Previously by Margaret Durst: Fluid Dynamics

Why not, would you rather be unnatural? Think about it, huge amounts of money go into our medical system – mostly from pharmaceutical companies that are pushing drugs that are most definitely not natural.

Natural Health Remedie... Maccaro PhD CNC, Janet Best Price: $1.25 Buy New $8.14 (as of 04:05 UTC - Details)

If you are wondering what is wrong with drugs, just listen to some of the many commercials for drugs on television – or read a magazine. I was astonished by the number of drug advertisements in Prevention magazine – based on the majority of their advertisers, they should consider changing their name. But the point here is the total # of pages dedicated to the warnings and side effects of each drug. Each drug had 2–3 pages and the print required some pretty strong reading glasses.

Now what I really object to is that none of the drugs do more than control symptoms. I will be the first to say that there is a time that controlling symptoms is absolutely necessary, but should our entire medical system be dedicated to this??

Under these rules, the sick just get sicker. Follow the average person over a few years. First they take a blood pressure medication, then add one for cholesterol and then they need to add another one because they now need 2 for blood pressure, and then they have to control acid reflux, then they need some to sleep and so on.

Something just is not right about this kind of system. Who gets rich? And whose health is better?

Don’t we all just want better health? And there just has to be a better way than conventional medicine as we know it. My better way is natural. Now it may not be natural to take as many supplements as I do, but I feel great, my blood pressure is low normal, my cholesterol is usually around 200 with good ratios, I rarely get sick, and I have plenty of energy to cook, clean, have fun with my family and ride my horses.

Most people on medication do not make the same claims as I do. In fact, many want help controlling symptoms caused by their medication. Go figure.

So again, why natural? I think that working with the body and engaging it in the healing process – rather than just shutting down the body’s way of reporting trouble ends up with better health in the long run. I think we should all start working with a preventive model as early as possible.

Confessions of a Medic... M.D. Robert S. Mendelsohn Best Price: $2.70 Buy New $13.81 (as of 10:54 UTC - Details)

I like natural health alternatives because they give the body nutrients that help it repair itself. For example, herbal diuretics also strengthen the kidneys where the drug version weakens them. There are natural remedies for circulation that help with the symptoms of poor circulation while improving the health of veins and arteries and also strengthening the heart. Etc.

The other thing about our current system is that you have to wait until you get a “disease” until you get treatment. If my memory is failing in my 50’s, should I just wait until I am 70 and get diagnosed with Alzheimers or dementia so then I can get the drug? Why not take something like Focus Attention, ginkgo or phosphatidyl serine and see if it works? Maybe I can head off dreaded degenerative conditions.

I always wonder what the true cost of natural vs. conventional medical is. Wouldn’t it be cheaper to just stay healthy? What about quality of life?

I don’t know what your opinion is, but I will be here taking my herbs and putting my money where my mouth is – both literally and figuratively.

The Best of Margaret Durst