Up to half of medical literature may be false! But which half?

The Truth About Drug Companies: How They Deceive Us and What to Do About It

Dr. Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of the Lancet Medical Journal, published a statement several years ago declaring that a shocking amount of published research, at best, is unreliable, if not completely false, as in fraudulent. Dr. Horton published his comments in the April 11, 2015 edition of The Lancet in an article entitled What is medicine’s 5-sigma?. CLICK HERE to read the entire article.

This has not gotten better. It is even more difficult to have confidence in modern medicine.

This is scary. The point is that up to half of all medical literature is false. This means that we cannot rely that the drugs we take have been properly studied and reported. Studies are tainted, manipulated, misinterpreted, reshaped, and otherwise falsified. The suggestion is that up to half of published medical scientific literature may be untrue in some way. Those of us who have thought that the science of pharmaceutical medicine was possibly tainted, now have good vindication for our concern. As an aside, how do doctors and parents have confidence that the 63 vaccinations given to our children are in fact safe, in light of this reality? How do we know which drugs we can trust?

Dr. Horton states: “The case against science is straightforward: much of the scientific literature, perhaps half, may simply be untrue. Afflicted by studies with small sample sizes, tiny effects, invalid exploratory analyses, and flagrant conflicts of interest, together with an obsession for pursuing fashionable trends of dubious importance, science has taken a turn towards darkness.”

“In their quest for telling a compelling story, scientists too often sculpt data to fit their preferred theory of the world. Or they retrofit hypotheses to fit their data. Journal editors deserve their fair share of criticism too. We aid and abet the worst behaviors. Our acquiescence to the impact factor fuels an unhealthy competition to win a place in a select few journals. Our love of “significance” pollutes the literature with many a statistical fairy-tale. We reject important confirmations. Journals are not the only miscreants. Universities are in a perpetual struggle for money and talent, endpoints that foster reductive metrics, such as high-impact publication. National assessment procedures, such as the Research Excellence Framework, incentivise bad practices. And individual scientists, including their most senior leaders, do little to alter a research culture that occasionally veers close to misconduct.” The Lancet, April 11, 2015.

Dr. Horton is not the first to raise this concern. Over 15 years ago Dr. Marcia Angell raised these concerns in 2004 in her book The Truth About Drug Companies: How They Deceive Us and What to Do About It. Dr. Angell is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School. She joined the editorial staff of the New England Journal of Medicine in 1979 and stepped down as the Editor-in-Chief in 2000. She is intimately familiar with medical literature and studies.

Dr. Angell stated: “It is simply no longer possible to believe much of the clinical research that is published, OR to rely on the judgement of trusted physicians or authoritative medical guidelines. I take no pleasure in this conclusion, which I reached slowly and reluctantly over my two decades as an editor of the New England Journal of Medicine.”

The cause of this problem is the money that flows from the pharmaceutical industry to the universities, researchers, medical journals and doctors is driven by the profit motive. The money taints the whole process. This is the conclusion of two long-term editors of some of the world’s most prestigious medical journals. We can see the problems. But I do not expect things to change. This is the current state of medical research.

The solution is to become informed and take charge of your health. Simple to say, challenging to apply. But it is your body and your health and you are responsible for making choices. It is within your power to learn how to make better choices in every area of your life. Better choices lead to better outcomes. It is your process of discovery to determine your path forward. Determine to learn more about the drugs you take. Evaluate your alternatives. Make a plan and follow it. Reevaluate your plan and adjust as needed. This is how you move forward with learning and experience.

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440 – The Pleiotropic Benefits of Herbs – Part 1 – Saffron

In this episode, Carrie Pattison discusses the fascinating concept of pleiotropic effects in herbal medicine. Pleiotropy refers to the ability of a particular herb or plant compound to have multiple benefits on the body. One herb that exemplifies this concept is saffron, also known as the “golden spice.” In this blog post, we will explore the historical uses, sourcing, and potential health benefits of saffron, shedding light on its pleiotropic effects.

Historical Uses and Cultural Significance: Saffron has a rich history dating back thousands of years. Ancient civilizations, including the Romans and Greeks, recognized its medicinal properties. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, wrote about saffron’s use in gynecological conditions, while other physicians like Dioscorides and Galen praised its aphrodisiac qualities and ability to soothe skin irritations. The use of saffron in traditional medicine spans various cultures, including Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

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439 – Adrenal Support for Stress

In this episode of the HealthQuestPodcast.com, naturopathic physician Dr. Kate Rhéaume, ND, shares valuable insights on stress management and the role of nutrition in supporting our overall well-being. Stress is a common experience for many of us, and understanding how to effectively manage it is crucial for our mental and physical health. In this podcast, we will explore some key takeaways from Dr. Kate’s interview and discuss practical strategies for reducing stress in our daily lives.

Understanding Stress: Dr. Kate explains that stress is any change in our environment, whether positive or negative. Our perception of stress plays a significant role in how it affects us. While short-term stress can be mitigated by stress hormones like adrenaline, long-term stress can lead to chronic health issues such as weight gain, high blood pressure, and increased risk of chronic diseases.

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438 – Why I Love Carlson Fish Oil

We have used Carlson Lemon Flavored Liquid Fish Oil for nearly 20 years. The difference in our health has been exceptional. Marine based omega-3 is my number 1 recommended nutritional supplement. I have come to believe that without sufficient and balanced omega-3 fatty acids one will struggle to manage inflammation. This has been my personal and professional experience.

There are compelling distinctions between Carlson Fish Oil and almost every other brand of fish oil in the market today. It is these distinctions I will discuss today with Jolie. It is easy to claim that a product is the best, but how do you know? The distinctions we discuss could be done by other companies but there are very few companies willing to commit to this extraordinary level of quality.

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437 – Nancy Chan Discusses Pure Antarctic Krill Oil

Krill are small, shrimp-like marine crustaceans that belong to the order Euphausiacea. They are found in all of the world’s oceans, but are most abundant in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. Krill are an important food source for many marine animals, including whales, seals, penguins, and fish. They are also harvested by humans for use in a variety of products, such as fish feed, omega-3 supplements, and food for human consumption. Krill are known for their distinctive red color, which comes from the presence of the pigment astaxanthin in their bodies.

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436 – Thyme Out Addresses All Types of Skin Problems

ECZEMA RELIEF – Get the relief you need from eczema symptoms with Thyme Out’s natural, but effective powers.
ANTI ITCH SPRAY – Say goodbye to rashes, inflammation, redness, and irritation with our thyme-infused formula that provides instant, soothing relief for itching skin.
PSORIASIS PROTECTION – Empower your skin with Thyme Out’s natural, but extremely effective properties that work together to alleviate symptoms of psoriasis.
ACNE – Say goodbye to breakouts with Thyme Out’s powerful antiseptic properties that unclog pores and calm inflammation for a clearer complexion.

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435 – Brenda Watson Discusses HOPE for Digestive Problems

In this interview Brenda Watson discusses her personal history with digestive problems. Like many of us her journey began with her desire to get better. Brenda is considered one of the foremost experts on digestive health. Her personal journey has resulted in thousands of consumers discovering the foundations of digestive health.

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434 – NOW Lab Tests Find Amazon Sells Cheap, Sub-standard and Adulterated Supplements

This interview with Neil E. Levin covers the significant testing of finished products sold online. Amazon and others sell supplement products that are illegal and fraudulent. What else can we call it? NOW has tested many products and many have been found to have numerous significant problems. These products are then sold to an unsuspecting consumer that trusts that the supplements are what they claim to be. Amazon knows this. The FDA knows this. Yet both fail to take action.

This problems include but not limited to:

Many do not contain the potency stated on the label.
Many are mislabeled.
Many contain ingredients not listed on the label.
Many are contaminated with heavy metals

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433 – Neil E. Levin Discusses NOW® Laboratory

In this interview Neil E. Levin discusses the world-class lab that NOW has created. NOW has become one of the largest and oldest companies in the natural products industry. I first became aware of NOW in 1976 as a supplier in my health food store. I have seen them grow in quality and commitment and they now providing products to 100 countries around the world.

The labs at NOW foods are incredible. Neil reveals that the lab alone is a $100,000,000 investment. They have 160 people working in the lab and they conduct nearly 20,000 tests every month.

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432 – Jay Jacobwitz Discusses Natural Foods Retailing

There is a lot of consumer confusion about foods and supplements as nutrition. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to know which foods are truly healthy and which are not. With so much information available, it can be hard to know who to trust. This is why it is important to find an independent retailer to trust when it comes to finding healthy, natural foods and quality supplements..

Independent retailers have been around for decades, and they have a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to natural foods. They are passionate about health and helping others, and they are not limited by the restrictions that larger stores face when it comes to providing information about health and nutrition.

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431 – Dr. Michael Schwartz Discusses Sugar Metabolism

Reducing carbohydrates and exercising are two of the most important steps in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Eating too much carbohydrates can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, and other health issues. Exercise is also important for weight management and overall health.

Carbohydrates are found in many foods including bread, pasta, rice, fruits, and vegetables. Eating too many carbohydrates can lead to weight gain, as the body stores the extra carbs as fat. It can also lead to insulin resistance, which is when the body does not respond to insulin properly. This can lead to type 2 diabetes and other health issues.

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