People are quick to dismiss a lot of conspiracy theorists, I think because they tend to go overboard with interlocking theories and facts. But if you are willing to spend a bit of time on the sorting process you will find gems of truth that will knock you for a loop.
no, trust me.
I’m not the sort of person to go in for the conspiracy theories that float around. I have serious doubt that the government (any government) is hiding evidence of UFO’s. I think there was a lone gunman for both JFK and Lincoln, but not the same gunman. And there isn’t a Bigfoot or a “Jersey Devil” unless the former is Shaq and the latter is one of the girls from Jersey Shore. But when it comes to health, we have been sold a bill of goods over the past hundred years.
First on my list are the Big Pharma commercials on television. People are being sold “cures” for diseases they don’t have and for some reason ($) the government doesn’t have an issue with this. Most medication being prescribed is long term treatment (not a cure) for things that probably don’t harm us. This is how people end up with prescription bills in the thousands by the time they are at retirement age.
Second on my list is nutrition and agriculture. We are not getting the nutrients our bodies need from produce from “big business” chemical induced farming. All sorts of chemistry is involved in growing plants bigger better faster, but the vitamin and mineral content of the plants have dropped considerably. They look good, but are like a balloon – pretty and full of nothing. Unless your produce is coming from an organic farm, it’s not getting the nutrients it needs, and neither are you.
You end up having to supplement your diet with vitamins. But the majority of Americans decide what vitamin they are going to get by watching commercials on TV or via ads on the internet or magazines. The best selling multi-vitamin is not nearly the best for you. As a matter of record many pills people take never enter into your bloodstream to nutrient your body, they pass right through you without being absorbed. The thing you should be concerned with is bio-availability of your vitamins, not if it contains 100% of the RDA. If it doesn’t get digested and become available to your systems, 100% means nothing.
And that brings me to the RDA. Most people don’t know that the recommendations for nutrition originally came from minimum sustenance levels determined during WW2. Scientists worked out the bare minimum to keep soldiers alive to determine what needed to be in rations. The standards haven’t really changed much since then. The 100% of vitamin C, for example, may prevent you from getting scurvy, but doesn’t really satisfy your body’s need for C to be vibrantly alive and healthy.
Hope people don’t think I’m radical or a nut, but these are all things that should concern you. Back to the “normal” posts on health and fitness again tomorrow. See you then…
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: bobbyemiddendor
May 5, 2010 at 8:44 am
Robert, This is powerful stuff, not radical at all, at least in my opinion. Seth Godin talked in his blog today about the myths that have grown up around having consumer debt. You peel back the curtain here on an even more insidious problem. Is it that people have stopped thinking for themselves (and so “trust” commercials)? Or is all that is unspoken (therefore unknown) simply taken as a given –like your example with the RDA? I don’t think people have a clue about that. It is the power of information like you are providing here that is really the only light in the dark available for our health. Taking it into our own hands, making conscious decisions about our food, and trying to make sure that big pharma/bigfarma(ag) together don’t destroy the very source of sustenance on planet Earth. Thank you for a timely post and for speaking out on what is a crucial topic for health. Wow!
Bobbye Middendorf
The Write Synergies Guru
Well said!
I think Bobbye hit the nail on the head when she said that we have stopped thinking for ourselves and just do what the advertisers tell us to.
It’s everywhere! I see usually intelligent woman running out to buy a strange shaped handbag or pair of shoes (that don’t suit them but cost a small fortune) because they have been told it’s the ‘must have’ item this season – WHAT! Where did their brains go?
I know that was a flippant example when compared to what you’re saying – but it makes my point about ignorance. I can understand your need to speak out. It’s more frustrating when you know these things are either useless or actually harming people’s health.
It’s important to speak out and let people know. Then at least they can make an informed choice.
Thank you for making a difference.
much love to you both
Heather x
Twitter: mywebgal
May 5, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Hi Rob,
You are right on the money here! I totally agree with you. I am such an avid proponent of prevention through leading a healthy lifestyle that I have two sites dedicated to this. One is herbs and natural remedies and the other is holistic nutrition.
I refuse to take any of the medications that doctors want to prescribe for me because so far all but one has made me worse than before, and I never knew I “needed” them in the first place. I was “told” I needed them yet had no health complaints. Big Pharma and doctors (and the gov’t) all seem to be in this ($) thing together and I think it’s an absolute shame.
We absolutely have to think for ourselves and do our own research when we’re prescribed anything. Most of these “medicines” have more side effects than you could ever imagine. You get a short run down of them on the commercials, but go to their websites where they have to list all of them… I’ve seen them list hundreds!
Great post!
This is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes ot conspiracy theory. How about the fact that the government doesn’t want us to know what GMOs we are eating, or that Monsanto will soon control our entire food supply?
Do they really want us all so sick that they will control us through prescription drugs?
The funny things is, people don’t seem to care. Now who is crazier?
Twitter: evelynbrooks
May 5, 2010 at 5:32 pm
So true! A friend told me that her medical group explained the “average senior” takes 17 prescription drugs. Yikes, how is that average! People know very little about health and nutrition, and your article raises a lot of good questions. Thanks for posting it!
Evelyn
#blog30
Twitter: melaniekissell
May 5, 2010 at 8:37 pm
Rob ~
Best that you don’t get me started on pharmaceuticals. Trust me. I’ll start writing volumes and no one has time to read a blog comment that goes on for days!
Suffice to say that my mom takes a total of 14 medications every day and my only sister is on TWENTY-THREE prescription drugs. It’s disgusting.
I’ve been a medical professional for over three decades. Call me a fool, but I’m beginning to believe that doctors and drug manufacturers are kissin’ cousins! Those reps keep dropping off the samples and the docs keep handing them out.
Some of the side effects from drugs are WORSE than the illness itself!
Melanie
Twitter: bobbyemiddendor
May 6, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Rob,
It looks like you really hit a hot button here!! I’m adding a link to this conversation in my blog post today about copywriting. Thank you for opening up this space to share these really crucial insights.
Bobbye Middendorf
The Write Synergies Guru
Hello,
I just stumbled onto this thread. It’s a great post and I want more! Does anyone know of a source where I can get a more information?
Ndot.
This is all just a front for the bigger picture which is population control. Our bodies are being starved on a full belly of unatural chemicaly enriched foods. Foods are being processed purposely with the intention of eliminating it’s beneficial value. Laws are in place to prevent some of these substances from being sold in an organic state. Good examples of this are these super foods you hear about that are barely even beneficial for you by the time you get it. (White and green tea, Acai berries, almonds). Some supplements have been banned due to the fact that they are truly super plants. There is a cure for everything. If I told you that you can cure cancer from having a martini and a bowl of pine needles would you do it? I’m sure you would. Unfortunately no body well be making that much money off of that. In the end you can’t blame anyone but the governments for letting a very small group of people to have all this power. That’s all you can due is sit back and watch the puppet show.
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