Conventional bio-medicine follows a reductionist model that theorizes that if there is a problem in the body the source of the problem can be ascribed to a malfunction along the body’s chemical assembly line. The belief is that pharmaceutical drugs will rectify the disorder and restore well-being. Unfortunately, most of these drugs have a voluminous array of side effects ranging from mild to life threatening. According to conservative estimates published in the Journal of American Medical Association, more than 120,000 people die each year from adverse drug reactions. Another study based on ten years of government data places the number of such deaths at 300,000 per year. That study concluded that iatrogenic illness (resulting from medical treatment) is the leading cause of death in the U.S.
Science has recently discovered that multi-cellular organisms have far fewer genes than was previously believed. We are able to thrive with fewer genes (protein molecules) because the same gene signals are used in many different organs and tissues where they provide a wide variety of roles.
Biological systems are redundant when a drug is prescribed to treat a problem in one protein; it also directly impacts one or more other proteins in other parts of the body which have completely different biological functions. The same gene signal can create very different effects depending on where the signal is released. This commonly results in a litany of adverse drug reactions. Additionally, our body’s natural healing system is very specific. It only deploys natural chemicals where they are needed and for as long as they are needed. Prescription drugs do not have this specificity. Drugs are distributed indiscriminately throughout the body. For example, when one takes an antibiotic to eliminate a “bad” bacteria it also kills the “good” bacteria needed to assimilate vitamins. Synthetic hormone replacement therapy (HR-T) has been prescribed to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Unfortunately, it was discovered that this synthetic estrogen also impacted the estrogen receptors of the heart, blood vessels, and nervous system resulting in an increase in cardiovascular disease, neurological functioning, and strokes.
The introduction of one drug frequently causes another adverse biochemical reaction (symptom) necessitating an additional drug to address that symptom. This can cause more biochemical reactions needing additional drugs. Consequently, a “cocktail” of medications is commonly prescribed, many of which have never been tested long-term for their effects, particularly on the minds and bodies of young children.
The medical models solution to medicate the chemical imbalances to address problems is overly simplistic. This approach only focuses on adjusting body chemistry and overlooks the complex interdependency between our body, mind, and spirit. Our behavioral mental, social, emotional, spiritual, energetic selves must be taken into account when considering our complete health and well-being.
