Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy New Year

Especially the healthy bit.  It's a bit worrying these days if you are in the unfortunate position of having to visit your doctor. Can you trust the advice given to you by this health care professional?  Or is she/he actually a front for a drugs company?

Take a recent article on the BBC news website.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-24348691

In this article there is not one mention of  a time proven method for dealing with gout.  Organic cider vinegar (with 'bits' commonly called 'the Mother').  This may, of course not work for severe cases, but it does prove effective for mild cases.  It has been used for centuries, and perhaps most importantly of all it has no know side effects other than helping with arthritic pain and gout.  Take a tablespoon of cider vinegar, sweeten with a tablespoon of honey and dilute to taste.  Take once or twice a day until symptoms are relieved.

What is slightly more disturbing is that this easy to try home remedy isn't mentioned on the gout sufferer's website either.  No, the advice is that if you suffer you should go and see your doctor, and take whatever drug is prescribed.  Surely there is no harm in trying this safe and often effective remedy at home first?  Or would doing that put too big a dent in the profits of the pharmacutical companies?

Likewise with high cholesterol.  Statins have many recorded side effects, including muscle damage (just take a moment to consider which is the most important muscle in your body!) which may not be immediately apparent on taking these drugs.  Plant sterols can be used to limit the damage, and for a lot of people (some of whom may have naturally high cholestrol levels anyway) will control the problem effectively and safely without undesired side effects.  So why doesn't your doctor prescribe them and then book a follow-up appointment to see if this safer method is working?  Because 'Big Pharma' don't make plant sterols, but they do make statins and sales calls to your local health professional.

Obviously if anything ails you, seek medical advice,  BUT before blindly and blithely taking a drug prescribed by your doctor consider; is there a natural, old-fashioned remedy that will help?  Have a healthy New Year.