Today I overhead a “healthcare expert” state, “There are studies that say supplements aren’t good for you, and in fact, some studies show that supplements can even be harmful.” Seriously? This is such a good example of several things:
> >Don’t believe everything you read
> >Understand the truth about studies
> >A healthy practice is to question what we read, and then to question our beliefs about it
Let’s look at these supplement studies. About 90% of these studies on supplements don’t standardize their supplements and they are using sub therapeutic dosing. Many of the studies are just surveys that don’t even follow the scientific process with an objective and an endpoint. So to base one’s beliefs on these so-called studies is unfortunate. Believing everything we read without question, and then to pass on these beliefs to others, can continue to perpetuate the myths and false information surrounding some healthy and beneficial practices.
Let’s look at omega 3’s as an example. A “study” came out about a year ago stating that omega 3’s increase the risk of prostrate cancer. This appeared on the front page of The Wall Street Journal. This “study” correlated higher risk of prostate cancer with higher levels of omega 3’s found in the serum of the men in this “study.” In other words, they tried to correlate cause and effect between 2 random ideas that gave negative “information” about omega 3’s. This “study” didn’t even discuss these men in the study taking omega 3’s. Because of this article, those who believe everything they read could now falsely believe that taking omega 3’s can cause prostate cancer. This type of false fact article happens often. The TRUTH about omega 3’s is this:
>Taking 2000 mg a day is optimal for pushing thyroid into the cells of the brain for brain clarity
>Omega 3s raise metabolism, and help burn fat.
>Most importantly, omega 3’s help reduce inflammation.
Since most diseases START with inflammation, taking omega 3’s is CRITICAL for preventing inflammation and disease! If I were to believe the article mentioned above, I could potentially be setting myself up for failure. This is a great example of NOT believing everything I read, and continuing to question my beliefs.
I hear this same type of generalization with hormone therapy: “I asked my doctor if I needed hormone therapy and he said no.” Is this the end of the discussion? We aren’t motivated to think for ourselves and possibly take charge of our own health? Really? My suggestion is that when we choose to unequivocally believe what we read and what we are told without question, this makes it too easy. It closes the lid on more discussion that could shed light on important information. I think a BETTER practice might be to ask why. WHY are you saying I don’t need hormone therapy? WHERE are you getting your information? If it is through the media with the same false information that has been recycled over and over again for the past 10 years, and often with the pharmaceutical industry agenda, I encourage you to most definitely QUESTION your beliefs, the beliefs of your healthcare practitioner, and to begin to EDUCATE YOURSELF.
I see the same issues with ads I read for drugs for menopause-relief symptoms. There is a new drug on the market for feminine vaginal dryness that mimics estrogen, but it’s not estrogen. After reading the important safety information and the common side effects, (good grief!) I have no idea who would seriously consider taking this drug. Why not just use estriol? Estriol is E3, our gentle, calming estrogen that babies in the womb swim in. Estriol travels to the breast tissue and uses its protective benefits in helping to prevent breast cancer, and it is great for feminine dryness. It is also found in our bodies, but depletes as we age. So replacing estriol as we age is a strategy we endorse. So why don’t doctors typically prescribe estriol? Because most doctors don’t know a lot about it and it is not FDA-approved. Why not? No drug company has put up the money to fund a clinical study until recently. It is in clinical trials now for use in the treatment of MS. **This is the beauty of educating yourself in this area of women’s health and in connecting yourself to respected hormone facilities like ours, with healthcare practitioners and a medical director who are in the know, have the latest valid information and really understands the latest information out there on hormone balancing therapy.
The bottom line? Don’t believe everything you read and make it a practice to QUESTION YOUR BELIEFS. Your best health naturally may just depend on it!
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