Why can't the VA go to a more natural approach to healthcare as a primary method?

PFC James (LURCH) Janota — Wed, 29 May 2019 10:21:12 -0400

Every-time I go to the VAMC uses synthetic drugs instead of holistic or organic Earth based medications. All these other medications seem to come with side effects that creates subsequent health issues. Shouldn't we first nourish our bodies before taking potentially life threatening drugs? COL Mikel J. Burroughs

Response by PO1 H Gene Lawrence made May 29 at 2019 10:27 AM

PO1 H Gene Lawrence — Wed, 29 May 2019 10:27:11 -0400

I’m obviously not the Colonel but my thought would be because they are governed by the FDA and they in turn are strongly influenced by the all mighty dollar from the drug companies.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2019 10:27 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 May 2019 10:27:52 -0400

I think it pretty much comes down to what are the FDA approved treatments.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 29 at 2019 11:23 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 29 May 2019 11:23:12 -0400

I take supplements for my issues, which has reduced the need for some other medications. As stated the FDA rules, this does not prevent your physician from recommending other supplements. Thank you for your service.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2019 11:29 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 May 2019 11:29:46 -0400

Nothing is stopping you from nourishing your body with holistic or organic Earth based medications. However, for the sake of the VA, like any other government agency, there has to be some standard of uniformity. See attached, the current VA formulary information.
https://www.pbm.va.gov/nationalformulary.asp
https://www.pbm.va.gov/PBM/nationalformulary/2019_04_VANationalFormulary_April2019.xls

nationalformulary.asp

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2019 11:54 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 May 2019 11:54:17 -0400

The reason, James, is science. Science uses double-blind research trials to test the effectiveness of medicines and supplements. There are many trials that have shown alternative medicines show very little to no effectiveness over placebo treatment. Holistic and earth based medicine are very vague terms and don't actually mean anything in particular, so I'll just cover a lot of areas. Holistic itself actually means whole body/self and doesn't refer to any type of medicine at all.

As for life threatening, all drugs are life threatening.
Alle Dinge sind Gift, und nichts ist ohne Gift, allein die Dosis macht dass ein Ding kein Gift ist.
All things are poison, and nothing is without poison, the dosage alone makes it so a thing is not a poison.
—Paracelsus
It's been understood since the beginning of medicine that poison in a low enough dose can be medicine, and medicine in a high enough dose is poison. Belladonna, a deadly poison, is used to treat cramps; aspirin which comes from willow bark can be fatal in high doses.

Then there's effectiveness. Sure, you can take willow bark for a headache, but it's not as effective as aspirin which has been refined and synthesized to its functional parts. As the effectiveness and specifity of the drug increases, so do the side effects. Poppy is a good example. You can make a tea from poppies that will relax you and has analgesic properties. You can extract the opium and that's more effective and powerful but more addictive. You can turn that opium into morphine which is more powerful and addictive. Then that into heroin. There's a slew of opiates and opioids that are more powerful and specific which are also more dangerous. Opium is the perfect example of natural medicine because it's one of the oldest traded medicines in the world. Natural, or naturally derived doesn't mean safer, or less side effects. Approximately half the medicines of the world are derived from plant and animal sources. Synthetic only refers to how its created. Your body doesn't can't tell the difference between acetylsalicylic acid synthesized from sodium salicylate with acetyl chloride, and that refined from willow bark.

As for holistic, meaning mind/body connection or whole body health, Hippocrates said let food be thine medicine and medicine be thy food. Doctors preach constantly to patients to eat healthy, exercise, and avoid harmful habits. That is what holistic medicine essentially is - treat your body well. Ridiculous amounts of money are spent every year to educate people about the dangers of smoking, drinking, risky sex, poor diet, etc. We would save billions of dollars a year if people just stopped destroying their bodies and expecting doctors to give them a pill to fix it. Think about how well Diabetes type 2 is managed by diet and exercise in most adults but they still need insulin because they refuse to drinking, eating crap, and won't exercise.

So, in short, holistic and organic are buzzwords that don't mean much in terms of medicine or drugs, every doctor pushes a holistic approach in whole person health, all drugs have side effects because they work well, drugs with fewer side effects are less effective, and no one uses alternative therapies because they fail to produce real results when tested.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made May 29 at 2019 12:46 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 29 May 2019 12:46:25 -0400

PFC James (LURCH) Janota I agree with you 150% my friend and we at "Warriors for Life" Group Support have had guest speakers that provide a whole list of holistic and organic solutions for veterans with PTSD, TBI, MST, and other invisible as well as physical disabilities. I would be more than happy to make an introduction to the individual and his company. I currently get products from them as well. You can reach me via email at: [login to see] if you like an introduction.

Response by SGT Cody Skinner made May 29 at 2019 1:12 PM

SGT Cody Skinner — Wed, 29 May 2019 13:12:17 -0400

We are the ones responsible for nourishing our bodies with eating real food not processed food. Dr.'s have to follow FDA Guidelines when it comes to drugs and remedies. Researching and finding things that are Natural or alternative is your job. Once you do the research then bring it to Your Primary Care Dr. Sometimes it is something they can help with. In my case I have the VA provide Omega-3 and Probiotics as of now. They will not provide Kratom, CBD Oils (yet), and a few other things I have asked for. Apparently I am lucky and have a good Primary Care Physician that listens and tries to help me to things Naturally.

Response by Maj Barry Fretwell made May 29 at 2019 2:59 PM

Maj Barry Fretwell — Wed, 29 May 2019 14:59:16 -0400

MD's are only trained in rxing synthetic drugs, which is why they are called Alopathic doctors.

Response by Jeannie Jaco made May 29 at 2019 11:10 PM

Jeannie Jaco — Wed, 29 May 2019 23:10:44 -0400

The VA had my husband on so many drugs that he got to the point where he couldn’t walk, talk, bathe himself, feed himself, etc...I mean nothing! I took him off all of his meds and did a detox and started eating organic foods and going holistic! With the help of Yahweh, our wonderful creator, he finally came around and returned to his normal self!!! Along with all of that the VA misdiagnosed him with Parkinson’s and had him on the wrong meds!

I believe that the VA should get away with the pharmaceutical drugs and use holistic stuff!! But hey they are part of the Government....

Response by Joe Finel made May 31 at 2019 12:10 AM

Joe Finel — Fri, 31 May 2019 00:10:32 -0400

I would have to agree with what's already been posted.
The VA seems to have to go with what the FDA approves. For now, the FDA doesn't seem to be looking into the holistic treatments, but things are changing. I'd be surprised if they don't start moving toward a more "natural" based system.