AP IMPACT: Alternative Medicine Goes Mainstream

[steven johnson]

Congress funded studies on supplements and unconventional therapies ten years ago costing $2.5 billion and failed to found any major cures or major treatment advances except for acupuncture and ginger for chemotherapy-related nausea.

But a third of the population uses alternative therapies and there is a demand so insurers and hospitals are accomidating the demand.

Published: June 7, 2009
Filed at 8:17 p.m. ET

Alternative medicine has become mainstream. It is finding wider acceptance by doctors, insurers and hospitals like the shock trauma center at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Consumer spending on it in some cases rivals that of traditional health care.

Health insurers are cutting deals to let alternative medicine providers market supplements and services directly to members. At least one insurer promotes these to members with a discount, perhaps leaving an incorrect impression they are covered services and medically sound. Some insurers steer patients to Internet sellers of supplements, even though patients must pay for these out of pocket. There are networks of alternative medicine providers that contract with big employers, just like HMOs.


The latest government survey shows the magnitude of risk: More than a third of Americans use unconventional therapies, including acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic, and native or traditional healing methods. These practitioners are largely self-policing, with their own schools and accreditation groups. Some states license certain types, like acupuncturists; others do not.

Tens of millions of Americans take dietary supplements -- vitamins, minerals and herbs, ranging from ginseng and selenium to fish oil and zinc, said Steven Mister, president of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, an industry trade group.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/06/07/health/AP-US-MED-Unproven-Remedies.html

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Ok, before the usual gang chimes in

with their name calling and over generalizations, let me say this: Supplements have kept my blood sugar level even, have kept me from getting more than the start of a cold or flu, and have helped keep my varicose veins from hurting and have kept my cholesterol down where it is supposed to be. I don't expect insurance to pay for these things. But I do expect to be able to get these supplements and use them without harassment.

If you get sick and want to go the regular route, more power to you. But don't deny me the right to get well and stay well through alternative treatments. My husband has Hepatitis C, and yet his liver functions are normal and tests show billirubin levels are fine. He got to this point not by taking Interferon but through supplementation. A friend who was diagnosed at the same time took Interferon and got terribly sick from reaction to the drug and still suffers to this day.

I figure though there is a cry to cover some of these treatments, it won't happen. Big Drug and Big Insurance doesn't want to pay for things like this because they can work. No money in curing folks, you know.

[Eric J in MN]

2. What supplements have kept your blood sugar level even? NT

NT

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. chromate (chrome)

As it was explained to me, it works to regulate glucose in your system--if your blood sugar is too low, it helps kick it up. If it is too high, it brings it down. I'm very sensitive to sugar, and start getting what I call "the shakes" if I inadvertently get served some. Popping a Chromate stops it right away, with no side effects. My dad died of complications from diabetes, and Mom's hypoglycemic, so I watch this stuff rather carefully.

[movonne]

7. What did you use for your Cholesterol..I had high triglycerides and

the doctor I had put me on lipitor...he retired and the next doctor I asked if there wasn't something other than lipitor I could take...
she told me to try niacin and that really worked...the liptor never put me in the range it should be but did bring it down... the niacin keeps it in the range it should be...but now my cholesterol is jumping up and I do not want to go back to lipitor..

[trotsky]

8. OK, was that *really* necessary?

Way to start the discussion off on the wrong foot. To prove you wrong though, I'll say only this: you have no proof that your supplements have accomplished any of that, only your personal anecdotal evidence. Since you haven't corrected for any other variables, you'll have to excuse people who don't simply take your word for it. You know, the "usual gang." :eyes:

[BuddhaGirl]

14. great testimonials!

I wouldn't live without my supplements as well. As an example, I take N-A-C and turmeric every day, as well as a multivitamin...and I haven't had a cold in two years. It's pretty amazing as I am exposed to sick people pretty regularly. :hi:

[no_hypocrisy]

3. My blood pressure was over 200 and wouldn't go down. My physician

warned me I was going to stroke out and wanted me immmediately on blood pressure medication permanently.

I balked and went to a naturopath. I was put on two supplements, I changed jobs, and four months later, the pressure's down to 125/84.

I'm convinced.

[dropkickpa]

10. Couldn't have possibly have been the job

Must have been the woo.

[MADem]

4. I think those studies may have been rigged to favor the drug companies.

There are some herbs that definitely help conditions--they may "contribute to wellness" more than "cure" sickness, but they do have an effect.

IMO.

[Orrex]

6. Where are the studies to support that claim?

I'm not saying that they don't exist, but it would be helpful to have a listing of such studies that were published in peer-reviewed journals, so that we can better assess their claims.

[MADem]

9. I was voicing an opinon. That's why I prefaced my remarks with "I think."

Not every comment must be accompanied by a cite, particularly the ones that don't assert the existence of a "study."

And for those who were otherwise unsure of the meaning of "I think," I even concluded my comments with "IMO."

Anecdotally, though, one would think that hospitals wouldn't act against the interests of their patients--at least not blatantly. The fact--and it is a fact--that many have integrated nontraditional practices into their menu of offerings suggests that the conventional wisdom, based on previous studies, has been found to be a bit of, er, horseshit.

[Orrex]

11. "Nontraditional" practices have been adopted because people want them

Not because they've been proven effective, nor because actual medicine is horseshit.


And regarding the "I think/IMO" stuff, I see your point, but since your "I think/IMO" statement meshes exactly with declarations often asserted here as objective fact, I believe that I can be excused for misinterpreting your statement of opinion as a declaration of fact.

Regardless, I'd like to see a study on it.

[MADem]

12. I don't assert facts not in evidence. For all you know, there might be more studies.

Google works well--if you find any good ones, post 'em here.

[Orrex]

13. So...

You want me to find citations that support your statement of opinion?

:wtf:

[MADem]

15. You're the one that demanded them, absent any assertion of certitude by me.

If you really want them so badly, you'd just better go find them.

I was expressing an opinion, as I said. You jumped on me because you didn't read what I wrote, demanding "evidence."

My point is this--if you really want the evidence, and you're not just jumping on the posts of others for malicious and childish "gotcha" sport, get off your behind and Do The Google. And then, since you're so interested in this topic, DO share your findings with the rest of us, for the edification of all.

:wtf: indeed.

Your inability to read isn't my problem, see? You can make up for it by doing a little homework, if you'd like.

[Orrex]

17. So...

you express an opinion, and when called on it, you question my literacy and tell me to solve the problem for you.

Your claim, which of course "what you think" and "in your opinion," is that the studies that show the limited efficacy of supplements and unconventional treatments were somehow rigged to benefit drug companies.

In point of fact, I dispute your claim, whether or not it is your opinion. I've read plenty on the subject, and if you have anything useful to offer (which, I grant, appears less and less likely), then I welcome you to post it.

I think you're ignorant of the scientific method, and you are reluctant to accept evidence that doesn't support your pre-picked conclusion.

You're also petulant and childish IMO.

[MADem]

19. How very droll. Only you could "call" someone...on an OPINION.

It's an OPINION. It's not chiselled in stone. It's also not governed by "the scientific method."

:rofl:

You like fighting on the internet--that's pretty obvious. And you certainly are petulant and childish. Poor you.

Now go do your homework.

[Orrex]

22. Homework's done, thanks. And it turns out that I was correct the first time.

Now, perhaps you could give some indication as to why you think that the studies were rigged, in your opinion.

[MADem]

23. No, you were not "correct." No one can refute an "opinion."

Opinions are not refutable.

Hit the books.

You haven't even started your homework. But you are prancing around in the "Ewww, I NEED to be right!" venue!

Don't demand cites for opinions--that's just "dumbaya."

Opinions are what they are--viewpoints. They aren't required to have the same gravitas as "assertions" or even "claims."

So go away, and do that homework.


Include some dictionary and thesaurus work--BTW, that's just an "opinion" and not a "demand" or a "claim."

[Name removed]

24. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Orrex]

25. You are conspicuously ill-informed

I accept that it's a fact that your opinion is X because, even though you're ill-informed, I have no reason to suspect that you're a liar. However, opinions can certainly be refuted, because opinions may be (and, in your case, are) inconsistent with reality; the exposure of this inconsistency is the basis of the refutation. It can still remain your opinion, of course, but it won't be useful as anything except perhaps as uninformed commentary.

What you perceive as prancing around in the "Ewww, I NEED to be right!" venue is, in fact, me being right and you being too ill-informed to realize it.


As I mentioned, I've done my homework. But it sounds like you're up past your bedtime, so why don't you get some sleep and come back when your thought process is less muddled.

[conscious evolution]

16. They are in the works

Have you noticed that a lot of teaching hospitals are allowing the use of alt methods?It is so they can study them.
Emory University is one such hospital.They are working with the Dalai Lama on several projects concerning alternative practices.
I have also heard that Mercer University is also doing studies.

[Orrex]

18. Studies are fine. I welcome them, in fact. But...

If it turns out that this or that therapy does not have a demonstrable benefit, will its adherents accept this conclusion, or will they claim that the test was rigged?

[conscious evolution]

20. I'll accept it.

While I am a beleiver in many alt therapies and practices I also recognize that there are a lot of snake oil salesmen and charlatans out there.If a few feathers get ruffled,well tough.

[Orrex]

21. Sorry--I should have clarified that I wasn't referring to you as one of the stubborn non-acceptors!

I apologize for my poor choice of words.

:pals:

[conscious evolution]

26. No problem

Sometimes it kinda sucks being both a skeptic and a woo at the same time.:shrug:
But then again,according to Mayan astrology I am whats called a world bridger.:rofl:

[Orrex]

27. We don't need no stinkin' bridgers.