While alternative therapies have become more popular in the US over the past couple of decades, new survey findings indicate that 9 out 10 Americans believe that alternative medicine may help a wide variety of health conditions.
The survey revealed that vitamins and herbs were by far the most common form of alternative therapy used, with over 40% reporting this was their therapy of choice. Massage was indicated by 29% of those polled as the second most common therapy, followed by aromatherapy, yoga, and homeopathic products.
About 74% of women and 57% of men take vitamins on a daily basis. Women were also more likely to try alternative therapies in general than men were -- with 68% of women saying they would do so as compared with 50% of men. The survey was conducted March 23 - 26, and included more than 1,000 telephone interviews of Americans over the age of 18.
An interesting survey. It has, like most aspects of life, a good and bad component. It is encouraging to see more people believe natural therapies like vitamins are useful. However, it is clear that the vast majority of people believe natural medicine is just taking vitamins, herbs and minerals. This is really an extension of the traditional medical paradigm which has a drug for every condition. I strongly believe that 90% of vitamins that people use are just unnecessary. The best supplement one can possibly get would be a large box of above ground vegetables.
However, many of you do not live in Illinois and can not avail yourself to this service. The recommendation is still valid. If you can consume a large box of vegetables per week, you health will most assuredly improve. It is very difficult to eat this many vegetables, which is why I recommend juicing (click here for my jucing recommendations). I can't tell you how many of my patients spend hundreds of dollars a month on vitamins. This is just not necessary. You can spend between $50 and $100 a month of vegetables and you will get the equivalent of thousands of dollars of supplements. You just can't beat fresh raw vegetables for getting healthy. It does not get much better than that. Another article in this week's newsletter also documents the improvement that dietary changes like foods, not supplements, can make. The practical value of the whole-diet approach is that it can help people focus on eating whole foods without concentrating on the exact nutrient content of the foods you eat.