I would rather understand why when there is so much controversy over pharmaceuticals that doctors insist on treating the symptom rather than the cause.
There seems to be an unhealthy attachment (forgive the pun) to rationality in medicine. There are numerous examples of people defying medical science.
I don’t really care how it works or even why, I am only interested in the fact that it does!
I suffer from an autoimmune disease which is still poorly understood by the medical world - however they do know how to treat the painful symptoms for which I am grateful?
I believe the statements and opinions here contravene the “discussion guideliines” issued by this forum in particular guideline No 6
- Back up your claims.
If you are claiming something that is likely to be disputed, then where possible, link to sources to back up your claim. It may not represent the absolute 100% definitive proof (it may be just one study, for instance) but it will at least add some credence to your point, and help move the debate forward. In general, the stronger or more controversial the claim, the greater the required evidence to back it up.
I would suggest that Azz has not complied with his/her own recommendations in this regard, whilst other members have attempted to respond within the same thread in the correct way?
I do not have any formal training in medicine (not that that counts for much in my book these days) nor have I said that I do. However, I have read hundreds of research papers and on many occasions (too many for my liking) have had to correct medical ‘doctors’ on the simplest of things.
In short, I have very little faith in them and share a healthy scepticism as Baxter does.
Now that’s not to say I am against medical science, real medical science that is, not the marketing nonsense spouted by pharmaceuticals which is then, sadly, often parroted by many in the industry.
I haven’t suggested we are trying to stop the production of acid - in fact I stated quite clearly that I think it would be wrong to, in all but severe or life threatening cases.
What I have said, is that I would want to find the cause as to why our bodies are either; producing too much acid, not able to neutralise it, or have become unable to tolerate it - and then treat the root cause, rather than just the symptoms.
Personally I would want to find out why your body has started to do this. I would not be happy to simply treat the symptoms and not try to figure out the cause. But that’s me, you are free to live your life however you wish.
As I have mentioned in previous posts 
when I get five minutes I will look up some links highlighting my concerns about PPIs and other acid-surpression medicines.
I do not have any formal training in medicine (not that that counts for much in my book these days) nor have I said that I do. However, I have read hundreds of research papers and on many occasions (too many for my liking) have had to correct medical ‘doctors’ on the simplest of things.
come on Azz as the admin here you have additional responsibilities to be very forthright and honest - if you are claiming knowledge that is superior and more beneficial than the current medical profession has then you need to state it clearly. State your professional qualifications and experiences that will then authenticate your claims. Otherwise your authenticity may be in doubt?
My authenticity? I’ve never claimed to be a doctor or in the medical profession.
I don’t need a degree in computer science to be a software developer. I don’t need a degree in medicine to be knowledgeable about health and well-being.
I am astounded by some posts here - more people should take an active interest in their health, not just rely on handouts in the form of prescriptions. I wont take anything without researching it first.
As for doctors and specialists, I have had to correct them more than once, I don’t just sit their nodding !
Here here Patsy! 
I agree Patsy… EVERYONE should take a proactive interest in their health, and most of all ask questions of their doctors and research the Medications they are prescribed. I am always astounded by folks that have no idea of WHY they are taking certain medications. I also believe that doctors should listen to their patients when they tell them how a medication is affecting them. I am hardly one to blindly follow what someone tells me to do. However, I also find it astounding that some people will ignore proven medical research and rational in favor of some half baked hocus pocus cures or treatments. It’s downright DANGEROUS. People can READ all the research papers they want, but without proper training… they really are not understanding them. ANYONE can put out a study or research paper. One has to dig down and find out WHO put out the study and what finacial interest they have in coming to a conclusion. Not all studies are equal and unbiased… I recall a study that claimed excess salt was actually harmless and in fact good for you… the study was financed by a large snack food company.
It’s great to combine good nutrition and a concern over foods we ingest and how they affect us… but NOT to completly poo-poo proven medical advise and treatment. THAT IMO is foolhardy.
An excellent example of the point I have been trying to make.
Have your read Bad Pharma? You might find it interesting.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bad-Pharma-How-Medicine-Broken/dp/000749808X
Azz do you consider yourself a complimentary therapist in certain areas of study and practice and are you aware of this organization in UK?
I wasn’t aware, no. (I don’t consider myself a therapist of any kind.)
I just take an active interest in my health, and have done since my early twenties.
My biggest regret is allowing myself to be bullied into taking PPIs six years ago when I had absolutely zero signs of dyspepsia or any symptom that suggested an acid related problem - my GP said he could only refer me back to the Gastro until “we try what they have suggested first”, yet they have no record of that themselves. After taking the PPIs my symptoms worsened considerably.
As promised, here are some links to studies relating to the potential dangers of acid-surpression medicines:
Proton Pump Inhibitor May Reduce Gallbladder Function
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/503676
The Use of Proton Pump Inhibitors and Increased Susceptibility to Enteric Infection
And here is an excellent overview of the digestive system
http://www.jonbarron.org/article/overview-digestive-system
The stomach
http://jonbarron.org/article/your-stomach-part-1#.U6RuKRY7tFw
Obviously there is much more to it than just what’s in these links - anyone interested may want to look into SIBO and magnesium deficiency which are both linked to PPI usage. Both of these have knock on effects too - something I’ll cover when I do the diet website.
just to keep this discussion well balanced here is an article critiquing the claims of Jon Barron. It is well worth a read as Jon Barron has been criticised by Dr Steven Novella as
Jon Barron is hardly a reliable source – he is just trying to sell his own quack detox programs. So he directly profits from the bad science he is selling…
Again…well said Audrey.
Even if you ignore Barron’s overview of the digestive tract (which is not referenced in the article in your link), the peer-reviewed studies I posted are more difficult to dismiss.
Btw, this bit of the link you posted makes it lose all credibility with me:
The science does not support the notion that organic food is superior to conventional food in any meaningful way.
:roll:
The science does not support the notion that organic food is superior to conventional food in any meaningful way.
if you keep uptodate wth currernt research and nutriional discussions , you will find that the above statement is true and gathering scientific support - there is no evidence that organic foods are superior - sad but true!
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/organic-food7.htm
I completely disagree.
Organic foods grown in mineral rich foods are very different to the commercial foods grown now with pesticides in ‘bad’ soil.
The multi-billion dollar organic food industry is fueled by consumer perception that organic food is healthier (greater nutritional value and fewer toxic chemicals). Studies of the nutrient content in organic foods vary in results due to differences in the ground cover and maturity of the organic farming operation. Nutrient content also varies from farmer to farmer and year to year. However, reviews of multiple studies show that organic varieties do provide significantly greater levels of vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus than non-organic varieties of the same foods. While being higher in these nutrients, they are also significantly lower in nitrates and pesticide residues. In addition, with the exception of wheat, oats, and wine, organic foods typically provide greater levels of a number of important antioxidant phytochemicals (anthocyanins, flavonoids, and carotenoids). Although in vitro studies of organic fruits and vegetables consistently demon- strate that organic foods have greater antioxidant activity, are more potent suppressors of the mutagenic action of toxic compounds, and inhibit the proliferation of certain cancer cell lines, in vivo studies of antioxidant activity in humans have failed to demonstrate additional benefit. Clear health benefits from consuming organic dairy products have been demon- strated in regard to allergic dermatitis.
http://www.altmedrev.com/publications/15/1/4.pdf
People are free to make up their own minds, but I for one am very concerned about the state of our food industry - I despair at what it is doing, and is going to do to the human race. And it’s all because of greed.
Btw, organic food is not all equal either - some of it (those focused on profit) is probably not worth bothering with. I want stricter rules of what can be deemed organic… but maybe that’s a topic for another thread 
