Natural remedies or supplements are not classified as a drug as they do not make claims to cure, prevent or provide treatment for certain ailments hence the words “assists” “helps” “can minimize” being used in the descriptions, any claim to cure, control or treat could render it having to be registered as a drug and subject to control.
The most they can make claims to cure are for non-disease applications, like being lethargic and tired or lacking energy which do not constitute a disease as such although it may be the symptoms of one. Thus it is illegal to make claims or market a supplement as a treatment or cure for any specific disease. This of course is subject to the country you are in and the controls put in place by Government.
The Loop Hole
It stands to reason that any supplements be it dietary or other will in most countries be legal just on the basis of what the label claims. So if science says omega 3 has been found to lower blood pressure, improve mental vitality etc then how hard will it be for any drug company that has the resources and information to slap together products based on basic nutritional facts, gleaned from science and published in journals etc?
Then take these inexpensive products give it a pretty name, together with a hot little marketing pitch and cash in on one of the most lucrative markets in the world.
The Facts
Anyone who has ever taken any supplements will have noticed that they do work, some very noticeably and others not. The bottom line is all natural minerals, vitamins or such supplements are favored more by consumers than the hard chemical compound drugs often prescribed by doctors. The consumer has now got all the information at there fingertips, and will inadvertently try find a more natural solution to there ailments first.
If you just got back from the doctor, and they diagnosed you as having hypertension or any such ailment nine out of ten patients will jump onto the internet and try get all the info they can about hypertension and the treatment thereof. And as a natural extension to this more than likely try find a natural supplement to take in conjunction with their prescribed meds.
What I Did
Now this you should never do because it could be fatal, in 2004 I woke up one morning and couldn’t walk so after three days of immense pain I finally went to the doctor. I was diagnosed with hypertension, gout and some liver problem that’s name eludes me now.
So I was put on three drugs one to control my blood pressure, one to bring down my acidity levels and some or other tablets for my liver which I only needed to take for sixty days.
Now this is where it becomes very important to read every label or printed leaflet or such that comes with any medication or supplement. I studied the leaflets that came with my medication specifically to see what possible side effects they may have and what I may or may not consume while using them, a good example would be alcohol, or driving. So while going through the info leaflet for my hypertension I came across the warnings. Warnings are usually very broad in there descriptions obviously to limit the manufacturers liability as much as possible. Well my point is apart from all the ailments you should not use the medication with gout was featured as a definite no, so back to the doctor I went because I had gout and this could be possibly dangerous. So he prescribed me another type of drug and off I went to get it to study its leaflet, turned out I was compatible with that drug.
But one thing I did notice, and whether it was just basically the drug company trying once again to limit its liability was that the side effects of both my long term medication, they both had some rather severe and frightening side effects and could cause possible damage to my kidneys and liver. It then occurred to me why I had to take the sixty day course of tablets for my liver, because it was obviously not in great shape and the medication I was receiving wasn’t going to be doing it any favors in the long run either.
I then made a decision to do what I must to get off those tablets and find an alternative natural less harmful way to live with my afflictions. And I found a solution which worked for me, I was off my gout medication within two months and only stayed on my hypertension medication because I worry my head may explode. So every morning religiously I would wake up and take my handful of pills which included a multivitamin, an antioxidant, my hypertension medication and my omega 3.
Why you shouldn’t
Now the multivitamin is self explanatory, the omega 3 helps lower your blood pressure and the antioxidant helps with joint problems, well that’s what they claim. Of course if they claimed it cured those ailments it would cost ten times more and I’d need a prescription. It all comes down to finding a good quality product and use it for a while you should notice an improvement, tell your doctor what you are doing, but do not forsake your meds without his or her consent.
I for one did not go off my main meds because I wasn’t about to risk my life but as I write this today I no longer take any medication, not even for my hypertension. I do however remain committed to taking my antioxidant, omega3 and multivitamin to maintain the status quo. My doctor on my last check up was still a tad bit concerned about my blood pressure, but considering I only go to him once a year at Christmas time when I usually suffer my annual gout attack (all the family getting together stresses me and causes my attack) for an injection I think I added a few more years to my kidneys and liver.
I would just like to make it clear do not play around when it comes to your health let your doctor know what ever you are doing, if you are going to diet or do a detox consult your doctor, if you want to try alternative medication consult your doctor, I cannot stress this enough always keep your doctor in the loop and follow his advise, if your medication has severe side effects see if they can maybe provide a less harmful solution.