That question deserves another answer. I find it very odd that when my cholesterol was through the ceiling (236), the doctor didn't seem alarmed (now that "normal" cholesterol is around 200) but said he'd be happy to give me statins. First I asked why he wasn't concerned - people on both sides of my family have had heart disease, diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, etc. "You don't have any other health issues." Not yet!!
Fast foward eight weeks after eliminating all dairy, fries (developed a habit of snacking on In And Out fries) and chocolates. I was already a vegetarian so my cholesteral was high without eating animal products. Cholesteral now 144. Next visit to the doctor he is blase about the drop. "Would you like to know how I did that?" I ask. "I guess" he replies. "I read this book ("12 Days to Dynamic Health", Dr. John McDougall), went on a vegan diet and cut all the crap out. It works!" "Well, keep doing what you're doing".
That's it?? That's all he had to say when half his patients are on blood pressure meds and statins with multiple side effects on the verge of heart attacks? "Most people wouldn't change their diet" he says. Well maybe if they knew how dramatically their life's would change, how they could avoid these expensive and dangerous drugs and how much better they would feel they would choose that route. Instead, the doctor prescribes drugs they will most likely be on for life. Isn't that a cover-up? Isnt' that a lie, a "secret"?
I have a beef with the Arthritis Association that barely has info on their site about diet. Many kinds of arthritis can be avoided and turned around simply by diet alone. Why don't they mention that on their site? Drug companies are making billions and people are in agonizing pain but this small bit of helpful information is under wraps.
What about the American Heart Association with their crappy, fatty diet for heart patients to follow that will barely make a dent in their condition? They were finally forced (by McDougall's persistance) to admit that a plant based diet is essential in lowering cholesetrol and, NEWSFLASH, that the protein in vegetables is as good as that in animal products (actually it is absorbed much more efficiently but this is an improvement) "You don't need to eat foods from animals to have enough protein in your diet. Plant proteins alone can provide enough of the essential and non-essential amino acids." This can be done without combining foods which they mistakenly suggest.
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter. ... ifier=4777
The Diabetes Association - eliminating fat would basicaly cure all type II diabetes. A plant based diet would help type I's feel much better.
The American Cancer Society - don't get me started...
The American public is being snowed everyday. The Dairy Association, the Cattlemen's Association, the USDA - all these organizations make money at the expense of our health by pertetuating myths about what we should consume. And the drug companies - three words: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). Need I say more.
I will always be suspicious of an industry that throws drugs at people in lieu of talking them into a change of lifestyle.