What happened to good medicine?

Excellent discussion, Polachicago!!! To answer your question, I would offer this: Most medical students, through the course of their 8-12 years of education are only required to take four courses relating to nutrition. In all fairness, I haven't confirmed the veracity of that statement in three or four years. Though just a few years ago it was fact. I can only hope that the trend is toward change in that regard. Medical University research is heavily funded by the pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, CCU seminars and conventions are typically sponsored by pharmaceutical companies. As well, doctors get a great deal of their regular medical updates from pharmaceutical sales rep's, who visit their offices with regularity. Those rep's provide many free samples to doctors, who in turn give them to their patients -- I believe out of a sense of guilt for having subjected their patients to the rushed, greed-driven medical industry. OK, I digress. Though the point is valid that those freebies that pharma reps provide to doc's do create a sense of familiarity and perhaps even loyalty between the doc's and the pharma industry. However, we cannot overlook the serious culpability of medical academia! The American Medical Association, and the overwhelming majority of its accredited teaching schools and hospitals (with the only notable exception being the Osteopathic discipline), are fully entrenched in allopathic medical philosophy, as opposed to homeopathic, naturopathic or wholistic medical philosophies. Meaning that the doctors are taught to treat symptoms, rather than root causes of dis-ease or imbalance. Which is really interesting when one thinks about it, because many of the greatest medical advancements of the past two centuries came about as a result of homeopathic ingenuity, specifically vaccines. I have come to deem Western, allopathic doc's as skilled tailors, photographers, plumbers and carpenters. They most efficiently deal with structural tears, diagnostics, leaks, and breaks. If I find myself in need of sound medical advice, I always seek out naturopathic professionals first. On the rare chance that I might need an x-ray, break a bone, or need stitches, then I will look to allopathic medicine. Fortunately, my allopathic General Physician (who I see for my annual exams) is also a strong supporter of Naturopathy, as is my dentist, incidentally. When all M.D.s are as open to natural healing as they are, then and only then will I stop comparing medical doctors to trade laborers. Perhaps my perceptions is a bit harsh, though I believe it to be fair and accurate. I am in no way undermining the effort that medical researchers contribute to the field. Though, I categorize those folks as scientists, and not doctors.

It's called the FDA. Since they don't approve of natural medicine, they like telling us that natural medicine is bad for you which is hogwash. I have several herbal books with remedies in them that I use faithfully. As a result, I don't need all the meds they want to put me on. Trying to get hubby to go along with it as well cause I really think all the meds he's taking isn't helping him at all.

they took it off the market for they couldnt make more money off it.

I know. I have started looking for natural remedies myself, even for my dogs. The meds have so many side effects. The chemicals used to treat dogs are sometimes dangerous, especially some of the flea and tick stuff. My vet's assistant even told me that fleas are building up a tolerance for the Frontline and Advantix treatments they sell. They really don't work much more my dogs anymore.

I think taking all things into consideration that in spite of a lot of goofs our medical field today is so much more advanced than it was even five or ten years ago. I have seen new strides in meds for diabetes and still good old Metformin is still one of the best medications for diabetes known to man Our new meters are easier to use and we have so much more knowledge of what we should eat and not eat. I think we are still doing wonderfully well in the US as far as medicine is considered. There are a zillion good things that have come up in the last couple of years in fact.

good medicine means eating good food and having regular exercise to keep the body healthy

whenever my dad is sick, he would go to doctors only to know what is making him sick but wont drink any medicines prescribed to him but rather do his self medications. he never believed that medicines will cure him.

This happens because the doctors do not know the patient and his history of illness completely. Now we will go and consult with specialist even for a small illness. Also there are various medicines for various diseases. One should find out what should be the real reason for the symptom and then prescribe medicine. They should learn the side effects of atleast the medicine they are prescribing. Some medicines may have adverse effect on some patients who have some other illness also. Such medicines may collapse the entire system of the patient. Food has also some healing power. If we consume the right kind of un polluted food we can have immunity towards some diseases.