1. To: Professor Quinn<br />From: Taylor Kaatz<br />Date: 4/11/11<br />Subject: Research Paper<br />Medicine: Could It Be the Leading Cause of Illness?<br />“Formerly, when religion was strong and science weak, men mistook magic for medicine; now, when science is strong and religion weak, men mistake medicine for magic” (Szasz 115). Overtime as science has strengthened and developed it has made an impact on healing and preventing illness and disease. Medicine is the science and art of healing and the effect it can have on a person is said to seem magical. I’ve begun to wonder; is medicine working to help us like we think it is, or is medicine just filling our bodies with toxins, causing more severe illnesses in the long run? This made me think; is there another route we can take to avoid the dangers of medicine? I wondered if environmental factors played a role in the rehabilitation process. Does a person’s attitude have any influence or effect on their healing process? I believe it does. I think how a person takes care of their body plays a major role in a person’s health. If an individual eats healthy, exercises regularly, has a positive attitude, and works hard to keep their body fully energized, they are likely to stand a higher chance at avoiding illness than an individual who is lazy, has poor nutrition, and is depressed. <br />After researching multiple studies I have found nature to hold an evident truth in the healing process. Only Nature has the proven power to cure degenerative disease or any condition of physical impairment (Guthrie). This includes all chronic and degenerative disease conditions such as Arthritis, Emphysema or even Cancer. Nature’s ability to affect a cure of a degenerative disease, or any condition of physical impairment, is greatly impacted by the amount of human influence present during the healing process. It has been known that a sick body is a tired body. An individual’s mental and emotional atmosphere is important as well as a person’s strength and energy during natures healing process. <br />Cancer is a good example of a degenerative disease in which medicine does not cure. In the instance of cancer, instead of addressing the causes of cancer, which are toxins and a weakened immune system, we see instead treatments that either slash and burn or poison away the tumors and cancer cells, which further weakens an immune system that cancer has already defeated and only worsens the conditions that led to cancer to begin with. Even if it is initially successful at getting rid of existing cancer cells and tumors, the end result is a weakened body which may have major organ damage and which is more susceptible to the reappearance of the original cancer, as well as other forms of cancer and diseases. If everyone would just focus on the facts of cancer then maybe they could figure out a plan to attack it without using medicine and other drugs. Instead of doctors trying to radiate or poison the symptom, why not do something to address the underlying causes and natural imbalances enabled which led to the symptom. <br />Another natural way to heal the body without resorting to medical drugs is the holistic approach. The fastest way to restore wellness is to stop putting the things that have caused the physical problem to develop into the body in the first place, and then give the body the nutrients it needs to repair and rebuild itself. The holistic approach treats the whole person. It ignites the body's internal healing force and stimulates the body's natural abilities to heal itself (Lipschutz-Robinson). Most modern conditions are caused by lengthy exposure to a combination of negative lifestyles and toxic environmental factors. These factors include junk food and malnutrition, pesticides, antibiotics, microwaves, chemical pollution of food, water and air, lack of exercise and chronic stress. Modern medicine fails to recognize these factors as agents of disease and death and also fail to prevent measures against them. <br />Dr. Allen Greenberg, a retired physician, said that unless a person is in a terrible accident, their best chances of living to an old age is to avoid doctors and hospitals, and learn nutrition, herbal medicine and other forms of natural medicine. He went on to say that almost all drugs are toxic and are designed only to treat symptoms and not to cure anyone. Dr. Greenberg stated that the medical system is hopelessly inept and/or corrupt, and that the treatment of cancer and degenerative diseases is a national scandal. It has been announced time and time again how a team of professionals are working on developing a cure for cancer, when in all reality they will never come up with a cure, they are just promoting false advertisement with the intentions of receiving more money for their medical funding foundations. I for one think it is wrong and inhumane to fill citizens with false hopes of a cure just to rob them for a buck. <br />Nature proves itself reliable once again in this story of a woman, Hillary Ruben. Hillary was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disorder that can damage the central nervous system. It can impair balance, mobility, and even vision. There is no medical drug that can cure this disorder. One day while waiting in her chiropractor’s office, Hillary skimmed through a magazine where she discovered the art of yoga and decided she was going to give it a shot. She made the decision to take responsibility for her own health. Today, 14 years after her initial diagnosis, Hillary is symptom and medication free, which isn't necessarily typical (Guthrie). “Through yoga I've learned how to listen to my body and care for it with love and devotion,” she says. “I tend to my body just like I would a vintage car. My breath is the fuel, and my practice is my tune-up”. She credits her paradigm shift from fear toward empowerment for reshaping her life. This inspiring story goes to show that we are all capable of determining our own health levels. To be healthy you have to live a healthy lifestyle. Explore different things; find an enjoyable exercise, a favorite fruit or vegetable, and concentrate on working these healthy choices into an everyday part of life. This will kick off a start to a healthier lifestyle. <br />Kevin Trudeau, author of Natural Cures “They” Don’t Want You to Know About, wrote this book stating his beliefs on how elected officials, the media, and even non-profit organizations all work to suppress the health and well-being of our population. In his book he recalls a time when he was driving his car and thought he was experiencing a heart attack. After having numerous tests performed, medical doctors diagnosed him with mitral valve prolapse, and told him there was no cure and his life expectancy would be cut short. Trudeau consulted with a Dr. Yiwen Tang, who used a diagnostic device from Germany called the Dermatron machine, and diagnosed him in minutes. Dr. Tang said “yes it is incurable, but there are natural treatments in other countries that can reverse this problem in a matter of weeks…Unfortunately, the FDA has not approved of these treatments”. Trudeau left the country to be cured and now challenges the medical establishment. He says that prescription and over the counter drugs is toxic to our bodies as evidence by the number of side effects they cause. He thinks forces are hiding knowledge about natural treatments in order to continue making money off of over the counter and prescription drugs. (Gonzalez).<br />Not only is medicine dangerous for our bodies, but hospitals and doctors’ offices alone are unsafe. Miscommunications in hospitals cause medical errors every day. The estimate of death due to error in hospitals ranges from 230,000 to 284,000 per year (Bunis). It is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Evidence from a few studies indicates that as many as 20% to 30% of patients receive inappropriate care. It has been known that drugs are the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. Doctors are ahead of drugs in the leading causes of death, killing nearly a quarter million people a year (Bunis). Care not treatment is the answer. Drugs, surgery, and hospitals become increasingly dangerous for chronic disease cases. Facilitating the God-given healing capacity by improving the diet, exercise, and lifestyle is the key. Emotional and spiritual wounding is the most effective in the healing process in most chronic diseases. Natural treatments are a safe and healthier way to treat illness and disease.<br />2400 years ago Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine said, quot;
Let thy food be thy medicine and let thy medicine be thy food.quot;
Hippocrates was right; food plays an important part in our health. What we eat, when we eat, and how much we eat all affects our liver, which affects our health. Our good health is being robbed by fast foods, packaged foods, stressful lifestyles, and environmental conditions. Nature has provided for us in every situation. Since the dawn of the civilized world, people have been using natural health remedies to treat health issues. When we find something that works, we tend to use it. Unfortunately, the same principle carries over into the medical and pharmaceutical world, where far too often, the problem is how to make money and pushing synthetic symptom-blockers is the solution.<br />I believe natural remedies can create a renewed sense of health; in which each person is capable of healing themselves by eliminating the amount of toxins taken in by the body, eating properly, and exercising regularly. An individual’s mental and emotional atmosphere also plays a major role in the self-healing process, along with keeping the body energized. Anyone can make natural remedies at home. Fruits, vegetables, and herbs are all simple, natural, and inexpensive approaches to a healthy eating habit, with no side effects and no chemicals. I have acquired many natural healing techniques I intend to follow to keep me healthy and away from medicine in which would only cause more harm to my body later down the road. Natural healing is the key to a long and healthy life. What kind of life do you want to live?<br />Bibliography<br />Bunis, Dena. quot;
Medical Mistakes Kill 100,000+ Americans A Year.quot;
The Grisanti Report. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr 2011.<br />Gonzalez, L. quot;
Natural Cures quot;
Theyquot;
Don't Want You to Know.quot;
(2007): n. pag. Web. 11 Apr 2011<br />Guthrie, Catherine. quot;
Befriend the Body.quot;
Yoga Journal 230 (2010): 43-7. Web. 11 Apr 2011.<br />Harris, Paul. quot;
Nature Cures Disease.quot;
Arthritis Nature Cure Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr 2011.<br />Isaacs, Tony. quot;
Cancers Natural Enemy.quot;
Buzzle.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr 2011.<br />Lipschutz-Robinson, Shirley. quot;
Hollistic Health Care for People & Animals.quot;
Shirley's Wellness Cafe. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr 2011.<br />quot;
Natural Cures and Healthy Alternatives.quot;
Healthy Choices 4 Life. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Apr 2011.<br />Szasz, Thomas. The Second Sin quot;
Science and Scientismquot;
. 1973. 115. Print.<br />