Freedom – Isn’t This Still America?by
Margaret Durst Previously by Margaret Durst: Density – Quality Over Quantity
I love what I do. Getting to help people on a very personal level makes me very happy – especially when the solutions are relatively simple and inexpensive. I am fortunate to have customers and clients that take personal responsibility for their health and that seem to value freedom of choice just as I do. As an American, I value getting to choose between regulated health care provided by the conventional medical system and unregulated health care provided by natural supplement companies and health food stores across the nation. One of my biggest fears is losing this choice. I have always wanted to write an article on threats to this freedom, but I am too busy worrying about and researching natural ways to keep me, my family, my pets and my customers healthy. So, I was delighted when I found this article from Bill Sardi – a natural health researcher who actually digs into things I don’t have the time or inclination for. I read him from time to time and think he does great work. Here is a link to his article. Read it and think about it.
More importantly, let your congressmen and senators know what you think. There are links from this article to access letters you can send. Remember that the pharmaceutical industry has more lobbyists than there are congressmen in Washington, so voice your opinion if you want continued access to unregulated nutritional supplements. Do not get hung up in fear over the lack of regulation of nutritional supplements. It is one of the cards that the pharmaceutical industry plays when trying to get more power. Supplements are currently very loosely regulated. I consider them very safe because I use supplements from very reputable companies who have extremely strict quality control standards. Seriously – when has anyone you know had a serious adverse health event from taking vitamins, minerals or herbs? The best supplement companies self-police. This is an important concept. They have integrity. (Wow.) They produce quality products and stand behind them. (Another wow.) They produce products of quality and have test results by batch to prove it. Most of the companies I deal with sell through the natural channel because they value the education and service provided by health/vitamin stores and nutritional consultants. Doesn’t this sound like the kind of business that America should be proud of? I wish I knew the statistics of the economic impact of the natural supplement industry – from products produced to jobs provided. It is this industry that supports me and my family. And it is the industry that helps many in America manage their health in an affordable manner – an option not provided by regulated healthcare. So think seriously about your health and your access to nutritional supplements and take action accordingly.
September 10, 2011 Margaret Durst owns The Green House, a vitamin, herb and health food store in Mason, Texas. Copyright © 2011 Margaret Durst
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