Are You in Control of Your Health, or Does It Control You? From Gregory Pais, ND, DHANP
Licensed Naturopathic Physician and Classical Homeopath Remember last year's news stories about Vioxx (and other Cox-2 inhibitor drugs)? Vioxx was intensely promoted as an anti-inflammatory drug that would decrease the risk of stomach ulcers associated with aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen. So thousands of people with arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other pain syndromes were prescribed this drug. Coincidentally, Vioxx was 10-15 times more expensive than the drugs it was replacing. The first problem was that it turned out that Vioxx was no easier on the stomach than the cheaper drugs it replaced. Even worse, use of Vioxx almost doubled the risk of the patient having a heart attack, and increased the risk of stroke. Dr. David Graham, then associate director in the FDA's Office of Drug Safety, estimated that a staggering 88,000 to 139,000 Americans suffered heart attacks and strokes as a result of taking Vioxx. This isn't the end of the story though. A few months later, news stories appeared suggesting that, since there were no other alternatives (!!) to Vioxx, patients should accept the risk of doubling their heart attack risk and take Vioxx anyway. Is this a risk you would take? No other alternatives!?? I use Classical Homeopathy, Naturopathic Medicine, Clinical Nutrition, and Herbal Medicine in my practice. These tools can greatly reduce or permanently eliminate pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Without doubling the risk of getting a heart attack or increasing the risk of getting a stroke. They're also very effective for anxiety, depression, migraines, the flu, irritable bowel syndrome, and other common illnesses. Get Well and Stay Well—Mentally, Emotionally, Physically, and in Spirit Do any of these questions describe you? If you answered YES to one or ALL of the above questions, you're in good company. Many people are looking for an alternative to conventional medicine for themselves and their family. They are looking for healthcare that doesn't use drugs or chemicals. Healthcare that offers more than poison, cut, and burn. They want healthcare that addresses the whole person, which understands the interrelationship between the mind and body. Here is a way of working with your health that will empower you. That will reduce the confusion and helplessness you feel. That will help you create a sense of well-being and balance. A truly wholistic system that will help you establish and maintain good health.
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Optimal Health Points
by Dr. Gregory Pais, ND |
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Sunday, August 10 2008 |
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Reprint from Organic Consumers Association
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Program (NOP) announced on August 5th 2008 that 15 of the 30 accredited organic certifiers they recently inspected failed the USDA audit and will have 12 months to make corrections or lose their accreditation with the NOP. It is clear that there are numerous violations of organic standards taking place in the U.S. and across the world. (Read the August 5 NOP Audit Report here)
A number of the violations noted in the several hundred page audit related to Chinese imports certified by the French-based organic certifier Ecocert and other certifiers. Strangely enough, Quality Assurance International (QAI), the largest organic certifier in the world, is not cited by the USDA, even though the OCA has recently reviewed documents that indicate that QAI is indeed under investigation by the NOP.
QAI has recently been in the news for sourcing ginger, contaminated with a dangerous and banned pesticide, Aldicarb, from its Chinese certification sub-contractors and then labeling it as "USDA Organic." QAI is also under public fire, along with other certifiers, for certifying factory farm feedlot dairies supplying milk to Horizon and Aurora Organic Dairy, who in turn supply Wal-Mart, Costco, Safeway, and other organic private label organic milk. (Learn more)
For six years the OCA and the organic community have called upon the USDA to implement a "Peer Review Panel" system, as required by law in the National Organic Standards, so that respected members of the organic community can monitor and police violations of organic standards on the part of producers, importers, and certifiers.
As the USDA themselves have admitted "The National Organic Standards call for the Administrator of AMS (USDA Agricultural Marketing Service) to appoint members of a Peer Review Panel to evaluate the NOP¹s adherence to its accreditation procedures and its accreditation decisions." It's time for the USDA to stop dragging their heels and begin the public process to set up an organic community "Peer Review Panel," so can we can start policing organic standards ourselves.
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