Tame the Fire!
Aug 12, 2010 by Bill Rawls, M.D.
I like using a forest fire analogy to explain what the Vital Plan is all about. Treating symptoms of disease only is like spraying water on a forest fire and then waiting until it catches flames again. While it is sometimes necessary to “put out fires” to control a situation, it is also important to analyze the factors that caused the fire in the first place and take measures to prevent future fires from occurring.
Looking at the causes of disease, instead of symptoms only, has become a central part of my medical practice. I am very excited to be launching the Vital Plan website based around concepts of reducing the causes of disease and to have other providers joining our network to help spread the good message.
I have recently seen a trend that I feel really drives home the importance of the Vital Plan concepts. To treat gastric reflux, many providers are currently putting patients on on acid-inhibiting medications which are designed to treat the symptom of reflux (but do not address the cause of reflux). By eliminating stomach acid the drug inhibits absorption of minerals and has been linked to decreased bone density. Sure enough, to treat the symptoms of bone loss, these patients are then placed on another drug called Fosamax. Though Fosamax has been shown in clinical trials to increase bone density, there is no evidence that it actually decreases fracture risk. In fact, patients that have been on the drug for more than four years are showing up with an alarming increase in fractures of large bones. And the main side effect of Fosamax—gastric reflux! What an unnecessary mess! If only providers will recommend dietary modifications and two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with each meal, their patients’ outcomes will likely be much more positive. Vinegar improves gastric emptying and many people find that use with meals is enough alone to curb reflux. Vinegar also improves absorption of minerals and favorably affects bone density.
The practice of chasing symptoms rarely leads to better health. Only by addressing the causes of illness can optimal wellness be achieved. Avoiding all causes of disease is of course impossible, but it is my hope that the Vital Plan is easy enough to incorporate into everyday life that it will help my patients to reach a higher level of vigilance and enjoy life to the fullest! Thank you for your support of this new Vital Plan program and please let us know if you have any questions or comments!
Categories: Disease Prevention, Disease Recovery,
Tags(s): Inflammation,
Previous Comments
Dacie Edwards- Oct 22, 2010
Treating side effects of drugs with more drugs is definitely not a long term solution. Thank you for all you are doing to provide alternate paths to wellness!
