretheyabusealcoholandthemorealcoholabusestheirbodies.Andit’snotjustamatterofscaringpeoplewiththerealityofalcoholmortalitystatistics.Ifapersonbysheerforceofwillandthehigherpowerthatissoimportantinthetwelve‐stepprogramofAlcoholicsAnonymousmanagestomaintaintheirabstinence,theyusuallybecomeaddictedtosugarasasubstitute.Infact,youcancreateyourownalcoholicbrewbyexcessivesugarintakethatallowsgutyeasttoproducealcohol.Measurablealcohollevelsarefoundinsomeoneinthissituation.However,ifyougiveapersonthecorrectnutrients,suchaschromium,zinc,magnesium,Bvitamins,andvitaminC,theybecomerepleteanddon’tcravesugaroralcohol.ANationOfPillPoppersACBCspecialaboutourpill‐takingpopulationreportedthattheU.S.isresponsiblefor5percentoftheworld'spopulationand42percentoftheworld'sspendingonprescriptiondrugstothetuneof$250billionin2005.199

198 Romanova Marina. “Russians do not drink wine. They prefer vodka.” Pravda. November 10, 2001. 199 A Nation of Pill-Takers.” CBS. Oct. 22, 2006.



OnedoctorinterviewedontheCBCspecialfeltthat"Iftheindividualistroubledenoughbytheproblem,knowswhattherisksareofthemedicine,andstillfeelsthatthebenefitisworthwhile—Idon'thaveaproblemwithit.”Whatmostpeoplehaveaproblemwith,however,isthattheydon’tknowwhattherisksare.Theydon’treadthepackageinsertsorthedrugbooksthatlistdozens,sometimeshundredsofsideeffectsformostdrugs.ManycriticsofthedrugindustrysaythatTVdrugadshavebecomethenewdoctorandaresendingpeopletotheirphysiciantosimplypickupaprescriptionforthedrugtheysawonTV.Americansviewanaverageof10prescriptiondrugadsperday.NewYorkUniversityclinicalpsychologistLeonoreTiefersayswhatmanyofusarethinking."Thereisnodrugtrialintheworldwhereanyoneistakingfivedrugssimultaneouslyandtheyarelookingattheinteractions.Sowhyisitabadidea?Idon'twanttobepartofsomeexperiment.It’sdiseasemongeringjusttoselldrugs.”Intruemarketingstyle,JimDettore,presidentofBrandInstitute,explainedthat“companieslikehisaresimplyrespondingtotheneedsofconsumers.”Namingorre‐naming,syndromesfordrugcompaniesis20percentofhisbusiness.Dettoresaysthebabyboomerpopulationdoesn’twanttobebotheredwithsymptomstheyaresaying“'Iwannalive.Idon'twannasneeze.Idon'twannacough.Idon'twannarunaroundwitharunnynose.Iwant—Iwannabeperfect.’”SocietytoBlameDr.AbramHoffersaysthatsugarandconsequentnutrientdeficiencytriggersaddictions.Lawenforcementsaysit’sduetobadpeoplebehavingbadly.Dr.BruceAlexander,apsychologistwhorecentlyretiredafterthirty‐fiveyearsatSimonFraserUniversityinBritishColumbia,sayssinceaddictionisstimulatedbyenvironmentalfactorsdrugpoliciesdon’twork.200Alexandersays,“Theonlywaywe’llevertouchtheproblemofaddictionisbydevelopingandfosteringviableculture.”Inthelate1970s,Alexanderranaseriesofelegantexperimentshecalls“RatPark”.Theconclusionhereachedwasthatdrugs,evenharddrugslikeheroinandcocaine,donotcauseaddiction;theuser’senvironmentdoes.Likealotofresearchthatgoesagainsttheprevailinggrain,Alexander’sworkwasmostlyignored.Peopleweresoconvincedthatdrugscauseaddictiontheycouldn’tseeanyothercause.ItturnsoutthatalltheanimaldrugexperimentswerecarriedoutinconfinedSkinnerboxeswhereasurgicallyimplantedcatheterishookeduptoadrugsupplythattheanimalself‐administersbypressingalever.Thereisnolackofexperimentsshowingthatlabanimalsreadilybecameslavestosuchdrugsasheroin,cocaine,andamphetamines,whichwastheproofthatdrugsareirresistibleandaddictive. 200 Hercz, Robert. “Rat Trap” The Walrus. January 29, 2008.



WhenAlexanderdidhisowndrugexperimentshebuiltaparadiseforratsandcalleditRatPark.Hecreatedaplywoodenclosurethesizeof200standardcages.Floorswerecoveredwithcedarshavings;therewereboxesandtincansforhidingandnesting,climbingpoles,andnolackoffood.Mostimportant,becauseratsliveincolonies,RatParkhousedsixteentotwentyanimalsofbothsexes.Alexanderalsoranaparallelexperimentwithcontrolanimalsinstandardlaboratorycages.Bothgroupsofratshadaccesstotwowaterbottles,onefilledwithplainwaterandtheotherwithmorphine‐lacedwater.ItbecameobviousthattheresidentsofRatParkoverwhelminglypreferredplainwatertomorphine(thetestproducedstatisticalconfidencelevelsofover99.9percent).Alexandertriedtoseducehisratswithsugaredmorphinewaterbut,RatParkersdrankfarlessthanthecagedrats.TheonlythingthatmadetheRatParkersdrinkmorphinewaswhenAlexanderaddednaloxone,whicheliminatesmorphine’snarcoticeffects.TheRatParkerswantedthesweetwater,butnotifitmadethemhigh.Inhis“KickingtheHabit”experiment,Alexanderallowedbothgroupsofratsonlymorphine‐lacedwaterforfifty‐sevendays,untiltheywerephysicallydependentonthedrug.Butassoonastheyhadachoicebetweenplainwaterandmorphine,theRatParkers“switchedtoplainwatermoreoftenthanthecagedratsdid,voluntarilyputtingthemselvesthroughthediscomfortofwithdrawaltodoso.”Alexander’s“RatParkshowedthatarat’senvironment,nottheavailabilityofdrugs,leadstodependence.Inanormalsetting,anarcoticisanimpedimenttowhatratstypicallydo:fight,play,forage,andmate.Butacagedratcan’tdothosethings.It’snosurprisethatadistressedanimalwithaccesstonarcoticswouldusethemtoseekrelief.”Unfortunately,bothScienceandNaturerejectedAlexander’swork.AsImentionedearlier,thistypeofresearchgoesagainsttheprevailinggrainandonereviewersaid“Ican’tputmyfingeronwhat’swrong,butIknowit’sgottobewrong.”TheRatParkpaperswerepublishedinreputablepsychopharmacologyjournalsbutnottheonesthatmostpeopleread.IntheensuingyearsAlexanderhasprovenbyreadingeverypaperonaddictionthathumansbecomeaddictedforthesamereasonsasrats.He’swrittenbooksandpapers,deliveredspeeches,andtestifiedbeforethe2001–2002SenateSpecialCommitteeonIllegalDrugs.

“Hismessage—thatthecorevaluesofWesternlifehavecreatedanenvironmentofrootlessnessandspiritualpovertythatleadsmoreandmoreofustoaddiction—isRatParkwritlarge.Andbyaddiction,Alexandermeansagreatdealmorethanillegaldrugs.Therearethelegaldrugs,alcoholandtobacco,ofcourse.Thenthere’sgambling,work,shopping,theInternet,andanorexia(“addictiontostarvation,”asAlexanderputsit).Researchisshowingthatasfarasthebrainisconcerned,theseactivitiesaredrugs,too,



raisinglevelsoftheneurotransmitterdopamine,justlikealcohol,heroin,andalmosteveryotheraddictivesubstanceweknow.Inthisbroad—butnotloose—senseoftheword,addictionisnotthepreserveofacoterieofsocialoutcasts,butratherthegeneralconditionofWesternsociety.”

“Naturally,theseindictmentshavenotforthemostpartbeenwarmlyreceived,butAlexanderisusedtothat.Foryears,he’sworkedoutsidethemainstream,withoutfunding,inthefaceofprofessionalridicule.Theresistance,hesays,isbasedonapervasive“temperancementality”thathasmadedrugs—firstalcohol,thenopium,morphine,cocaine,heroin,andmarijuana—thescapegoatforsociety’sillsforcenturies.‘We’rebathedinthispropagandafromchildhood,andit’stotallypersuasive,”hesays.“It’ssomucheasiertobelievethatthedrugtakespeopleawaythanthattheverycivilizationweliveinismakinglifemiserableforeverybody.’”



CHAPTER12DEATHBYDENIAL

"Onlypunysecretsneedprotection.Bigdiscoveriesareprotectedbypublicincredulity.”201

MarshallMcLuhanandBarringtonNevitt

TheFDAisanagencyindenial.Dr.DavidGraham,FDAwhistle‐bloweronVioxx

DenialAshumanbeingswehavefreewillandfreedomtochoosewhatisbestforourfamiliesandourselves.Wehavethefreedomtolearnaboutourhealth,ourbodies,andourenvironment.Ordowe?Dowehaveachoiceaboutthechemicalsinourenvironmentandinourfood?Didwevoteforcellphones;areweawareoftheirsideeffects?Ordowejustacceptthesenewchemicalsandtechnologiesleavingituptosomeoneelsetodecide‐eventhoughthatsomeonemaybeunqualifiedtospeakforusorourchildren?Andoncethesideeffectsaccumulate,whomdoweblame?Wecan’tpossiblyreactwithoutragetoeveryhealthandenvironmentalabuse.InmylifetimetherehavebeenbattlestoexposethedetrimentalhealtheffectsofDDT,tobacco,pesticides,andhormonereplacementtherapy.Butitseemsasifwearesoshellshockedwiththeconstantstruggletosurvivethestressesofmodernlifethatwearenolongerreactingtotheabuse.WritingchapterafterchapterabouttheabusesofmodernmedicineandmodernscienceinthisbookItriedtounderstandwhereourcollectivereasonandcommonsensehavegone.Whyhavewegoneintodenialabouttheeffectsofmodernmedicineandmoderntechnology?Dr.ElizabethKublerRossDenialisoneofthefivedistinctstagesthatanindividualexperiencesgoingthroughacatastrophiclifeevent.Psychiatrist,Dr.ElizabethKubler‐Ross,wasthefirsttoidentifythesestages.In1966,Dr.Kubler‐RossmovedfromZurich,SwitzerlandtotakeonateachingpositioninaDenvermedicalschool.Shechosethetopicofdeathanddyingforherfirstseriesoflectures.Shewasunabletofindmuchpublishedresearchonthetopicandspurredonbytheintensereactionfromherstudentstoherlecturesshebecameapioneerinthatfield.Dr.Kubler‐Rossfoundthatnoneofherstudentsremaineduntouched,somewereinaweofthecourageshownbythedyingpatientswhotheypersonallyinterviewedandmanystudentsbecameconfusedandanxiousabouttheirownmortality.Inthe 201 McLuhan M, Nevitt, B. Take Today: The Executive as Dropout. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. New York. 1972, p.92.



hospital,Dr.Kubler‐Rossfoundthatnotonlydidpatientstrytoavoidthetopicofdeathbutalsostudentsandmedicalstaffalikewereillpreparedtoenterintoanydiscussionofdeathanddying.Questionsweredivertedtoministers,priests,rabbis,orpsychiatrists,furtherdistancingthepatientfromtheirdoctorsandtheirdiagnosisandmakingthemfeeleithercrazyorreadyfortheirlastrites.

Dr.Kubler‐Rossspenttherestofherlifeteachingpeopleaboutdeathanddying,tryingtounburdenpeoplebyallowingthemtotalkaboutwhattheywerefeelinginsteadofcausingmorestrainthroughavoidance.Afterinterviewinghundredsofdyingpeopleshenamedfivestagesthatgrievingpeoplegothrough.Thefivestagesaredenial,anger,bargaining,depression,andacceptance.Sometimespeoplebecomestuckinoneofthefirstfourstages;theirlivescanbeheldinapainfullimbountiltheymovetothefifthstageofacceptance.

Dr.Kubler‐Rossaskedthisvitalquestion:“Whathappenstoamaninasocietybentonignoringoravoidingdeath?”IfDr.Kubler‐Rosshadlookedatsocietyafterreadingthisdissertation,shewouldhaveaskedwhathappenstoapeoplewhoignore,avoid,orcoverupcasesofdeathbymedicine,chemicals,surgery,anddrugsaswehaveoutlinedintheprecedingchapters?Dr.Kubler‐Ross’sfivestagesofgrieving:denial,anger,bargaining,depression,andacceptance,arethesameforindividualswhosmokeandlosetheirlives;thosewhodevelopcancerfromrepeatedexposuretopesticidesandherbicides;thosewomenwhoarediagnosedwithcancerwhileonhormonereplacementtherapy;andthosemen,women,andchildrensufferingmercurypoisoning.Thefivestagesofgrievingarealsothesameforfamilieswithdyingrelatives.TheFiveStagesofDenial1.Denial,Shock,andIsolationDr.Kubler‐Rosssaysthatdenialfunctionsasabufferagainstunexpectedshockingnews;itallowstimetogetusedtothediagnosis,tocollectyourselfanddevelopotherlessradicaldefenses.Yousay,“No,thisshouldn’thappentome;itcan’tbetrue.”2.Anger

Duringthegrievingprocess,oncethedenialliftssomewhat,youmaybecomefurious:atthepersonorthecompanywhoinflictedthehurt,orattheworld,orGod,forlettingithappen.Angerspinsoutinalldirections.Youscream,“Whyme?”3.Bargaining

AsyougrieveyoumaytrytobargainwithGod,begging,"IfIpromisetobegood,willyoutakeawaythelossandthepain?"



4.Depression

Inthisstagetheharshnessoftheinevitablehits;angerandsadnessremainanundercurrent.Yourlosscannotbesharedwithothersanddepressionmaybeintenseand,inthefaceofdeath,justified.5.AcceptanceWhentheanger,sadness,andmourninghavetaperedoff,yousimplyaccepttherealityoftheloss.Dr.Kubler‐Rosswarnsthatthisshouldnotbemistakenforahappytime.Shesaysit’salmostvoidoffeelings;theemotionalpainhasgone,thestruggleisoverandatbesttherecomesatimeforthefinalrestbeforethelongjourney.Dr.Kubler‐Rosssays,infact,thathopeistheonethingthatpersiststhroughallthefivestagesineverypatient.It’slikeashimmering,gossamersixthstagethatweavesinandoutthroughtheotherfivestages.Shesaysitisthisglimmerofhopethatsupportspeoplethroughtheirsuffering,thefeelingthatallthismusthavesomemeaningandthat,somehow,thereasonswilleventuallyberevealed.Asweareengulfedinourcrises,hopebecomesthatthinyetunbreakablestrandofsilkbasedonthousandsofyearsofbuildingwisdomthatismoresolidthanthechangingtidesofourinterests.Wecanlooktonatureastheteacherofhope;thosesimplelessonslikethepromiseofatinyacorngrowingintoamagnificentoaktreeisoneofthegreatestsymbolsofhope.DenialinBigBusinessWe’vejustseenthestagesofthepersonalgrievingprocessbutcanwetakeitonestepfurtherandsaythesearealsothesamestagesthatcorporationsgothroughwhentheyarefacedwiththecrisisofdefendingaproductthatthepublicconsidersunsafe?Doesthisgiveussomeexplanationofthepsychologyatplaythatallowspeopletoputasidereasonandcommonsense?Canthestagesofgrievingalsohelpexplainhowwearedrawnintousingtoxicsubstancesandwhywecontinuetodosoevenwhenweknowtheyareharmful?Thestagesseemtomirrortheshockandintensedisappointmentfeltwhenfacedwithbetrayalbycompanieswhoseproductsarefoundtobeharmful.Whenweusetoxicproductsarewecaughtinthesamewebofdenialascorporations?DenialinHRTLet’staketheexampleofhormonereplacementtherapy.I’veseenmanywomenwhoweregivenanHRTprescriptionbyatrusteddoctorandthenyearslaterfindoutthattheyhavedevelopedcancer.Inthebeginningweacceptwhateverwearetoldbyourdoctororreadincompanyadsaboutaproductanddenythatanyonecouldbeintentionallyharmingorpoisoningus.Wewouldneverdosuchathingandwetransferthatbeliefontoothers.



Mostwomenreachingmenopause,whethertheyhavesymptomsornot,believedtheirdoctorswhotoldthemthathormonereplacementtherapywasessential.WebelievedchemicalcompanieswhotoldusweneededtokilleveryinsectontheplanetwithDDT.WebelievedthatcigaretteswouldgiveusthegoodlifeandmakeusaspopularastheHollywoodactorsthatpromotedthem.Medicaljournalsevenrantobaccoadsanddoctorspromotedcigarettesasaneffectivetranquilizer.Andwestillbelievethatmercurydentalamalgamsareharmless.Mostofuswanttotrustwhatourdoctor,dentist,orthemediatellsus.Indoingso,westaylockedinourbeliefthatsomeoneislookingoutforourbestinterests,andcan’timagineotherwise.Andthus,weareinultimatedenial.InChapter4,DeathbyMedia,wetalkedaboutthebeliefthatpeoplehadindrugadvertising.Theywereconvincedthatthe“FDAreviewsalladsbeforetheyarereleasedandallowsonlythesafestandmosteffectivedrugstobepromoteddirectlytothepublic.”dbm

Weareshatteredwhenafamilymember,orweexperienceanegativereactiontoaparticulardrugorchemicalproduct.Orwemayreadorhearsomethingverycompellingabouttheproductthatshakesourfaithinit.Then,bydoingourownresearchbeyondadvertisements,wefindoutsomerealfactsaboutthedangersoftheproduct,especiallyinthecaseofDDTandcancer‐causingproductsliketobaccoandestrogen.Alongwiththattruthcomesanger:againstthecompanyandalsoatourselvesforbeingsotrusting.Thebargainingstageisusuallynotlong‐livedforindividualsbecausethereisnoonewithwhomtobargain.Thecompanyandtheproducthavefailedusandwefeeldefeatedanddepressed‐thefourthstage.Mostpeopleatthisstagegrieveovertimelosttoillhealth.Finally,whenweareintheacceptancestagewecanbecomeactiveandeffectiveasadvocatesagainsttheseharmfulproducts.Evenjusttellingfamilyandfriendscansaveothersunnecessaryhardshipanddisability.Andthosefriendspassonthewordtotheirnetwork.Butallthesestagestaketime.Mostpeoplearekeptimmobilizedatoneofthesestages,makingithardforusefulchangetooccur.DenialbyDentistryOtherexamplesofoutrightdenialoccurindentistry.Insupportofmercuryamalgams,Dr.KarlFrykholm,fromSweden,inhis1957paper,cametotheabsurdconclusionthatwhensalivacoatedmercuryamalgams,theywererenderedincapableofreleasingmercuryvapor.Healsosaidthattheonlypeoplewhoexperiencemercury‐poisoningsymptomsarethosefewwhohaveanallergytomercury.TheAmericanDentalAssociationsoonadoptedthisstatementastheirofficialpolicytowardmercuryamalgams.Thosewhofelttheywerebeingpoisonedwithmercuryweretold,yes,youhaveanallergytomercury,itisnotourfault,andit’syourimmunesystemthat’satfault.



In1976amidaflurryofprotest,theFDAcontinuedtoaccepttheuseofamalgamfillings.Theamalgamswere"grandfathered"undertheG.R.A.S.(generallyrecognizedassafe)category,citingtheirlong‐termusage.Tryingtoconvinceauthoritiesofthedangersofmercuryamalgamsbecomesmoredifficultastheyearspassandnothingisdone.Tothisday,dentalschoolsteachhowtheplacementofmercuryamalgamsandassurestudentsthattheyaresafeeventhoughthereisoverwhelmingproofoftheopposite.Thetopicofmercuryiscoveredinanother2008eBookthatI’mwritingcalledMercuryMadness.CorporateDenialWecanalsoreviewtheroleofthecorporationsinsomedetailandseehowtheyfitintothefivestages.Often,corporationsgetstuckinthedenialstage.ThismodelnotonlyshowsushowtheissuessurroundingDDT,tobacco,andHRT,evolvedbutalsohowtheyarebeingresolved.Italsogivesushopefortheresolutionofcurrentenvironmentalhealthissues.Afteryearsofresearchanddevelopment,acompanymakesanewproductandputsitonthemarket.Alternatively,asisthecasewithmercurybeingusedindentalamalgamsandvaccines,itkeepsanoldproductonthemarket,promotingitthroughitsPRdepartment,anddevelopsnewusesforit.Weknowthattheadvertisingbudgetisusuallymuchlargerthantheproductproductionbudgetinmostlargedrugcompanies.WithanFDA‐approvedproduct,thecompanymeetsanysuggestionorevidencethatitisharmfulwithdenial.WeonlyhavetolookattheVioxxscandal,detailedinChapter4,toknowthisistrue.DenialDenialsbymedicineandindustrythatHRTcausescancerdraggedonfordecades.Premarin(estrogenfrompregnantmare’surine)wasthefirstformofestrogentobeacceptedbytheFDAbasedonindustry‐sponsoredstudiestoprovesafetyandefficacy.Premarinhadbeenusedinalimitedwaysince1940butthe1965industry‐sponsoredbook,FeminineForever,promotedestrogenasthe“fountain‐of‐youth.”Within10yearsPremarinwasthefifthleadingprescriptiondruginAmericaandmillionsofwomenwereusingestrogen.Butalongwithitspopularitycamethousandsofcancerdiagnoses.ThemakersofPremarinhadtofinallyadmitthatPremarincauseduterinecancer.Untilthattime,thepharmaceuticalcompanystaunchlydefendedestrogenassafeandbeneficialforallwomen.NotuntiltheWomen’sHealthInitiativetrialwasstoppedin2002becauseofanincreasedincidenceofdiseaseinwomenwhotookHRTdidwomenfindoutthetruth.AngerIfnon‐industry‐sponsoredstudiesgainafootholdandthereispublicevidencethataproductis,indeed,harmful,thecompany’sPRfirmandlegaldepartmentreachtheangerstage.Infact,somepeoplearestillangrythatDDTwasbannedin1973.TheauthorofanAugust19,2002,OpEdintheWallStreetJournalblamesthespreadofWestNilevirusonthepeoplewhobannedDDT.IfonlywehadDDT,theauthor



opines,wecouldhavekilledALLthemosquitoesintheworldandnothavethemspreadinginfection.202WhenRachelCarsonwroteSilentSpringin1958indictingDDTformassivedestructionofwildlife,shewasthreatenedwithlawsuitsbyindustry,herreputationwastarnished,andshewascalledahystericalwoman.Suchaggressivetacticsarestillusedtopersonallydiscreditcriticsinsteadofprovingthattheirproductissafe‐examplesofwhichwouldfillanotherbook.InthecaseofDr.DavidHealy,psychopharmacologistwhowasformallyofferedajobattheUniversityofTorontountilhemadeitclearata2000lectureinTorontothatdrugcompaniesareoftenlessthanforthcomingwithnegativestudiesabouttheirantidepressantdrugs.TheUniversityofTorontoshortlyafterwithdrewitsjobofferandDr.Healywasforcedtosue,statingthatthejobwithdrawalwasaconsequenceoftheclashofinterestsbetweenacademicfreedomandthecommercialinterestsofpharmaceuticalcompanies.Theothernotablecase,alsoinToronto,wasthatofDr.NancyOlivierithatwasoutlinedinChapter2.203TheDavidandGoliathstoryisafamiliaronetopeoplewhoaretryingtoforceahugecorporationtolistentotheirconcerns.Thedenialstageisongoing;angerfuelsanindignantrefusaltoadmitthatthecompanyisdoinganythingwrong.BargainingBargainingintheformofbuyingtimeandpayingoffindividualswhocomplainorsueisacommontacticofcorporations.Mostoftheseindividualcasesaresettledoutofcourtandgreatsumsarepaidtokeepthe“winner”ofthesettlementfromtalkingtothemedia.Corporationsalsofundfakescientificstudiesthat“prove”theirproductissafe.Let’sfollowHRTintothebargainingstage.BeforethemakersofPremarinadmitted,in1975,thattheirproductcausedcancer,theyfundedseveralstudiesthattheysaidprovedPremarinwassafe.Atmost,theirstudiessuggestedfurtherresearchwasneeded.Aftertheiradmission,in1975,thatPremarincausescancer,insteadofpullingcancer‐causingPremarinoffthemarket,thedrugcompanyarguedthatPremarinshouldbeusedtogetherwithsyntheticprogesteronetonullifyestrogen’scancer‐causingeffects.Themedicalestablishmentandthepublicacceptedthisbargainingtacticforanothertwenty‐sevenyearsuntil2002.Anotherbargainingtactictocounternegativepublicity,ordo“damagecontrol”fromlawsuitsagainstacompanyandtheirproduct,istolaunchhugeadvertisingandPRcampaigns.Weseethisinallianceswithsportsevents,charitableendeavors,andthehijackingof“savetheenvironment”sloganstoensureapositive“spin”onthecompanyandtheproduct.WehaveseenevidenceofBigTobacco,HRTmanufacturers,vaccinemakers,andthechemicalindustry,usingsomeofthese

202 Op Ed. Wall Street Journal. August 19, 2002. 203 http://www.pharmapolitics.com



tactics.Governmentlobbyingisalsopartoftheplanascompaniesarguethatstoppingthesaleoftheirproductwillbedetrimentalbytakingawayjobs.

DepressionAfterdecadesofdelayingtactics,depressionfinallyoccurswhenthecompanyisfacedwithmassivelawsuits,publicrejection,oranoutrightgovernmentbanontheirproduct.Thecompanymaytrytoassignblamebyfindingascapegoat.PerhapsavicepresidentorCEOisfired.OrtheCEOmaytrytoprojecttheblameontothecompany’sstockholdersfordemandingsuchahighlevelofreturnontheirstockthatthecompanyis“forced”todo“whateverittakes”tomakemoney.NotethattheCEO,whosejobitistokeepthepriceofsharesinthecompanyhigh,blamesthestock‐owningpublicforthedecisionsofbigbusiness:theCEOblamesyouandmefor“forcing”themtoharmus.ThismaysoundratherharshbutyoucanseethisplayingoutintheVioxxscandalandyoucanreadaboutmanymoresuchcasesinDr.MarciaAngell’sbook,TheTruthabouttheDrugCompanies.

Corporationsarejustifiablyafraidthatinvestorswilltaketheirmoneyoutofcompanystocksifthereisproofthataproductisdangerous.Andfalltheywill:thestocksofWyeth‐Ayerstfell40%whenthe16,000‐womanstudywashaltedinJuly2002.EthicalFundsThereisawaythatwe,thestock‐owningpublic,canintervene.Wecansimplytakeourmoneyoutofstocksincompaniesthatmakeproductsthataredetrimentaltosocietyandtoourhealth.Wecaninvestinwhatarecalled“ethicalfunds.”Thatmovewillsendaclearmessagetoindustry.Untilwedo,companieswillfeeljustifiedinblamingyouandmeforthewidespreaduseofunethicalanddangerousproductssimplybecausewekeepbuyingthem.AcceptanceAcceptanceoftheircompany’sfateandadmittingtheywerewrongoradmittingdefeatrarelyhappenswillingly.Asthejudgesandcourtsruleagainstthecompanyandtheirproduct,hugepaymentsinclass‐actionsuitsandenormousclean‐upbillsfollow.Thereisalmostnojoyinwinningsuchabattleforeitherside.Theactivistfeelstoomanyliveshavebeenharmedandmuchtimehasbeenlosteventhoughtheyhaveseeminglywonthebattle.Whenpeoplebuyaproduct,theyhavesomeexpectations‐theyexpectthatitwillbeworththeprice,thatitwilldowhatitissupposedtodo,andthatitwillbesafe.Thereisanelementoftrustineverytransaction.Welearnabouttrustinourrelationships,friendships,andpartnerships.Corporationsplayontheelementoftrustintheiradvertising.Whenadstakeonthefamiliarscenesandsoundsoffriendshipandcamaraderiebutallthewhileabusingourtrust,wearebewildered.Wedeny,becomeangry,bargain,becomedepressed,andfinallyacceptthatmostbigbusinessdoesnothavea“humanface.”



Youmaywantto“deny”whatwearesaying.Nobodylikestothinktheyhavebeenliedto,used,orabused.Theverywordswearesayingaboutdeathbymodernmedicinehavebeensaidoverandoveragainbyothersandjustasmanyhavedeniedthem.Thatiswhywethinkitissoimportanttorealizewhywetendtodenythingsoverwhichwehavenocontrol,andhoworganizationsandcorporationsdenyharminordertokeepamonopolyorturnaprofit.Thiswholechapterdelvesverydeeplyintoouremotionsandtherationaleforouractions,anditmightappearthatthereisnowayout.However,Ijustfinishedreadingawonderfulbooktitled,TheSoulofMoney,byTheHungerProjectactivist,LynneTwist.She’saremarkablewomanwhohasbeenabletofindtruemeaningandpurposeinherlifewhilefacingaworldofpovertyandlackinthepeopleshehelps.LetmequotefromTheSoulofMoneyaninspiringpassagethatmayhelpexplaintheinvisibleeffectsofourworkandstruggles:“Evolutionarybiologist,ElisabetSahtouris,saysthatthecaterpillar,atacertainpointinitslifecycle,becomesavoracious,overconsumptivegluttonconsumingeverythinginsightandwithinreach.Atthispointinitsevolutionitcaneathundredsoftimesitsownweight,andthemoreitconsumes,themorefatandsluggishitgets.Atthatsamemomentofdevelopmentalexcess,insidethecaterpillar,theimaginalcellsbegintostir.Imaginalcellsarespecializedcells,andintheminority,butwhentheyconnectwitheachothertheybecomethegeneticdirectorsofthemetamorphosisofthecaterpillar.Atsomepointinthecaterpillar’sfeeding‐frenzystage,theimaginalcellsusherintheprocessinwhichtheoverconsumptivecaterpillarbecomesthe‘nutritivesoup’outofwhichtheimaginalcellscreatethemiracleofthebutterfly.”LynneTwistgoesontocommentthat,“WhenIfirstheardthiscaterpillar‐butterflymetaphor,Iloveditbecauseitgavemeawaytoseetheworldthewayitis,evenitsstateofvoraciousgreed,asakindofevolutionaryphase.Itissuchafitmetaphorforourtime.WhenIlookattheinspired,devoted,andbrilliantpeopleatworkinsomanywaystorepairandnourishtheworld,infamilies,communities,andsustainableenterpriseseverywhereonEarth,Iseetheimaginalcellsofourowntransformation.”Shefeelsthat,“Thefallofunsustainablestructuresinbusiness,economics,politics,andgovernment‐thecollapseofcompanieslikeWorldCom,Enron,andTyco,inrecentyears‐andtheunravelingofcorporationcorruptioncouldbethebeginningofthevoraciouscaterpillar’sbecomingthenutritivesoupfromwhichwillgrowthemiracleofthebutterfly.”LynneTwistisabletosaythat,“Inthisworldofturmoilandconflict,violenceandretribution,Ibelievetherearemillionsofpeopletakingresponsibilitynotjustforchange,butalsofortransformation,forcreatingthemiracleofthebutterfly.Wemay



beintheminority,butweareeverywhere….Wearethe‘hiddenmainstream.’Wearethegeneticdirectorsforthislivingsystem.Ifwecontinuetoconnectwitheachother,wecancreateoutofthegluttonouscaterpillarthemiracleofthebutterfly.”Shethrowsdownthegauntlettoherreadersaswedoanddeclares:

“Ichallengeyoutouseyourmoney,everydollar,everypenny,everypurchase,everystockandeverybond,tovoicethistransformation.Ichallengeyoutousethemoneythatflowsthroughyourlife‐anditdoesflowthroughallofourlives‐toexpressthetruthandcontextofsufficiency.Ichallengeyoutomovetheresourcesthatflowthroughyourlifetowardyourhighestcommitmentsandideals,thosethingsyoustandfor.Ichallengeyoutoholdmoneyasacommontrustthatwe’reallresponsibleforusinginwaysthatnurtureandempowerus,andalllife,ourplanet,andallfuturegenerations.Ichallengeyoutoimbueyourmoneywithsoul‐yoursoul‐andletitstandforwhoyouare,yourlove,yourheart,yourword,andyourhumanity.”



CHAPTER13DEATHBYLIFESTYLE

Mydefinitionofsuccessistoliveyourlifeinawaythatcausesyoutofeelatonofpleasureandverylittlepain

andbecauseofyourlifestyle,havethepeoplearoundyoufeelalotmorepleasurethantheydopain.

AnthonyRobbinsThischapteriseditedfromapaperthatIwrotefortheNutritionInstituteofAmericatitled,“ModernMedicineGetsaFailingGrade:BirthoftheLifestyleApproach”.204TheJournaloftheAmericanMedicalAssociation(JAMA)isarguablyoneofthemostprestigiouspeer‐reviewedmedicaljournalsintheU.S.,perhapsintheworld.WhatJAMAsaysbetweenitscoversisstate‐of‐theartmedicalscience.Therefore,aMarch2004,JAMApapertitled,“ActualCausesofDeathintheUnitedStates,2000,”sentanimportantmessagetoNorthAmericans.205OneoftheauthorsofthispaperisDr.JulieGerberding,theheadoftheCentersforDiseaseControl(CDC).SheappearedregularlyinthemediawhereshewarnedAmericanpeopleaboutSARSin2003.Duringherlongcareer,Dr.Gerberdinghaswrittenover101medicaljournalarticlessince1985.Herthreecoauthorshadsimilarlonghistoriespublishingonpublichealthandlifestylehealthriskssuchasobesity,arthritis,diabetes,heartdisease,andthedistributionofmeasuressuchasC‐reactiveprotein(asignofinflammation)inthepopulation.TheimportantmessagethattheseauthorsaresendingtotheNorthAmericanpublicconcernslifestyle.EchoingwhattheWorldHealthOrganizationhasbeensayingfordecades,thattobaccoandlifestylearethemajorcausesofdeathinNorthAmerica,Gerberdingetal.,havequantifiedthesedeaths.Wehavelongbeentoldthatheartdiseaseandcanceraretheleadingcausesofdeath.Weareshownthesenumberseveryfewyearsastheepidemicofthesechronicdiseasesescalates.However,Gerberdingandhercolleagueshavenotjustcountedtheendresultofalifetimeofillnessandcalledit“heartdisease”or“cancer”,theyhavenamedtheactualcausesofdeath.

204 http://www.garynull.com/Documents/LifestyleApproach.htm 205 Mokdad AH, Marks JS, Stroup DF, Gerberding JL. “Actual causes of death in the United States, 2000.” JAMA. 2004 Mar 10;291(10):1238-45.



Accordingtotheauthors,thecontextofwritingthisarticlewasthat,“ModifiablebehavioralriskfactorsareleadingcausesofmortalityintheUnitedStates.Quantifyingthesewillprovideinsightintotheeffectsofrecenttrendsandtheimplicationsofmissedpreventionopportunities.”Theirobjectivewas,“ToidentifyandquantifytheleadingcausesofmortalityintheUnitedStates.”Thedesignofthestudycalledforthecollectionofepidemiological,clinical,andlaboratorystudieslinkingriskbehaviorsandmortalityfrom1980to2002.Prevalenceandrelativeriskoftheleadingcausesofdeathwereidentifiedduringtheliteraturesearch.Mortalitydatafromtheyear2000reportedtotheCentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionwereusedtoidentifythecausesandnumberofdeaths.Thesheernumbersofdeathsduetomodifiablebehavioralriskfactors,accountingforabouthalfofallannualdeaths,werenothinglessthanstartling.Tobaccodeathswerethehighestactualcauseofdeath(435,000deaths;18.1percentoftotalU.S.deaths).Aclosesecondwaspoordietandphysicalinactivity(400,000deaths;16.6percent).Alcoholconsumptionwasthird(85,000deaths;3.5percent).Otherdeathsduetomodifiablerisksweremicrobialagents(75,000),toxicagents(55,000),motorvehiclecrashes(43,000),incidentsinvolvingfirearms(29,000),sexualbehaviors(20,000),andillicituseofdrugs(17,000).Theauthorssaythat,althoughsmokingremainstheleadingcauseofmortality,poordietandphysicalinactivitymaysoonovertaketobaccoastheleadingcauseofdeath.Theyconcludethattheir“findingsalongwithescalatinghealthcarecostsandagingpopulation,arguepersuasivelythattheneedtoestablishamorepreventiveorientationintheU.S.healthcareandpublichealthsystemshasbecomemoreurgent.”ActualCausesofDeath:2061.Tobacco 435,0002.Poordietandpoorphysicalinactivity 400,0003.Alcoholconsumption 85,0004.Infectiousagents(e.g.,influenzaandpneumonia) 75,0005.Toxicagents(e.g.,pollutantsandasbestos) 55,0006.Motorvehicleaccidents 43,0007.Firearms 29,0008.Sexualbehavior 20,0009.Illicituseofdrugs 17,000Astheso‐calledrichestcountryintheworld,Americaisadmittingthatanextraordinarynumberofpeoplearesomalnourishedandinsuchbadphysicalconditioning,thatit’skillingthem. 206 Mokdad AH, Marks JS, Stroup DF, Gerberding JL. “Actual causes of death in the United States, 2000.” JAMA. 2004 Mar 10;291(10):1238-45.



Thiswashardlythefirsttimethatthemedicalcommunitywaswarnedabouttheactualcausesofdeath.In1993,researchersfromtheU.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServicespublishedaverysimilarpaperwiththesametitle.207Using1990data,McGinnisandFoegefoundthefollowing:Tobacco(anestimated400,000deaths)Dietandactivitypatterns(300,000)Alcohol(100,000)Microbialagents(90,000)Toxicagents(60,000)Firearms(35,000)Sexualbehavior(30,000)Motorvehicles(25,000)Illicituseofdrugs(20,000)Incomparisonwiththe2004JAMApaper,itappearsthatmortalityfromdietandactivitypatternshaveincreasedby25percent.Inthe2004JAMAstudy,“ActualCausesofDeath,”34percentofU.S.adultsareconsideredoverweightandanadditional31percentareobese.Itsauthorsfoundthatin2001,chronicdiseasescontributedapproximately59percentofthe56.5milliontotalreporteddeathsintheworldand46percentoftheglobalburdenofdisease.TheCostofChronicDiseaseTheCDCadmitsthat,“TheUnitedStatescannoteffectivelyaddressescalatinghealthcarecostswithoutaddressingtheproblemofchronicdiseases.”ThefollowingstunningstatisticsaretakenfromtheCDC’sChronicDiseaseOverview:208

1. Morethan90millionAmericanslivewithchronicillnesses.2. Chronicdiseasesaccountfor70%ofalldeathsintheUnitedStates.3. Themedicalcarecostsofpeoplewithchronicdiseasesaccountformorethan

75percentofthenation’s$1.4trillionannualmedicalcarecosts.4. Chronicdiseasesaccountforone‐thirdoftheyearsofpotentiallifelost

beforeage65.5. Hospitalizationsforpregnancy‐relatedcomplicationsoccurringbefore

deliveryaccountformorethan$1billionannually.6. Thedirectandindirectcostsofdiabetesarenearly$132billionayear.7. Eachyear,arthritisresultsinestimatedmedicalcarecostsofmorethan$22

billion,andestimatedtotalcosts(medicalcareandlostproductivity)ofalmost$82billion.

207 McGinnis JM, Foege WH. “Actual causes of death in the United States.” JAMA. 1993 Nov10;270(18):2207-12. 208 http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/overview.htm .



8. Theestimateddirectandindirectcostsassociatedwithsmokingexceed$75billionannually.

9. In2001,approximately$300billionwasspentonallcardiovasculardiseases.Over$129billioninlostproductivitywasduetocardiovasculardisease.

10. Thedirectmedicalcostassociatedwithphysicalinactivitywasnearly$76.6billionin2000.

11. Nearly$68billionisspentondentalserviceseachyear.TheCDCsaysthat,“Today,chronicdiseases‐suchascardiovasculardisease(primarilyheartdiseaseandstroke),cancer,anddiabetes‐areamongthemostprevalent,costly,andpreventableofallhealthproblems.Sevenofevery10Americanswhodieeachyear,ormorethan1.7millionpeople,dieofachronicdisease.”TheWorldViewTheWorldHealthOrganization,establishedonApril7,1948,hasinitsconstitutionanobjectivefortheattainmentofthehighestpossiblelevelofhealthforallpeoples.Health,accordingtoWHO,is“astateofcompletephysical,mental,andsocialwell‐beingandnotmerelytheabsenceofdiseaseorinfirmity”‐wetotallyagree.Dr.PekkaPuska,DirectoroftheDepartmentofNon‐CommunicableDisease(NCD)PreventionfortheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)presentedapaperataWHOGlobalForumonNCDPreventionandControlinRiodeJaneiro,November9‐12,2003.Inhispresentation,“WorkingTogetherforaHealthyFuture:SettingtheScene”,heoutlinedtheworldwidecausesofdeathasof2000.Theassemblywasshockedwhenhestatedthatsevenoutoftentopmortalityriskfactorsareimpactedbylifestylechoices.Theseriskfactors,thataffectbothadultsandchildren,include:

1. Highbloodpressure2. Useoftobacco3. Highcholesterol4. Lackoffruitandvegetableintake5. Overuseofalcohol6. Beingoverweight7. Lackofphysicalactivity

Dr.PuskawarnedoftheemergingepidemicofNCD’sthatis,“toagreatextentaconsequenceofrapidchangesinthediets,ofdecliningphysicalactivity,andofincreaseoftobaccouse.”Heemphasizedthatmedicalevidenceforpreventionexistsandthatpopulation‐basedpreventionisthemostcost‐effectiveandtheonlyaffordableoptionformajorpublichealthimprovementinNCDrates.HesaidthatWHOismakingNCD’sapriority,withanemphasisonprevention.Asadeterrenttotheuseoftobacco,Dr.Puskasuggestedhighertaxesandacomprehensiveadvertisementban.Threehealthprogramswerealsolaunched:



1. Tobacco:QuitandWin2. PhysicalActivity:MoveforHealth3. Diet:GlobalFruitandVegetableInitiative

WHO’sAttempttoLimitSugarInanefforttoimplementsomeofthesuggestionsmadeattheRiosummit,thirtyinternationalexperts,commissionedbytwoU.N.agencies,theWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)andtheFoodandAgricultureOrganization(FAO),cameoutwitha2004reporttitled,“TheJointWHO/FAOExpertReport:Diet,Nutrition,andthePreventionofChronicDisease”.Alltheexpertsagreedthatitistimethatpeoplelimitedtheirsugarintaketonomorethan10percentoftheirtotaldailycalories.Theyalsocrossedthatimaginarylineinthesandwhentheysaidthatcuttingbackonsugarwouldhelpputthebrakesontheglobalepidemicofobesity‐relateddisease.Theyadmitthatsugarcauseschronichealthproblems.WHOandFAOarecomingoutagainstsugarand,therefore,againstthesugarindustry.Whatisthereactionofthesugarindustry?Predictably,thesugarindustryisfightingtheWHO’sreport.ItiscurrentlylobbyingCongresstostopfundingtheUNbecauseofthe10percentsugarrecommendation.Presently,theInstituteofMedicine’s(IOM’s)2002report,“DietaryReferenceIntakesforMacronutrients,”suggestsamaximumintakeof25percentofcaloriesfromaddedsugars.209AccordingtotheInternationalFoodInformationCouncil,theIOMreportsaidthat,“Higherintakesareassociatedwithadramaticdecreaseinmicronutrientintakes,especiallycalcium.TheIOMpaneldeterminednootheradverseeffects.”210Imaginewhatitwouldbeliketohave25percentofyourcaloriescomingfromsugar.Itwouldamountto40teaspoonsofsugaraday.EstimatesofsugarconsumptionarethateveryAmericanconsumesanannual150poundsofsugar.USATodayreportedthatthesugarindustry,initscritiqueoftheWHOdocument,refutesthestatementthatsugarhasanyeffectonweight.211Inthatreport,theU.S.NationalSoftDrinkAssociationmadetheoft‐heardclaimthat,“Thescientificliteraturedoesnotshowanassociationbetweensugarintakeandobesity.”ThesugarindustryismakingtheirownhealthrecommendationthatexerciseiswhatAmericansarelacking.Actually,theUNreportdidadvisetwiceasmuchexerciseastheU.S.guidelines,onehourinsteadofthirtyminutes,alongwiththedeepcutinsugar.TheLifestyleApproachWHOandFAOhopethattheJointWHO/FAOReport’sfindingswillprovidememberstateswithenoughammunitiontopreparenationalhealthstrategies.Dr.Richard

209 http://www.iom.edu/report.asp?id=4340 210 http://ific1.nisgroup.com/foodinsight/2003/jf/sugarsfi103.cfm 211 U.S.A Today, March 2, 2004. London AP. http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2003-03-02-world-sugar_x.htm



Uauy,chairmanofthereport,madeanumberofastuteobservationsthatarenotusuallyfoundin“bureaucratic”reports.212Dr.Uauysaidthat:

1. “Notallfatsorallcarbohydratesarethesame;itpaystoknowthedifference.”

2. “Peopleshouldeatlesshigh‐caloriefoods,especiallyfoodshighinsaturatedfatandsugar,bephysicallyactive,preferunsaturatedforsaturatedfatanduselesssalt;enjoyfruits,vegetablesandlegumes,andpreferfoodsofplantandmarineorigin.”

3. “Adietrichinfruitandvegetablescontainingimmune‐systemboostingmicronutrientscouldalsohelpthebody’snaturaldefensesagainstinfectiousdiseases.”

ThespecificWHO/FAOrecommendationsondietareasfollows:

1. Limitfattobetween15and30percentoftotaldailycalories.2. Limitsaturatedfatstolessthan10percentoftotaldailycalories.3. Carbohydratesshouldprovidethebulkofenergyrequirements–between55

and75percentofdailyintake.4. Addedsugarsshouldremainbeneath10percent.5. Proteinshouldmakeupafurther10‐15percentofcalorieintake.6. Saltshouldberestrictedtolessthan5gramsaday.7. Intakeoffruitandvegetablesshouldreachatleast400gramsaday(about

14ounces).Thereportwarnsthatobesityisnottheonlyfactorofconcernwithapoordietbutthatchronicdisease,suchasheartdisease,iscausedbyadiethighinsaturatedfatsandexcesssalt.TheamountofexerciserecommendedbytheUNreportisdoubletheamountsuggestedintheU.S.Onefullhouradayof“moderate‐intensityactivity,suchaswalking,”asmanydayperweekaspossible,issaidtobeneededtomaintainahealthybodyweight.Notonlythat,exercisecanadd10yearstoyourlife,accordingtoanewstudyintheArchivesofInternalMedicine.Theresearchersexaminedthelengthoftelomeres,whicharerepeatedsequencesattheendofchromosomes,inabout1,500twins'whitebloodcells(leukocytes).Leukocytetelomeresprogressivelyshortenovertimeandmayserveasamarkerofbiologicalage.Thosewhoexercisedabout200minutesperweek(that’sabout30minutesaday)comparedwiththosewhoonlygotabout16minutesaweekhadtelomeresthatlooked10yearsyounger.213

212 Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. April 23, 2003. http://www.fao.org/english/newsroom/news/2003/16851-en.html 213 Lynn F. Cherkas The Association Between Physical Activity in Leisure Time and Leukocyte Telomere Length. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168[2]:154-158.



BlametheVictimItisveryimportantthattheCDCandtheWHOareadmittingthatpoordietandlackofexerciseisamajorconcern.However,istheirconcerncomingalittletoolatetohelpthealreadymillionsofsufferersofchronicdisease?Itshouldnotbeforgottenthatalternative‐medicineandintegrative‐medicinedoctorshavebeenawareoflifestyleproblemsfordecades.Shouldwe,however,besuspiciousofthetiming?Afterall,PresidentBushhasmadethestatementthatthehealthcaresysteminAmericaisonacollisioncoursewithbankruptcyandhassetthedateofthefinalfiresaleonourhealthcarefor2011.Perhapsacynicalmindcanseethestatisticsontobaccoandlifestyleasa“blamethevictim”ploy.Afterall,wearetheonesthattakeadragonthecigaretteand“SuperSize”ourselvesonaregularbasis.MorganSpurlock,thewriter,director,producer,actor,inthemovie,“SuperSizeMe,”isnowanutritionmediastar.FilminghisowndocumentaryonaMcDonald’sdiet,heprovedthatweare,indeed,thecauseofourownproblems.AfteronemonthofaMcDonald’sdiet,hegainedtwenty‐fivepounds,hadelevatedbloodpressure,andincreasedbloodlevelsofcholesterol,triglycerides,liverenzymes,anduricacid.Healsodevelopedmoodswings,depression,fatigue,andapathy.MaybeIt’sNotTooLateButlet’sbepositive.PerhapstheCDCisfinallygearinguptheirpreventivemedicineforcesbecausethestandardpracticeofmedicineisnotworking.Evidenceofadversedrugreactions,medicalmistakes,malnutritioninhospitalsandnursinghomes,andthousandsdyingofbedsores,isallreachingtheinevitablecrescendooflossoffaithinthe“standardpracticeofcare”becausethestandardpracticeofcareseemstowhollyembracedrugsandeschewalternativesineveryform.Andindefenseofconsumers,areweetotallytoblameif,frombirth,weehavebeenbombardedwithseductiveadsenticingustoingesttheverythingsthataregoingtocauseourdemise?HowDoNorthAmericansFeelTheJointCanada/U.S.SurveyofHealthwasconductedfromNovember2002throughMarch2003,wasreleasedJune2,2004.214Usingidenticalsurveyquestionson3500Canadiansand5200Americans,thesurveyfoundthatAmericansweremorelikelythanCanadianstoreportthattheywereverysatisfiedwithhealthcare(53percentcomparedto44percent).Whenaskedabouttheirhealth,85percentofAmericansand88percentofCanadiansreportedthattheywereingood,verygood,orexcellenthealth.Butonly

214 Joint Canada/U.S. Survey of Health, June 2, 2004. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/040602/dq040602a-eng.htm



26percentofAmericansand24percentofCanadiansratedtheirhealthasexcellent(whichiswhereourhealthshouldbe).Eventhoughsomepeoplereportedtheywereingoodhealth,whenaskedfordetails,25percentofAmericansand24percentofCanadiansreportedsomelevelofmobilitylimitation(problemswithwalking,standing,orclimbing).MoreAmericans,particularlyAmericanwomen(7percentcomparedto4percent),reporthighlyseveremobilitylimitations.Approximately8percentofadultsand10percentofwomeninbothcountrieshadexperiencedamajordepressiveepisodeinthepastyear.Regardingsmoking,CanadiansweremorelikelythanAmericanstobecurrentdailysmokers(19percentcomparedto17percent)andthisdifferencewasmorepronouncedamongolderwomen.Thescaleswereveryunevenbetweenthetwocountrieswhenitcametimetoweightcomparison.AmuchhigherproportionofAmericansthanCanadiansareobese.Infact,amongU.S.women,therateofobesityisnearlytwicethatofCanadianwomen.Inbothcountries,thosewiththelowestincomesreportpoorerhealthandhigherratesofseveremobilitylimitations,aswellashigherlevelsofsmokingandobesity.Withregardtoprescriptionusage,theoverallpatternofdrugintakewassimilarinthetwocountries,withusehigheramongpeople65yearsofageandolder,andhigheramongwomen.However,therewashigherprescriptiondruguseamongAmericansaged45‐64thanCanadiansinthissameagegroup.Thatdisparityraisesaquestionaboutthelegalizationofdirect‐to‐consumeradvertisingintheU.S.ascomparedtoCanada.LifestyleCan’tBeMeasuredItisdifficult,ifnotimpossible,tomeasurescientificallythepowerofindividuallifestylechangessuchasdiet,exercise,andnutrients.Ifyoulookatlargesurveystudieslikethe122,000‐personNursesHealthStudy,theydon’tgivedefinitiveanswersabouthealthandneitheraretheydouble‐blind,cross‐overtrials.215TheNursesHealthStudywasbegunin1976toinvestigatethepotentiallong‐termconsequencesoftheuseoforalcontraceptives.Soonafter,theywereexpandedtoincludedietandnutrition,inrecognitionoftheirrolesinthedevelopmentofchronicdiseases.Theresearchcontinuestodaywithover116,000womenenrolledinthestudy.Periodically,researcherswillanalyzeasegmentofdataandpublishaconclusion.Iftheywanttoknowifconsumingtwoextrapiecesoffruitperweekwilldecreasetheriskofcoloncancerresearcherswilltrackthenumberofwomenwhonowhavecoloncancerandthengototheirdataandfindouthowmuchfruittheyate.Ifthewomenwhodevelopedcoloncanceratelessfruitthanthewomenwhodidn’tgetcoloncancertheheadlineswillread“Anextratwopiecesoffruitaweekwillpreventcoloncancer.But,wehavenoideawhetherconsumingthetwoextrapiecesoffruitperweekwasacause,andnotacoincidentalfactor,amongmanyfactors,thatloweredtheriskofacquiringtheparticulardisease.Thesestudiesare 215 http://www.channing.harvard.edu/nhs/index.html



onlyhelpfultotheextentthattheydemonstrateimportantcorrelationsthatmaybestudiedfurther.Aslongaswehavethescientificnotion,aswehavedescribedinChapter6,thatonlyonethingmustbemeasuredatatime,wewillhavedifficulty“proving”thatlifestyleisimportant.Instead,researcherswillignoreitandcontinuetostudylabratswhilecommonsensetellsushowdesperatelypeopleneedlifestylechange.InChapter7,Dr.SamuelEpsteinsaidwedon’tneedanymorecancerresearch.WeagreeandwealsosaythatwecanandshouldbeimplementingtheconsiderableknowledgethatwehaveaccumulatedinnaturalmedicinetosetupclinicsandtreatmentcenterstoimplementlifestylechangesNOW.Theseclinicswouldofferdietinstructionforthosewhodon’tknowthedifferencebetweenwhiterefinedbreadandawholegraincereal;saunatherapyfordetoxificationastheNewYork9/11firemenareusing;exerciseclassesthatarefunandthatworktoreducebloodsugar,weight,stress,andmenopausalhotflashes;andstressreductionclasses.Thesearenotmultimillion‐dollarmeasures.Wedon’tnecessarilyneedmoreCTscansandhigh‐cost,high‐techsolutions;weneedtogetbacktobasicsandweneedpeopletodemandthesebasicrightsfromtheirhealthcareproviders,insurers,andgovernments.Insteadoflowcost,lifestyleclinicsthatgetbacktothebasics,wehavehealthcarebureaucracythatseemstohavealifeofitsown,thatseemstobechokingthelifeoutofthepeopleforwhichitissupposedtoberesponsible.Patient,ProtectThyselfChangingyourlifestyleandtakingresponsibilityforyourownhealthcanalsomeanthatyouandyourfamilyhavetobeonthedefenseifyoudoendupinamodernmedicalhospital.TheLATimes,January28,2008ranaspecialreporttitled“Patient,ProtectThyself.”Thebylinetothisarticleacknowledgesthefutilityoftryingtomakedoctorsandhospitalsaccountableformedicalerrorssaying,“Consumersneedtohelpcaregiversavoidmistakes.”216TheLAtimesranthisstoryshortlyafteranLAcelebrity’snewborntwinsweregivenamassivedrugoverdoseinastate‐of‐the‐arthospitalwithallthetechnologyandconveniencesthatmoneycanbuy.Statisticssuchas1outof10hospitalizedpatientspicksupaninfectionorsufferssomekindofmistakewhileinthehospitalseemedclinicalthemselveswhenseenontheprintedpage.Iassumemillionsofpeoplereadthispieceyetwhereisthereaction,whereistheoutrage.Ifyouraccountantmadeamistakeoneineverytenentriesinonyourincometax;ifyourbankmadeaerroreverytenthdataentry;evenifyourhairdresserwreckedyourhaireverytenthvisit,wouldittakeyoumorethan24‐hourstocomplainatthetopofyourlungs.What 216 http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-patients28jan28,0,1911120.story



makesoursocietysocomplacentwiththesemedicalerrors?Dr.PeterAngood,atraumasurgeonandvicepresidentandchiefpatientsafetyofficerfortheJointCommission(anationalorganizationthataccreditshospitalsandotherhealthcarefacilities)says"Oneofthebiggestthingswecandoinhealthcareistohelppatientsunderstandthattheyneedtobebetterconsumers‐‐it'sgoodtoquestion,toaskforclarificationandsolicitsecondopinionsasneeded."Thatsuggestioncanlandflatonitsfacewhenyourdoctorgetsinahuffbecauseyouquestionhisadviceorseekasecondopinion.AccordingtotheEisenbergstudyonalternativemedicine,mostpatientsdoesn’teventelltheirdoctorstheyareonvitaminsforfearoftheirreaction.217TheLATimesarticleoffers“sometipsfromorganizationssuchastheJointCommissionandthefederalAgencyforHealthcareResearchandQuality,whichischargedwithimprovingqualityandsafetyofhealthcare,onhowtoreducetheriskthatyouoralovedonewillexperienceamedicalerror.”InthehospitalAskquestionsisthebrilliantpieceofadvicegivenbytheJointCommissionbutdotheyrealizethatifyouquestionastaffmember,youmaynotseeanyoneforhoursandyoumayhaveleftyourselfvulnerabletoretaliation.Myadviceistoenlistthesupportofthebiggest,burliestfriendsyouknowandhaveoneofthematyourbedsideatalltimes.Youandyourcaregiverwillthenaskeveryonethatcomesintotheroomtowashtheirhands;tellyouthepatient’snameonthemedicationtheyaredispensing,whatdrugtheyaregivingyou,whatdosage,andwhytheyaregivingittoyou.Watchespeciallyforthefollowingdrugs,whichhavetheworsetrackrecordforbeingoverdosed:insulin,morphine,potassiumchloride,heparinandwarfarin.Youareadvisedto“Keepclosetrackofyourmedicines,includingherbalorhomeopathicremedies,supplementsandover‐the‐counterdrugssuchasaspirin.Andtellyourcaregiverswhatyou'retaking.Someofthesesubstancescaninteractnegativelywithoneanother‐‐ginseng,forexample,interfereswiththeblood‐thinnerwarfarin;chondroitinmaycauseexcessivebleedingduringsurgery.Astudyassessingdatafrom21,000U.S.adultsin2002foundthatmorethantwo‐thirdsofpeopleusingasupplementandaprescriptionmedicationinthesameyeardidnottelltheirdoctoraboutthesupplement.”

I’vealreadyexplainedabovewhypatientsdon’ttelltheirdoctorswhatsupplementstheyaretaking.ManyclientshavetoldmethatwhentheyhavebeentakentotheER,eventhoughtheymaybeonadozenmedications,iftheysaytheyareona

217 Eisenberg D. “Unconventional Medicine in the United States – Prevalence, Costs and Patterns of Use.” NEJM 328:246-52 no.4. Jan 28, 1993.



vitaminthedoctorswillsaythatit’sthevitaminthat’scausingtheirsymptoms.TheJointCommissionalsoadvisesyoutomakesureyoursurgeonknowswhichlimbtooperateonbysigningyournameontheappropriatelimb.Since1995theJointCommissionfound615instancesofwrong‐sidedsurgery.Atthedoctor'sofficeTheLATimessaysthatpeoplemaydiefromahospitalerrormoreoftenthananerrorinyourdoctor’sofficebutoneinfourvisitsresultedinmedicalerrorsin351outpatientvisits.Minorharmwasdoneto18patients,andpotentialharmtoanadditional53‐‐includingphysicaldiscomfort,mildadversedrugreactions,moderatephysicalinjury,progressionofdiseaseand(mostcommonly)emotionaldistressandwastedtime.

TheJointCommissionwantsyoutomakesurethedoctortakesthetimetohearwhatyoursymptomsandconcernsaresothebestdiagnosiscanbemade.Butthat’snotgoingtohelpyouifyourdoctorisonlyallotted5minutesforyourappointmentbyhisHMO.

WhentheJointCommissionsaystotakealistofquestionsincludingthemedicationsyouareontoyourdoctor,dotheyrealizethatweweretaughtinmedicalschooltoconsiderapersonahypochondriaciftheycomewithawrittenlist.

Ifyouaregivenahandwrittenprescriptionmakesureyoucanreaditsoyouknowthepharmacisthasafightingchancetogiveyoutherightmedicine.Upto20%ofwrittenprescriptionsareillegible.

Thelistofsurvivaltipscouldbeamilelongandyouwouldstillbebuckingasystemthatisgearedtowardcommerceandnothumanbeings.Mysolutions,asIstatedatthebeginningofthisbook,istoencouragepeopletotakeresponsibilityfortheirownhealth;learnaboutnaturalmedicine;haveonhandahomeopathickittotreatyouandyourfamily;eatorganic;andstartgrowingyourownfood.FormoreinformationonhowtotakecareofyourhealthreadDr.Dean’seBook,FutureHealthNowEncyclopedia.Dr.Dean’sprintedbookscanbeseenatwww.drcarolyndean.comwheretheyarelinkedtoamazon.com.



APPENDICESAppendixA:HerbalistsCharterofHenrytheVIIIAnnisTircesimoQuartoandTricesimoQuinto.HenryVIIIRegis.Cap.VIII.AnActThatPersons,BeingNoCommonSurgeons,MayAdministerOutwardMedicinesNote:UndertheGeneralLawsoftheColoniestakenoverbytheU.S.A.,theserightsarestillinforceintheoriginalthirteenstates,andhaveneverbeenrepealed.WereintheParliamentholdenatWestminsterinthethirdYearoftheKing'smostgraciousreign,amongstotherthings,fortheavoidingofSorceries,Witchcrafts,andotherInconveniences,itwasenacted,thatnoPersonwithintheCityofLondon,norwithinSevenMilesofthesame,shouldtakeuponhimtoexerciseandoccupyasPhysicianorSurgeon,excepthebefirstexamined,approved,andadmittedbytheBishopofLondonandother,underanduponcertainPainsandPenaltiesinthesameActmentioned:SithencethemakingofwhichsaidAct,theCompanyandFellowshipofSurgeonsofLondon,mindingonlytheirownLucres,andnothingtheProfitoreaseoftheDiseasedorPatient,havesued,troubled,andvexeddivershonestPersons,aswellMenasWomen,whomGodhathenduedwiththeKnowledgeoftheNature,KindandOperationofcertainHerbs,Roots,andWaters,andtheusingandministringofthemtosuchasbeenpainedwithcustomableDiseases,asWomen'sBreast'sbeingsore,aPinandtheWebintheEye,UncomesofHands,Burnings,Scaldings,SoreMouths,theStone,Strangury,Saucelim,andMorphew,andsuchotherlikeDiseases;andyetthesaidPersonshavenottakenanythingfortheirPainsorCunning,buthaveministeredthesametopoorPeopleonlyforNeighborhoodandGod'ssake,andofPityandCharity:AnditisnowwellknownthattheSurgeonsadmittedwilldonoCuretoanyPersonbutwheretheyshallberewardedwithagreaterSumorRewardthattheCureextendethunto;forincasetheywouldministertheirCunninguntosorePeopleunrewarded,thereshouldnotsomanyrotandperishtodeathforLackorHelpofSurgeryasdailydo;butthegreatestpartofSurgeonsadmittedbeenmuchmoretobeblamedthanthosePersonsthattheytroubled,foralthoughthemostPartofthePersonsofthesaidCraftofSurgeonshavesmallCunningyettheywilltakegreatsumsofMoney,anddolittletherefore,andbyReasonthereoftheydooftentimesimpairandhurttheirPatients,ratherthandothemgood.Inconsiderationwhereof,andfortheEase,Comfort,Succour,Help,Relief,andHealthoftheKing'spoorSubjects,InhabitantsofthisRealm,nowpainedordiseased:Beitordained,established,andenactedbyAuthorityofthispresentParliament,ThatatallTimefromhenceforthitshallbelawfultoeveryPersonbeingtheKing'ssubject.HavingKnowledgeandExperienceoftheNatureofHerbs,Roots,andWaters,oroftheOperationofthesame,bySpeculationorPractice,withinanypartoftheRealmofEngland,orwithinanyothertheKing'sDominions,topractice,use,andministerinandtoanyoutwardSore,UncomeWound,Apostemations,



outwardSwellingorDisease,anyHerborHerbs,Ointments,Baths,Pultess,andEmplaisters,accordingtotheirCunning,Experience,andKnowledgeinanyoftheDiseases,Sores,andMaladiesbeforesaid,andallotherliketothesame,orDrinksfortheStone,Strangury,orAgues,withoutsuit,vexation,trouble,penalty,orlossoftheirgoods;theforesaidStatuteintheforesaidThirdYearoftheKing'smostgraciousReign,oranyotherAct,Ordinance,orStatutestothecontraryheretoforemadeinanywise,notwithstanding.APPENDIXB:DEATHBYMEDICINEAbridgedVersionJournalofOrthomolecularMedicineSpring2005ABSTRACTAclosereadingofmedicalpeer‐reviewjournalsandgovernmenthealthstatisticsshowsthatAmericanmedicinefrequentlycausesmoreharmthangood.Thenumberofpeoplehavingin‐hospital,adversedrugreactions(ADR)toprescribedmedicineis2.2million.1Dr.RichardBesser,oftheCDC,in1995,saidthenumberofunnecessaryantibioticsprescribedannuallyforviralinfectionswas20million.Dr.Besser,in2003,referstotensofmillionsofunnecessaryantibiotics.2,2aThenumberofunnecessarymedicalandsurgicalproceduresperformedannuallyis7.5million.3Thenumberofpeopleexposedtounnecessaryhospitalizationannuallyis8.9million.4Thetotalnumberofiatrogenicdeathsshowninthefollowingtableis783,936.ItisevidentthattheAmericanmedicalsystemistheleadingcauseofdeathandinjuryintheUnitedStates.The2001heartdiseaseannualdeathrateis699,697;theannualcancerdeathrate,553,251.5TABLESANDFIGURESANNUALPHYSICALANDECONOMICCOSTOFMEDICALINTERVENTIONCondition Deaths Cost AuthorHospitalADR 106,000 $12billion Lazarou1Suh31Medicalerror 98,000 $2billion IOM6 Bedsores 115,000 $55billion Xakellis7Barczak8 Infection 88,000 $5billion Weinstein9MMWR10Malnutrition 108,800 ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ NursesCoalition11OutpatientADR 199,000 $77billion Starfield12Weingart70UnnecessaryProcedures 37,136 $122billion HCUP3,13Surgery‐Related 32,000 $9billion AHRQ71TOTAL 783,936 $282billion



ANNUALUNNECESSARYMEDICALEVENTSSTATISTICSUnnecessaryEvents PeopleAffected IatrogenicEvents Hospitalization 8.9million4 1.78million15Procedures 7.5million3 1.3million22 TOTAL 16.4million 3.08millionTheenumeratingofunnecessarymedicaleventsisveryimportantinouranalysis.Anymedicalprocedurethatisinvasiveandnotnecessarymustbeconsideredaspartofthelargeriatrogenicpicture.Unfortunately,causeandeffectgounmonitored.Thefiguresonunnecessaryeventsrepresentpeople(“patients”)whoarethrustintoadangeroushealthcaresystem.Theyarehelplessvictims.Eachoneofthese16.4millionlivesisbeingaffectedinawaythatcouldhaveafatalconsequence.Simplyenteringahospitalcouldresultinthefollowing:

1. In16.4millionpeople,2.1%chanceofaseriousadversedrugreaction,1(186,000)

2. In16.4millionpeople,5‐6%chanceofacquiringanosocomialinfection,9(489,500)

3. In16.4millionpeople,4‐36%chanceofhavinganiatrogenicinjuryinhospital(medicalerrorandadversedrugreactions),15(1.78million)

4. In16.4millionpeople,17%chanceofaprocedureerror,22(1.3million)

OverlapofStatistics

Wehaveadded,cumulatively,figuresfrom13referencesofannualiatrogenicdeaths.However,thereisinvariablysomedegreeofoverlapanddoublecountingthatcanoccuringatheringnon‐finitestatistics.Deathnumbersdon’tcomewithnamesandbirthdatestopreventduplicationOntheotherhand,therearemanymissingstatistics.Aswewillshow,onlyabout5%to20%ofiatrogenicincidentsareevenrecorded.15,17,18And,ouroutpatientiatrogenicstatistics12,55onlyincludedrug‐relatedeventsandnotsurgicalcases,diagnosticerrors,ortherapeuticmishaps.

Wehavealsobeenconservativeinourinclusionofstatisticsthatwerenotreportedinpeerreviewjournalsorbygovernmentinstitutions.Forexample,onJuly23,2002,TheChicagoTribuneanalyzedrecordsfrompatientdatabases,courtcases,5,810hospitals,aswellas75federalandstateagenciesandfound103,000casesofdeathduetohospitalinfections,75%ofwhichwerepreventable.68WedonotincludethisfigurebutreportthelowerWeinsteinfigureof88,000.9Anotherfigurethatwewithheld,forlackofproperpeerreviewwasTheNationalCommitteeforQualityAssurance,September2003reportwhichfoundthatatleast57,000peopledieannuallyfromlackofpropercareforcommonsdiseasessuchashighbloodpressure,diabetes,orheartdisease.69



Overlappingofstatisticsin“DeathbyMedicine”mayoccurwiththeInstituteofMedicine(IOM)paperthatdesignates"medicalerror"asincludingdrugs,surgery,andunnecessaryprocedures.6Sincewehavealsoincludedotherstatisticsonadversedrugreactions,surgeryand,unnecessaryprocedures,perhapsamuchas50%oftheIOMnumbercouldberedundant.However,eventakingawayhalfthe98,000IOMnumberstillleavesuswithiatrogeniceventsasthenumberonekillerat734,936annualdeaths.Evengreaternumbersofiatrogenicdeathswilleventuallycometolightwhenallfacetsofhealthcaredeliveryaremeasured.Mostiatrogenicstatisticsarederivedfromhospital‐basedstudies.However,healthcareisnolongertypicallyrelegatedtohospitals.Today,healthcareissharedbyhospitals,outpatientclinics,transitionalcare,long‐termcare,rehabilitativecare,homecare,andprivatepractitionersoffices.Inthecurrentclimateofreducinghealth‐carecosts,thenumberofhospitalsandthelengthofpatientstaysarebeingslashed.Thesemeasureswillincreasethenumberofpatientsshuntedintooutpatient,homecare,andlong‐termcareandtheiatrogenicmorbidityandmortalitywillalsoincrease.THEFIRSTMAJORIATROGENICSTUDYDr.LucienL.Leapeopenedmedicine’sPandora’sboxinhis1994JAMApaper,“ErrorinMedicine.”15HebeganthepaperbyreminiscingaboutFlorenceNightingale’smaxim–“firstdonoharm.”Buthefoundevidenceoftheoppositehappeninginmedicine.HefoundthatSchimmelreportedin1964that20%ofhospitalpatientssufferediatrogenicinjury,witha20%fatalityrate.Steelin1981reportedthat36%ofhospitalizedpatientsexperiencediatrogenesiswitha25%fatalityrateandadversedrugreactionswereinvolvedin50%oftheinjuries.Bedellin1991reportedthat64%ofacuteheartattacksinonehospitalwerepreventableandweremostlyduetoadversedrugreactions.However,LeapefocusedonhisandBrennan’s“HarvardMedicalPracticeStudy”publishedin1991.15aTheyfoundthatin1984,inNewYorkState,therewasa4%iatrogenicinjuryrateforpatientswitha14%fatalityrate.Fromthe98,609patientsinjuredandthe14%fatalityrate,heestimatedthatinthewholeoftheU.S.180,000peopledieeachyear,partlyasaresultofiatrogenicinjury.Leapecomparedthesedeathstotheequivalentofthreejumbo‐jetcrasheseverytwodays.WhyLeapechosetousethemuchlowerfigureof4%injuryforhisanalysisremainsinquestion.Perhapshewantedtotreadlightly.IfLeapehad,instead,calculatedtheaveragerateamongthethreestudieshecites(36%,20%,and4%),hewouldhavecomeupwitha20%medicalerrorrate.Thenumberoffatalitiesthathecouldhavepresented,usinganaveragerateofinjuryandhis14%fatality,isanannual1,189,576iatrogenicdeaths,orovertenjumbojetscrashingeveryday.Leapeacknowledgedthattheliteratureonmedicalerrorissparseandweareonlyseeingthetipoftheiceberg.Hesaidthatwhenerrorsarespecificallysoughtout,reportedratesare“distressinglyhigh”.Hecitedseveralautopsystudieswithrates



ashighas35‐40%ofmisseddiagnosescausingdeath.Healsocommentedthatanintensivecareunitreportedanaverageof1.7errorsperdayperpatient,and29%ofthoseerrorswerepotentiallyseriousorfatal.Wewonder:whatistheeffectonsomeonewhodailygetsthewrongmedication,thewrongdose,thewrongprocedure;howdowemeasuretheaccumulatedburdenofinjury;andwhenthepatientfinallysuccumbsafterthetentherrorthatweek,whatisenteredonthedeathcertificate?Leapecalculatedtherateoferrorintheintensivecareunit.First,hefoundthateachpatienthadanaverageof178“activities”(staff/procedure/medicalinteractions)aday,ofwhich1.7wereerrors,whichmeansa1%failurerate.Tosomethismaynotseemlikemuch,butputtingthisintoperspective,Leapecitedindustrystandardswhereinaviationa0.1%failureratewouldmean2unsafeplanelandingsperdayatO’Hareairport;intheU.S.Mail,16,000piecesoflostmaileveryhour;orinbanking,32,000bankchecksdeductedfromthewrongbankaccounteveryhour.AnalyzingwhythereissomuchmedicalerrorLeapeacknowledgedthelackofreporting.Unlikeajumbo‐jetcrash,whichgetsinstantmediacoverage,hospitalerrorsarespreadoutoverthecountryinthousandsofdifferentlocations.Theyarealsoperceivedasisolatedandunusualevents.However,themostimportantreasonthatmedicalerrorisunrecognizedandgrowing,accordingtoLeape,was,andstillis,thatdoctorsandnursesareunequippedtodealwithhumanerror,duetothecultureofmedicaltrainingandpractice.Doctorsaretaughtthatmistakesareunacceptable.Medicalmistakesarethereforeviewedasafailureofcharacterandanyerrorequalsnegligence.Wecanseehowagreatdealofsweepingundertherugtakesplacesincenobodyistaughtwhattodowhenmedicalerrordoesoccur.LeapecitedMcIntyreandPopperwhosaidthe“infallibilitymodel”ofmedicineleadstointellectualdishonestywithaneedtocoverupmistakesratherthanadmitthem.TherearenoGrandRoundsonmedicalerrors,nosharingoffailuresamongdoctorsandnoonetosupportthememotionallywhentheirerrorharmsapatient.Leapehopedhispaperwouldencouragemedicine“tofundamentallychangethewaytheythinkabouterrorsandwhytheyoccur”.It’sbeenalmostadecadesincethisgroundbreakingwork,butthemistakescontinuetosoar.Oneyearlater,in1995,areportinJAMAsaidthat,"OveramillionpatientsareinjuredinU.S.hospitalseachyear,andapproximately280,000dieannuallyasaresultoftheseinjuries.Therefore,theiatrogenicdeathratedwarfstheannualautomobileaccidentmortalityrateof45,000andaccountsformoredeathsthanallotheraccidentscombined."16Atapressconferencein1997Dr.LeapereleasedanationwidepollonpatientiatrogenesisconductedbytheNationalPatientSafetyFoundation(NPSF),whichissponsoredbytheAmericanMedicalAssociation.Thesurveyfoundthatmorethan100millionAmericanshavebeenimpacteddirectlyandindirectlybyamedicalmistake.Forty‐twopercentweredirectlyaffectedandatotalof84%personally



knewofsomeonewhohadexperiencedamedicalmistake.14Dr.LeapeisafoundingmemberoftheNPSF.Dr.Leapeatthispressconferencealsoupdatedhis1994statisticssayingthatmedicalerrorsininpatienthospitalsettingsnationwide,asof1997,couldbeashighasthreemillionandcouldcostasmuchas$200billion.Leapeuseda14%fatalityratetodetermineamedicalerrordeathrateof180,000in1994.15In1997,usingLeape’sbasenumberofthreemillionerrors,theannualdeathscouldbeasmuchas420,000forinpatientsalone.Thisdoesnotincludenursinghomedeaths,orpeopleintheoutpatientcommunitydyingofdrugsideeffectsorastheresultofmedicalprocedures.ONLYAFRACTIONOFMEDICALERRORSAREREPORTEDLeape,in1994,saidthathewaswellawarethatmedicalerrorswerenotbeingreported.15AccordingtoastudyintwoobstetricalunitsintheU.K.,onlyaboutonequarteroftheadverseincidentsontheunitsareeverreportedforreasonsofprotectingstafforpreservingreputations,orfearofreprisals,includinglawsuits.17AnanalysisbyWaldandShojaniafoundthatonly1.5%ofalladverseeventsresultinanincidentreport,andonly6%ofadversedrugeventsareidentifiedproperly.18TheauthorslearnedthattheAmericanCollegeofSurgeonsgivesaverybroadguessthatsurgicalincidentreportsroutinelycaptureonly5‐30%ofadverseevents.Inonesurgicalstudyonly20%ofsurgicalcomplicationsresultedindiscussionatMorbidityandMortalityRounds.18Fromthesestudiesitappearsthatallthestatisticsthataregatheredmaybesubstantiallyunderestimatingthenumberofadversedrugandmedicaltherapyincidents.Italsounderscoresthefactthatourmortalitystatisticsareactuallyconservativefigures.DRUGIATROGENESISDrugscomprisethemajortreatmentmodalityofscientificmedicine.Withthediscoveryofthe“GermTheory”medicalscientistsconvincedthepublicthatinfectiousorganismswerethecauseofillness.Findingthe“cure”fortheseinfectionsprovedmuchharderthananyoneimagined.Fromthebeginning,chemicaldrugspromisedmuchmorethantheydelivered.Butfarbeyondnotworking,thedrugsalsocausedincalculablesideeffects.Thedrugsthemselves,evenwhenproperlyprescribed,havesideeffectsthatcanbefatal,asLazarou’sstudy1shows.Buthumanerrorcanmakethesituationevenworse.MedicationErrorsAsurveyofa1992nationalpharmacydatabasefoundatotalof429,827medicationerrorsfrom1,081hospitals.Medicationerrorsoccurredin5.22%ofpatientsadmittedtothesehospitalseachyear.Theauthorsconcludedthataminimumof90,895patientsannuallywereharmedbymedicationerrorsinthecountryasawhole.19



A2002studyshowsthat20%ofhospitalmedicationsforpatientshaddosagemistakes.Nearly40%oftheseerrorswereconsideredpotentiallyharmfultothepatient.Inatypical300‐patienthospitalthenumberoferrorsperdaywere40.20Problemsinvolvingpatients’medicationswereevenhigherthefollowingyear.Theerrorrateinterceptedbypharmacistsinthisstudywas24%,makingthepotentialminimumnumberofpatientsharmedbyprescriptiondrugs417,908.21RecentAdverseDrugReactionsMorerecentstudiesonadversedrugreactionsshowthatthefiguresfrom1994(publishedinLazarou’s1998JAMAarticle)maybeincreasing.A2003studyfollowedfourhundredpatientsafterdischargefromatertiarycarehospital(hospitalcarethatrequireshighlyspecializedskills,technology,orsupportservices).Seventy‐sixpatients(19%)hadadverseevents.Adversedrugeventswerethemostcommonat66%.Thenextmostcommoneventswereprocedure‐relatedinjuriesat17%.22InaNEJMstudyanalarmingone‐in‐fourpatientssufferedobservablesideeffectsfromthemorethan3.34billionprescriptiondrugsfilledin2002.23OneofthedoctorswhoproducedthestudywasinterviewedbyReutersandcommentedthat,"Withthese10‐minuteappointments,it'shardforthedoctortogetintowhetherthesymptomsarebotheringthepatients."24WilliamTierney,whoeditorializedontheNEJMstudy,said“…giventheincreasingnumberofpowerfuldrugsavailabletocarefortheagingpopulation,theproblemwillonlygetworse.”ThedrugswiththeworstrecordofsideeffectsweretheSSRIs,theNSAIDs,andcalcium‐channelblockers.Reutersalsoreportedthatpriorresearchhassuggestedthatnearly5%ofhospitaladmissions‐over1millionperyear‐aretheresultofdrugsideeffects.Butmostofthecasesarenotdocumentedassuch.Thestudyfoundoneofthereasonsforthisfailure:innearlytwo‐thirdsofthecases,doctorscouldn’tdiagnosedrugsideeffectsorthesideeffectspersistedbecausethedoctorfailedtoheedthewarningsigns.MedicatingOurFeelingsWeonlyneedtolookatthesideeffectsofantidepressantdrugs,whichgivehopetoadepressedpopulation.Patientsseekingamorejoyfulexistenceandrelieffromworry,stress,andanxiety,fallvictimtothemessagesblatantlydisplayedonTVandbillboards.Often,insteadofrelief,theyalsofallvictimtoamyriadofiatrogenicsideeffectsofantidepressantmedication.Also,awholegenerationofantidepressantusershasresultedfromyoungpeoplegrowinguponRitalin.Medicatingyouthandmodifyingtheiremotionsmusthavesomeimpactonhowtheylearntodealwiththeirfeelings.Theylearntoequatecopingwithdrugsandnottheirinnerresources.Asadults,thesemedicatedyouthreachforalcohol,drugs,orevenstreetdrugs,tocope.AccordingtotheJournaloftheAmericanMedicalAssociation,“Ritalinactsmuchlikecocaine.”25Today’s



marketingofmood‐modifyingdrugs,suchasProzacorZoloft,makesthemnotonlysociallyacceptablebutalmostanecessityintoday’sstressfulworld.TelevisionDiagnosisInordertoreachthewidestaudiencepossible,drugcompaniesarenolongerjusttargetingmedicaldoctorswiththeirmessageaboutantidepressants.By1995drugcompanieshadtripledtheamountofmoneyallottedtodirectadvertisingofprescriptiondrugstoconsumers.Themajorityofthemoneyisspentonseductivetelevisionads.From1996to2000,spendingrosefrom$791milliontonearly$2.5billion.26Eventhough$2.5billionmayseemlikealotofmoney,theauthorscommentthatitonlyrepresents15%ofthetotalpharmaceuticaladvertisingbudget.Accordingtomedicalexperts“thereisnosolidevidenceontheappropriatenessofprescribingthatresultsfromconsumersrequestinganadvertiseddrug.”However,thedrugcompaniesmaintainthatdirect‐to‐consumeradvertisingiseducational.Dr.SidneyM.Wolfe,ofthePublicCitizenHealthResearchGroupinWashington,D.C.,arguesthatthepublicisoftenmisinformedabouttheseads.27Peoplewantwhattheyseeontelevisionandaretoldtogototheirdoctorforaprescription.Doctorsinprivatepracticeeitheracquiescetotheirpatients’demandsforthesedrugsorspendvaluableclinictimetryingtotalkpatientsoutofunnecessarydrugs.Dr.Wolferemarksthatoneimportantstudyfoundthatpeoplemistakenlybelievethatthe“FDAreviewsalladsbeforetheyarereleasedandallowsonlythesafestandmosteffectivedrugstobepromoteddirectlytothepublic.”28

HowDoWeKnowDrugsAreSafe?Anotheraspectofscientificmedicinethatthepublictakesforgrantedisthetestingofnewdrugs.Unliketheclassofpeoplethattakedrugswhoareillandneedmedication,ingeneral,drugsaretestedonindividualswhoarefairlyhealthyandnotonothermedicationsthatcaninterferewithfindings.Butwhentheyaredeclared“safe”andenterthedrugprescriptionbooks,theyarenaturallygoingtobeusedbypeopleonavarietyofothermedicationsandwhoalsohavealotofotherhealthproblems.Then,anewPhaseofdrugtestingcalledPost‐Approvalcomesintoplay,whichisthedocumentationofsideeffectsoncedrugshitthemarket.Inoneverytellingreport,theGeneralAccountingOffice(anagencyoftheU.S.Government)"foundthatofthe198drugsapprovedbytheFDAbetween1976and1985...102(or51.5%)hadseriouspost‐approvalrisks...theseriouspost‐approvalrisks(included)heartfailure,myocardialinfarction,anaphylaxis,respiratorydepressionandarrest,seizures,kidneyandliverfailure,severeblooddisorders,birthdefectsandfetaltoxicity,andblindness."29TheinvestigativeshowNBC’s“Dateline”wonderedifyourdoctorismoonlightingasadrugrep.Afterayear‐longinvestigationtheyreportedthatbecausedoctorscanlegallyprescribeanydrugtoanypatientforanycondition,drugcompaniesheavilypromote"off‐label"andfrequentlyinappropriateandnon‐testedusesofthesemedicationsinspiteofthefactthatthesedrugsareonlyapprovedforspecificindicationstheyhavebeentestedfor.30



Theleadingcausesofadversedrugreactionsareantibiotics(17%),cardiovasculardrugs(17%),chemotherapy(15%),andanalgesicsandanti‐inflammatoryagents(15%).31SpecificDrugIatrogenesis:AntibioticsDr.Egger,inarecenteditorial,wrotethatafterfiftyyearsofincreasinguseofantibiotics,30millionpoundsofantibioticsareusedinAmericaperyear.32Twenty‐fivemillionpoundsofthistotalareusedinanimalhusbandry.Thevastmajorityofthisamount,twenty‐threemillionpounds,isusedtotrytopreventdisease,thestressofshipping,andtopromotegrowth.Only2millionpoundsaregivenforspecificanimalinfections.Dr.Eggerremindsusthatlowconcentrationsofantibioticsaremeasurableinmanyofourfoods,rivers,andstreamsaroundtheworld.Muchofthisisseepingintobodiesofwaterfromanimalfarms.Eggersaysoveruseofantibioticsresultsinfood‐borneinfectionsresistanttoantibiotics.Salmonellaisfoundin20%ofgroundmeatbutconstantexposureofcattletoantibioticshasmade84%ofsalmonellaresistanttoatleastoneanti‐salmonellaantibiotic.Diseasedanimalfoodaccountsfor80%ofsalmonellosisinhumans,or1.4millioncasesperyear.Theconventionalapproachtodealingwiththisepidemicistoradiatefoodtotrytokillallorganismsbutkeepusingtheantibioticsthatcausetheoriginalproblem.Approximately20%ofchickensarecontaminatedwithCampylobacterjejunicausing2.4millionhumancasesofillnessannually.Fifty‐fourpercentoftheseorganismsareresistanttoatleastoneanti‐campylobacterantimicrobial.Abanongrowth‐promotingantibioticsinDenmarkbeganin1999,whichledtoadecreasefrom453,200poundsto195,800poundswithinayear.AnotherreportfromScandinaviafoundthattakingawayantibioticgrowthpromotershadnoorminimaleffectonfoodproductioncosts.EggerfurtherwarnsthatinAmericathecurrentcrowded,unsanitarymethodsofanimalfarmingsupportconstantstressandinfection,andaregearedtowardhighantibioticuse.Hesaystheseconditionswouldhavetobechangedalongwithcuttingbackonantibioticuse.InAmerica,over3millionpoundsofantibioticsareusedeveryyearonhumans.Withapopulationof284millionAmericans,thisamountisenoughtogiveeveryman,womanandchild10teaspoonsofpureantibioticsperyear.EggersaysthatexposuretoasteadystreamofantibioticshasalteredpathogenssuchasStreptococcuspneumoniae,Staplococcusaureus,andentercocci,tonameafew.AlmosthalfofpatientswithupperrespiratorytractinfectionsintheU.S.stillreceiveantibioticsfromtheirdoctor.33AccordingtotheCDC,90%ofupperrespiratoryinfectionsareviralandshouldnotbetreatedwithantibiotics.InGermanytheprevalenceforsystemicantibioticuseinchildrenaged0‐6yearswas42.9%.34DatatakenfromnineU.S.healthplansbetween1996‐2000onantibioticusein25,000childrenfoundthatratesofantibioticusedecreased.Antibioticusein



children,aged3monthstounder3years,decreased24%,from2.46to1.89antibioticprescriptionsper/patientper/year.Forchildren,3yearstounder6years,therewasa25%reductionfrom1.47to1.09antibioticprescriptionsper/patientper/year.Andforchildrenaged6tounder18years,therewasa16%reductionfrom0.85to0.69antibioticprescriptionsper/patient/peryear.35Althoughtherewasareductioninantibioticuse,thedataindicatethatonaverageeverychildinAmericareceives1.22antibioticprescriptionsannually.GroupAbeta‐hemolyticstreptococciistheonlycommoncauseofsorethroatthatrequiresantibiotics,penicillinanderythromycinbeingtheonlyrecommendedtreatment.However,90%ofsorethroatsareviral.Theauthorsofthisstudyestimatedtherewere6.7millionadultannualvisitsforsorethroatbetween1989and1999intheU.S.Antibioticswereusedin73%ofvisits.Furthermore,patientstreatedwithantibioticsweregivennon‐recommendedbroad‐spectrumantibioticsin68%ofvisits.Theauthorsnoted,thatfrom1989to1999,therewasasignificantincreaseinthenewerandmoreexpensivebroad‐spectrumantibioticsandadecreaseinuseofpenicillinanderythromycin,whicharetherecommendedantibiotics.36Ifantibioticsweregivenin73%ofvisitsandshouldhaveonlybeengivenin10%,thisrepresents63%,oratotalof4.2millionvisitsforsorethroatthatendedinunnecessaryantibioticprescriptionsbetween1989‐1999.Dr.RichardBesser,oftheCDC,in1995,saidthenumberofunnecessaryantibioticsprescribedannuallyforviralinfectionswas20million.Dr.Besser,in2003,nowreferstotensofmillionsofunnecessaryantibiotics.2,2aNeitherofthesefigurestakesintoaccountthenumberofunnecessaryantibioticsusedfornon‐fatalconditionssuchasacne,intestinalinfection,skininfections,earinfections,etc.TheProblemwithAntibiotics:TheyareAntiLifeOnSeptember17,2003theCDCrelaunchedaprogram,startedin1995,called“GetSmart:KnowWhenAntibioticsWork.”37Thisisa$1.6millioncampaigntoeducatepatientsabouttheoveruseandinappropriateuseofantibiotics.Mostpeopleinvolvedwithalternativemedicinehaveknownaboutthedangersofoveruseofantibioticsfordecades.Finallythegovernmentisfocusingontheproblem,yettheyareonlyputtingaminisculeamountofmoneyintoaniatrogenicepidemicthatiscostingbillionsofdollarsandthousandsoflives.TheCDCwarnsthat90%ofupperrespiratoryinfections,includingchildren’searinfections,areviral,andantibioticsdon’ttreatviralinfection.Morethan40%ofabout50millionprescriptionsforantibioticseachyearinphysicians'officeswereinappropriate.2Andusingantibiotics,whennotneeded,canleadtothedevelopmentofdeadlystrainsofbacteriathatareresistanttodrugsandcausemorethan88,000deathsduetohospital‐acquiredinfections.9However,theCDCseemstobeblamingpatientsformisusingantibioticseventhoughtheyareonlyavailableonprescriptionfromadoctorwhoshouldknowhowtoprescribeproperly.Dr.RichardBesser,headof“GetSmart,”says"Programsthathavejusttargetedphysicianshavenotworked.Direct‐to‐consumeradvertisingof



drugsistoblameinsomecases.”Dr.Bessersaystheprogram“teachespatientsandthegeneralpublicthatantibioticsarepreciousresourcesthatmustbeusedcorrectlyifwewanttohavethemaroundwhenweneedthem.Hopefully,asaresultofthiscampaign,patientswillfeelmorecomfortableaskingtheirdoctorsforthebestcarefortheirillnesses,ratherthanaskingforantibiotics."38Andwhatdoesthe“bestcare”constitute?TheCDCdoesnotelaborateandpatentlyavoidsthelatestresearchonthedozensofnutraceuticalsscientificallyproventotreatviralinfectionsandboosttheimmunesystem.WilltheirdoctorsrecommendvitaminC,echinacea,elderberry,vitaminA,zinc,orhomeopathicoscillococcinum?No,theywon’t.ThearchaicsolutionsofferedbytheCDCincludearadioad,“JustSayNo‐Snort,sniffle,sneeze‐Noantibioticsplease."Theircommonsenserecommendations,thatmostpeopledoanyway,includeresting,drinkingplentyoffluids,andusingahumidifier.Thepharmaceuticalindustryclaimstheyareallforlimitingtheuseofantibiotics.Inordertomakesurethathappens,thedrugcompanyBayerissponsoringaprogramcalled,“OperationCleanHands”,throughanorganizationcalledLIBRA.39TheCDCisalsoinvolvedwithtryingtominimizeantibioticresistance,butnowhereintheirpublicationsisthereanyreferencetotheroleofnutraceuticalsinboostingtheimmunesystemnortothethousandsofjournalarticlesthatsupportthisapproach.Thisrecalcitranttunnelvisionandrefusaltouseavailablenon‐drugalternativesisabsolutelyinappropriatewhentheCDCisdesperatelytryingtocurbthenightmareofoveruseofantibiotics.TheCDCshouldalsobecalledtotaskbecauseitisonlyfocusingontheoveruseofantibiotics.Therearesimilarnightmaresforeveryclassofdrugbeingprescribedtoday.DrugsPolluteOurWaterSupplyWehavereachedthepointofsaturationwithprescriptiondrugs.Wehavearrivedatthepointwhereeverybodyofwatertestedcontainsmeasurabledrugresidues.Weareinundatedwithdrugs.Thetonsofantibioticsusedinanimalfarming,whichrunoffintothewatertableandsurroundingbodiesofwater,areconferringantibioticresistancetogermsinsewage,andthesegermsarealsofoundinourwatersupply.Flusheddownourtoiletsaretonsofdrugsanddrugmetabolitesthatalsofindtheirwayintoourwatersupply.Wehavenoideawhatthelong‐termconsequencesofingestingamixtureofdrugsanddrug‐breakdownproductswilldotoourhealth.It’sanotherlevelofiatrogenicdiseasethatweareunabletocompletelymeasure.40‐49SpecificDrugIatrogenesis:NSAIDsIt’snotjustAmericathatisplaguedwithiatrogenesis.Asurveyof1072Frenchgeneralpractitioners(GPs)testedtheirbasicpharmacologicalknowledgeandpracticeinprescribingNSAIDs.Non‐steroidalanti‐inflammatorydrugs(NSAIDs)rankfirstamongcommonlyprescribeddrugsforseriousadversereactions.TheresultsofthestudysuggestedthatGPsdon’thaveadequateknowledgeofthesedrugsandareunabletoeffectivelymanageadversereactions.50



Across‐sectionalsurveyof125patientsattendingspecialtypainclinicsinSouthLondonfoundthatpossibleiatrogenicfactorssuchas“over‐investigation,inappropriateinformation,andadvicegiventopatientsaswellasmisdiagnosis,over‐treatment,andinappropriateprescriptionofmedicationwerecommon.”51SpecificDrugIatrogenesis:CancerChemotherapyIn1989,aGermanbiostatistician,UlrichAbelPhD,afterpublishingdozensofpapersoncancerchemotherapy,wroteamonograph“ChemotherapyofAdvancedEpithelialCancer”.Itwaslaterpublishedinashorterforminapeer‐reviewedmedicaljournal.52Dr.Abelpresentedacomprehensiveanalysisofclinicaltrialsandpublicationsrepresentingover3,000articlesexaminingthevalueofcytotoxicchemotherapyonadvancedepithelialcancer.Epithelialcanceristhetypeofcancerwearemostfamiliarwith.Itarisesfromepitheliumfoundintheliningofbodyorganssuchasbreast,prostate,lung,stomach,orbowel.Fromthesesitescancerusuallyinfiltratesintoadjacenttissueandspreadstobone,liver,lung,orthebrain.WithhisexhaustivereviewDr.Abelconcludesthatthereisnodirectevidencethatchemotherapyprolongssurvivalinpatientswithadvancedcarcinoma.Hesaidthatinsmall‐celllungcancerandperhapsovariancancerthetherapeuticbenefitisonlyslight.Dr.Abelgoesontosay,“Manyoncologiststakeitforgrantedthatresponsetotherapyprolongssurvival,anopinionwhichisbasedonafallacyandwhichisnotsupportedbyclinicalstudies.”OveradecadeafterDr.Abel’sexhaustivereviewofchemotherapy,thereseemsnodecreaseinitsuseforadvancedcarcinoma.Forexample,whenconventionalchemotherapyandradiationhasnotworkedtopreventmetastasesinbreastcancer,high‐dosechemotherapy(HDC)alongwithstem‐celltransplant(SCT)isthetreatmentofchoice.However,inMarch2000,resultsfromthelargestmulti‐centerrandomizedcontrolledtrialconductedthusfarshowedthat,comparedtoaprolongedcourseofmonthlyconventional‐dosechemotherapy,HDCandSCTwereofnobenefit.53TherewasevenaslightlylowersurvivalratefortheHDC/SCTgroup.AndtheauthorsnotedthatseriousadverseeffectsoccurredmoreoftenintheHDCgroupthanthestandard‐dosegroup.Therewasonetreatment‐relateddeath(within100daysoftherapy)intheHDCgroup,butnoneintheconventionalchemotherapygroup.Thewomeninthistrialwerehighlyselectedashavingthebestchancetorespond.Thereisalsonoall‐encompassingfollow‐upstudylikeDr.Abel’sthattellsusifthereisanyimprovementincancer‐survivalstatisticssince1989.Infact,weneedtoresearchwhetherchemotherapyitselfisresponsibleforsecondarycancersinsteadofprogressionoftheoriginaldisease.Wecontinuetoquestionwhywell‐researchedalternativecancertreatmentsaren’tused.DrugCompaniesFinedPeriodically,adrugmanufacturerisfinedbytheFDAwhentheabusesaretooglaringandimpossibletocoverup.Asoneexampleofmany,theMay2002WashingtonPostreportedthatthemakerofClaritin,Schering‐PloughCorp.,wasto



paya$500milliondollarfinetotheFDAforquality‐controlproblemsatfourofitsfactories.54TheFDAtabulatedinfractionsthatincluded90%,or125ofthedrugstheymadesince1998.Besidesthefine,thecompanyhadtostopmanufacturing73drugsorsufferanother$175milliondollarfine.PRstatementsbythecompanytoldanotherstory.Thecompanyassuredconsumersthattheyshouldstillfeelconfidentinitsproducts.SuchalargesettlementservesasawarningtothedrugindustryaboutmaintainingstrictmanufacturingpracticesandhasgiventheFDAmorecloutindealingwithdrugcompanycompliance.AccordingtotheWashingtonPostarticle,afederalappealscourtruledin1999thattheFDAcouldseizetheprofitsofcompaniesthatviolate"goodmanufacturingpractices."SincethattimeAbbottLaboratoriesInc.paid$100millionforfailingtomeetqualitystandardsintheproductionofmedicaltestkits,andWyethLaboratoriesInc.paid$30millionin2000tosettleaccusationsofpoormanufacturingpractices.IT’SAGLOBALISSUEAsurveypublishedintheJournalofHealthAffairspointedoutthatbetween18%and28%ofpeoplewhowererecentlyillhadsufferedfromamedicalordrugerrorintheprevioustwoyears.Thestudysurveyed750recently‐illadultsinfivedifferentcountries.Thebreakdownbycountryshowed18%ofthoseinBritain,25%inCanada,23%inAustralia,23%inNewZealand,andthehighestnumberwasintheU.S.at28%.55WAREHOUSINGOURELDERSThefactthatthereareveryfewstatisticsonmalnutritioninacute‐carehospitalsandnursinghomesshowsthelackofconcerninthisarea.AsurveyoftheliteratureturnsupveryfewAmericanstudies.ThosethatdoappearareforeignstudiesinItaly,Spain,andBrazil.However,thereisoneveryrevealingAmericanstudyconductedovera14‐monthperiodthatevaluated837patientsina100‐bedsub‐acute‐carehospitalfortheirnutritionalstatus.Only8%ofthepatientswerefoundtobewellnourished.Almostone‐third(29%)weremalnourishedandalmosttwo‐thirds(63%)wereatriskofmalnutrition.Theconsequencesofthisstateofdeficiencywerethat25%ofthemalnourishedpatientsrequiredreadmissiontoanacute‐carehospitalcomparedto11%ofthewell‐nourishedpatients.Theauthorsconcludedthatmalnutritionreachedepidemicproportionsinpatientsadmittedtothissub‐acute‐carefacility.56Manystudiesconcludethatphysicalrestraintsareanunderreportedandpreventablecauseofdeath.Whereasadministratorssaytheymustuserestraintstopreventfalls,infact,theycausemoreinjuryanddeathbecausepeoplenaturallyfightagainstsuchimprisonment.Studiesshowthatcomparedtonorestraints,theuseofrestraintscarriesahighermortalityrateandeconomicburden.57‐59Studiesfoundthatphysicalrestraints,includingbedrails,arethecauseofatleast1inevery1,000nursing‐homedeaths.60‐62



However,deathscausedbymalnutrition,dehydration,andphysicalrestraintsarerarelyrecordedondeathcertificates.Severalstudiesrevealthatnearlyhalfofthelistedcausesofdeathondeathcertificatesforolderpersonswithchronicormulti‐systemdiseaseareinaccurate.63Eventhough1‐in‐5peopledieinnursinghomes,theautopsyrateisonly0.8%.64Thus,wehavenowayofknowingthetruecausesofdeath.OvermedicatingSeniorsDr.RobertEpstein,chiefmedicalofficerofMedcoHealthSolutionsInc.(aunitofMerck&Co.),conductedastudyondrugtrends.65Hefoundthatseniorsaregoingtomultiplephysiciansandgettingmultipleprescriptionsandusingmultiplepharmacies.Medcooverseesdrugbenefitplansformorethan60millionAmericans,including6.3millionseniorcitizenswhoreceivedmorethan160millionprescriptions.Accordingtothestudytheaverageseniorreceives25prescriptionsannually.Inthose6.3millionseniorsatotalof7.9millionmedicationalertsweretriggered:lessthan1/2thatnumber,3.4million,weredetectedin1999.About2.2millionofthosealertsindicatedexcessivedosagesunsuitableforseniorcitizensandabout2.4millionindicatedclinicallyinappropriatedrugsfortheelderly.ReutersinterviewedKaseyThompson,directoroftheCenteronPatientSafetyattheAmericanSocietyofHealthSystemPharmacists,whosaid,“ThereareseriousandsystemicproblemswithpoorcontinuityofcareintheUnitedStates.”Hesaysthisstudyshows“thetipoftheiceberg”ofanationalproblem.AccordingtoDrugBenefitTrends,theaveragenumberofprescriptionsdispensedpernon‐MedicareHMOmemberperyearrose5.6%from1999to2000‐from7.1to7.5prescriptions.TheaveragenumberdispensedforMedicaremembersincreased5.5%‐from18.1to19.1prescriptions.66Thenumberofprescriptionsin2000was2.98billion,withanaverageperpersonprescriptionamountof10.4annually.66Inastudyof818residentsofresidentialcarefacilitiesfortheelderly,94%werereceivingatleastonemedicationatthetimeoftheinterview.Theaverageintakeofmedicationswasfiveperresident;theauthorsnotedthatmanyofthesedrugsweregivenwithoutadocumenteddiagnosisjustifyingtheiruse.67WHATREMAINSTOBEUNCOVEREDIatrogenicmorbidity,mortality,andfinanciallossinoutpatientclinics,transitionalcare,long‐termcare,rehabilitativecare,homecare,privatepractitionersoffices,aswellashospitals,isalsoduetothefollowing:

1. X‐rayexposures:mammography,fluoroscopy,CTscans.2. Overuseofantibioticsinallconditions.3. Drugsthatarecarcinogenic:hormonereplacementtherapy4. immunosuppressivedrugs,prescriptiondrugs.



5. Cancerchemotherapy:Ifitdoesn’textendlife,isitshorteninglife?526. Surgeryandsurgicalprocedures.7. Unnecessarysurgery:Cesareansection,radicalmastectomy,preventive

mastectomy,radicalhysterectomy,prostatectomy,cholecystectomies,cosmeticsurgery,arthroscopy,etc.

8. Medicalproceduresandtherapies.9. Discredited,unnecessary,andunprovenmedicalproceduresandtherapies.10. Doctorsthemselves:whendoctorsgoonstrike,itappearsthemortalityrate

goesdown.11. Misseddiagnoses.

CONCLUSIONWhatwehaveoutlinedinthispaperareinsupportableaspectsofourcontemporarymedicalsystemthatneedtobechanged‐beginningatitsveryfoundations.Whenthenumberonekillerinasocietyisthehealthcaresystem,then,thatsystemmusttakeresponsibilityforitsshortcomings.It’safailedsysteminneedofimmediateattention.REFERENCESAccesstotheexpandedpaper,“DeathbyMedicine”isavailableatwww.lifeextension.com.

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APPENDIXC:JournalofOrthomolecularMedicine.May2003.OverthecounterDrugsbyDr.AbramHofferPrimumnonnocere.Thisisthephysician'sfirstrule:whatevertreatmentaphysicianprescribestoapatient–first,thattreatmentmustnotharmthepatient.

EverydoctorhaslearnedtheHippocraticOath,themostfamousethicalruleinmedicine“Aboveall.Donoharm”.Itdoesnotsayharmshouldberelativeeventhoughthatishowthatruleisinterpreted.Butitdoesmakethepointthattheharmideallyshouldbezeroandpracticallyaslittleasishumanlypossible.Paracelsuswrote“Soladosisfacitvenenum”‐“Toomuchofanythingwillhurtyou".Andforcenturiesthishasbeentheproblemhowmuchistoomuch.



Anydiscussionofsideeffectsoroftoxicreactionswithoutspecifyingthedosesofthesecompoundsismeaningless.Foratzerolevelsnothingisandathighenoughlevelseverythingistoxicincludingoxygenandwater.Criticsofoptimum(oftenhigh)dosesofvitaminsgenerallytalkabouttoxicreactionswithoutanyreferencetothedosesthatpeopleuse.Theyreportthatvitaminsmaybetoxic.Notetheydonotwritewillbeharmfulbecausethewordmayisaveryusefultermasitmeanslittleandcanbeusedtoappeartobeveryscientific.HowoftenhaveweseenscreamingheadlinesvitaminCmaybeharmful,maycausecancerandsoon.ForexampleoneofthewellentrenchedfictionsisthatvitaminCmaycausekidneystones.Thisisnotbasedonfact.Therearenoreportsintheworldwideliterature,whichprovethatthisistrue,andtherearemanygoodstudiesthatshowthatitisnottrue.Yetthestatementhasdevelopedalifeofitsownwhichisnotanchoredbyanyobservationoffacts.Infactitmaycausekidneystonesifthewordmayisallowablewhentheoddsthatthiswillhappenarelessthanonemilliontoone.MillionsofpeopletakevitaminC.Sofarnotonefindinghasestablishedthisasfact.Soindiscussingsideeffectsandtoxicitywemustalwaysusethesimplestmostaccuratelanguagepossiblereferringtothedosesbeingdiscussed.Onewayofjudgingtheharmfulnessofdrugsistorelatetheeffectsofthesedrugstothetoxicitiesofwellknowncompoundssuchascommonover‐the‐counterdrugs.

InthisreviewIwillreportthesideeffectsofafewverycommonover‐the‐counterdrugs.Theyarefreelyavailableindrugstoresandsomeinotherstores.Thesecompoundsareanalgesics,antihistamines,anti‐inflammatorydrugs.Iwillnotdiscusstheefficacyofthesecompounds.IacceptthattheyhavevalueorelsetheywouldnotbeincommonuseandIalsousethemoccasionally.Thisdiscussionisonlyaboutpotentialsideeffectsandtoxicity;itisnotaboutefficacy.Thisinformationcomesfromthemedicalliteratureandthedrugcompanies.

Acomparisonofthereactionsofthevitaminstotheseover‐the‐counterdrugswillprovidethereaderwithanestimateofthedegreeofsafetyassociatedwithvitamins.Vitaminsshouldnotbecomparedagainstprescriptiondrugssincealldrugshavesideeffectsandtoxiceffectsevenwithintherecommendeddoseranges.Thatiswhytheyarecontrolledbyprescriptionanddrugstores.TheCompendiumsarehuge,largerthantelephonebooks,withhundredsofpagesdevotedtothesereactions,tosideeffect,totoxicreactions,tocontra‐indications.Theselongdescriptionsusuallyinsmallprintscaremostpatientsandmanydoctorsaswell.Someofthesideeffectsareexaggeratedsincetheyveryseldomindicatehowoftentheyoccur.Ontheotherhandthetoxicreactionsascribedtoplaceboareexaggeratedbecausetheyarelistedbutnotdefined.Thusnauseacausedbyadrugisusuallymuchmoreseverethannauseacausedbyaplaceboandtheplaceboreactionisusuallyshortlived.If10%oftheplacebogroupand12%ofthedruggroupcomplainofnausea,itdoesnotmeanthatthedrugisverylittleworsethanplacebo.Itmaywellbethatthedruginducednauseaismuchmoresevereanddebilitating.Theintensityofallthesideeffectsshouldbebutisnotrecorded.



Thebestprotectionanypatientcanhaveittokeepinclosetouchwiththedoctorwhoprescribedthemedication.Atthefirstindicationofanyadversereactiontheyshouldcontacttheirdoctor.Xenobiotics(normallyforeigntothebody)interferewithreactionsinthebodyandinthiswaydampendownsomereactionsbutbecausetheyareforeigntheymustbeconvertedtolesstoxicsubstancesandthenexcreted.Ifexcretionistooslowthedruganditsmetabolicproductswillbuildupinthebody.Thisiswhytheycausetoxicreactionsandalsowhyitusesenergytoeliminatethem.Itmightbebetterusedforthenormalreactionsinthebody.Nutrientsontheotherhanddonointerfere.Vitaminsenhancereactionsthatareinhibited.Largerdosesforcereactionsthathavebeenretardedbyotherfactors.

Over‐the‐counterdrugsareconsideredmuchsaferthanprescriptiondrugs.

Thatiswhytheyaremorefreelyavailable.Someover‐the‐counterdrugsstartedoutasprescriptionitemsandlaterwereallowedover‐the‐counter,somearebothforexampleaspirinandniacinandfolicacidwhichoncewasover‐the‐counterin25milligramstablesisnowavailableonprescriptionin5milligramtablets.The800microgramstabletsareover‐the‐counter.

Ihaveselectedfiveverypopularover‐the‐counterdrugsandwilldiscussthesideeffectsandtoxicitypatternsofthesefive,notbecauseIdisapproveofthembuttoillustratewhatisconsideredacceptableforover‐the‐counterdrugs.

1)Aspirin‐Acetylsalicylicacid

Aspirinisprobablythemostpopularover‐the‐counterdruganddoctorsmostoftenrecommendthedrug.Itisalsoavailableonprescription,whichisanadvantageforpatientswhohavedrugplans.ThereisevenanAspirinFoundationfoundedin1981,whichextolstheefficacyofthisdrug.Itiseffectiveindealingwithheartdisease,forarthritis,perhapsinhibitingcoloncancer,forheadachesandmore.Butherearesomeoftheofficialwarningsthatarelistedforaspirin.

1)Fluidandelectrolyteeffects

Increasedmetabolicrate,pyrexia,tachypnea,andvomitingleadtofluidlossanddehydration.Compensationforrespiratoryalkalosisleadstoincreasedrenalexcretionofbicarbonateandincreasedexcretionofsodiumandpotassium.Becauseofsignificantwaterlosses,hyponatremiamightnotbepresent;however,hypokalemiaisprominent.

2)Centralnervoussystemeffects

ToxiceffectsintheCNSrangefrommildconfusiontocoma.TheexactmechanismthatproducesCNStoxicityisnotknown,butthedegreeofCNSeffects,aswellasoverallmortality,correlateswiththeconcentrationofsalicylatesinbraintissue.Acidemiaincreasesthenonionizedformofsalicylates,allowingformovementacrosstheblood‐brainbarrierand,therefore,increasingCNStoxicity.



3)Gastrointestinaleffects

Salicylateingestioncancausenausea,vomiting,andabdominalpain.EmesisisproducedbysalicylatestimulationofmedullarychemoreceptorsandbylocalirritationoftheGItract.UpperGIulcerationandbleedingcanoccur.Gastrointestinaleffectsaremuchmoreprominentinacuteingestion.

4)Ototoxicity

Salicylatetoxicityresultsinareversibleototoxicitycharacterizedbytinnitus,deafness,anddizziness.

5)Pulmonaryeffects

Noncardiogenicpulmonaryedemaisthemostcommoncauseofmajormorbidityandmightberelatedtoanincreaseinpermeabilityofpulmonaryvasculaturecausedbysalicylates.Acuterespiratorydistresssyndrome(ARDS)ismoreprominentinchronicingestionsthaninacuteingestions.

6)Hematologicaleffects

SalicylatesinhibitvitaminK–dependentsynthesisoffactorsII,VII,IX,andX,leadingtoaprolongedprothrombintime(PT).Salicylatesprolongbleedingtimebyinhibitingaprostaglandin‐initiatedsequencerequiredforplateletaggregation.

7)Hepaticeffects

Dose‐dependenthepatotoxicitycanoccurwithsalicylatepoisoning.Asmallpercentageofpatientsmightdevelophepatitis,butthemajoritywillhaveasymptomaticelevationoftransaminases.

8)Renaleffects

Acuterenalfailurehasbeenreportedrarely.

Mortality/Morbidity:Mortalityratesvarywithchronicityofexposure.Chronictoxicitycarriesahighermorbidityandmortalityratethanacutetoxicityandismoredifficulttotreat.

• Acuteoverdose‐Mortalityrateoflessthan2%• Chronicoverdose‐Mortalityrateashighas25%Azeretal(eMedicine.comupdatedMarch1,2002)usedmorethan11pagesofprintedmaterialtodescribethetoxicityofaspirinincludingtreatmentinformationandmedicalcare.TheBritishMedicalJournalJune27,2003is



promotinganewelixirofyouthcalledpolypill.Oneofthesixingredientsisaspirin.

2)Ranitidine–alsocalledZantac.

Itsuseisdescribedasfollows“Zantacisprescribedfortheshort‐termtreatment(4to8weeks)ofactiveduodenalulcerandactivebenigngastriculcer,andasmaintenancetherapyforgastricorduodenalulcer,atareduceddosage,aftertheulcerhashealed.Itisalsousedforthetreatmentofconditionsinwhichthestomachproducestoomuchacid,suchasZollinger‐Ellisonsyndromeandsystemicmastocytosis,forgastroesophagealrefluxdisease(backflowofacidstomachcontents)andforhealing‐‐andmaintaininghealingof‐‐erosiveesophagitis(severeinflammationoftheesophagus)”.AsIhavewrittenearlierclosecontactwithonesdoctoristhebestsafegaurd.Morecommonsideeffectsinclude:Headache,sometimessevereLesscommonandraresideeffectsinclude;Abdominaldiscomfortandpain,agitation,changesinbloodcount(anemia),changesinliverfunction,constipation,depression,diarrhea,difficultysleeping,dizziness,hairloss,hallucinations,heartblock,hepatitis,hypersensitivityreactions,inflamedbloodvessels,inflammationofthepancreas,involuntarymovements,irregularheartbeat,jaundice(yellowingofeyesandskin),jointpain,musclepain,nauseaandvomiting,rapidheartbeat,rash,reducedwhitebloodcells,reversiblementalconfusion,severeallergicreactions,sleepiness,slowheartbeat,swollenfaceandthroat,vaguefeelingofbodilydiscomfort,vertigo.

Thefollowingspecialwarningsarelisted

Astomachmalignancycouldbepresent,evenifyoursymptomshavebeenrelievedbyZantac.Ifyouhavekidneyorliverdisease,thisdrugshouldbeusedwithcaution.Ifyouhavephenylketonuria,youshouldbeawarethatthe"Efferdose"tabletsandgranulescontainphenylalanine.

Andherearemorepossiblefoodanddruginteractionswhentakingthismedication.IfZantacistakenwithcertainotherdrugs,theeffectsofeithercouldbeincreased,decreased,oraltered.ItisespeciallyimportanttocheckwithyourdoctorbeforecombiningZantacwiththefollowing:Alcohol,Blood‐thinningdrugssuchasCoumadin,Diazepam(Valium),Diltiazem(Cardizem),Glyburide(DiaBeta,Micronase),Ketoconazole(Nizoral),Metformin(Glucophage),Nifedipine(Procardia),Phenytoin(Dilantin),Theophylline(Theo‐Dur),Triazolam(Halcion)andseveralothersIhaveomitted.

3) IboprofenalsocalledMotrin

IboprofenisanotherverypoplarOTCdrug.Hereishowitisdescribed.Itisanonsteroidalanti‐inflammatorydrugavailableinbothprescriptionand



nonprescriptionforms.PrescriptionMotrinisusedinadultsforreliefofthesymptomsofrheumatoidarthritisandosteoarthritis,treatmentofmenstrualpain,andreliefofmildtomoderatepain.Inchildrenaged6monthsandolderitcanbegiventoreducefeverandrelievemildtomoderatepain.Itisalsousedtorelievethesymptomsofjuvenilearthritis.Commonsideeffectsmayinclude:Abdominalcrampsorpain,abdominaldiscomfort,bloatingandgas,constipation,diarrhea,dizziness,fluidretentionandswelling,headache,heartburn,indigestion,itching,lossofappetite,nausea,nervousness,rash,ringinginears,stomachpain,vomiting.Lesscommonorraresideeffectsmayinclude:Abdominalbleeding,anemia,blackstool,bloodinurine,blurredvision,changesinheartbeat,chills,confusion,congestiveheartfailure,depression,dryeyesandmouth,emotionalvolatility,fever,hairloss,hearingloss,hepatitis,highorlowbloodpressure,hives,inabilitytosleep,inflammationofnose,inflammationofthepancreasorstomach,kidneyorliverfailure,severeallergicreactions,shortnessofbreath,skineruptionsorpeeling,sleepiness,stomachorupperintestinalulcer,ulcerofgums,visionloss,vomitingblood,wheezing,yelloweyesandskin.Specialwarningsaboutthismedication:Pepticulcersandbleedingcanoccurwithoutwarning.Tellyourdoctorifyouhavebleedingoranyotherproblems.Thisdrugshouldbeusedwithcautionifyouhavekidneyorliverdisease,orareseverelydehydrated;itcancauseliverorkidneyinflammationorotherproblemsinsomepeople.Donottakeaspirinoranyotheranti‐inflammatorymedicationswhiletakingMotrinunlessyourdoctortellsyoutodoso.Ifyouhaveasevereallergicreaction,seekmedicalhelpimmediately.Motrinmaycausevisionproblems.Ifyouexperienceanychangesinyourvision,informyourdoctor.Motrinmayprolongbleedingtime.Ifyouaretakingblood‐thinningmedication,thisdrugshouldbetakenwithcaution.Thisdrugcancausewaterretention.Itshouldbeusedwithcautionifyouhavehighbloodpressureorpoorheartfunction.Avoidtheuseofalcoholwhiletakingthismedication.Motrinmaymasktheusualsignsofinfectionorotherdiseases.Usewithcareinthepresenceofanexistinginfection.The"PHYSICIAN'SDESKREFERENCE®",andPDR®areregisteredtrademarksownedbyMedicalEconomics.

Adviceabouttakingit(andindeedanyotherOTCanalgesic)shouldalwaysbesoughtfromapharmacist.Individualswhoshouldbeespeciallycautiousare:·PregnantwomenPregnantwomen·Breastfeedingwomen·Theelderly·Thosesufferingfromasthma



·Individualswhohavesufferedfromgastriculcersorgastricbleedsinthepast·Thosewithbleedingdisorders·ThosewhosufferfromallergiesAswithallpainkillers,ifsymptomspersistformorethan3days,youshouldconsultyourdoctor.Ifyouarereceivingregulartreatmentfromyourdoctor,consulthim.4)TylenolalsocalledAcetaminophen InformationfromeMedicineSpecialtiesAuthorMichaelJAmeres,SouthamptonHospital.March23,2003

Illnessfromacetaminophenoverdoseiscausedprimarilybyliverdamage.

• Acetaminophenisprimarilymetabolizedbytheliver.Toomuchacetaminophencanoverwhelmthewaythelivernormallyfunctions.

• Iftheliverisalreadydamagedbecauseofinfection,alcoholabuse,orotherillness,youmaybemoresusceptibletodamagefromacetaminophenoverdose.Forthisreason,peoplewithliverillnessesorwhochronicallyconsumelargeamountsofalcoholshouldbeparticularlycarefulwhentakingacetaminophenandshouldconsulttheirdoctorpriortotakingacetaminophencompounds.

• Long‐termuseofacetaminopheninrecommendeddoseshasnotbeenshowntobeharmfultotheliver,evenwhencombinedwithmoderatealcoholconsumption.

Therearenoimmediatesymptomsfromtakingatoxicamount.Youmayremainsymptomfreeforupto24hoursaftertakingatoxicoverdoseofacetaminophen.

Afterthisinitialperiod,thefollowingsymptomsarecommon:

• Nausea,Vomiting,Notfeelingwell,Notabletoeatorpoorappetite,Abdominalpain

• ButLifeExtensionprovidesafewmorewarnings.Tylenolcancausekidneydamage,whichcanbelethalifthereisunderlyingkidneydamage.Dosagesexceeding10‐15gramsdailyaretoxicand25gramscanbeimmediatelyfatal.Symptomsincludejaundiceandpaininupperabdomen,hypoglycemia,encephalopathy,kidneyfailureandanalgesicrebound.

5) Claritinalsocalledloratadine.Thisisapopularantihistamineusedtorelievehayfeverandallergy

symptomssuchassneezing,runnyreditchytearingeyes.Itcauseslessdrowsinessthanotherantihistamines.GenerallyantihistaminesareamongthesafestOTCcompoundsbutevenwiththisgoodsafetyrecordherearesomeofthesideeffectsandwarning.Theseincludeheadache,drymouth,



noseandthroat,drowsiness,raidheartbeat,difficultyurinating,visionproblem’s,dizzinessandmuscleweakness.Iftheoccuryouarewarnedtocallyourdoctorimmediately

Beforeyoutakeittellyourdoctorandpharmacistwhatyouaretaking,ifyouhaveevehadkidneyandliverdisease,ifyouarepregnantorbreastfeeding,ifyouplantohavesurgery,andavoidprolongedexposuretosunlight.

Thesearethesideeffects,toxicreactions,contraindicationsandwarningsthathavetobestudiedbeforetakinganyofthesefiveverypopularOTCdrugs.Noneofthevitaminshavesideeffectsandtoxicreactionsremotelysimilartothis.Itisclearthatdrugsallowedover‐the‐counterhavetobeusedwithcautionbecausetheyarexenobioticandwithintherecommendeddoserangecanbeandoftenareharmful.Thiscannotbesaidaboutthevitamins.Withintherecommendeddosesvitaminsaresafe.Thefatsolublevitaminscanaccumulateinthebodybuttheeffectsarereversibleandthereisnobodycount.Toanswermyearlierquestionwherearethebodies.Theansweristherearenone.AsurveyintheUnitedStatesshowedthatinoneyear106,000patientsdiedfromtheproperuseofmedicationinhospitalOverthepastthreedecadestherehavebeennodeathsfromtheproperuseofvitamins.

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396.27.Crook,W.J.TheYeastConnection.(TN:ProfessionalBooks,1984)..28.Heaton,K."TheSweetRoadtoGallstones."BritishMedicalJournal.Apr14,1984;288:1103_1104.Misciagna,G.,etal.AmericanJournalofClinicalNutrition.1999;69:120‐126.29.Yudkin,J."SugarConsumptionandMyocardialInfarction."Lancet..Feb6,1971:1(7693):296‐297.Suadicani,P.,etal.“AdverseEffectsofRiskofIshaemicHeartDiseaseofAddingSugartoHotBeveragesinHypertensivesUsingDiuretics.”BloodPressure.Mar1996;5(2):91‐71.Reiser,S."EffectsofDietarySugarsonMetabolicRiskFactorsAssociatedwithHeartDisease."NutritionalHealth.1985;203_216.30.Cleave,T.TheSaccharineDisease.(NewCanaan,CT:KeatsPublishing,1974).31.Erlander,S."TheCauseandCureofMultipleSclerosis,TheDiseasetoEndDisease.Mar3,1979;1(3):59_63.32.Cleave,T.TheSaccharineDisease.(NewCanaan,CT:KeatsPublishing,1974.)33.Cleave,T.andCampbell,G.(Bristol,England:Diabetes,CoronaryThrombosisandtheSaccharineDisease:JohnWrightandSons,1960).34.Behall,K."InfluenceofEstrogenContentofOralContraceptivesandConsumptionofSucroseonBloodParameters."DiseaseAbstractsInternational.1982;431437.35.Glinsmann,W.,Irausquin,H.,andK.Youngmee.EvaluationofHealthAspectsofSugarContainedinCarbohydrateSweeteners.F.D.A.ReportofSugarsTaskForce.1986;39:36_38.36.Tjäderhane,L.andLarmas,M.“AHighSucroseDietDecreasestheMechanicalStrengthofBonesinGrowingRats.”JournalofNutrition.1998:128:1807_1810.37.Appleton,N.NewYork:HealthyBones.AveryPenguinPutnam:1989.38.Beck_NielsenH.,PedersenO.,andSchwartzS.“EffectsofDietontheCellularInsulinBindingandtheInsulinSensitivityinYoungHealthySubjects."Diabetes.1978;15:289_296.39.JournalofClinicalEndocrinologyandMetabolism.Aug2000.40.Gardner,L.andReiser,S."EffectsofDietaryCarbohydrateonFastingLevelsofHumanGrowthHormoneandCortisol."ProceedingsoftheSocietyforExperimentalBiologyandMedicine.1982;169:36‐40.41.Reiser,S."EffectsofDietarySugarsonMetabolicRiskFactorsAssociatedwithHeartDisease."NutritionalHealth.1985;203:216.42.Hodges,R.,andRebello,T."CarbohydratesandBloodPressure."AnnalsofInternalMedicine.1983:98:838_841.43.Behar,D.,etal.“SugarChallengeTestingwithChildrenConsideredBehaviorallySugarReactive."NutritionalBehavior.1984;1:277‐288.44.Furth,A.andHarding,J."WhySugarIsBadForYou."“NewScientist.”Sep23,1989;44.45.Simmons,J."IsTheSandofTimeSugar?"Longevity.June1990:49‐53.46.Appleton,N.NewYork:LicktheSugarHabit.(NewYork:AveryPenguinPutnam:1988).47."SucroseInducesDiabetesinCat."FederalProtocol.1974;6(97).



48.Cleave,T.TheSaccharineDisease:(NewCanaanCt:KeatsPublishing,Inc.,1974).131.49.Ibid.132.50.VaccaroO.,Ruth,K.J.andStamlerJ.“RelationshipofPostloadPlasmaGlucosetoMortalitywith19YearFollow_up.”DiabetesCare.Oct15,1992;10:328_334.Tominaga,M.,etal,“ImpairedGlucoseToleranceIsaRiskFactorforCardiovascularDisease,butNotFastingGlucose.”DiabetesCare.1999:2(6):920‐924.51.Lee,A.T.andCerami,A."ModificationsofProteinsandNucleicAcidsbyReducingSugars:PossibleRoleinAging."HandbookoftheBiologyofAging.(NewYork:AcademicPress,1990.).52.Monnier,V.M."NonenzymaticGlycosylation,theMaillardReactionandtheAgingProcess."JournalofGerontology1990:45(4):105_110.53.Dyer,D.G.,etal."AccumulationofMaillardReactionProductsinSkinCollageninDiabetesandAging."JournalofClinicalInvestigation.1993:93(6):421_22.54.Veromann,S.etal.”DietarySugarandSaltRepresentRealRiskFactorsforCataractDevelopment.”Ophthalmologica.2003Jul‐Aug;217(4):302‐307.55.Monnier,V.M."NonenzymaticGlycosylation,theMaillardReactionandtheAgingProcess."JournalofGerontology.1990:45(4):105_110.56.Pamplona,R.,etal."MechanismsofGlycationinAtherogenesis."MedicalHypotheses.1990:174_181.57.Lewis,G.F.andSteiner,G.“AcuteEffectsofInsulinintheControlofVldlProductioninHumans.ImplicationsforTheinsulin‐resistantState.”DiabetesCare.1996Apr;19(4):390‐3R.Pamplona,M..J.,etal."MechanismsofGlycationinAtherogenesis."MedicalHypotheses.1990;40:174‐181.58.Ceriello,A.“OxidativeStressandGlycemicRegulation.”Metabolism.Feb2000;49(2Suppl1):27‐29.59.Appleton,Nancy.NewYork;LicktheSugarHabit.(NewYork:AveryPenguinPutnam,1988).60.Hellenbrand,W.”DietandParkinson'sDisease.APossibleRoleforthePastIntakeofSpecificNutrients.ResultsfromaSelf‐administeredFood‐frequencyQuestionnaireinaCase‐controlStudy.”Neurology.Sep1996;47(3):644‐650.61.Cerami,A.,Vlassara,H.,andBrownlee,M."GlucoseandAging."ScientificAmerican.May1987:90.62.Goulart,F.S."AreYouSugarSmart?"AmericanFitness.Mar‐Apr1991:34_38.63.Ibid.64.Yudkin,J.,Kang,S.andBruckdorfer,K."EffectsofHighDietarySugar."BritishJournalofMedicine.Nov22,1980;1396.65.Goulart,F.S."AreYouSugarSmart?"AmericanFitness.March_April1991:34‐38.Milwakuee,WI66.Ibid.67.Ibid.68.Ibid.69.Ibid.70.Nash,J."HealthContenders."Essence.Jan1992;23:79_81.71.Grand,E."FoodAllergiesandMigraine."Lancet.1979:1:955_959.72.Michaud,D.”DietarySugar,GlycemicLoad,andPancreaticCancerRiskinaProspectiveStudy.”JNatlCancerInst.Sep4,2002;94(17):1293‐300.73.Schauss,A.Diet,CrimeandDelinquency.(BerkleyCa;ParkerHouse,1981.)



74.Christensen,L."TheRoleofCaffeineandSugarinDepression."NutritionReport.Mar1991;9(3):17‐24.75.Ibid.76.Cornee,J.,etal."ACase‐controlStudyofGastricCancerandNutritionalFactorsinMarseille,France,"EuropeanJournalofEpidemiology.1995;11:55‐65.77.Yudkin,J.SweetandDangerous.(NewYork:BantamBooks,1974)129.78.Ibid,4479.Reiser,S.,etal.“EffectsofSugarsonIndicesonGlucoseToleranceinHumans."AmericanJournalofClinicalNutrition.1986:43;151‐159.80.Reiser,S.,etal.“EffectsofSugarsonIndicesonGlucoseToleranceinHumans."AmericanJournalofClinicalNutrition.1986;43:151‐159.81.Molteni,R,etal.“AHigh‐fat,RefinedSugarDietReducesHippocampalBrain‐derivedNeurotrophicFactor,NeuronalPlasticity,andLearning.”NeuroScience.2002;112(4):803‐814.82.Monnier,V.,“NonenzymaticGlycosylation,theMaillardReactionandtheAgingProcess.”JournalofGerontology.1990;45:105‐111.83.Frey,J.“IsThereSugarintheAlzheimer’sDisease?”AnnalesDeBiologieClinique.2001;59(3):253‐257.84.Yudkin,J."MetabolicChangesInducedbySugarinRelationtoCoronaryHeartDiseaseandDiabetes."NutritionandHealth.1987;5(1‐2):5‐8.85.Ibid.86.Blacklock,N.J.,"SucroseandIdiopathicRenalStone."NutritionandHealth.1987;5(1‐2):9.Curhan,G.,etal.“BeverageUseandRiskforKidneyStonesinWomen.”AnnalsofInternalMedicine.1998:28:534‐340.87.JournalofAdvancedMedicine.1994;7(1):51‐58.88.Ibid89.Ceriello,A.“OxidativeStressandGlycemicRegulation.”Metabolism.Feb2000;49(2Suppl1):27‐29.90.PostgraduateMedicine.Sept1969:45:602‐07.91.Moerman,C.J.,etal.“DietarySugarIntakeintheEtiologyofBiliaryTractCancer.”InternationalJournalofEpidemiology.Ap1993;.2(2):207‐214.92.Quillin,Patrick,“Cancer’sSweetTooth,”NutritionScienceNews.Ap2000.Rothkopf,M.Nutrition.July/Aug1990;6(4).93.Lenders,C.M.“GestationalAgeandInfantSizeatBirthAreAssociatedwithDietaryIntakeamongPregnantAdolescents.”JournalofNutrition.Jun1997;1113‐1117.94.Ibid.95.Bostick,R.M.,etal."Sugar,Meat.andFatIntakeandNon‐dietaryRiskFactorsforColonCancerIncidenceinIowaWomen."CancerCauses&Control.1994:5:38‐53.96.Ibid.Kruis,W.,etal."EffectsofDietsLowandHighinRefinedSugarsonGutTransit,BileAcidMetabolismandBacterialFermentation.”Gut.1991;32:367‐370.Ludwig,D.S.,etal.“HighGlycemicIndexFoods,Overeating,AndObesity.”Pediatrics.Mar1999;103(3):26‐32.97.Yudkin,JandEisa,O.“DietarySucroseandOestradiolConcentrationinYoungMen”.AnnalsofNutritionandMetabolism.1988:32(2):53‐55.98.Lee,A.T.andCeramiA."TheRoleofGlycationinAging."AnnalsoftheNewYork



AcademyofScience.1992;663:63‐70.99.Moerman,C.,etal."DietarySugarIntakeintheEtiologyofTractCancer."InternationalJournalofEpidemiology.Ap1993;22(2):207‐214.100.http://www.mercola,com/"Sugar,WhiteFlourWithdrawalProducesChemicalResponse."TheAddictionLetter.Jul1992:4.Colantuoni,C.,etal.“EvidenceThatIntermittent,ExcessiveSugarIntakeCausesEndogenousOpioidDependence.”ObesRes.Jun2002;10(6):478‐488.AnnualMeetingoftheAmericanPsychologicalSociety,Toronto,June17,2001.Www.mercola,com/2001/june/30/sugar.htm101.Ibid.102.TheEdellHealthLetter.Sept1991;7:1.103.Sunehag,A.L.,etal.“GluconeogenesisinVeryLowBirthWeightInfantsReceivingTotalParenteralNutrition”Diabetes.1999;487991_800.104.ChristensenL.etal.“ImpactofADietaryChangeonEmotionalDistress.”JournalofAbnormalPsychology.1985;94(4):565_79.105.NutritionHealthReview.Fall85.changessugarintofatfasterthanfat106.Ludwig,D.S.,etal.“HighGlycemicIndexFoods,OvereatingandObesity.”Pediatrics.Mar1999;103(3):26‐32.107.PediatricsResearch.1995;38(4):539‐542.Berdonces,J.L.“AttentionDeficitandInfantileHyperactivity.”RevEnferm.Jan2001;4(1)11‐4108.Blacklock,N.J.“SucroseandIdiopathicRenalStone.”NutritionHealth.1987;5(1&2):9‐17.109.Lechin,F.,etal.“EffectsofanOralGlucoseLoadonPlasmaNeurotransmittersinHumans.”Neurophychobiology.1992;26(1‐2):4‐11.110.Fields,M.JournaloftheAmericanCollegeofNutrition.Aug1998;17(4):317_321.111.Arieff,A.I.VeteransAdministrationMedicalCenterinSanFrancisco.SanJoseMercury;June12/86.“IVsofsugarwatercancutoffoxygentothebrain.”112.DeStefani,E.“DietarySugarandLungCancer:aCaseControlStudyinUruguay.”NutritionandCancer.1998;31(2):132_7.113.Sandler,BenjaminP.DietPreventsPolio.Milwakuee,WI,:TheLeeFoundationforforNutritionalResearch,1951.114.Murphy,Patricia.“TheRoleofSugarinEpilepticSeizures.”TownsendLetterforDoctorsandPatients.May,2001.

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Program:AmEmpiricalAnalysisofSixInstitutionalSettings.IntJBiosocialRes5(2):88‐89.120.Cornee,J.,etal.“ACase‐controlStudyofGastricCancerandNutritionalFactorsinMarseille,France.”EuropeanJournalofEpidemiology11(1995):55‐65. 121.“GluconeogenesisinVeryLowBirthWeightInfantsReceivingTotalParenteralNutrition.Diabetes.1999Apr;48(4):791‐800.122.Yudkin,J.andEisa,O.“DietarySucroseandOestradiolConcentrationinYoungMen.AnnalsofNutritionandMetabolism.1988;32(2):53‐5.123.Lenders,C.M.“GestationalAgeandInfantSizeatBirthAreAssociatedwithDietaryIntakeAmongPregnantAdolescents.”JournalofNutrition128(1998):1807‐1810124.Moerman,C.,etal."DietarySugarIntakeintheEtiologyofBiliaryTractCancer."InternationalJournalofEpidemiology.Ap1993;22(2):207‐214.125.Fonseca,V.etal.“EffectsofaHigh‐fat‐sucroseDietonEnzymesinHomosysteineMetabolismintheRat.”Metabolism.200;49:736‐41.126.Potischman,N,et.al.“IncreasedRiskofEarly‐stageBreastCancerRelatedtoCnsumptionofSweetFoodsamongWomenLessthanAge45intheUnitedStates.CancerCausesControl.2002Dec;13(10):937‐46.127.Negri.E.etal.“RiskFactorsforAdenocarcinomaoftheSmallIntestine.”InternationalJournalofCancer1999:82:I2:171‐174128.Bosetti,C.etal.“FoodGroupsandLaryngelaCancerRisk:ACasecontrolStudyfromItalyandSwitzerland.”InternationalJournalofCancer,2002:100(3):355358.129.Shannon,M.“AnEmpatheticLookatOverweight.”CCLFamilyFound.”Nov‐Dec.1993.20(3):3‐5.130.HarryG.Preuss,M.D.,ofGeorgetownUniversityMedicalSchool131.“HealthAfter50.”JohnsHopkinsMedicalLetter.May,1994.132.Allen,S."SugarsandFats:TheNeurobiologyofPreference."JournalofNutrition.2003;133:831S‐834S.133.Booth,D.A.M.etcal.“SweetnessandFoodSelection:MeasurementofSweeteners’EffectsonAcceptance.”Sweetness.Dobbing,J.,Ed.,(London:Springer‐Verlag,1987).134.Cleve,T.LOntheCausationofVaricoseVeins.“Bristol,England,JohnWright,1960.”135.Cleve,T.LOntheCausationofVaricoseVeins.“Bristol,England,JohnWright,1960”.136.YaffeK,BlackwellT,KanayaAM,etal.“Diabetes,ImpairedFastingGlucoseandDevelopmentofCognitiveImpairmentinOlderWomen.Neurology2004;63:658–663.AppendixE:TheQuackbusters–Busted!‐VitalityMagazineMay2002with2004UpdateArticlereprintedinDispatchesfromtheWarZoneofEnvironmentalHealth,byHelkeFerrie,2004“Thegreatmassofpeoplewillmoreeasilyfallvictimtoabigliethanasmallone.”AdolfHitler,MeinKampf,1925



MyfirstencounterwithQuackbusterswasonNovember10,1998,whenapublicdebatewassponsoredbytheAmericanCollegeofToxicologyinOrlando,Florida.ThespeakersononesidewereAlbertDonnayandGraceZiem,bothwithJohnsHopkinsmedicalschoolandexpertsonmultiplechemicalsensitivity.TheQuackbusterrepresentativeswereitsfounderStephenBarrettandRonaldGots,thefounderoftheQuackbusterbranch,EnvironmentalSensitivitiesResearchInstitute.BothmenarealsodirectorsoftheAmericanCouncilonScienceandHealth,anotherbranchofQuackbusters.TheirpresentationswerelaterpublishedintheprestigiousInternationalJournalofToxicology(vol.18,no.6,1999)buthadtoberetracted.ThedebateinOrlandofocusedonwhetherchemicalsensitivityisapsychologicalorabiologicalcondition.Infrontofanaudienceofseveralhundredpeople,andawarethattheentiredebatewasbeingvideo‐andaudio‐taped,Gotsstatedthatprestigiousuniversity‐affiliatedauthorsofa(named)main‐streampeer‐reviewedjournalhadrecentlyprovidedincontrovertibleproof,onthebasisofrigorousscientificstudyandexperiment,thatchemicalsensitivitywasapsychologicalcondition.GotswasfollowedbyJohnsHopkins’speakerAlbertDonnaywhoinformedtheaudiencethatthisprestigiousstudywasfictitious.Theauthorswerefictitious,too.Eventhejournalwasfiction.Agaspwentthroughtheaudience.Amazingly,Gotsmadenoattempttoanswer.EvenmoreastoundingwasthebodylanguageofbothGotsandBarrett.Whiletheaudiencewasaudiblyshockedandmurmursweregoingthroughthecrowd,thosetwoQuackbustersleanedbackintheirchairs,fiddledwiththeirpensintheboredandrelaxedmanneroftotalself‐assuranceawaitingthenextitemontheagenda.Howisthispossible?Iaskedmyself.Ifthishadhappenedtoauniversityprofessor,histenurewouldbeinjeopardyandhischancesofevergettingpublishedagaininapeer‐reviewedjournalwouldbezero.Sure,someuniversityprofessorslieandcheatandfudgethedata,andoccasionallyhugegovernmentinvestigationsintosciencefraudarelaunched,suchasrecentlyinGermany‐butneverdoesthishappensooutrageously,brazenlyinfullpublicview.Ifcookingthedatatosupportafavoritetheoryisliketheskilledproductionofcounterfeitmoneyinasecretbasementoperation,Gots’performancewaslikeabankrobberyinfulldaylight.Abonafideresearcher,evenifheisacrook,mustatleastappeartobehonest.Butifyourworkissupportedbyaninfinitemoneysource,nothingmuchmatters.Gots’andBarrett’sjobseemstobetokeepliescirculatingsodoubtremainsstrongandfuelisgiventotheself‐defensiveall‐too‐humantendencytodismissunpleasantinformationasscare‐mongering.Suchpropagandaprovidesahighlyeffectivebreakforchangeandsavesbillionsofdollarsforthosewhoseproductsandpracticeswouldotherwisebecompelledtochangeradically.So,whofundsQuackbusters?ThemainQuackbustersareRonaldGots,VictorHerbert(diedofcancerin2003inhislate50’s)andStephenBarrett,retirednon‐practicingphysiciansallwhoappearincountlesspublicvenues,manyhighprofile,toairtheirviewsonhowuntold



millionsarebeingpoisonedbyvitaminC,whyweshouldfightfortherighttohavefluorideinourwater,avoidunhealthyorganicfoodsbecausetheylackthoseprotectivepesticidesweurgentlyneed,andtrustintheabsolutesafetyofmercuryamalgamfillings.Accordingtothedisinformationofquackbustersvaccinescannotpossiblycausehealthproblems.OnBarrett’swebsiteonefindsin‐deptharticleoneverythinghebelievesisfraud(amountingtoroughlyonefifthoftheU.S.grossnationalproduct).ThemostpersonalandviscousattacksarereservedforthelikesofLinusPaulingandmanyleadinglightsincurrentmedicalresearch.ForBarrettandfriendsnobody‐absolutelyanybody‐hasanyauthority.Thealternativecrowdisforthemasbadas,the(alas!)progressivelymoreandmoredeludedmainstreamsuchastheWorldHealthOrganization,theNIH,theFDA,theWhiteHousetaskforceoncomplementarymedicine,HarvardandJohnsHopkinsmedicalschools,andanyotherseriouspersonorinstitutiontryingtomakesenseoftheworld’sills.Asforgoodold‐fashionedresearch,theonlydemocratictoolhumanityhasgotbywhichtoestablishwhatisrealandwhatworks‐that’sonlypermittedinBarrett’sworldaslongastheresultsfithisopinion.IntheworldofGotsandBarretttherearenosurprises.Theyaretrappedinablack‐and‐whitemoviefromtheearly1950’sandtheywantusalltobetrappedinit,too.Inadetailedanalysisofwhydoctorsturntocomplementarymedicine,Barrettdiagnosesthemassufferingfromparanoidmentalstates,fascinationwiththeparanormal,profitandprophetmotives,psychopathictendencies,andboredom.ThatlastitemisclosertothetruththanevenBarrettcouldstand:Ihavehadliterallyhundredsofdoctorstellmeatinternationalconferencesonenvironmentalandcomplementarymedicinethattheywereboredtotearswithprescribingdrugsandhavetheirpatientsreturnformoreandmoredrugs,gettingsickerandsicker.Thentheyswitchedtorealmedicine(thekindinspiredbyHippocrateswho2,500yearsagotaughtaboutcleanair,waterandwholesomefood)andbeingadoctorbecameexitingatlast.“LifebeganwhenIstoppedseeingdrugreps,”onesaid,andanothersighedhappily,“Ihaven’tusedmyprescriptionpadinyears.Iamnotsurewhereitis.”Barretttellsusthat“NeitherQuackwatchnorIhaveanyfinancialtiestoanycommercialorindustrialorganization”and“Quackwatchhasnosalariedemployees”andisfundedbypersonaldonationsandprofitsfrompublications.“Ifitsincomefallsbelowwhatisneeded…therestcomesoutofmypocket.”HisandGots’pocketsareinteresting,tosaytheleast.ThefundingsourcesoftheirorganizationswerereadilyavailableontheInternetuntilrecently;intheearly‘90’shestoppeddisclosingsuchinformation.Thelastannualreporttolistdonorswaspublished1991wherewefindallourtoxicfriends:MonsantoandArcherDanielsMidland(bothofgeneticengineeringfame),theNutrasweetCompany(neurotoxicaspartameetc.),UnionCarbide(asinBopaldisaster),theproducersofpesticides,fertilizers,andfluorideDowChemical,Dupont,Cargilletc.,thebiochemicalwarfareandpharmaceuticalproducersEliLilly,theUniroyalChemicalCompany,allthebigpetroleumandpharmaceuticalcompanies,andvariousrefinedsugarproducersand



refinedfoodproducinggiants.Twothirdsoftheworld’seconomyiscontrolledbythislistofNorthAmericanBigBusiness.Withfriendslikethat,whoneedstoworryabouttellingthemostfantasticalliesinpublic?TotestQuackwatch’sinsistencethatitisbasedonpublicsupport,Iappliedtobecomeamemberin1999.FirstIwastoldthattheannualmembershipfeewasU.S.$25,000.Isaid,“That’sfine,sendmethemembershipapplicationform.”WasIcallingonbehalfofacorporation?No,Iinformedtheperson,whothensaid,“Weprefercorporatemembers.”StephenBarrett,aretiredpsychiatrist,haswritten49booksdebunkingwhatheidentifiesashealthfraud.HealsoenjoysdebunkingUFO’sandexperiencesoftheparanormal.HeoperatessixWebsites.InhisCVheclaimsthathedidpeerreviewingforsomeofthetopmedicaljournals(e.g.NewEnglandJournalofMedicine,AnnalsofInternalMedicine,JournaloftheAmericanMedicalAssociation).Sincethepeerreviewsystemissecret,thereisnowayofverifyingthisclaim.Ofcourse,mainstreammedicinehasasmuchtroublediscriminatingbetweenwhat’ssoundandwhat’sdubiousinmedicineastherestofus.So,itcameasnosurprisethatin1999QuackwatchwasabletoconvincetheNewEnglandJournalofMedicinetoco‐hostaconferenceonacriticalappraisalofalternativemedicine.Thejournal'sjustlyfamoustheneditor,MarciaAngellwasthekeynotespeaker,butrubbingshoulderswithQuackwatchersdidnotimpairherfindmindandsoundjudgment.Allthehypeandtongueclickingnotwithstanding,theconferenceproducedlotsofsoundstuff.Angell’seditorialintegrityisnowthestuffoflegend,asshesoundedthewake‐upcallformedicalpublicationrulesandstandardsofethicswithherJune22,2000,editorial.Sheidentifiedtherotbyaskingtowhomthepharmaceuticalindustryisaccountableandarguedthatitistimemedicalresearchdoessomeserioussoulsearching.AsofSeptember2002,therulesgoverningconflictsofinterestinmedicalpublicationhavebeenre‐writtenworldwide.Barrett’sfriendsarehavingahardtime,atlast‐asishisentireorganization,becausethelawsuitsagainstQuackwatchareincreasinginnumberandseriousness.Checkoutforthedetails.Quackwatch’sDr.VictorHerbertspecializedinvitriolicsmearcampaigns.Inoneinstancethisbackfiredtothepublic’sgreatestbenefit:LinusPaulingdescribeshismanyirritatingmeetingswithHerbertinLinusPaulinginHisOwnWords(1995):“Hereisthis….VictorHerbert,whotothisdaykeepswritingpapersandgivingspeechessayingthatnoonebenefitsfromtakingextravitamins,andhewon’tevenlookattheevidence….IfinallybecamesufficientlyirritatedbythisfellowthatIdecidedIoughttodosomethingaboutit.SoIsatdownonesummer…andintwomonthswrotethebookVitaminCandtheCommonCold."(1971)Dr.Herbertwasoriginallyintendedtobean“expert”witnessintheCPSO’strialofDr.Krop,butwasrefusedbythedefenselawyersasunacceptable.Dr.Abraham



Hoffer,thefatheroforthomolecularpsychiatry,methimincourtanddemolishedHerbert’stestimonyagainstapsychiatristaccusedofcuringpatientswithoutdrugsbeforeaU.S.regulatorytribunal.Quackwatch’snegativeinfluenceisformidable.Theformulaoftheirattacksonhealthfreedomisfairlysimpleandeasytodetectanditssuccessdependsonpersistentrepetition.TheQuackwatchformulasimplyrequirescitingscientificliteraturethatisoutdated,irrelevantornon‐existent.Onlythespecialistornitpickinginvestigativejournalistwillferretoutthetruth.InattackingtheWhiteHouseCommissiononComplementaryMedicine(annualbudgetofU.S.$50millionattheNationalInstitutesofHealth)initiatedbyPresidentClintoninMarch2000,Barrettdevotedenormousamountsofcyberspacetoitscondemnation.Triumphantly,he(mis)informsthebrowserthatevenmembersofthattaskforcehavebrokenawayindisgustandmadetheirdissentknownpublicly.WhatreallyhappenedcanbefoundinthegenerallymorereliableMarch28,2002,issueoftheworld’spremiersciencejournalNature.Twomembersofthattaskforcestatedthatmoremoneyshouldbeallocatedtowardsresearchintocomplementarymedicine,andthatthetaskforce’sfinalreportwouldhavebeenbetterifithadcitedevenmoreresearchtosupportitssuggestedprogramofaction.QuackwatchdelightsinusingthemedialregulatorysystemstogoafterdoctorswhohavestrayedfromtheOneTrueBarrettPath.TheStateofNewYorkiscurrentlyholdinghearings(theequivalentofapublicinquiry)intotheinappropriatewayinwhichthedisciplinaryprocesshasbeenused(withQuackwatch“expert”witnesses)tostopdoctorsfromusingcomplementarymedicine.Thepopularradioshow“TheTouchofHealth”wasrelentlesslyattackedwithviscousandinsultinge‐mailsbyOntarioQuackwatchmemberDr.Polevoyuntiltheshowwascloseddown.OneoftheworstexamplesofQuackwatch’spowercomesfromNovaScotia.Intheearly1990’sthefaultyairfiltrationsystematHalifax’sCamphillHospitalcaused900peopletobecomeseriouslychemicallyinjuredandtodaymorethan300remainpermanentlydisabled.WhenthesecasesbegantocomebeforeWorkers’sCompensationtribunalinthelate1990’s,itwasRonaldGotswhoappearedasthe“expert”.Theexpertopinionreports,acceptedbythetribunal,weren’tevensignedbydoctorsandGotsexplainedthatthesecretariescouldbetrustedtoknowthephysicians’intentions.Gots’expertisecausedallclaimstobedeniedandtheclaimantswereencouragedtoseekthehelpofapsychiatristinstead.So,totherescuecameJohnsHopkinsresearcherAlbertDonnaywhoprovidedthewholetruthandnothingbutthetruth,scientificandlegal,totheappealsboard.Sincethencaseaftercasehasbeenwononappeal.(2004Update)ThemainfocusofQuackwatchisenvironmentalillnesswhichitistheirmissiontodiscredit.Howtheydothisisimportanttounderstand,becauseitelucidatesthetechniqueusednotonlybythem,butalsobypharmaceutical‐industry‐sponsoredresearch:RonaldGotsandStephenBarretwroteabookin1998



publishedbytheirowncompany,Prometheus,andentitledChemicalSensitivity:TheTruthAboutEnvironmentalIllness.Theyproceed,inchapterafterchapter,tomarshalthe“evidence”thatMultipleChemicalSensitivity,SickBuildingSyndrome,therelationshipbetweendietandhyperactivity,thetoxicityofmercuryamalgam,GulfWarSyndrome,fungalovergrowth(candidiasis)andmore,alldonotactuallyexist.Eachchapteriscarefullyorganizedtoincludereferencestoexistingmedicalliterature.Theproblemis,however,thatalltheirreferences,withoutasingleexception,aretotallyoutdatedandarechosenfromatimewhenthedebateamongscientistsbeganineachinstance.Naturally,theyquotethemselves,insteadofprimaryresearch,mostfrequently.MosttellingofallisthecompleteabsenceofanyreportfromtheWorldHealthOrganizationwhich,withregardtomostofthesehealthconditions,wasgenerallythefirsttorecognizethemandinitiateresearchresultinginconsensusstatementssupportingtheexistenceofthesehealthproblemsandtheneedfortheirtreatment.ThetwoinstancesinwhichtheWHOiscited,thecitationsareincorrect(pages78and97).Anyonewhoworksforenvironmentalillnesspatientsoughttostudythisbookcarefully,asitisavirtualmanualofallthedirtytricksusedespeciallybytheindustryofenvironmentaltoxinstodefenditselfagainstliability.Sometimeago,afriendfoundmeontheCanadianQuackwatchsitedescribedas“adoctor’swifewhopromotesquackeryinpubliclectures.”Iamflattered.TheinformationIprovidemustbedangerouslyaccurate.UpdateOctober2004:StephenBarret,RonaldGotsandQuackwatchhavesufferedtremendousdefeatsinthecourtssince2003,personallyforfraudaswellaswiththeirorganization,specificallyinCalifornia,OregonandWashingtonStatewheretheirtestimonywasthrownoutbyseveraljudges,specificallywithregardtothemercuryamalgamissueandnutritionalandhomeopathicmedicinecases.Quackwatchiscurrentlydefendingitselfagainstmanylegalactionslaunchedagainstitbydoctorsandhealthagencies.References:K.Ausubel,WhenHealingBecomesACrime,HealingArtsPress,2000J.P.Carter,MD,RacketeeringinMedicine,HamptonRoadsPublishingCo.,1993M.L.Culbert,MedicalArmageddon,C&CCommunications,SanDiego,1997W.Duffy,SugarBlues,WarnerBooks1975(thefirstofthistype,stillabestseller)D.Haley(U.S.Congressman),PoliticsinHealing,PotomacValleyPress,2000J.Lisa,TheAssaultonMedicalFreedom,HamptonRoadsPublishingCo.,1997G.Lanctot,M.D.,TheMedicalMafia,Here’sTheKeyInc.,1995

DEATH BY MODERN MEDICINE: Seeking Safe Solutions · people around the world. Most notable is...

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