Over the past few years, natural based medicine has become more and more utilized by people around the world from diverse backgrounds. While this trend points to a growing health conscious society, not all natural based medicine are as promising as they might seem. We will point out the pros and cons to natural based medicine (in comparison to conventional medicine) to help you navigate through the maze of natural based medicine.

The Pros. of natural based medicine.

Safety. One of the first principals of medicine...... "First Do no harm." While all doctors are trained in this, not all practice it. The third leading cause of death in America ......... doctors and the conventional medical system. When used by trained professionals natural based medicines can be used in place of conventional medicines to avoid these harmful side effects. Many chronic disease's are great places to make this switch. Changes in diet, nutritional supplements, and exercise could fix or improve  high cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes. One could argue that taking cholesterol medication is safer through lowering your cholesterol. However if you can achieve equal results with the above, you avoid the added risks from the medication. This added safety while achieving the same outcome is one of the hallmarks of natural based medicine. 

Prevention. You may have heard the ancient cliché "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cures." Natural based medicine are well know for their preventative approach as they seek to identify and treat health problems before they turn into illnesses. For example, acupuncture seeks to maintain balance and synergy of the entire body and system. With this balance the stress, anxiety, and worry (higher cortisol) of day to day life is less likely to make you susceptible to illness. Many who rely on conventional medicine are usually seeking help only after something goes wrong. In the end they pay more in health care costs. 

Convenience. Dietary supplements, herbal medicine, massage, reflexology, biofeedback, meditation, yoga, and the like can be practiced or used by just about anyone. There is a low barrier to learn about them and start on a preventative health path. 

Finding the cause. Conventional medicine can be powerful and effective at treating symptoms of illness once these symptoms appear, but they usually don't treat the cause. While you cover the symptoms up with a pill, the disease state continues to progress and so too does your health. The conventional medicines may leave patients with additional problems from the side effects. Natural based medicine look to treat the cause of illness and through this they treat the symptoms. 

The Cons. of natural based medicine. 

Diagnosis. A firm clear diagnosis is crucial to good treatment. When used without the recommendation of trained professional, natural based medicines are often used unproductively. Many are promoted to cure conditions and ailments but the body is complex system. Without knowing why you are having these symptoms, your treatment is like throwing darts at a dart board. Before starting natural based medicine, know how and why you are taking it for the best benefits.

Regulation. Prescription drugs are subjected to rigorous standards that most nutritional supplements are not held to. That means there may be adulterations in the products you are taking and what the bottle says is in there may not be in there. Again be educated and aware on what you are taking as well as the company delivering it. 

Some supplement companies uphold the same FDA standards are pharmaceutical companies. These are the companies we use in our practice because we can trust them for purity and potency. 

Acute medicine. Things like serious accident, heart attack, severe infection or other life-threatening emergencies require the quickness and urgency of conventional medicine. This is where conventional medicine shines delivering life-saving diagnostics and treatments. 

Evidence. It is easy to be suede by real live people saying they have been helped by a product. Many products are promoted with this and only this. Others are promoted by proprietary research where the company making the product pays a private lab to do research studies. As a consumer of these products the best you can do is educate yourself and ask for help from a knowledgeable professional. There are good solid research studies done on natural based medicine. The trick is knowing where to look and how to interpret the results you find. Pubmed is a good resource for such research. 

Getting educated

As with anything, it is vitally important to learn as much as possible about the type of natural based medicine that you plan on adding to your health regimen. The good news is there has never been a time when this information has been available as now. The key is knowing where the bias is. Much of the information out there is present in a way that encourages you to purchase a particular product as opposed to delivering the important information alone. Having a trusted adviser on natural based medicine in your corner can go a long way. Over time you will learn which treatments work and why. Armed with this knowledge you will be able to determine which products and services are likely to be effective for you and your family. 

For a trusted adviser in natural based medicine, click on the link below.