In a Sour Economy, Some Scale Back on Medication, DO YOU?

[Diana Young, RD, LD/N, CDE]

In a Sour Economy, Some Scale Back on Medication

My concerns regarding insulin

[David]

A sad state of affairs, to be sure, when people have to choose between their health and keeping a roof over their heads.

[Meg Wolff]

I do not take medications if at all possible. My feelings on medications are that though many times necessary, they are only band-aids and do not get to the root of the problem. Many illnesses today are caused by diets high in animal protein, non-nutritive and chemicalized foods and foods high in trans fats (ie. the Standard American Diet).

Dietary changes can make a huge difference. I know because I did just that. In 1998, I had advanced breast cancer, had conventional treatment with no other hope left. I also was on medications for sleep, anxiety, intestinal problems and allergies. I went on a macrobiotic (a plant-based, 98% vegan way of eating based on whole grains, vegetables & beans). Over the next year I saw tremendous changes for the better in my health and I gradually was able to go off all my medications as my health improved so that I no longer had these problems. I am not a miracle as many people have done this. I am also now tens years cancer-free and I feel healthier that ever. I am not anti-medicine, but believe from experience that we need to look at all our options with the epidemic of diabetes, obesity, heart disease and cancer. These are diseases that can be prevented and helped by a plant-based diet as seen in The China Study.

Another organization that is helping people make the change toward a healthier (vegan) way of eating is Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Neal Barnard, MD is the President and founder. They have free online classes, are involved in scientific research and their Web site has examples of people who have reversed their diabetes by changing to a healthy vegan diet. A lot of suffering CAN be prevented. This is SO important. Calling all healthy bloggers, please help spread this important information!! thank you.

We can decrease our dependenced on drugs, improve the quality and quantity of our lives and help others to do the same. And remember, this is not an all or nothing deal ... any steps you take in this direction are worthwhile!

[vloeberghs]

Regarding medication..Its not possible for me to NOT take them because i would die.If i do not take my medication , my liver will reject..The only salvation will than be another livertransplantation . I'm taking PROGRAFT..Maybe also known in the States ??
I'm also take insulin...
Luckely , both medication is for free here in Belgium..Not all medication are for free ..But prograft and insulin is very expensive.Its all payed by our health insurance..

Have a great sunday everybody

If you have a question , please email me

[e-mail]

[Meg Wolff]

Definitely DO NOT stop taking them, but you may be able to help prevent further complications from this disease through dietary changes. I suggest that you might contact Dr. Barnard at PCRM if this is of interest to you.

[vloeberghs]

Sorry.. I live in Belgium (Europe) ..I don't think he can help me .Btw , i have a great professor here in Belgium.

[Alyssa]

In my case, I take one medication that is generic and very inexpensive. But I worry about people taking newer drugs that don't have a generic equivalent, or for whom generics don't work. I think we're going to see a big medical crisis in the near future. I also think more people will try to buy their meds either online or abroad, where the medications may not be as closely regulated. A lot of less-than-honest people will try to make some money off of this.

[vloeberghs]

Do you have to pay for it ?? I don't have to pay for the prograft .Prograft is a grug to prevent rejection of my donorliver..I can't live without it .Ofcourse there are other drugs to prevent this , also for free but this is the best for me.There are no generics for the drug.You can't buy them online or abroad.

luckely for you your drugs is inexpensive.Prograft is very expensive..

[Passionate Green]

Absolutely not. In fact, my doctor just added a new one. Thank God for Target and their $4 meds!

[Chuck Bartok]

I am sorry to sound so Pollyanish...

It is news like this that feeds on the continuous
dumbing down of our population.
With all the Opportunities available yesterday and today
to control Income and expenses there is no reason for this.
Those who mention "problems" still have their Cable etc.

I know because I listen to these Complaints all the time..

I have never made much money, we never spent more than
we made. I was uninsured on Last Major coronary, but
we had a emergency fund built\t over the years.

Ain't rich but don't skimp on what we want...Health and Wealth

And we don't use prescription Drugs.

[vloeberghs]

We don't need to build up a emergency fund..Lots of treadments are payed or mostly payed by our required medical insurance..Its a very good system here in Belgium..The best but over the years priceless because of the aging.

[Diana Young, RD, LD/N, CDE]

Target: $4 generic medications

[Diana Young, RD, LD/N, CDE]

And Walmart's $4 Rx program